Mohegan Sun

Mohegan Sun offers a surprisingly scenic natural setting, considering that its main draws are its entertainment venues and overwhelming array of shopping, gambling, and dining options inside. Set in the middle of the Mohegan Tribe reservation, the property is surrounded by rolling green lawns trimmed with rock walls and neatly kept hedges. Inside the huge lobby, decor takes hints from Mohegan culture. Canopy-like trees with huge leaves made out of Mohegan beadwork are among the most eye-catching accents. There are also faux rock walls with fountains streaming down, and an enormously high curved ceiling with colorful glass panels. It can all feel a little overwhelming and mismatched at times, but it certainly isn't boring. Most guests are couples looking to gamble and take advantage of the unending amenities, but with a kids' club and arcade, plus tons of corporate event space, the property also draws some families and business travelers. 

The property sits on the Mohegan Tribe reservation alongside the Thames River in Uncasville, about an hour southeast of Hartford in the southeast corner of Connecticut. It's set away from other roads, but is fairly easy to get to, located just off of highway I-395. There's nothing much in walking distance of this self-contained property, which even has its own gas station about three minutes' drive down its own road, Mohegan Sun Blvd. It also has an 18-hole golf course, Mohegan Sun Golf Club, which is about a 20- to 25-minute drive, as is Mystic Aquarium. Providence is about one hour away by car, while Boston is around two hours' drive. 

The rooms and suites at Mohegan Sun are huge and bright, with modern decor that has a much more subdued vibe compared with the rest of the property. Most are done in neutral tones of beige and gray, with blue accents and understated carpeting. Even the standard Sky Deluxe rooms measure 450 square feet, and have clean-lined lounge chairs and simple wood furniture. (The entry-level rooms in the newer Earth Tower start at 364 square feet, though the tower had not opened yet at the time of our visit.) Work desks are sizable and dressers also hold flat-screen TVs and minibars. Suites range from 845 to 3,500 square feet (the top option is the Royal Suite). Most suites have sofa beds and walk-in closets with automatic lighting, and some add wet bars, Bose stereos, and hot tubs with reclining backs. Butler service comes with Premium Suites. Standard bathrooms combine beige marble with colorful mosaic-tile mirrors, and have shower/tub combos and toiletries. Hairdryers and ironing facilities are also provided. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, video in-room dining service, coffee/tea facilities, and safes. 

The three casinos are the centerpiece of the property and include more than 5,500 slot machines and more than 300 table games. Two non-smoking gaming areas are available, as well. Live entertainment options range from the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena to the smaller Cabaret Theater and the Wolf Den concert hall. As for dining and drinking, the variety is seemingly endless: 45 in total, including 17 bars/nightclubs, four fine-dining restaurants including a steakhouse, and buffets. Among the 35 shops on the property are designer clothing boutiques, candy shops, and jewelry stores. After all of that action, the 2,200-square-foot Elemis Spa is a nice place to kick back, with several treatment rooms and suites for things like seaweed wraps and Shiatsu massages. There's also a modern fitness center with rows of cardio and weight machines. A large solarium holds the indoor/outdoor pool that extends to a large outdoor terrace with a hot tub. In the summer, an outdoor poolside bar and cafe is open, with a nightly fire pit. For families, there's Kids Quest, a club for ages six weeks to 12 years old, with an arcade space. A separate game room is available for all ages. Business travelers have 100,000 square feet of meeting space, including a pillar-free ballroom. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and there's free valet parking at all entrances, as well as porter service.