Mystic Lake Casino Hotel

Named after one of the small lakes surrounding this enormous property, the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel is a monument to early '90s gambling developments. Inside, crowds move past columns made from a jumble of mirrors, granite, and mauve veneer leftover from the prior decade. Sounds from slot machines echo through the lobby's wide halls along with a wash of neon lights blinking from within the adjacent casino. Families, older couples, and seniors looking to try their luck at the tables, or the buffet, make up the most guests here. It's a lively place where cigarette smoke is a guaranteed constant throughout all public areas, but the hotel itself is surprisingly quiet.

The hotel sits on an enormous property owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, with a long private drive between surrounding golf courses and parks. There is a strip mall within walking distance that has convenience stores and a grocery store, but no nearby dining options to speak of. Another casino called Little Six is a one-minute drive up the road from the hotel and Canterbury Park, with its horse track and table games, is eight minutes away by car. The Dakotah! Sport & Fitness complex is a three-minute drive in the opposite direction, housing a bowling alley, indoor pool, athletic courts, skating rink, and a huge fitness center. This is a convenient location for guests who intend to visit the casinos and golf courses, but there is little else around. Depending on traffic, expect a 45-minute drive to Minneapolis. 

Renovations between 2016-2017 replaced the decor and amenities of all 586 rooms, updating an older look to a cleaner contemporary style. Rooms have textured navy carpets and minimalist built-in wood furnishings -- storage flows into work desks, which are connected to wardrobe cabinets along one wall, opposite beds with padded white headboards mounted on dark wood. Rooms also have ergonomic roller chairs and big 49-inch flat-screen TVs, along with Keurig coffeemakers, but there are no mini-fridges. Most of the bathrooms have shower/tub combos, with some suites adding whirlpool bathtubs. 

The state's largest casino is known for its gaming floor full of slots, 100 blackjack tables, bingo, and pulltabs. Bars and restaurants line the perimeter and surrounding halls. Dining options include burgers and ice cream, a noodle bar, and a steakhouse. A token buffet restaurant has pizza and standard American comfort food. There's also a deli and a Caribou Coffee on-site. For less risky entertainment, the hotel has a 2,100-seat entertainment venue that attracts national acts, along with a comedy club that has regular performances. The 18-hole golf course is on 11 acres of prairie dotted with water hazards and wildflowers; a stream complete with several waterfalls flows through the fairways. There's a clubhouse and pro shop there, along with the Meadows Bar and Grille, which has a patio overlooking the course. The indoor pool is on the small side, especially for a property of this size, but it's housed in a bright space under a ceiling with a glass dome in the center. There's also a hot tub and a sauna, along with a full-service spa for the usual massages, wraps, and facials. Guests get free passes to the nearby Dakotah! Sport & Fitness center, a huge 230,000 square-foot complex with a fitness center, along with its own indoor lap pool, bowling alley, and ice-skating rink. A free daily shuttle runs to nearby Canterbury Park and another free shuttle operates between the hotel and Mall of America.