Travel: Eastern Cherokee casino boasts biggest hotel in area

Tuesday, February 19, 2013  

"Far removed from the whirring, pinging and dinging of slot machines and the cheers and moans at the card tables, the quiet, serene Mandara Spa pampers individuals who hit the jackpot or need to soothe themselves after rolling the dice and losing at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

The 18,000-square-foot spa, which opened in December, was the final component of the $650 million expansion over five years that adds a luxurious vibe to the resort tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains.

For 15 years, Harrah’s Cherokee has served as a convenient gambling destination for Georgians, since it’s about three hours from Atlanta. Now the glammed-up resort offers more amenities for gamblers as well as guests who don’t want to test their luck.

The western North Carolina location also makes Harrah’s Cherokee a place to stay when visiting other area attractions, like the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. With 1,101 hotel rooms and 107 suites, Harrah’s Cherokee, which spans 56 acres and is owned by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, has the most hotel rooms in the Carolinas."

Get the Story:
Harrah’s Cherokee renovation attracts gamblers, families, and yes, even pets (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2/19)