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A 432-room hotel opened Monday at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel, fulfilling a century-old goal of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians.
Chairman Ken Ramirez said an ancestor who named the tribe in the 19th century wanted to secure the future of his people.
“We look back seven generations of Santos Manuel, my great-great grandfather. I’m the fifth generation. My granddaughter is seven generations,” he said. “The milestone he put in place seven generations ago, we’re here. He wanted to have a sustainable future for his tribe. This is part of his legacy.”
The tribe has had a gaming facility in Highland since 1986, when it opened a bingo hall. Ramirez said the tribe was slow to expand, in part because it didn’t have the space for a resort until it purchased land that was federalized. But in 35 years he said it has become a leader in the hospitality industry.
The outside patio of the Y Lounge on the top floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The Y Lounge is exclusively available to guests on the 16th and 17th floors and top tier Club Serrano members. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A view of inside the main entrance of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The reception desk inside the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A general view of the new pool area adjacent to the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The new pool area at the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel as seen from the 17th floor in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A view from the Overlook Bar inside the newly expanded casino area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Y Lounge on the top floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The Y Lounge is exclusively available to guests on the 16th and 17th floors and top tier Club Serrano members. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Y Lounge on the top floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The Y Lounge is exclusively available to guests on the 16th and 17th floors and top tier Club Serrano members. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Pines Modern Steakhouse house been relocated into the newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Overlook Bar inside the newly expanded casino area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A bar area just off the main lobby inside the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The master bedroom inside a 1,487 square foot 2-bedroom 2 1/2 bath suite on the 17th floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The master bathroom inside a 1,487 square foot 2-bedroom 2 1/2 bath suite on the 17th floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A 1,487 square foot 2-bedroom 2 1/2 bath suite on the 17th floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A dining room table within the common area inside a 1,487 square foot 2-bedroom 2 1/2 bath suite on the 17th floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A dining room table within the common area inside a 1,487 square foot 2-bedroom 2 1/2 bath suite on the 17th floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A secondary bedroom inside a 1,487 square foot 2-bedroom 2 1/2 bath suite on the 17th floor of the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Water Sanctuary inside the Serrano Spa within the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
One of the 7 pool side cabanas available at the pool adjacent to the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A general view of the new pool area adjacent to the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Radiance Cafe, adjacent to the new pool, is scheduled to open next spring adjacent to the new hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Players try their luck in the newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Pines Modern Steakhouse house been relocated into the newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The main lobby entrance inside the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A general view of the new pool area adjacent to the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Pines Modern Steakhouse house been relocated into the newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Players try their luck in the newly expanded gaming area at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
A bellhop walks to retrieve a guests luggage outside the newly opened hotel at Yaamava’ Resort and Casino at San Manuel in Highland Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The resort officially opened it’s new 17-floor 432 room hotel on Monday. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
“Today we’re looking at being the No. 1 casino in the nation,” Ramirez said.
He said the resort is looking “to cater to every walk of life.”
But with rooms starting at $600 on weekdays, the hotel is targeting a high-end clientele. Amenities include a VIP lounge on the 17th floor with views of the San Bernardino Mountains, three other bars, a pool, a spa and salon. And in the casino, guests of the Pines Modern Steakhouse can order a 52-year-old Scotch that costs $3,100 per ounce.
“If you’ve just won a million dollars, it might be in your price range,” said Ryan Sharpe, director of beverage operations.
Afsi Bird, vice president of hotel operations, said Yaamava’ is aspiring to become a five-star property.
“The products are of five-star quality. The service is of five-star quality. We deserve that accolade.”
Yaamava’ is taking reservations for the hotel on its website, but a spot check showed rooms are not available until April. Weekday rates start at $600 while weekends range from $800-$900 per night for a standard king or queen room. Suites start at $800 on weeknights and $1,000 on weekends.
The 17-story tower is the second phase of a $760-million expansion, which broke ground in 2018. Phase one was a casino expansion, which was completed last summer, and phase three is an entertainment center, expected to open in 2022.
The expansion included changing the name of the resort from San Manuel Casino, which happened in September.
Although the tribe has not had a hotel at its casino, it is not new to the hospitality industry. Ramirez said it has hotels in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Sacramento.
The tribe is also acquiring the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, and Ramirez said the licensing process will be completed soon.
“This is a tremendous day for the tribe and how the tribe views itself moving forward. As we look to the future we’re going to find much diversification from gaming and hospitality into other areas,” Ramirez said.
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino
Where: 777 San Manuel Blvd, Highland
Information: 909-864-5050, yaamava.com
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