Graton Resort & Casino gives a sneak peak of 200-room hotel opening in November

Graton Resort expansion facts

Owner: Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

Cost: $175 million

Rooms: 184 (500 square feet)

Suites: 16 (1,040, 2,100 and 2,600 square feet)

Starting room rates: $399 weekdays, $499 weekends

Sonoma County average room rate: $179.17 (August, per STR)

Convention center: 20,000 square feet

Seating: 800 for dinner, 1,700 for live events

Soon the $800 million Graton Resort & Casino, already a gaming and entertainment center, will feature a place to stay over by some guests who arrived on on expanded tour bus routes, to attend a conference or -perhaps one day- flew in from Mexico into nearby Santa Rosa.

Opening of the 200-room, six-story hotel just northwest of Rohnert Park is set for Nov. 15. The 184 standard 500-square-foot guest rooms are augmented with three sizes of suites - 1,040, 2,100 and 2,600 square feet. The largest of these features a pool table, private bar and butler’s pantry flanked by two bathrooms and guest bedrooms. A portion of the mirror in this suite’s master bath also serves as a flat-panel TV.

“We built this hotel right as a first step with an eye on quality accommodations,” said Joe Hasson, vice president and resort general manager. “Somewhere down the road the tribe may consider another expansion, but for now we’re keeping track of the demand curve to fill what we have. There is no phase 3 in the works today.”

Greg Sarris, tribal chair of resort owner Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, said that after paying off the $175 million cost to build the hotel, the tribe hopes adding accommodations will increase revenue “to support our tribal citizens as well as enhance our tribal council’s larger agenda focused on justice and environmental protection. By doing well at the Graton Resort and Casino, our citizens will do better.”

Station Casinos’ design and construction department is managing the entire design and construction build out of the phase 2 expansion with the collaborative direction and vision of Sarris. Penta Building Group serves as the general contractor and the Friedmutter Group is the architecture and design firm.

The hotel has been designed in “U” shape, with the various indoor guest services next door to each other on the first floor surrounding the pool. There are no stairs, and all amenities other than guest rooms are located on a single level for the convenience of all guests, especially seniors and those with disabilities.

When it comes to having mega-space to host large groups for meetings and dining, the Graton already has a 9,000-square-foot event center, built during phase 1. The almost-completed convention center, with 20,000 square feet of flexible space, is the largest in Sonoma County. It can comfortably seat 800 for dinner and 1,700 for live entertainment events. This hall can be divided into seven smaller rooms. In addition, there are two breakout rooms adjacent to the pool that can also be partitioned in half for smaller meetings.

While no restaurant is planned within the hotel, Hasson alluded to another eatery - to be announced later - that will be located within the casino. Food and refreshments are available by calling for room service as well as at poolside, in the spa and in a number of restaurants adjacent to the casino gaming floor.

New routes for casino tour buses are being established all the time bringing visitors from as far away as Sacramento, the central valley and San Jose to the Rohnert Park area. These transport options supplement parking spaces for 5,500 vehicles, including 1,900 covered spaces, and a five-story parking garage.

The Graton has its own fleet of shuttles, vans and SUVs for smaller numbers, a fleet which can also be deployed as a bridge between SMART stations and the Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport for out-of-town guests.

The area draws about 8 million visitors a year now and a recent survey put the average occupancy rate in August at about 85 percent. To support future advertising promotions and bundled packages that include air, ground and hotel accommodations, Hasson said Station Casinos, the Las Vegas-based gaming and hospitality company managing Graton Resort, is developing co-op plans with local airlines. Operators of Sonoma County Airport have hinted at the idea of being able to land a carrier to offer direct flights to Mexico.

“When Allegiant Air’s jets leave Santa Rosa for Vegas, they have to come back,” Hasson said, referring to one of two airlines currently flying out of Santa Rosa. “When they return, they can bring more business to us as well. Boarding pass rewards work well in both directions.”

Room rates will start at $399 per day during the week and from $499 on weekends.

“We are a new product,” Hasson said. “There is a high degree of enthusiasm among those wanting to be the first to stay overnight with us.”

Gary Quackenbush (gary.quackenbush@gmail.com, 707-322-1882) is a contributing writer.

Graton Resort expansion facts

Owner: Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

Cost: $175 million

Rooms: 184 (500 square feet)

Suites: 16 (1,040, 2,100 and 2,600 square feet)

Starting room rates: $399 weekdays, $499 weekends

Sonoma County average room rate: $179.17 (August, per STR)

Convention center: 20,000 square feet

Seating: 800 for dinner, 1,700 for live events

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