CHANDLER, AZ – Gila River Hotels & Casinos is set to celebrate its new resort destination. After 27 years, the enterprise is unveiling its new look and amenities Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22 at Wild Horse Pass to celebrate the completion of its $180 million expansion and opening of the new Sunrise tower.
Guests can expect an elevated experience with the new brand at all Gila River properties – Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte in Chandler; Vee Quiva in the West Valley; and Santan Mountain in the Southeast Valley, slated to open in 2023.
“We are truly excited to introduce ourselves as Gila River Resorts & Casinos,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos. “Throughout the past several years, we have been creating a destination packed with thrilling entertainment and new ways to play so that guests can come as they are and own their moment. From our new Las Vegas-style live table games, exciting nightlife, and the addition of our BetMGM Sportsbooks to new fine dining options, spacious rooms, and a variety of serene and secluded pools, Gila River Resorts & Casinos provides guests with a casino resort experience like no other.”
To celebrate the commemorative milestone, Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass will host multiple events on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22. The weekend will begin Friday with a Ludacris concert, and resort guests can also celebrate with Live 101.5 in the Spotlight Lounge.
On Saturday at Wild Horse Pass, guests who are enrolled in Gila River’s loyalty program, THE Card®, are eligible to win $1,000 every hour between 9am and 8pm. Football fans are encouraged to come to watch the NFL Division games that day at the new BetMGM Sportsbook. Guests are also invited to celebrate the grand opening of the new rooftop restaurant and lounge Prime and 11ven at Prime. The Saturday night event will feature DJ James Kennedy as a special guest DJ.
Gila River broke ground on the $180 million resort property expansion in August 2020. It was the first expansion project since the property opened in 2009. The new 11-story Sunrise tower, connected to the Sunset tower, rises 150 ft. over the desert landscape. The Sunrise tower features 205 new guest rooms and suites for a total of 447 rooms at the resort.
Resort guests arriving at Wild Horse Pass will see a newly renovated lobby entrance featuring a chandelier atop the iconic bucking horse sculpture as a centerpiece, as well as diverse art lining the walls from Gila River Indian Community artists. The resort has also enhanced its pool experience with two new pools, the Oasis Pool and the Serenity Adult Pool. In addition, the resort now features 18,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space and 7,000 sq. ft. of outdoor meeting space.
Dining and nightlife were key considerations when planning the newly rebranded resort. A stunning glass elevator brings guests up to the rooftop, where Prime Shula’s Steak House serves up a fresh twist on classic steakhouse dishes crafted by celebrity chef Demetrio Zavala. Guests can indulge in a new fine dining experience at the East Valley’s new premier steak house destination that offers exceptional flavor combinations, modern decor, grand ambiance, stunning views of the Estrella Mountains, and breathtaking Arizona sunsets. After dinner, the venue transitions to 11ven at Prime, a place where crafted cocktails and live DJ’s pair with a fabulous perspective of the Valley.
