The much-anticipated Valley Forge Casino Resort (VFCR) opened this last weekend to scores of guests ready to satisfy their wagering urges without trekking to Atlantic City or even the other side of Philadelphia. According to VFCR public relations, roughly 750 guests waited to be among the first on the casino floor at the stroke of midnight, Saturday morning.
But, this is no ordinary Pennsylvania casino, which sits across from the bucolic Valley Forge National Park. This is two hotels, a spa, restaurants, bars, nightclub, business and banquet space, and a casino wrapped into one 100,000+ square foot property. Washington surely would not recognize today’s Valley Forge.
The VFCR is the first casino in the western suburbs of Philadelphia and all together represents a new type of casino experience in Pennsylvania. Under the terms of its Class III state gaming license, hotel and spa guests, patrons of any of the seven onsite restaurants and bars, and business and banquet guests are permitted on the casino floor to take their chances on any of the 50 table games (Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow Poker, and Baccarat) and 600 slot machines. As a patron of the property’s various amenities, individuals are granted a 24-hour casino floor pass.
An additional way for visitors, particularly for locals wishing to visit the casino more frequently, to enjoy the casino is by way of a seasonal or an annual membership. Membership holders are entitled to unlimited casino visits for the duration of the membership, no-cover-charge events, 10% savings in the restaurants, and one free meal per membership. The resort’s website has all of the important details.
A behind-the-scenes tour was given to members of the media by its CEO, Saverio “Sal” Scheri, earlier in the week as final touches were being put on everything from carpeting and paint in the front of the house to booze and cooking oil in the back of the house. While small by casino standards, VFCR aims to present a a multitude of options for guests, even for those with no intentions of stepping foot in the casino.
Though the casino resort concept represents the first management company’s GF Hotel Management first foray into the gaming industry, with over 125 properties under management, they are clearly not new to the world of hospitality. The decor, the restaurant and bar options, and the professional staff combine to demonstrate that VFCR is aiming to provide an experience just a notch above the average casino experience.
To that end, the vice president of food and beverage operations, Martin Doyle, revealed that local industry kitchen veterans Wei Wen, most recently of Susanna Foo Gourmet Kitchen, and Michael Inferrera, most recently of Table 31 in Philadelphia, have landed in lead positions in VFCR kitchens. Mr. Doyle brings his own pedigree from Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa., Borgata Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, and 21 Club, Redeye Grill, and Windows on the World in New York City.
Doyle also mentioned that Pacific Prime and Viviano, once opened, will represent the property’s highest-end dining options and also be the most likely to feature locally-sourced foods from Lancaster County to New Jersey. He also said that a beer dinner featuring Philadelphia’s Yards Brewing Company is in the works at the English pub-like Valley Tavern.
While the payouts at the new VFCR may not be as rich as this past weekend’s Mega Millions jackpot, the new and exciting resort provides more entertainment and nightlife options in Valley Forge.
Did you attend opening night or at any point this weekend? We’d love to hear your impressions in the comments section below.
