Although the pandemic has forced us to live in a World Apart, Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort has reopened to a World at Play. After closing in March, the award-winning casino and resort reopened in June.

Exceeding Safety Measures

Mohegan Sun’s top priority is the safety of its guests. During the shutdown, staff worked rigorously preparing the facility for visitors. The goal was to create a safe and sanitized environment for guests. Some of the updates include: Plexi glass, disinfecting wipe stations and hand sanitizer units installed throughout the property. All ventilation systems have been set to 100 percent outside air and 100 percent exhaust air in order to achieve the highest possible air exchange rate. Every other slot machine is available and table games are arranged to meet appropriate social distancing standards. To reassure guests about the safety of games, dice games are disinfected after each player. There is a zero-tolerance policy for non-mask wearers. Upon entering the property, non-invasive thermal temperature checks are performed on all guests and staff members. Anyone with a temperature higher than 99.9 is flagged in the system and asked to return when they are feeling healthy. Elevators enforce a four-person capacity to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Jeff Hamilton, President and General Manager of Mohegan Sun understands how imperative implementing safety measures is for business, “Just because the open sign is up doesn’t mean guests will come unless they feel safe.”

The staff at Mohegan Sun knows that “By working together, we win together.” We win when precautions are taken for guests to relax and play in a safe environment. By exceeding safety measures anxiety is decreased so that patrons can have a level of comfort and normalcy while gaming, dining and shopping. Dana Proto, a frequent visitor to the property says, “Going to the casino provides my husband and I a sense of normalcy. We’ve been a few times since the reopening. I feel safe and protected with the efforts the staff has implemented. This has been such a dark time, so it’s nice to see people enjoying themselves.”

Hotel Experience

I stayed at the Sky Tower for a two-night visit. The spacious Sky Tower Deluxe Room included a king-sized bed, a full-size working desk area with an ergonomic chair, a relaxing lounger and a marble bathroom. The room was spacious and comfortable. It also provided a panoramic view of the fall foliage and the Thames River. I was informed that housekeeping cleaned and disinfected touch points and high contact areas. In between stays, hotel rooms are sanitized to disinfect all the soft goods. To add another level of security, housekeeping only enters the room in between visits. Guests can call down at any time to request items for the room. I called down for extra towels and coffee and someone delivered them within minutes.

Spa Experience

My spa treatment consisted of a 50-minute customized massage at Mandara Spa located inside the Sky Tower. The relaxation massage began with a warm paraffin foot treatment using a combination of a cucumber healing cream and coconut infused oil to nourish skin. The full body massage targeted pressure points and areas that were discussed with the service provider before the session. The technician ended with a scalp treatment to complete the destressing process.

The spa is up to date with CDC, Tribal Health and OneSpaWorld guidelines. Making guests aware of protocols starts at the reservation stage, guests are informed that the current status is Phase two of Connecticut Covid-19 restrictions. For example, guests must wear a mask the entire time on the table and the number of people inside the spa is limited. All shower facilities, wet lounges and waiting areas are closed. Although social distancing practices are enforced, the service provider greeted me with a hand over heart heart and “namaste” to acknowledge the connection that we share. Considering the current conditions in today’s world, self-care is imperative, and the spa is responding by focusing on the therapeutic benefits of the service. Regional Director of Spa Operations, John Breslin explains the benefits of booking a massage, “Everybody is under a certain level of stress that they haven’t been under. We provide an outlet to recharge and reduce anxiety even if it’s just to get away for an hour.”

https://mohegansun.com/poi/venues/mandara-spa.html

Dining Experience

On Friday night, I had dinner and drinks at the MJ23 Sports Bar & Grill. The sports bar/restaurant pays homage to legendary NBA player Michael Jordan serving contemporary American cuisine in a casual environment. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite, enjoy a beer and watch a game. I tried the BBQ ribs, MJ23 burgers and 3-pointer special: onion ring tower, BBQ spring rolls, and wings. It was an enjoyable experience made even more satisfying by the attentive and friendly staff. https://mj23sportsbar.com/

On Saturday night, I dined at Sol Toro Tequila, Guac & Tacos. The fun, colorful cantina boasts a “No Bull” atmosphere serving creative cocktails and Mexican favorites. I tried the homemade guacamole, chicken taquitos, beef empanadas, shrimp fajitas and the steak tampiquena. The bold flavors and versatility of the dishes coupled with the vibrant atmosphere created an experience that was both delicious and visually appealing. https://soltororestaurant.com/

Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort allows you to be social while staying safe. Relax & Recharge on your next day trip or overnight visit.

For more information visit: https://mohegansun.com/

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