Have some fun at Rivers Casino

There were several reasons why Mrs. Rambling & Gambling and I didn’t pack huge expectations as we prepared for a recent jaunt to Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, N.Y.

One was that Rivers’ corporate parent, Chicago-based Rush Street Gaming, does not have hotels in their other properties, which include Rivers in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia’s SugarHouse. Another was simply that, after all, we were headed to Schenectady—a town whose mention hardly makes the pulse race.

Well, the two above mentioned people who like to believe they are always right turned out to be as wrong as they could be. The fact is that Rivers Casino & Resort ranks among the finest gaming complexes this column has thus far visited. And Schenectady, which is about a four-hour drive from Cherry Hill, was equally surprising.

The “Resort” in the facility’s name refers to the Landing Hotel, a six-story, 165-room tower that overlooks the Mohawk River. Opened less than 18 months ago, the Landing is sleek and contemporary inside and out.

Standard rooms include flat screen TVs and a well-appointed bathroom featuring a surprisingly spacious shower.

If your budget (or level of gaming) permits, a Bay Suite is the way to go. The 650-square-foot space includes a sizable sitting area, a wet bar, large bedroom (with king bed). But the best amenity is definitely the wrap-around balcony that affords wonderful views of the river and surrounding area.

All room showers are apparently door-less, which may take a little getting used to.

Regardless of room level, all hotel guests can avail themselves, in the Landing Bar, of free daily breakfast and a late-afternoon wine party at which each guest gets two complimentary glasses.

Another notable amenity is the free Wi-Fi which connects automatically to your device—as opposed to having to fill out forms.

And everyone is welcome to explore the walking path that runs just outside the complex along the river. It’s hard to imagine the fall foliage there isn’t breathtaking.

The hotel’s first floor houses Splash Spa. Owned by the warm and vivacious Mary Ho, Splash is a getaway-within-a-getaway offering a variety of treatments from facials to massages, and a perfect place to get away from the surrounding hubbub.

Also on the ground floor is the Event Center, which is a twin of facility at SugarHouse. Which means it’s a great place to see a show, intimate with great acoustics. Among the upcoming bookings is Tracy Morgan on Nov. 9.

There are a variety of food options at Rivers, including Duke’s Chophouse, a classic casino steaketeria that stacks up with the best.

For Italian, there is Johnny’s To Go, a casual outlet featuring pizza, pastas, salads and sandwiches. But if that craving hits, it is strongly recommended you get your car for the five-minute ride to downtown Schenectady, where the original Johnny’s is located. A beloved local institution, Johnny’s rivals any “red gravy” room anywhere, offering generous portions of some of the best traditional Italian we’ve ever enjoyed. And it’s no exaggeration to write that the bread is the best I’ve ever eaten (bread being one of my four basic food groups). It’s worth the trip to Schenectady just for Johnny’s bread!