Mohegan Sun :: Satellite Vegas

As if Las Vegas bred a wild-child and expelled it to the East Coast, Mohegan Sun sits in a class on its own- a departure from the standard disappointments of non-Vegas casino resorts. When we gay gamble, we want opulent.

Mohegan Sun delivers.
My fellow New England gays: I, like many of you, had never ventured to the Mohegan Sun resort in Uncasville, Connecticut. I mean seriously, Uncasville? It's not exactly a glam-sounding town. How great could anything there be, right? Wrong.

Adventures come to people in different forms and for different reasons. This adventure did not manifest itself from the beckoning call of a blackjack table. Instead, it was the siren's call of former indie rock super heroes The Killers (now not so indie but super heroes none the less).

Like a lot of people who have never been to Mohegan Sun, when considering the destination the thoughts that came to mind were largely those of other non-Vegas casino resorts I've visited; thankfully, Mohegan Sun is nothing like them. Within seconds of pulling up to the valet I knew that this resort was a cut above the rest. The rest of my stay confirmed this; not just in d?cor, amenities, and activities, but also in the core- which is where the differences truly lie. Every employee I met was personable- that simple openness and friendliness is a draw for my rapid return.

The room

Although a stay at Mohegan Sun will cost you more that a night at a dicey hotel in the middle of nowhere, location is key. So is d?cor.

Nothing beats the convenience of sleeping in the same place you're visiting, and when the rooms are equipped with above standard fare, life is good. Standouts of the room include the large flat screen television and fantastically comfortable mattress. I recommend a room with a river view; the backdrop of a beautiful river and rural rolling countryside hills is a great contrast to the hub of activity that you'll encounter downstairs in the casinos.

D?cor

One of the biggest surprises for me was the d?cor- which is apparently award-winning... and fabulous. Soaring ceilings are equipped with the largest planetarium in the world, and a 3-story waterfall accented with a sculpture by famous glass artist Dale Chihuly. Even the casinos offer some incredible features that deserve a bit of time to appreciate. All to often, as New Englanders, we tend to look down at the ground or directly through a crowd; Mohegan Sun offers the perfect opportunity for you to drop that urban guise, relax, walk slowly, smile at people, and most of all - when stuck in the middle of a crowd - stop yourself from looking for the quickest route through this gaggle of humanity. Instead, look up; look around. Enjoy the adventure not the race.

Food

Dining at Mohegan Sun comes in a Vegas style assortment of choices- including gourmet options that could give their Vegas counterparts a run for their money.

A new addition to the resort's range of dining choices, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville opened last September, marking the 9th of 10 in the chain. Each location has a different theme; this one took on the Nor'easters. Not the favorite topic of most New Englanders, it keeps in the theme of the region, offering the kids a nor'easter sculpture that creates a fun ruckus in fiberglass and plastic frenzy.

On a warm day the best seats are on the open air Porch of Indecision, which offers a great countryside and river view. Hungry? The Nacho Volcano is truly a super sized mountain of nachos. Warning: only the truly famished individual - or a party of 5 teenage girls - could consume this monster.

If fine dining's more your style, the impeccable service at the Longhouse might be more your speed. Although known for its amazing steaks and seafood, I also couldn't help but notice its classy (but fun) decor. Lets just say that the use of spent antlers is something I will be recreating in my own home soon. The Veggie Quesadilla and Lobster Bisque were standouts for this non-red-meat-eater.

For those of you devastated by Krispy Kreme's failed attempt to concur New England (I won't mention my editor, Jason Salzenstein), Mohegan Sun may become your place of worship; you can take your pick between two of these southern institutions, on property.

Breakfast options are also good- basically, you're not going to go hungry any time of the day...

Shops & Spa

Connecting the 2 'lobes' of casinos is a respectable selection of shops, restaurants, and architecture that I hesitate to call a mall. Why hesitate? Largely because instead of noisy teens hanging out by a fountain, this collection of stores offers a nice respite from the oft-hectic feeling of the casino, and something many gays embrace: window shopping!

If shopping doesn't trip your trigger, the resort also features a large pool complete with caf? and bar, a cardio gym and a private area for personal training.

If public isn't your thing, the private spa is where you need to hide-out for a few hours. Whether it's a serene massage or a fun mani/pedi, the lounge, steam and sauna will allow you the time away from it all. Well-appointed and staffed, the spa offers a great sense of peacefulness without drowning in incense and essential oils.

Nightlife & Entertainment

Aside from the spa, Mohegan sun offers a variety of entertainment options. For sports fans, the WMBA Connecticut Suns call the Mohegan Sun Arena home; boxing and UFC also appear on a regular basis.

Of course the giant arena isn't just home to Sporty Spice; it also offers a wide range of concerts - from Beyonce to Taylor Swift - and everyone in between. Contrary to some readers initial assumption, the smaller Wolf Den, located in the Casino of the Earth, is not a bar for burly 60-somethings, but rather a smaller lounge venue offering free concerts ranging from cover bands and up-and-coming artists to artists and groups who are still fabulous but, well, let's just say "no longer basking in the same spotlight" as they previously were. The Wolf Den is a great place to eat a bit, gamble, and listen to a great live set all at the same time.

Of course the resort also features a range of bars that offer up varied nightlife opportunities. Front row and center is the Taughannick Falls Bar (at the base of the 55-foot waterfall), perfect for the see-and-be-seen crowd. Leffingwells Martini Bar is woven inside the glowing rock/crystal sculpture in the Casino of the Sky; plush velvet couches and TVs showing sports bring a mixed crowd here. For dancing, Ultra 88 offers a South Beach lite experience with a cover charge, dress code, and VIPs bottle service... as well as the requisite d-bags. This is the final destination following a night of fine dining and bar hoping.

Final answer? It wasn't gaming that brought me there (remember, the amazing concert by The Killers) but it's the Casino - and the people - that will bring me back.

For more information, go to www.MoheganSun.com