Angel Of The Winds Casino Resort

It's one of our favorite getaways: quiet, with plenty of casino games and good food. The new pool opened in January, and it's amazing, warm, large, clean, with a big Jacuzzi. They even have adults-only hours from 8-10 pm.

I live more than an hour away, but I try to make it here every other week because I love it. The staff are always welcoming and nice. There's a good range of games, from lower bets where you can play higher bets to higher-limit options for people who like to wager big. With so many games, I never want to leave. I've gotten plenty of hotel offers but haven't stayed overnight yet. This is one of my favorite places to spend time. I've only eaten at one restaurant, the 24-hour Katie's diner, I think that's what it's called. The Hangover burger was delicious. My only regret is not ordering two!

We reserved a table for a large party at Vento Italian Restaurant inside Heritage Distillery. The place was clean and well kept, but that was the best part of the evening. Our appetizers came before our drinks, and the food was poorly seasoned. My husband and I ordered shrimp scampi, which should be shrimp in garlic butter, but what arrived was shrimp in plain butter with a little parsley on top. We could have sent it back, but everything took so long, including the drinks, that we didn't want to wait even longer. Each time our server took an order, whether for drinks, appetizers, or entrees, she seemed to disappear for 20 minutes. It was an agonizing experience. We won't return or recommend Vento, and we'll do the opposite. Very disappointing.

For a smaller casino, there's a lot to choose from: slots, a solid selection of table games, and a decent sports book. The limited smoking areas are a big plus for me because I don't have to worry about my lungs. I also loved the virtual stadium craps, especially since I'm too much of a wuss to play at a table. The current sign-up bonus is 10 dollars in free play and 10 dollars for a sports bet. Apart from the location, it's a must-visit and better than you'd expect for its size.