Monarch Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk

The only awkward part was how firmly they handled kids near the restaurant. I understand the setting, though a little more kindness would have helped. Apart from that, the casino was fun, clean, and well cared for, with friendly, helpful staff and plenty of games. The food choices were better than I expected, too. We had a solid visit and I’d come back.

The spa was just what I wanted, and having four hours to use the amenities on top of our services was a nice bonus. The water they provided tasted good, and the salt room with light therapy was my favorite. Our room was comfortable, with the amenities we wanted, two showers, a huge tub, and a pretty comfy bed. The welcome message customized on the TV was a sweet touch. A few things fell short. The fridge never got below 50 degrees, so I threw out our food rather than risk it. Getting ID’d after the escalator was annoying, especially since my husband wasn’t. The woman said they only check people who look under 40, but some people have genetics that give them white hair young. I also missed having room service, though I understand why a place this size might not offer it.

We liked the property, and this was our first stay, but the room delay was really disappointing. Check-in was set for 4 pm and we didn’t get the room until 5:30. With a $35 resort fee, I expected it to be ready on time. They offered earlier check-in for an extra $50, plus another $25 if we wanted it even earlier. That felt fishy, like paying would get us in sooner while otherwise we had to wait. We ended up changing our restaurant reservations.

I stay at hotel pools pretty often, and the atmosphere is a big part of whether I like a place. This hotel is still one we love, especially for its modern look compared with others nearby and machines that actually pay out. The indoor pool and rooftop hot tub are great features, and the pool area itself is beautiful, but the lighting feels cold and harsh, especially at night. Softer blue lighting around the arches and in the hot tub would make it much more relaxing. The pool decor could use an update, with more greenery and newer loungers. Could the music change, too? I know lots of older guests visit, but spa music or more current tunes would be nicer than greatest hits from the ’90s. Just offering a few ideas from a guest’s point of view. We still love the hotel.