Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel

I came with family to get my gift card, but we left because parking was such a hassle and there was no accommodation for special needs or pickup and drop-offs. Parking on the hill and taking the shuttle is not workable for someone using a walker. The shuttles aren’t walker or wheelchair safe or friendly. Traffic gets backed up at a standstill on the freeway for the Highland exit, with trucks going at high speeds. This is not safe, and finally you can’t even park in the garage. Something is going to happen if The Casino doesn’t make this safer. Some days traffic is very light, but more and more I don’t like coming here because of congestion. The women’s restroom toilets are very high, and there’s pee all over the floors. Gross. Employees complain about it too. More parts of the casino smell like smoke now, and more people are smoking those Vapes in non-smoking areas. There are so many wonderful machines, mini bts are higher.

I asked casino host Charles Young to review my players account because I visit several times a month with my wife and friends, but my rewards keep decreasing instead of increasing. After talking with him today, I’ve decided to play more at Pechanga, as he suggested. My sister has only been to Yaamava a few times, but gets three to four times the rewards I do: two free dinner buffets any time, while I get one only Monday-Tuesday; complimentary hotel stays, while I get none; a $75 credit at Pines, while I get $0; and other free food credits. I reached Amber level in December, requiring 150,000 points, equivalent to $150,000 in wagering. I explained that, and said that although I rarely visit Pechanga, my rewards there are much better: three free hotel nights every month, much higher free play, free spins for more free play, multiple free gifts each month, and complimentary food. After “reviewing” my account, Charles said he couldn’t do anything because I wasn’t wagering enough per visit. I told him I’d earned another 15,000 points this past Friday and Saturday. He said if I keep visiting and wagering at that level, my rewards might increase. When I brought up Pechanga again, he told me if my rewards are better there, I should go there instead. I asked for the manager on duty. He gave me a name but said the manager wasn’t available. If this is how I’m going to be treated, I’ll take my play to Pechanga, as Charles advised.

I made some coin at poker, but the slots were a different story. I went through 600 in 27 minutes without a bonus game or anything. They just take and take, and it’d be nice to win once in a while. I don’t mind gambling, but damn, give me something to play with lol. The slots are too tight, which is why they make 2 million a day on a weekday. If I won more often, I’d play more, fyi. We enjoy stopping by from time to time, but it feels the same everywhere, so maybe it’s time to try Soboba or Morongo. We still go to Vegas because I can get a suite for 3 days around 485 for all 3 nights, plus 3 dinner comps at the steak house. The hotel manager knows my name, even though I’m not a big gambler, and makes the time enjoyable. These local casinos could learn a thing or two from them.

Parking was like Disneyland parking, and nobody was friendly at all. You need way more than $100 to win anything, the payouts are poor. I didn’t see one person hit a jackpot, and people leaving looked angry. Even the employees didn’t seem happy. I would’ve liked a water, but the workers were too busy to acknowledge me. I’d suggest against coming here because it’s unfriendly and elbow to elbow crowded, and I left with a sour taste in my mouth.