Cal Neva

I first loved this resort after staying there around 2002. When I returned in 2011, it was clearly on a downturn, and I noticed it closed fairly soon after. I recognized it in the movie Bad Times... and hoped that might help bring it back, but no luck so far. Every now and then I check in, hoping it’ll get a loving makeover and reopen. Fingers crossed!

We waited 20 minutes to be seated at 12:15 am, with four adults, even though the place was empty on a Saturday night. I’m on crutches and didn’t want to keep walking to another restaurant, but the staff showed no concern. We got tired of waiting, left, and went to Denny’s. Sorry, no picture after all. This place is a joke, and I’d give it a negative star if I could. Such a shame. I’ll never be back, though I bet no one will notice this post.

Everything about the place looked shabby and needed repair, and the casino was pathetic, with only electronic games and most of those out of order. During our stay, the water system failed, so we couldn’t bathe, shower, or even brush our teeth and had to rely on bottled water. We requested another room, but were told the hotel was full, despite the practically empty parking lot. Since we had a dog, we were put in the worst rooms in the hotel, the “pet rooms,” and charged an extra $50 cleaning fee. We booked through Expedia, so the hotel wouldn’t refund or discount our fees. Calling it a resort is a gross exaggeration. Don’t stay here if you can avoid it. The website is completely misleading, and you’ll be disappointed. This place truly sucks.

We visited about 20 years ago, and I still have to pinch myself that we saw Marilyn’s round cabin and the pool where they swam. Such a great old find. This was the original place where Marilyn Monroe stayed with JFK when Frank Sinatra owned it. What a shame it’s closed permanently. RIP Sammy Davis, Jr., and everyone who vacationed there in the happy '60s.