The Yakama Nation will open their new 200 room hotel near Toppenish, Washington on Saturday, February 24, 2017. Reservations are being accepted for stays March 1 and later. The hotel anchors a $90,000,000 expansion by the tribe that is expected to create 200 new jobs and currently employees more than 700 people. The Yakama Nation Legends Casino first opened in 1998.

The six-floor hotel opening will feature 200 rooms and suites ranging in size from 450 square feet to 800 sq ft. Amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, two new meeting rooms, free wireless internet, and valet parking.

Future improvements expected within 2017 include a full-service spa, business center, 24-hour casual dining venue and a food court along with a further expanded gaming floor. Part of the new casino opened in January along with an expanded and renovated buffet.

Current gaming includes slots, keno, Vegas-style table gaming with blackjack, roulette, craps, pai gow, and a non-smoking poker room. The tribe embarked on the project to satisfy customers’ needs and to stay competitive with other tribal casinos in the region.

The tribe has incorporated parts of their culture and heritage into the design with one prominent feature being a floor to ceiling photograph of the former Celilo Falls which was flooded over along with the village behind The Dalles Dam when the reservoir was filled in 1957.

The lobby will also include a gallery to feature native art and displays on the tribe’s history.

According to a report in the Yakima Herald, the hotel augments the local and regional lodging mix with an upscale option.

Yakima Valley Tourism chief John Copper said, “Most hotels in the mid-Valley are limited-service — no on-site dining or attractions. At Legends, you have “the casino, you’ve got entertainment,” according to the report.

“Visitors like to see, hear and learn about culture when on a trip,” said Cooper. “I applaud them for going in that direction.”

Room and suite rates will vary with demand but the hotel is offering a promotional rate of $99 per night with the launch.