Dover Downs Hotel And Casino: Lodging And Gaming Winner In Delaware

Review of Bally's Dover | 1131 North Dupont Highway
  • Trip101 Review
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Kurt
Kurt 
Published
| 4 min read

Dover Downs Hotel and Casino is the biggest hotel in Delaware! Located in the heart of the Mid-Atlantic region helps draw guests from around the world. Visitors flock to the neighboring company, Dover International Speedway, where NASCAR racing dominates during the spring and fall seasons, and then there is horse racing from November to mid-April.

Luckily someone saw fit to build a shiny modern hotel to take care of those who love racing and gaming. What started as a race track in 1969 has grown into a Las Vegas-like hotel and casino property. The casino opened in 1995 with the hotel following in April of 2002. With significant expansions over the decades, this 500-room hotel welcomes thousands of guests each year.

Join the club

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino room
Source: Kurt Jacobson

Pulling into the parking area feels like you’re in Las Vegas given the size and scope of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. One of the differences in staying at this hotel compared to Vegas casino properties is you don’t have to walk through the gambling area to get to the reception desk. Upon entering the main lobby area, a stylishly curved stairway leads to the spa area and the fine dining restaurant, Michelle’s. To the left of the stairway, you will find the reception desk where several staff members greet you and get you situated.

Choose from rooms and suites that look out on either the racetrack or the city of Dover towards the west. All rooms are bursting with amenities like pillow-top bedding, in-room safes, a fridge, a coffee maker, and lots of space to spread your wings. Their rates are reasonable and start around 99 USD for a deluxe double or deluxe king. A limited amount of suites are available from Monday through Thursday for a fee of 150 USD added to the rack rate. Members of their Capital Club have priority for the suites according to the number of points accrued. Capital Club members have access to suites on the weekends that the general public doesn’t have.

Even if you aren’t a Capital Club member, you’ll still be able to enjoy access to the casino. Just like other big time casinos in the U.S. find lots of slots (2,300 in total including progressives), poker, table games, and sports book. Note that the poker room is on the third floor instead of intermingled within the slot machines.

Dining choices

Michelle's Restaurant (steak and lobster)
Source: Kurt Jacobson

Restaurant choices are many and varied. For seafood, try the Pearl Oyster Grill near The Colonnade which is open seven days a week with its appetizing menu featuring fresh oysters, Maine lobster tails, crab cakes, and more. Live music is available every Tuesday night from 6-9 p.m. accompanied by half price house wines, 2.50 USD Bud, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, and Michelob Ultra.

Festival Buffet serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. This expansive buffet overlooks the racetrack. Check out their daily special like slow-smoked barbeque ribs on Thursdays, snow crab on Saturday nights, and fresh fish on Tuesdays.

Michele’s is the place to enjoy fine dining. Start out the evening with lamb lollipops, shoestring onion loaf, or crab bisque. Pair your meal with a bottle of fine wine from their extensive list before moving on to a braised veal shank, savory house-smoked prime rib, or surf and turf. They also offer Hot Rocks, cook-at-your-table for beef and seafood.

Nearby attractions

Air Mobility Command Museum
Source: Kurt Jacobson

Set aside some time to visit Topper Spa/Salon for pampering. With spa packages like the ‘Best Day Ever, indulge in treatments head-to-toe. Calm down and try the ‘Breathe In Massage’ to begin your five-hour mini-vacation. Next up, a pedicure, manicure, and facial will have you feeling radiant. After a haircut and a Wellness lunch, you’re well on your way to a perfect day.

Guys will want to try the ‘Made for Men’ three and a half package with their ‘Knots No More Massage’, manly facial, manly pedicure, and manicure. When’s the last time you took three hours for this kind of relaxing maintenance? Several other spa menu items are available for the best use of your spa visit. The Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is well-suited to hold large and small gatherings. Weddings, business retreats, family reunions, and parties can be arranged for 30-1,500 guests. Meeting packages start at just 54 USD per person and can be customized to suit your needs. Call their sales office for more information to plan your event.

Just in case you need more reasons to visit Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, the area is rich in history and has many amazing attractions. Don’t miss the Air Mobility Command Museum where large and small aircraft are on display, some of which you can even enter. Inside the hangar find videos, interactive cockpit models, and a presentation telling the story of the famous Berlin Airlift.

For history buffs, visit the home of John Dickinson, the First State Heritage Park downtown, and the Old State House. All the above are free and close to Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. At the First State Historical Park, be sure and find the site of the Golden Fleece Tavern where in 1787, delegates met to review the document establishing the framework for America’s government. Though long gone, the former site of the Golden Fleece is of great historical significance.

Raising the stakes

With all these entertainment options, diverse dining choices, spa facilities, and modern hotel amenities, the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino is raising the stakes for Delaware lodging.

Disclaimer: although my room was comped my opinions are my own.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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