For those of us who love to stay in beautiful surroundings, play lush golf courses, bask near exquisite pools, and pamper ourselves in luxurious spas, we don’t need to travel far. Just over 100 miles west of St. George is our closest major city, Las Vegas, known the world over for entertainment, gaming, and all those other things I mentioned. As many of us know all too well, Vegas isn’t the bargain it once was. These days, you find room rates of over $200 a night, golf for over $200, entertainment for $100 or more, and restaurants where you’ll pay well over $300 for two if you enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner! I’ll bet most of you haven’t considered what’s just north of those bright lights and crowded streets. Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa is one of those affordable rare finds that combines a four-star hotel and full casino experience with all the amenities you’ll find at a resort on the strip, including fabulous golf.
You just don’t receive a four-star rating without earning it. Aliante offers deluxe rooms with what I would call five-star comfort, a movie theater, a full-service spa, six restaurants to choose from, a fabulous pool, an arcade for the kids, and the best entertainment in smooth jazz you’ll find for 500 miles! They have offered a lineup of entertainment jazz lovers won’t want to miss, including Dave Coz, Najee, Peter White, Naturally 7, Warren Hill, Michael Franks, and many others. I had the chance to be inducted into this unique world of jazz with hundreds of others in attendance at Aliante’s state-of-the-art Access Showroom for Najee, and he didn’t disappoint. Najee and his band delivered what I thought was one of the best live jazz performances I’d ever seen! I’m definitely looking forward to their future lineup of headliners.
Of course, let’s not forget one of my other favorite pastimes and another reason why it’s worth making the trip to Aliante Casino + Hotel +Spa: the golf. Managed by Troon Golf—known for their ability to transform an average golf course into something special—the Aliante Golf Club has a must-play course with challenge, beauty, and a diverse layout of well-designed holes. The course is not only fun to play; it’s affordable and showcases the mountains of North Las Vegas on nearly every hole. This year-round course features four distinct tee boxes with yardage ranging from 5,340 to 7,022 yards. Players of all abilities will enjoy wide fairways with a dash of thick Bermuda rough to challenge even the best if they venture off their well-groomed fairways. I particularly enjoyed their friendly staff. Paul Cox, the Aliante Golf Club’s head golf professional, reminds me of Jeff Bridges. He could be mistaken for his brother. According to several with whom I spoke, he’s one of the best golf instructors in the area.
In addition to being an amazing instructor, Cox and his staff are also very active in the Wounded Warrior Project, a program designed to help veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound during military service on or after Sept. 11, 2001. Aligning with these goals, Aliante wants to help these men and women enjoy golf with others who struggle with similar disabilities. Aliante provides these vets with a place to learn the game, utilize the driving range, and play golf, a game that has enabled many to once again enjoy life and regain a sense of community. If you’re interested in joining our brave vets on the links, you can join in the fun at one of several golf tournaments open to the public. Visit wwathletics.org for all the details.
Aliante also gives back to youth, enhancing the future of the game via summer youth golf camps and free golf. Up to three juniors can play free after 1 p.m. with a paying adult. I wish I’d had that available for my kids when they were growing up.
Whether you’re playing on your own or with friends or family, make sure to allow plenty of time to practice at Aliante’s expansive driving range, putting green, chipping green, and practice bunker. They have taken every opportunity to match design with natural desert surroundings. The course is highlighted by two water features and a strategic use of trees, arroyos, and interesting contours and playing lies. Aliante has been awarded several accolades over the years, including Top 10 Public Golf Courses in Las Vegas by Golficity in 2013, No. 1 Best Value in Las Vegas by Golf Tips Magazine, Best New Course in Las Vegas by Vegas Golfer Magazine Readers Pick 2004, and many others.
After your round, enjoy a cold brew in an unmatched club setting with an assortment of culinary presentations served by award-winning chefs at the 3100 Grille. They are available for special banquets and group events with the option of a customized menu.
Take it from me—a guy who has played 90 percent of the golf courses in the Northwest, Nevada, and Utah—given all the accommodations, amenities, entertainment, and golf, the stay-and-play experience at the Aliante is one you’ve got to try.
Visit aliantegaming.com to book your next weekend of entertainment, gaming, and just plain relaxation at a price that won’t break the bank. They feature a number of getaway packages that include a Richard Petty Driving and Ride Along at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, family packages, pool retreats, spa, and of course golf stay-and-play packages. And if you’re looking for more golf variety, my playing partner, also named Scott, recommended Los Prados and Painted Desert as his favorites. The fact is that there are well over 10 additional courses within a 30-minute drive from Aliante.
So pack your sticks and take a short drive to North Las Vegas, my new favorite destination close to home. See ya on the links.
