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MGM Springfield, Massachusetts’ inaugural destination casino, made a grand entrance on August 24, capturing significant attention and excitement.
The opening weekend was bustling with activity and the initial reviews were overwhelmingly positive, which was hardly surprising considering MGM’s massive investment of nearly $1 billion in this brand new property.
The slot machines and table games are all modern and in pristine condition, fresh out of the box. Similarly, the restaurants, hotel rooms, and amenities are spotlessly clean, appearing as if they were untouched.
The 250-room hotel was given a distinctive industrial chic design by MGM, incorporating numerous design elements inspired by the rich history of the city of Springfield, both evident and hidden.
However, once you look beyond the attractive design elements and novelty, the flaws of the property (which are numerous) start to become apparent.
It’s a nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to go very often
The main observation I had during my stay at MGM Springfield is that it seemed to be lacking a distinct identity.
Is it a casino primarily focused on gambling or is it a luxurious resort with a casino as one of its amenities?
In conclusion, the property seems to be a mediocre blend of both. The general impression I gathered is that it lacked a clear identity.
In addition, specific areas of the casino seemed hastily executed, akin to having to alter a design plan abruptly and striving to make it function with the available resources.
For instance, the casino floor boasts a plethora of high-quality gaming machines; however, they are densely clustered with limited pathways for movement. As a result, maneuvering through the casino floor resembles navigating a narrow side street adorned with parked cars while encountering an oncoming vehicle.
MGM offers a cinema in place of an on-site theater (more details to follow). Additionally, the property features a modest indoor pool area similar to those found in reputable chain hotels, as well as a hidden spa situated on the second floor.
When the day comes to a close, there are numerous options available for day-visitors to spend a few hours. However, for guests staying for multiple days, there are limited activities to keep themselves entertained.
With that being said, it is quite effortless to become uninterested at MGM Springfield. Unlike a usual casino destination, the establishment is unlikely to satisfy all of your dining, entertainment, or retail requirements.
You’ll need to leave the casino to see a show
Similarly, the casino opted for the nearby Mass Mutual Center, an 8,000-seat venue, to host its entertainment events.
Guests will have to choose between walking, driving, or being shuttled to and from the show, as it is a quarter mile away.
For now, I’ll conclude that Springfield is not renowned for being a pedestrian-friendly city.
Furthermore, in the midst of frigid, snowy winters in New England, it is highly unlikely that anyone would be inclined to dress up and embark on a brief five-minute stroll.
When you consider the small size of the 250-room hotel, it becomes quite apparent that the majority of show attendees are not choosing to stay at MGM Springfield.
Why would anyone attending a show at the venue bother visiting the MGM Springfield casino when they can simply drive there and avoid it altogether?
In my opinion, as someone residing an hour and a half east of the casino, I would choose to dine at various wonderful restaurants along the way. Following that, I would park my vehicle either at MGM or the slightly nearer Civic Center Garage, and then head back home.
This implies that there will be numerous individuals visiting the Mass Mutual Center to attend an MGM Springfield show, who will have limited exposure to the casino, either by passing it while driving or utilizing its complimentary self-parking facility.
In contrast, consider a casino that features an on-site entertainment venue. When individuals enter this casino, they are inclined to engage in a comprehensive experience, allowing them to conveniently enjoy multiple activities in one visit. They have the opportunity to dine, attend a show, socialize with a few drinks, potentially participate in gambling, and even opt to stay overnight.
To be honest, opting for an on-site movie theater instead of an entertainment venue is quite perplexing.
Hotel security concerns
I’d like to revisit my previous statement about this city not being pedestrian-friendly, specifically in terms of personal safety.
To my disappointment, I discovered unattended guest elevators near the lobby, which were conveniently hidden from the front desk’s sight and lacked the need for a key card to operate.
To make matters worse, there is an unattended guest elevator located on the casino floor.
The elevator on floors 3-5 did necessitate a room card for access (which raises the question, why isn’t this technology implemented in the lobby elevators?). However, anyone could enter the elevator and go up to the second floor without any restrictions. This security feature has a significant flaw. If someone with malicious intentions simply waits for another person to call the elevator and uses their room key, they can easily reach a higher floor.
Given the consistent high rankings of this city among the most dangerous places in Massachusetts, it is quite alarming to observe the lax security measures, especially during opening weekends. It appears to be a recklessly irresponsible approach. Additionally, the city frequently finds itself on national lists of dangerous cities, further emphasizing the need for improved security measures.
Food and beverage options at MGM Springfield
I found the property’s lack of dining options to be the most disappointing aspect.
I hope this concern is already being acknowledged, as it undermines the claim of being a prominent casino destination when finding a decent dining option is challenging without leaving the premises.
At this juncture, it should become apparent that MGM Springfield will encounter difficulties in retaining guests on their premises. It is imperative for them to introduce at least one, if not two, additional sit-down dining establishments. Furthermore, the food court requires more options, either through new proprietors or expanding their existing menus.
Sit-down options
There are currently three sit-down restaurants available on the property.
- Cal Mare is a sophisticated Italian eatery.
- Chandler Steakhouse: an upscale steakhouse
- Tap Sports Bar offers the classic fare you would expect to find at a typical bar.
The classy ambience of Cal Mare is slightly diminished by its resemblance to a cafeteria.
The restaurant is situated in an open space, directly connected to the casino floor. It is conveniently located alongside the pizza counter, where customers can line up, choose their food, and find a seat. The seating area is situated near the Cal Mare tables.
This two-person dining experience, priced at over $200 (inclusive of three courses and a bottle of wine), doesn’t quite meet my expectations.
Chandler Steakhouse stands apart from Cal Mare as it is entirely separate from the casino, making it the exclusive choice for exquisite dining at MGM Springfield.
The food court
In addition to a small airport-style food court housing a few eateries with limited menus, there were no other dining options available. Despite mentions of room service, it was unfortunate that it was not accessible during my stay.
In addition to the limited menu options, a significant problem observed in the food court was the lack of choices suitable for individuals with allergies. Both the food court employees and the staff at the Cal Mare hostess station, just two days into their opening, were ill-prepared to address inquiries regarding gluten-friendly alternatives. Instead of admitting their lack of knowledge, they resorted to guessing, which is a more unfavorable response than simply acknowledging their uncertainty with a straightforward “I don’t know.”
It is unbelievable how, in this day and age of 2018, there is a glaring absence of online menus for every single restaurant. This only worsened the problem.
Forget Foxwoods and Mohegan, Twin River is the comparison
When the term “resort casino” is mentioned, casino enthusiasts in the region immediately think of Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. However, MGM Springfield does not fall into that same category. It is undeniably pleasant, but it exudes a charming and modest ambiance.
MGM Springfield offers an upgraded experience compared to the Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island.
However, even though Twin River is mostly known for its gambling activities, it offers a variety of sit-down dining options and a wider selection of recognizable food court choices compared to MGM Springfield.
- Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse
- The Bar and Grill that is exceptionally excellent- Wicked Good.
- Shipyard Pub
- Johnny Rockets
- KFC/Taco Bell
- Sbarro
- Subway
In addition, there is a 3,200 seat venue conveniently located on the premises, and a 132-room hotel is scheduled to open in the autumn.
MGM Springfield fell short in its attempt to impress the region and leave people in awe of what a Las Vegas resort casino truly embodies.
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