Age and kids policy at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort is an all-ages hotel property but enforces a strict 21+ rule for entry to the casino building and any venues inside it. An adult at least 21 with a government-issued photo ID must register the room; children of any age are welcome in hotel rooms and public areas outside the casino.
In this guide
What the age policy means at a glance
Harrah's Cherokee operates as an all-ages resort for most hotel areas, pools, arcade and many restaurants, but the casino building (including gaming, many bars and some on-floor restaurants) is restricted to guests 21 and older.
The minimum age to register (check in) for a room is 21, and a government-issued photo ID is required at check-in with no exceptions.
- Hotel check-in minimum age: 21 (ID required).
- Children welcome in hotel rooms and family areas (arcade, pools, many restaurants).
- Casino floor, Myst Bar and casino-floor restaurants are 21+ only.
| Where | Age access |
|---|---|
| Hotel rooms & public non-casino spaces | All ages (room registered by a 21+ adult) |
| Casino floor and venues inside casino building | 21 and older only |
| Pools, arcade, Selu Garden Café, Amici Italia | All ages (hotel guests only for pools) |
Checking in — what families need to know
Only a guest 21 or older may register (check in) for a room; the property requires a government-issued photo ID and a credit card at check-in.
Children of any age can stay in the room once the adult has registered, but the adult signing for the room must be at least 21.
- Standard check-in begins at 4:00 PM; early check-in may be available for a fee and subject to availability.
- Standard check-out is by 11:00 AM; check-out options include earlier or late check-out subject to availability and possible fees.
- An incidental/damage deposit is taken at check-in by credit card (amounts reported vary by booking source).
| Item | Policy |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to check in | 21 with government ID |
| ID & card required | Yes — photo ID and credit card at check-in |
| Deposit | Incidental deposit charged at check-in (amount varies by source) |
Casino floor and 21+ restrictions
The casino building — including slot and table game areas, many restaurants and bars located on the gaming floor — is restricted to guests 21 and older. This rule is enforced property-wide on the gaming floor.
If your party includes children, plan activities and meals in hotel areas, off-casino restaurants or family venues like the arcade and Selu Garden Café, which are accessible to guests under 21.
- No one under 21 may enter the casino building (includes gaming floor, Myst Bar, some eateries).
- Nightlife and late-night dining located on the casino floor (for example, Noodle Bar hours) are 21+.
- Adults with children should bring alternate ID or childcare plans if they intend to spend time on the gaming floor.
| Typical casino-floor venue | Access |
|---|---|
| Myst Bar (Rotunda) | 21+ only |
| Noodle Bar (on casino floor) | 21+ only |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House (listed as 21+) | 21+ only |
Family-friendly areas and activities
Outside the casino, Harrah's Cherokee offers family-oriented amenities: an arcade/game room, certain restaurants (Amici Italia, Selu Garden Café), and event spaces that families can use.
Pools described as family-friendly, indoor and seasonal outdoor options are available to registered hotel guests only; access is not open to the general public.
- Arcade and family entertainment areas are open to guests of all ages.
- Selu Garden Café and Amici Italia are suitable for families and do not sit on the casino floor.
- Pools are restricted to hotel guests; indoor pool open year-round, outdoor seasonal pool open May–September and not heated.
| Activity | Age access / notes |
|---|---|
| Arcade / game room | All ages |
| Selu Garden Café | All ages (breakfast buffet available for a fee) |
| Pools (indoor & outdoor) | Hotel guests only; indoor heated year-round, outdoor seasonal |
Dining and age rules — which restaurants welcome kids
Several on-site restaurants welcome families and guests of all ages; others — particularly those located on the casino floor or listed as adults-only — require all guests to be 21+. Check venue location before you go.
Breakfast and family meals are available at Selu Garden Café; some specialty and upscale venues (Ruth's Chris Steak House) are listed as 21+.
- Family-friendly restaurants off the casino floor: Amici Italia, Selu Garden Café, Guy Fieri's Cherokee Kitchen + Bar (located in Cherokee Tower), Soco Smokehouse.
- Casino-floor dining (Noodle Bar, some food stalls) and Myst Bar are 21+.
- Cooked-to-order breakfast and the Selu buffet are available for an additional fee and are not included with room rates.
| Restaurant | Age access |
|---|---|
| Selu Garden Café | All ages |
| Amici Italia | All ages |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House | 21+ (listed as restricted) |
| Noodle Bar | 21+ (on casino floor) |
Pools, spa and special-access rules
Pool access is limited to registered hotel guests. The complex includes a heated indoor pool (open year-round), a seasonal outdoor pool (May–September) and the Cherokee Terrace Pool; hours and seasonal schedules vary.
Mandara Spa is open to guests who book treatments; reservations are required for most spa services. Spa hours and services follow the resort's posted schedule.
- Indoor pool hours reported as early morning through late evening; outdoor pool hours generally 9:00 AM–8:00 PM (seasonal).
- Pools are described as family-friendly, but policies such as lifeguard presence or child supervision rules are not specified here — check with the front desk on arrival.
- Mandara Spa reservations required; spa hours vary by day of week.
| Facility | Access |
|---|---|
| Indoor pool | Hotel guests only; family-friendly; heated; open year-round |
| Seasonal outdoor pool | Hotel guests only; open May–September; not heated |
| Mandara Spa | Open to guests with reservations; ages and service restrictions vary by treatment |
Pets, service animals and other practical notes
Harrah's Cherokee accepts dogs in designated pet rooms only (up to two dogs, 50 lb max per pet) for a nightly pet fee; cats are not accepted as pets. Service animals are exempt from pet fees and allowed where permitted by law.
Pet-friendly and smoking rooms are concentrated in a specific tower; if you need a pet room or a non-smoking room, request it when booking or at check-in because availability is limited.
- Allowed pets: dogs only; maximum two per reservation, 50 lb max per pet (fee applies).
- Service animals are not charged pet fees and are permitted according to applicable laws.
- Pet-friendly rooms are limited to certain towers — ask reservations which room types (for example, Premium Room (Soco), Premium Room, Smoking (Soco), or similar) are designated pet rooms when booking.
| Item | Policy |
|---|---|
| Pets | Dogs only; up to 2; 50 lb max per pet; nightly fee applies |
| Service animals | Exempt from fees; permitted |
| Smoking & pet rooms | Concentrated in one tower; limited availability |
