Is Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort worth a stay? Honest pros and cons
Is Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort worth a stay? If you want a large, full‑service casino hotel that also gives convenient access to the Great Smoky Mountains and family-friendly non-gaming amenities, yes — especially for adults who plan to use the casino, spa, pools, or on-site dining. If you’re traveling with under-21s who need full access to all hotel dining and entertainment, or you want a small, quiet mountain lodge, the property’s casino focus and 21+ rules for the gaming areas are important trade-offs.
In this guide
What kind of property is Harrah's Cherokee?
Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort is a large casino resort owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and operated by Caesars Entertainment. The property combines a 150,000-square-foot casino with 1,833 hotel rooms across four towers (Creek Tower, Soco Tower, Mountain Tower and the Cherokee Tower).
The resort functions as both a regional gaming destination and a convention/wedding venue; conference and ballroom space is extensive and the Event Center hosts concerts and large events. The hotel operates 24 hours a day and provides front-desk service, valet, and self-parking.
- Address: 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee, NC 28719
- Four towers, 1,833 rooms total
- 150,000 sq ft casino (guests 21+ only on the gaming floor)
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Ownership / Operator | Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians / Caesars Entertainment |
| Casino access | 21+ restricted (casino, some restaurants/bars on floor) |
| Pools | Indoor pool (year-round), seasonal outdoor pool, Cherokee Terrace Pool |
Rooms, comfort and who each room suits
Rooms range from standard Deluxe and Premium rooms up through Luxury and specialty room types across the four towers. Standard in-room amenities include 300-thread-count linens, Kohler rain showers, 50-inch HDTVs, Cuisinart coffee makers, a mini-fridge, safe and hair dryer.
The property lists several room names; here are sample types you might request depending on party size and preferences.
- Premium Room — 1 King Bed (suitable for couples or solo travelers)
- Luxury Room — 1 King Bed (also available with 2 Queen Beds in some configurations)
- Mountain Deluxe Room 2 Queens — 2 Queen Beds (family or friends sharing)
| Room name (exact) | Typical bed setup |
|---|---|
| Premium Room | 1 King Bed |
| Luxury Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds (varies by listing) |
| Mountain Deluxe Room 2 Queens | 2 Queen Beds |
Casino, nightlife and dining — what to expect
The resort’s large casino floor is open 24/7 and restricted to guests aged 21 and older; that includes many bars and some late-night dining located inside the gaming area. Expect a broad mix of slot machines, table games and a conventional casino-bar atmosphere.
On-site dining covers casual to upscale options and includes celebrity-chef and branded venues. Selu Garden Café serves an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is the upscale steak option (21+), and the Gordon Ramsay Food Market and Guy Fieri’s Cherokee Kitchen + Bar are available for more casual or themed meals.
- Selu Garden Café — breakfast buffet and lunch (all ages)
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House — upscale, 21+ dining
- Noodle Bar — late-night noodle/wok service (on the casino floor, 21+)
| Dining option | Age access / notes |
|---|---|
| Selu Garden Café | All ages; breakfast buffet |
| Ruth’s Chris Steak House | Upscale; 21+ |
| Gordon Ramsay Food Market | All ages (casual market-style) |
Pools, spa and family-friendly amenities
Pools are restricted to registered hotel guests only. The property has a heated indoor pool (open year-round), a seasonal outdoor pool (May–September) and the Cherokee Terrace Pool. Pool hours and seasonal openings are posted by the resort.
Mandara Spa is an 18,000-square-foot facility with a Balinese-inspired menu, hydrotherapy features, sauna, and couple suites; reservations are required for treatments. The resort also provides a 24-hour fitness center, an arcade/game room and bowling, which are family-accessible outside the casino floor.
- Indoor pool: year-round, family-friendly (hours quoted by resort)
- Outdoor seasonal pool: open May–September (not heated)
- Mandara Spa: reservations required; hours vary Mon–Sun
| Amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Indoor pool | Heated; hotel guests only |
| Outdoor pool | Seasonal (May–Sept); hotel guests only |
| Mandara Spa | 18,000 sq ft; reservations recommended |
Practical points: age rules, pets, parking and fees
Minimum age to register/check in is 21 and a government photo ID is required. While children are welcome in hotel public areas and in restaurants not located on the casino floor, no one under 21 may enter the casino building itself (this includes certain restaurants and shops on or immediately adjacent to the gaming floor).
The resort allows up to two dogs per reservation (50 lb max per pet) for a nightly pet fee; cats are not accepted. Free self-parking and complimentary valet parking are listed for hotel guests; a nightly resort fee is commonly charged that covers items such as internet, fitness center access, pool access and valet, but sources vary about exact amounts.
- Check-in: standard begins 4:00 PM; early check-in available for a fee subject to availability
- Check-out: standard by 11:00 AM (some sources list 8:00 AM as earliest checkout window for certain rates)
- Pets: dogs only, up to 2, 50 lb max, nightly fee; service animals exempt
| Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Resort fee / Wi‑Fi | Included amenities and exact amount can vary by booking source |
| Incidentals deposit | Amount varies by booking source/date — confirm with hotel |
| Parking | Free self-park and complimentary valet for guests |
Location and nearby attractions
Harrah's Cherokee sits at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center and attractions such as the Museum of the Cherokee People and the Oconaluftee Indian Village. The resort is a practical base for hiking, scenic drives and cultural visits in the Cherokee area.
The nearest major airport with commercial service is Asheville Regional Airport (AVL); the resort does not provide airport shuttle service and car rental options in Cherokee are limited, so plan ground transportation in advance if you’re arriving by air.
- Nearby: Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Oconaluftee River Trail, Museum of the Cherokee People
- Great Smoky Mountains access is immediate; many trailheads and cultural sites are a short drive away
- Airport: Asheville Regional Airport is the closest major airport (ground transfer or rental car required)
| Nearby attraction | Typical distance / note |
|---|---|
| Oconaluftee Visitor Center | A short drive from the resort (NC gateway to the park) |
| Mingo Falls | About a 10-minute drive |
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Immediate access via U.S. 441 |
