My wife and I usually go to Harrah's Cherokee once a month, we live 3 1/2 hours away. I alway's feel lucky at this casino, the hotel room's are alway's clean and maintained. Restaurant's all have good food and employee's very friendly! We have reservations for this memorial day week-end.

The casino part was so very bad. I would say it would be wiser if you wanted to just throw your money away.. is to just toss it out the window. I have been going for years and still refuse to learn that lesson. Any of you thinking about going there, please let me say.... go somewhere else. The machines are tight and it is a known fact that THEY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TURN THE MACHINES ON AND OFF and it is a known fact that some of the people that do win are plants..(people who are placed in there to supposedly win but are really employees of Cherokee or hired) so that of course you see someone winning big and make the mistake of thinking you can win too. They need some competition in order to make this a real casino. As of now, I dont call it a casino where you place your money in a machine with the chance to win.. its simply a donation. If you do.. DO NOT EXPECT TO WIN.

May 08, 08

I've just returned from a 3 day stay at Harrah's in Cherokee, NC. This is my 4th visit to the Casino, but my first time taking advantage of my complimentary nights. Anytime you gamble at Harrah's you will need to get your total rewards card to gamble. I have received specials in the mail and thought I would really check out the services and property. I was leary after reading some reviews.
There is no catch to using your complimentary nights. The minute you drive up to the valet parking for registration they are on you in a second. Our bellhop's name was Sonny, who was extremely polite and quick to take what we needed up to our room. The front desk help was unbelievably friendly. The room was clean and the bellhop even went and got some ice for us before he left. I couldn't believe how beautiful the view was. We were nestled in the Smokey Mountains and the feeling was very relaxed. I actually got free wireless thanks to the Days Inn across the street. Otherwise you have to pay for the service.
The food, no matter where you eat is excellent. We ate for free due to our reward bonus points. The fish and chips at the Fresh Market was excellent! The service I can not give them enough credit.
My friend forgot her toothbrush and they brought one right up! The gambling is what you make of it. I played on $200.00 for 3 days and left $50.00 in the hole! I recommend the Wheel of Fortune machines...a Blast!
Waitresses constantly bringing juice, soda or coffee. This is a alcohol free resort. The reason is that alcoholism is prone on reservations and there is no alcohol in Cherokee, NC, so if you must drink, get it before you go.
This is my favorite place to gamble and sightsee. There is so much to do in Cherokee. Take your time and enjoy yourself. Gatlinburg, TN is only 33 miles away. Ask for the back road directions. It's close to Maggie Valley, Pigeon Forge and so much more. I rate this AAA+++
PS: use your reward card within 6 months to keep the bonus's up to date. They expire otherwise.
Good Luck

I am writing this as I sit in the lounge of the Ramada across the street from the Harrah's casin/hotel. I am a first time visitor & the Ramada was my lodging choice , although I spent the entire day at the casino, when not riding around looking for local amenities.Of which there are very few , probably due to the absence of alcohol sales. Dining best bets are the Hotel restaurants. Although pricey,they are good. Other dining is reserved to fast food,Wendy's ,Backyad Burgers, and KFC. There are a few local joints, a steakhouse & Grany's country type buffet , but stick to the hotel & you're making the best choice. Imagine our surprise when we could not find anywhere outside the hotel to eat after 8pm because they were all closed. Even the local Pizza Inn.
The casino experience was less than our usual trips to the Grand Hotel & Casino on the Gulf coast. The slots were very tight & allowed very little payoff despite a $500.00 deposit from my wife & I. The Hotel was very smokey from the entrance all the way through. The childrens arcade was fun for the kids, & the sitting area with a very large fireplace was comfortable. If seeking alternate lodging , I reccomend the friendly Ramada, Holiday Inn, or fairfield. All are in walking distance & very well kept. The locals are very free with discussing their Indian heritage & the workings of the reservation politics . In short this is a quaint little town that is surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains that can be an enjoyable getaway. The casino was our focus as we headed off to the Blueridge mountains but the bit of Indian history we picked up along the way was a bonus worth the dough we dropped at the casino. As for us , we decided against returning to the casino,deterred by the very stingy machines.