Caribbean and Asia Casinos

In this Casino Travel series of articles, I have highlighted some of the most elegant and finest casinos worldwide, (all four star +) targeting major tourist destinations.

General Information: the majority of international casinos are not open 24 hours. Most open past noon and urge a proper to elegant dress code. Casinos requiring jackets and ties are noted (DCJ). If you stay away from shorts and jeans, you will be safe at any of these casinos.

Visiting a casino is considered a social event to a lot of people around the world and one should dress accordingly. Some ask for a small entrance fee ($2-$20) and those casinos are noted EY).
Most foreign countries will ask for your passport for identification. Minimum age is usually 21.

Following is a casino listing with games offered using symbols as noted below:
SYMBOLS: GAMES=G—B6=BIG SIX WHEEL.  B=BACCARAT.  BJ=BLACKJACK.   CF=CHEMIN DE FER.  CR=CRAPS.  CSP=CARIBBEAN STUD POKER. K=KENO. LIR=LET IT RIDE.  MB=MINI-BACCARAT.   PB=PUNTO BANCO.   PGP=PAI GOW POKER.  P=POKER.   RL=ROULETTE.  SB=SIC-BO.  SL=SLOTS (includes VP).  SP=SPORTS BOOK. DCJ=DRESS CODE–JACKET REQUIRED.  EY=ENTRANCE FEE REQUIRED.  H=HOURS, open and close times, later on weekends.  ?=no specific closing time.  HC=HOTEL IN CASINO.  CASINO SIZE (MSF)–thousands square feet.  PS=PRIVATE SALONS–ROOMS. 

CARIBBEAN
The nine most elegant casinos in the Caribbean.  Puerto Rico, Aruba and Bahamas are top destinations for gamblers.

Puerto Rico:  Wyndham El San Juan Hotel & Casino– 6063 E. Avenida Isla Verde, San Juan P.R. 00979.  T: 1-800-468-2818. HC, 20MSF, G=B6, B, BJ, CR, CSP, LIR, MB, RL, SL. H:Noon–4AM daily. Decorated with 24-karat gold leaf ceiling, crystal chandeliers, mahogany paneled walls, tuxedo clad staff, elegant European style, unlike any other casino in the Caribbean. Spanish and English gaming instructions. Attracts top casino players, especially from South America, Europe and Asia.

Wyndham El Conquistador Resort and Casino–1000 Av. El Conquistador, Las Croabas, 00738, PR. T: 1-800-468-5228. HC, G=B, BJ, CR, CSP, RL, MB, SL. H: 3PM–1AM.  You get windows, casino is dome-shaped, and one wall allows views 300 ft. above the ocean. Gamblers are mostly from the U.S., and under 45. Tournaments and gaming lessons are available. Architecture is Spanish & Moorish.

Marriott San Juan Resort and Stellaris Casino–1309 Ashford Ave, San Juan 00907, PR. T: 1-800-737-9559. HC, G=B, BJ, CR, RL, SL.  H: 1PM-4AM. Four Restaurants and
525 room hotel.

Bahamas: Atlantis, Paradise Island–Casino Drive, Paradise Island, POB N-4777, Nassau, Bahamas. T: 1-800-722-7466. HC, 40MSF, G=B, BG, BJ, CR, CSP, LIR, MB, SL.  H: 24 hours. Largest island resort in the world, a 14–acre waterscape, 100-foot underwater tunnel will allow viewing of all kinds of sea life overhead and around.

Two casinos–Coral/Beach Towers and Royal Towers. High table minimums-purple $500 chips are all around, and my favorite color aqua blue $2500 chips.  “Whales” or high rollers frequent this resort.
Resort at Bahamia–Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. T: 1- 800-432-2294. HC, 27MSF, G=B, BJ, CR, MB, RL, SL, electronic horse racing. H: 9AM-? daily. Cruise ships and Ft. Lauderdale air junkets bring gamblers floating into this resort. 

Nassau Marriott Resort–Box N 3806, Nassau, Bahamas. T: 1-800-222-7466. HC, 35MSF, G=B, BJ, CR, CSP, MB, RL, SL, SP.  H: 24 hours. One of the largest casinos in the Caribbean with a Sports Book. Crystal Club has 3 concierge floors with Supersuites.  Aruba:–Aruba Marriott Hotel and Stellaris Casino–L.G. Smith Blvd., 101, Palm Beach. T: 1-800-223-6388. 10MSF, G=B, BJ, P, RL, SL. H: 1PM-4AM.  Far end of Palm Beach, close to Tierra del Sol golf course.  The younger crowd (25–45) from the US, Canada, Venezuela and Brazil have passed the word that this is the place to be.
International decor, winding mahogany staircase, enormous chandelier.  In a short time, this resort has topped the list on an island that has 10+ casinos and expanding.

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino–J.E. Irausquin Blvd., 85, Palm Beach.
T: 1-800-233-1234. 12MSF, G=B, BJ, CR, RL, SL. H: NOON-4AM.  Beachfront-12 acres, Palm Beach. Copacabana Casino, art-deco style, Carnival Rio theme and live entertainment. Honeymooners abound and “love is in the air”.

Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort & Casino–J.E. Irausquin Blvd., 77, Palm Beach.
T: 297-264-466. 12MSF, G=B, BJ, CSP, CR, P, RL, SL.  H: NOON-4AM.  Palm Beach,  5 miles from airport. Casablanca Casino, Bogart theme, quietly elegant. Any casino that compares to Rick's place in Casablanca would get my nostalgic vote.

ASIA
Macao, Nepal, Japan and Philippines for the finest casinos in Far East.
Macao: Lisboa,  Avenida da Amizade, GPO Box 85, Macao. T: (853) 577-7666. HC, G= B, BJ, CR, K, RL, SL,  H: 24 hours.
Nine casinos and hotels are run by the STDM, and cater to neighboring Hong Kong tourists. Lisboa is a must-see.  “Hungry Tiger” Slots are everywhere in Macao. 
2) Oriental Hotel, Avenida da Amizade, T: 956-1110. 
3) Hyatt Regency & Taipa Island Resort T: 853-831234. HC. H: noon-4 AM. B, BJ, SL.
Gamblers arrive by hydrofoil--2.5 miles from Macao City.
Portuguese, English and Cantonese spoken.

Macao is in transition now as big casino names like Wynn vie for participation here.

Nepal:
 
1) Casino Nepal , Kathmandu, Nepal. T: 977-271-011. HC, 3MSF, G=B, BJ, CR, K, P, RL, SL jackpots. H: 24 hours. Flush, Pontoon, Paplu–different games, explained in English brochure.

2) Casino Royale-Hotel Yak & Yeti

3) Casino-Hotel Everest

4) Casino Anna-Hotel de l’Anapurna
All four hotels-casinos  in this Himalayan splendor are 5 star, and open 24 hours.

Philippines:

1) Casino Filipino Heritage, Heritage Hotel, EDSA cor. Roxas Blvd, Pasay City 1300.  T: 632-891-8888. HC, EY, DCJ, 21MSF, PS, G=B, BJ, CR, MB, P, PGP, RL, SL  H: 24 hours.

2) Casino Filipino Silahis, Hotel Sofitel, Grand Boulevard, 1990 Roxas Blvd., Manila 1004. T: 025-73811. HC, EY, DCJ, 27MSF, G=B, BJ, CR, MB, P, PGP, RL, SL 
H: 24 hours. Hotel faces Manila Bay.

3) Casino Filipino Cebu Nivel Hills, Casino Filipino Bldg., Nivel Hills, Lahug District, Cebu City.  T: (032) 231-1650, EY, DCJ, 10MSF, G=B, BJ, CR, MB, P, PGP, RL, SL, BINGO  H: noon-6AM.  Located on the island of Cebu, oldest, and second largest city in Philippines. Nearby Sumilon Island has a marine-corals park.

Japan: Tokyo Dome, 1-3 Koraku, Bunkyo, KU. Tokyo 112. T: 381-121-11. G=BJ, SL.

Bonne Chance to all international Casino travelers.

(Gayle Mitchell is author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, E-Books, booklets & Slots Trilogy. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)