History of Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
Family origins
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through its subsidiary, Golden Road Motor Inn, Inc., owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel-casino facility in Reno, Nev. which features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; 817 guest rooms; eight restaurants; two espresso and pastry bars; an approximate 30,000 square foot health spa and salon with an enclosed year-round pool; two retail outlets offering clothing and traditional gift shop merchandise; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. The casino features approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 38 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and others; a race and sports book; a 24-hour live keno lounge and a poker room. The Company and its predecessors have operated a facility on the Atlantis site since 1972.
Atlantis traces its roots in Reno to 1972, when a 142-room motel was purchased by David Farahi and his brother-in-law. The three sons of David graduated from universities in the Bay Area, working at the motel during their school vacations. By 1976, their father transferred ownership to them and their sister, initially known as the Golden Road Motel.
In 1983, the motel began operating as a Travelodge franchise. In April 1991, the property became Clarion Hotel Casino a growth path escalated for the company. In 1993, an IPO took the company public as Monarch Casino & Resort Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRI). The IPO helped finance the addition of another hotel tower, and a couple of years later, another expansion added significant additions to the property. The Monarch team was one of the few in the industry to show growth even while northern Nevada gaming was declining. In April 1996, the property became Atlantis Casino Resort and in 1999 a third high rise tower opened that added 388 rooms, over 300 slot machines, several new restaurants and 14,500 square feet of new meeting space.
In 2009, a multi-million dollar expansion was completed that included upgraded restaurants, 52,000 square feet of meeting space and a world-class spa, now recognized as Reno’s only Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Spa, and established Atlantis as the premier gaming and hospitality resort destinations in northern Nevada. Continuous property improvements and a focus on performance make Atlantis Casino Resort Spa one of the most dynamic companies in the region today.
Monarch Casino Resort Spa, Black Hawk
In 2012, Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. acquired Riviera Black Hawk and rebranded the property to Monarch Casino Black Hawk.
In 2022, after a $400 million upgrade and expansion, the new Monarch Casino Resort Spa had its grand opening. The Resort features a 60,000 square-foot gaming floor, 1200 slot machines, 40 table games, four restaurants, 516 hotel rooms, a full spa, and an indoor rooftop pool.
Monarch Casino Resort Spa features hot, new Exclusive Premiere slots, exciting table games, a sensational nightly Whole Maine Lobster, Crab and USDA Prime Rib buffet. All with Black Hawk’s friendliest team. Monarch Casino Black Hawk offers great gaming, great benefits and great rewards.
Monarch Casino Resort Spa is conveniently located 45 minutes west of Denver in the historical mining town of Black Hawk Colorado. It is the first casino you see when you arrive from Denver on Highway 119.
Today, John Farahi, CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board, leads Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., the parent company of both the Atlantis and Monarch Casino Resort Spas.
