January 4, 2024

Muckleshoot Tribe poised to open hotel at Auburn casino

Photo by Benjamin Minnick [enlarge]

The tower has a bowed shape, with the back facing Mount Rainier.

The Muckleshoot Tribe apparently will open its 18-story hotel next week at its casino resort at 2402 Auburn Way S. in Auburn.

Though the tribe hasn't officially announced an opening date — just “opening in January” — bookings for rooms are available starting Jan. 8.

Photo by Benjamin Minnick [enlarge]

A video display runs down about half of the tower’s height, creating a beacon of light at night.

According to the tribe's website, the non-smoking hotel has 401 rooms, including 27 suites. There also is an indoor heated pool, hot tub with a pool bar, spa and salon, fitness center, arcade and business center. A rooftop steakhouse has a bar and lounge, main dining room, two private dining rooms and an outdoor dining terrace. Guests services include valet parking, a concierge, bell service and room service. The fitness center will be open 24/7, stocked with Precor workout equipment.

Image from Marnell Cos. website [enlarge]

Native themes can be found in some of the hotel rooms.

The spa is expected to open in the spring. It is over 5,500 square feet with 10 treatment rooms, two couples treatment rooms, a salon with manicure/pedicure stations, hot and cold therapy pool, sauna and steam room, and an array of services and products.

In-room amenities include 65-inch TVs, mini fridges and Nespresso coffee machines. The website says the bowed tower provides “stunning views” on clear days of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and the Seattle skyline.

The reservation website for the hotel shows rates for the opening night ranging from $189 for a deluxe room to $1,989 for a suite. Standard room sizes are not listed, but suites range from 872 square feet to a massive four-room layout totaling 2,200 square feet with a soaking tub, wet bar, steam shower and views of Mount Rainier.

The 482,500-square-foot tower connects to the existing 300,000-square-foot casino with expanded gaming areas.

Project architect Marnell Cos. says guests can enter through a new porte cochere flanked by immersive water features. Marnell's project website says a video display running down about half of the tower's height “ignites the energy and adventures that await.”

Swinerton, the general contractor for the tower, states it worked with the project team during preconstruction to come up with an alternate exterior cladding plan that saved money and reduced the schedule. Swinerton says the change also resulted in a more predictable supply chain and material that was sourced domestically instead of internationally.

The DJC reported in 2022 that Square One was the owner's representative and the subcontractor team included SAK Builders (concrete), Treble Interiors, KHS&S, Hermanson (mechanical), Snell Crane Service and Morrow Cranes.

The resort has nearly 4,200 parking stalls, including a seven-story garage addition that opened in 2021.