St. Croix Casino Danbury — Attraction in Town of Swiss

I am going to rate the "Lodge" rooms, then explain.  So you can read these 7 things to get a "quick" overview. Then I will have other comments after the list, if you need other info.

Danbury, we know you are trying.  We appreciate your efforts.  We are in tough times and we know it will get better. That's why 4 stars.

We got the $25 room rate via coupon at the casino kiosk. Got put in the Lodge not the regular hotel, during the week. Our coupon was valid Sunday- Thursday. There is no one at the front desk of the lodge. There is no one to bring you extra towels, blankets, plunger...after 4 pm when cleaners leave, just as you are checking in. You might be able to go back to "casino" hotel front desk and ask for extras. You enter and exit through side doors. If you have an emergency, 911 after 3 am. Or at least that's what we figured out. Since casino is closed after 3am. Right now, September 2022, there is no pool in this building and rooms in the back part are inaccessible. Accessible rooms were remodeled recently and have a slight funky smell. Something between carpet, spackle and paint.  Bring an "air effects" or lysol to cover it.  We were in Non-Smoking room...no vaping/e-cigs either. Casino is closed at 3 am until 7 am.  So is the town.

So you basically have a sleeping room, nothing else.  If this scares you, because no one at the front desk, don't stay here. I would not bring kids...no pool...no one around in lobby. They will be bored.

The "Lodge" room: You have a fridge (2 complimentary bottles of water), coffee maker, microwave, fairly large TV, lots of electric outlets and ports for charging phones,etc., area for hanging coats and shelf for hats, bags. Missing(and we know these are extras): hair dryer, iron and board, movable luggage rack so my suitcase is not on the floor, and a room safe for valuables(really not necessary but just saying)

What I would bring: Food, especially breakfast.  AND paper plates, cups, plastic utensils.  You will have no restaurant open ANYWHERE until probably 10 am.  Unless you like gas station food.  The local restaurant in Danbury (Amelias) may be open before 10.  Not sure. Because of this, be prepared to pay big money at small town "gouge ya" prices at the store and gas station in town if you buy your food locally. Casino restaurant will not be open early. Bring your own pillow/blankets if you want extra comfort.

Now I can only comment on our room about "odd" things:

The toilet that used about "100 gallons" of water to flush.  Thought it would NEVER stop flushing.  We will let management know it is doing this.  Don't think it is a low-flow either. Anyone flushing their toilets in adjoining rooms can be heard in this bathroom.  Or taking a shower or washing their hands in the sink. 2nd switch -for bathroom fan- takes a couple of minutes. Be patient. Shower floor seemed unusually slippery, so be careful. The towels are across from the bathroom.  Started washing my hands and forgot the towel, dripped over to get one.  Granted, there is a sink where they are, but that is where your coffee pot is.  You have a towel bar in the bathroom but no one hung the towels there.  Hey, a plus!!, 2 towels to use at the pool...which is not functioning. Coffee pot ok but we had 2 pouches of coffee. Not enough since there is not a pot of coffee in "lobby".  I would bring more coffee to make. AND...Creamer, sugar, napkins, spoons...or bring back from the casino by cupful. We had a desk...with a desk chair...only chair in the room.  So you sit on the bed. Light from hallway, under door, a little annoying...but I just decided it was a great night light.

Plus...plus...plus - room was clean, drapes are lined to keep out outside light.

Since we did not stay in "regular" hotel, I can't tell you amenities BUT there were several signs about NO HOT TUB and "jets" were not working. Not sure if that was in reference to the pool? Check with them. ...

We used to frequent the buffet and restaraunt a lot. Weekly. Loved it. My best guess is that a change in management occurred in the food service area. Our past 3 visits of been horrible. With the 1st bad experience, we chalked it up to just an off day. Our next visit was worse. And today about 3 pm it was yet again horrible. Now, we were greeted warmly and seated promptly. The same person went to get water and lemon ( for the wife ) this ends the pleasantries. Our server clearly had other things she would rather do. We have had her a few times before. She is purely a bad waitress. My coffee never arrived. (Those who know me know that this sin can only be cleansed by a good old fashioned stoning) We asked for the special, which technically was not scheduled to begin for 45 minutes. Okay. I understood. We ordered off the menu. This upstanding food service worker promptly waltzed our order to the kitchen. She did not return with coffee. She went directly to a table less than 10 feet from ours. She took their orders, two of the specials! Less than 5 minutes had passed. And still, no coffee. 2nd request issued. Next came the salad. It was fresh, cold, and crisp. Much like my wife's walleye sandwich, and fries. My meal was lacking a dinner roll, heat, and frankly flavor. Yes. This is a harsh review. But remember, this was our go to spot for nearly a decade. Seldom even a questionable experience. Upon paying the bill we asked to speak to the manager to alert her to the quality of the food, the lack of coffee, the bit with the specials... The whole lacklustre experience. The manager simply rolled her eyes, walked away without a word. So... To the management of the casino, You have a cancer growing in your kitchen. I strongly urge you to look into this. We are not likely to return anytime soon. And no. My business, or lack thereof, will not cause you to shut the doors. I get that. But there are a lot of other dining opportunities in your tiny community. I will give them a chance when I am in your area. And I strongly urge those who read this to...

Update: (July 1st 2020... after being closed during the pandemic, and open again.. they got rid of buffet, we went over to get sandwiches to bring back to our cabin , and some of the tribal members came outside and they all had masks on, I was really impressed ! They are taking this seriously , while Jack was inside getting sandwiches I was talking to a lady outside who was done gambling and she said they really have it figured out! She told me gambling chairs are spread out, and there's a card on the machines that says cleaned, and when you're done your flip it over says needs to be clean ! I'm not ready to go gambling yet, but with that being said, I'm glad that St.Croix Casino is taking the correct response during this pandemic!! 2019...Have a cabin close by, been going there for year's, the staff is usually excellent and the same people. tonight a different story... no buffet, dining room $9.99 spaghetti dinner, REALLY? Staff I only recognized 2 people, a third of there machines were blacked out, signed said, "moving game machines around." Players card would not work in machines! The games were ICE COLD! Daddy O' cashed in a ticket for $164.00, said he wanted 8 $20.00's and 4 $1.00's.. the cashier guy was lost, repeated 4 times, ... on the way out, I asked the greeter man, Is the casino going to be open next week? He replied, I hope so and laughed... the kicker, in parking lot, (No joke) the band was outside, I said, you guy's waiting to get paid? They said, YEP , are you the one we talk to? on a GOOD note: ( the prime rib sandwiches were delicious)...and...