Choctaw Getaway

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Sitting on a lounge at The Oasis Tropical Pools looking up at the grand new towering Choctaw Hotel & Resort changing colors under the night sky, I forgot that I was just 25 minutes from my Denison home.

I’m not a gambler. I don’t play the slots. But when I was looking for a quick, inexpensive overnight vacation the Choctaw Hotel came to mind. I might have never considered it had I not walked the property one night after having dinner at the 1832 Steakhouse.

It’s difficult to find time for a real vacation, so short excursions to not-so-faraway places (McKinney, Frisco, Arlington, Durant) helps distance me from my work routine. The added advantage is the low cost of staying closer to home.

I’ve been to Las Vegas, Atlantic City and place in between and I will tell you that dollar-for-dollar, light-for-sparkling-light, Choctaw Hotel & Resort is up to the standards of most of the grander, more expensive places east and west.

High Design

The spectacular design of the property once inside The Oasis pool area provides an enclosed environment. Jutting angular walls reach three stories and protect you from the reality of what’s on the other side. It’s easy to pretend you are just off the strip or on the boardwalk. A tube waterslide, hot tubs, and various pool areas and waterfalls provided a lot of variety for swimmers of all ages. My grand nephew and his friend, both eleven years old, stayed occupied for hours making the rounds of the various swimming areas.

There were four lifeguards on duty. All Southeastern Oklahoma University students. Southeastern junior and Social Sciences major Thomas Evans and his co-workers did a good job of watching the kids and keeping them in line without being too strict. All of the young people on staff at the pool area were polite and professional.

When the sun went down the light features and fire pits lit up. It makes for a dramatic tropical look that could only be made better by an exotic drink on the table under the umbrella. The alcohol-free environment of the Choctaw property barely detracts from your overall enjoyment, but it would be nice to have the option.

Weekend room prices in the new tower run $149 for a standard room (Fri-Sat) and $99 on weekdays. We opted to stay in the 3-story Choctaw Inn at $99 (Fri-Sat) a night. Access to The Oasis is actually easier from the Inn than from the high-rise tower of the hotel.

Restaurants

The Butterfield’s Buffet is your standard hotel all-you-can-eat dining experience. There’s lots of variety and the food quality and taste is what you might expect. The price of $12.99 adults; $6.50 12 and under on Saturday is fair. Friday is seafood night at $20.99 adults and half-price for children. Sunday brunch is $14.95 adults; half price for children. Sunday-Thursday dinner is $16.99 adults; half-price for children. Children 4 and under are free. There is no senior discount, probably due to the fact that 75-percent of the crowd is over the age of 65.

1832 Steakhouse is better than average, but not much better depending on what you’re used to.

The other restaurants are more like fast food offering pizza, Mexican, an American grill, and deli that barely makes the grade to the level of Subway in terms of quality and value. It’s important to remember what you get and what you pay at most theme parks or resorts and you’ll feel better about getting not much better at Choctaw. We did not try The Salt Lick BarBQue restaurant.