25%Major impact
Casino and gaming lounges
We look at circulation, seating, table spread, ventilation, and the atmosphere during peak evening periods.
Verified Property Reviews
A researched guide to the resorts of the Colorado Rockies and the Black Hills
We assess every property against the same six weighted criteria, then publish the score and the reasoning behind it.
8Listed properties
6Assessment criteria
3Covered districts
How we score
What the ratings measure
Our editors complete the same six-part assessment at every property, using the weights below. No property receives a bespoke rubric.
20%High impact
Accommodation quality
Sound insulation, bedding, bathroom condition, storage, climate control, housekeeping consistency, and outlook.
20%High impact
Guest service
Measured on desk waiting times, concierge usefulness, language range, and service recovery.
15%Moderate impact
Food and beverage
Range across price points, kitchen consistency, breakfast quality, in-room dining hours, and wine list depth.
10%Supporting impact
Location and access
Judged on transfer convenience, walkable surroundings, transport connections, and parking practicality.
10%Supporting impact
Value
The all-in nightly figure, fees included, weighed against room quality and amenity access.
Ranked catalogue
The full ranked index
The complete catalogue in score order, with the reasoning published beside each entry.
- 01
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk
The canyon town's tallest and most complete, suited to Colorado mountain weekends.
- Rooftop pool and spa
- Canyon outlooks
- Ara restaurant
Editor's noteThe rooftop pool at 8,500 feet is the property's signature - 02
Monarch Casino Resort Spa
A newer tower with the town's largest spa, suited to spa-led mountain stays.
- New-build tower
- Full spa floors
- Monarch Chophouse
Editor's noteThe most recent large build in the Colorado mountain towns - 03
The Lodge Casino Black Hawk
Timber-and-stone lodge styling, suited to value-aware mountain stays.
- Lodge architecture
- Mountain views
- Value rates
Editor's noteGenuine lodge character rather than applied theming - 04
Century Casino & Hotel Central City
Historic street position a mile uphill, suited to quiet mountain-town stays.
- Historic main street
- Quiet setting
- Compact property
Editor's noteCentral City is calmer than neighbouring Black Hawk by some margin - 05
Deadwood Mountain Grand
A converted 1906 mining slime plant, suited to Black Hills music weekends.
- 1906 industrial conversion
- Live music hall
- Hillside position
Editor's noteThe concert venue occupies the original industrial hall - 06
DoubleTree by Hilton Deadwood
Cadillac Jack's, on the creek at the town's edge, suited to Black Hills touring base.
- Creekside position
- Easy parking
- Full-service tower
Editor's noteEasiest parking in a town where parking is genuinely difficult - 07
Super 8 by Wyndham Deadwood
Straightforward lodging on the historic strip, suited to budget Black Hills stays.
- Historic strip position
- Budget rates
- Indoor pool
Editor's noteBasic rooms in a town where basic is often all that is needed - 08
Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort
Main Street rooms above the gaming floor, suited to walkable Deadwood stays.
- Main Street address
- Compact rooms
- Walkable position
Editor's noteDirectly on Main Street, which is the point in Deadwood
Availability
Request room availability
Tell us when you plan to travel and we will relay the request to the property.
Submitting this does not create a reservation. The property responds with availability and its own terms.
Leading in each category
Top of each category
Each of these took its category on the same six weighted criteria used throughout.
Families and groups
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk
The canyon town's tallest and most complete, suited to Colorado mountain weekends.
- Rooftop pool and spa
- Canyon outlooks
- Ara restaurant
From around US$ 305
9.5/10
Top of the range
Monarch Casino Resort Spa
A newer tower with the town's largest spa, suited to spa-led mountain stays.
- New-build tower
- Full spa floors
- Monarch Chophouse
From around US$ 295
9.4/10
Best rate
Super 8 by Wyndham Deadwood
Straightforward lodging on the historic strip, suited to budget Black Hills stays.
- Historic strip position
- Budget rates
- Indoor pool
From around US$ 200
8.6/10
Meetings and events
Deadwood Mountain Grand
A converted 1906 mining slime plant, suited to Black Hills music weekends.
- 1906 industrial conversion
- Live music hall
- Hillside position
From around US$ 225
9.1/10
Calmest option
Century Casino & Hotel Central City
Historic street position a mile uphill, suited to quiet mountain-town stays.
- Historic main street
- Quiet setting
- Compact property
From around US$ 235
9.1/10
Destinations
Destinations in this edition
These are the small-stakes mountain towns, where nineteenth-century mining streets were rezoned for limited-stakes gaming. The hotels are correspondingly compact, historic, and built into steep terrain.
Colorado, USA
Black Hawk and Central City
Twin canyon mining towns rezoned for limited-stakes gaming in 1991.
South Dakota, USA
Deadwood
A preserved Black Hills mining town with a nationally listed main street.
Contact
Contact the editorial desk
Corrections, property submissions, and reader questions all reach the same desk.
- Email address[email protected]
- Reply timeTwo to three working days
- Covered regionThe Colorado Rockies and the Black Hills
Send your enquiry
How we work
How the reviews are produced
Hastovena is an independent editorial publication covering resort hotels and entertainment destinations across the Colorado Rockies and the Black Hills. We assess properties, publish scores, and explain the reasoning; we do not sell rooms, take commission on bookings, or accept payment for placement.
Independence is structural rather than declared. No property in this catalogue has paid to appear, none has been given sight of its review before publication, and none can have a criticism removed.
About this publication
Before you write
The questions we get most
Can I book through this site?
No — Hastovena is a review publication. Availability requests are forwarded to the hotel, and all booking terms are agreed directly with that property.
Do properties pay to be listed?
No. Rankings are editorial. Nothing on this site is sold, and no property has any control over its score or its position.
How current are the rates shown?
Rates are indicative starting points recorded at the time of review. They move constantly with season and demand, so always confirm the current figure with the property.
Is there an age restriction?
Adults only. You must have reached the age of majority in your own jurisdiction, and 21 where the local standard requires it, to use this site.
When were these assessments made?
Reviews are refreshed following major renovations, operator changes, or sustained reader feedback that our score has drifted.
What if something here is wrong?
Send the property name and the specific error to [email protected]. We verify every report and update the page when it stands up.