New Red Hawk gets top J.D. Power rating
By: Albert C. Pacciorini
Special to The Examiner
June 26, 2009
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| Bring the family: Child care and arcade games for children are available at Red Hawk. (Courtesy Photo) |
Northern California’s newest Indian casino also has the most satisfied customers, according to a survey released this week.
Red Hawk Casino in Placerville, which opened in December, is the top-ranked large casino in Northern California according to a survey of 1,250 patrons, reports J.D. Power and Associates, the independent marketing company best known for its auto rankings. To be in the survey, Northern California casinos had to have 800 slots or more.
Michael Drago, director of the global hospitality and travel practice at J.D. Power, said Red Hawk’s score was 769 out of 1,000. Other regional rankings are Chukchansi Gold Resort Casino (744) near Yosemite and Black Oak Casino (736) in Tuolumne.
Peter Fordham, Red Hawk general manager, said the casino has been open six months now, about the right time frame to analyze the customer base and begin making adjustments. Some restaurant hours and staffing are changing.
Future phases of the casino master plan include a hotel within the next two years, Fordham said.
Red Hawk is an easy two-hour freeway drive from the Bay Area, east on Interstate 80 to Sacramento, then east on U.S. Highway 50.
Red Hawk has contracted for daily shuttle service from different cities, including San Francisco and Oakland. Cost for a round-trip bus leaving San Francisco from one of three locations in the morning is $20; an afternoon bus is $15. Contact US Asia at (800) 882-4885 or see the Red Hawk Web site for details.
Red Hawk also offers supervised child care by licensed professionals trained in first aid and CPR for up to almost 200 children.
In a separate area from the casino are two arcades. Kids Quest, supervised hourly care for children six weeks to 12 years old, includes an indoor playground and activities. Depending on the day of week and child’s age, costs range from $7 to $8 an hour.
Cyber Quest is an unsupervised arcade with the latest in non-violent games. Meals, snacks and beverages are available.
Kids Quest is operated under contract, Fordham said. Red Hawk’s operation ranks No. 2 in use of the contractor’s 22 similar casino child care operations.
The casino’s six restaurants include the all-you-can-eat Waterfall Buffet, the upscale Henry’s Steakhouse and spots with Asian, Mexican and American fare.
Tip: On busy weekends save waiting time by making reservations at Henry’s or Pearl Asian Cuisine ahead of time or when you first arrive.
Red Hawk Casino
- Where: 1 Red Hawk Parkway, Placerville
- By car: Take U.S. Highway 50 East from Sacramento, and exit at Red Hawk Parkway — about 10 minutes east of Folsom
- Phone: (888) 573-3495
- Web: www.redhawkcasino.com
- Slots: 2,100
- Tables: 75
- Restaurants: 6
- Bars: 4
- Age to gamble: 21
- Cost to build: $530 million, including freeway interchange
- Square footage: 278,000 square feet
- Parking garage: 3,100 spaces
