Tioga Downs celebrates hotel grand opening

NICHOLS, N.Y. – What started as gaming machines and harness racing and then a full-fledge casino, Tioga Downs has completed its journey to become a resort destination.

A ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony was held Friday for the new hotel at Tioga Downs, making it the Tioga Downs Casino and Resort.

The six-story 161-room hotel includes a full-service AgeLess Spa, fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, two rooftop decks, an events center with banquet and reception that can accommodate 400 people.

In addition, the hotel has a PJ Clarke's Restaurant serving burgers in a speakeasy-style atmosphere.

Owner Jeff Gural says he wants people near and far to enjoy all the amenities the new hotel has to offer.

"It's beautiful.  Hopefully we'll be able to accomplish our goal to make it a resort for people from outside the are who are visiting Corning Glass, Watkins Glen or the wineries.  Now, they have a beautiful resort to stay at," said Gural.

Gural thanked the community along with the many legislators and lawmakers in attendance for supporting his endeavor, especially when Del Lago was chosen as the Southern Tier casino location.

The conference center will hold its first event tomorrow with a fundraiser for the United Way.

Reprinted with permission of The Binghamton News