First look: Osage Hotel and Casino opens slot-machine wonderland in Pawhuska

PAWHUSKA, Okla. - The Osage Nation unveiled its latest venture, the Osage Hotel and Casino, amid applause and anticipation, as dignitaries, executives and guests gathered under its branded awning for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting.

Stepping through the doors is an immediate immersion into the perpetual sights and sounds of the gaming floor, emphasizing the casino forefront of the operation — 259 slot machines humming and chiming in a relentless symphony.

Card and table games are notably absent in this electronic wonderland.

Guests meander through the vividly illuminated room, each slot machine extending its own alluring invitation. A standout, Buffalo Ascension, tempts players with six towering, curved screens and a perpetually escalating jackpot, presently surpassing $10,000.

In muted attire, employees adeptly shift from one game to the next to cater to guests’ needs. Although air vents are located throughout the space, a faint whisper of cigarette smoke persists.

The High Limits Room, indicated by a large screen projecting an endless cascade of gold coins, is nestled in the far corner of the room.

For hungry patrons, the Big Spoon Bar and Restaurant coexist with the electronic commotion, serving items like an $11 half-pound smash burger and a $32 10oz ribeye under a ceaseless display of televised entertainment.

Departing the acoustic energy of the gaming floor, a lengthy hallway adorned with historic monochrome photos and vibrant modern indigenous art leads to a 3,000-square-foot event space.

Under lofty ceilings with food and beverage offerings amidst subdued lighting, attendees of the ribbon-cutting were treated to a complimentary brunch.

The 47-room hotel is an appealing destination for Pioneer Woman tourists and attendees of annual staples like the Cavalcade Rodeo.

With amenities including a poolside bar and generous seating on a spacious concrete patio, first-floor guests enjoy the luxury of direct pool deck access set against the picturesque backdrop of Oklahoma hills.

Located on Highway 99, just on the periphery of Pawhuska, the four-story, 87,000-square-foot property looms over the now dormant double wides that once accommodated the former Osage casino.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: A symphony of slots: Inside the new Osage Hotel and Casino