Thunder Valley Casino officials made no bones about their inspiration when they started planning an expansion two years ago. The modest-sized Indian gaming facility was going Vegas or bust.

Thursday, two months before the new hotel, spa and expanding gambling floor is scheduled to go online, the United Auburn Indian Community and its casino operator held a sneak peek at its new offerings.

"The idea is to really make this a destination resort with all the amenities," said General Manager C.J. Graham, who worked for the Maloofs' Palms Casino before coming to Lincoln.

The preview included each guest being introduced upon entry to the wild applause of well-dressed staff.

For the tribe, the evening was a chance to thank the people involved in the glitzy -- albeit scaled back -- project.

The hotel was planned to be 24 stories tall and include 640 rooms. In late 2008, the plan was reduced to 15 stories and 294 rooms.

Rooms previewed included oversized bathtubs and showers, flat-screen televisions and impressive views.

The expansion includes a 10,000-square-foot entertainment center and a seven-story parking structure.

With the upgrades, casino officials hope to lure more Bay Area gamblers. Graham said that when the hotel and spa opens in July, they're prepared to helicopter guests in from San Jose and elsewhere.

A marble-floored lobby with glass chandeliers will greet overnight guests. Hard hat-wearing laborers worked into the evening Thursday installing flooring.

Much of the 40,000 square feet of additional casino floor space is already open. The old casino floor was renovated to match the new floor space.

Most of the hotel rooms are still weeks from being ready.

"Many of our guests have asked when we'll have a hotel and entertainment," said David Keyser, secretary of the tribal council. "They need not ask anymore."

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/13/2749906/thunder-valley-previews-its-expanded.html#ixzz0nv2klTVn