This past weekend I re-visited the Fortune Valley Hotel & Casino in Central City and well, things have changed. The new management really is making a visible effort to improve the facility and the entertainment experience of its customers.

Always tops on my list of things to evaluate is the service. Where in past visits, especially under the “Harvey’s” management, I thought the service on all fronts left something to be desired, this time I couldn’t be more impressed. Fortune Valley had more than enough staff at every cashier, bar, and the slot club booth. When a window at a cashier cage was open, there was a friendly body ready to help. And I should stress friendly. Not a sourpuss in the bunch. I finally asked a cashier right out what he thought about the new management. He had all good stuff to say. I couldn’t get a negative comment out of him to save my life. Finally, the drink service on the slot floor was excellent, even in the 5-cent video slot areas which in other casinos tends to get ignored.

Now let’s talk about the casino facility. There’s fresh paint around and new carpet coming soon (the cashier told me that). They seem to have changed the lighting or something, because it seemed brighter and livelier than in the past. There’s a wide variety of slots and vp at Fortune Valley – this is a big casino and with two floors of space that you’ll surely find a machine to your liking. The table games and poker area is also large with 9 poker and 14 other card game tables available as needed. There are two large bars (that I could find) with televisions and there’s free soda and coffee stands. I even saw a drinking fountain – a casino rarity to be sure. There was live music going that night and folks actually dancing on a (no-cover charge) dance floor! Looked like a good time to me.

I stayed overnight at Fortune Valley and am happy to report I was very favorably impressed here as well. We had a large, clean, quiet corner room with a great view out two windows (that opened for some fresh mountain air). The room had plenty of amenities – cable tv, phone (with a data jack), cash mini-bar, iron/board, and the icing on the cake – a free coffee pot. You don’t have to rush down to the casino to get that first cup – I really appreciated that. In the bathroom was a hair dryer and a shower massage. Nice. Folks, the hotel gets an A+. Check in and out was a breeze (again, no lines!) and lots of smiley faces.

I did not eat at Fortune Valley Casino, but talked casually with some folks who had just eaten at Tony Roma’s and they said it was quite good. There’s also “Pesto’s Pasta” on the first floor.

Before closing, I have to mention the free shuttle these folks operate to Black Hawk and Central City. Very nice touch. Prompt, friendly service until 11:00 PM or so. And don’t forget the large attached free parking garage (730 spaces).

It’s a new day for Fortune Valley in Central City. I encourage everyone to visit there soon, and if you’re thinking about staying overnight definitely check them out.