I recently stayed 2 nights at the Talking Stick Resort for a business meeting. I didn't realize that the resort was a casino until I arrived which is not something I would've been excited by..
Pluses.. friendly and responsive valet attendants. The valet is complimentary, just gratuity based.
The guest rooms are contemporary and pretty well appointed
The staff was very friendly and accommodating
The resort isn't too far from several retail centers
Cons.- the casino is smoke filled and there is no way to get to the hotel without walking through it.
The layout of the resort is confusing
The resort is in a weird little valley with awful views
I was also really aggravated by my check in experience. I was greeted warmly and we began the check in process. I had reserved a tower lounge (club level ) king room. The attendant joyfully advised me that I had been "upgraded" to a room with a balcony. Sweet! I trek the half mile to my room (mind you it's after 9 at night) . I'm immediately disappointed. I am at the end of a never ending hallway directly across from the ice and vending machines. The ice machine is humming loudly. I walk into the room and close the door.. I can still clearly hear it. Boo! I open the curtains to check out the balcony and there is this huge wrap around balcony overlooking what looks like a vehicle service depot... Huh ? Why in the world would I want to sit outside and look at that. And it wasn't even on the club level. I called and expressed my displeasure and declined the "upgrade ". They did send someone up with a new key card to escort me to my room. It was a decent, regular sized room , no balcony which was fine .. view of parking lot .. whack.. but I was fine. I didn't realize until speaking with one of my colleagues on my check out day that I got jipped. Because they didn't put me on the C level initially I was never walked through the amenities or even directed to the lounge on C2 which is why I payed more for a C room. I won't return and luckily I'll probably never need to.