All of our competitors have elevated their game and the challenge with this expansion is not meeting the existing expectations of our guests, it’s exceeding them,” CEO Bill Bembenek said in a recent interview. “Pala was really the first property in Southern California to offer a complete casino resort experience. The current hotel and casino interior will also undergo a significant update. The expansion will add a new 349-room hotel tower, a splashy aquatic playground and an enlarged spa, casino floor and parking garage. The ground breaking ceremony kicked off the demolition of the current swimming pool, signaling the start of a multi-year construction project that’s slated to be completed in May 2019. Pala Casino Resort & Spa, which ushered in the era of luxury Las Vegas-style hotels in San Diego, broke ground Tuesday on a $170-million expansion and extensive remodel.
