Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel Wins Newsweek Readers’ Top Honors Again — A Win for the Tribe and Highland

Quick recap: another big reader-backed victory and why it matters

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel has been named a top choice in Newsweek’s Readers’ Choice awards for a second year running. The recognition covers several consumer-facing categories and reflects votes from a broad group of readers. For visitors, the prize is a signal that the resort remains popular and well-regarded. For the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, which owns and operates Yaamava’, the accolade is a public nod to an investment that mixes hospitality, gaming and local development.

Which awards Yaamava’ landed and what voters said

The resort picked up multiple spots in Newsweek’s list, from recognition as a favorite casino resort to praise for its entertainment and dining options. Voters often cited the property’s new amenities, large gaming floor and the variety of shows and events as reasons for their votes. Many wrote that the resort balances a big-city feel with a family-owned touch tied to the tribe that runs it.

Readers also singled out the resort’s hotel and pool complex, saying those features help the property feel like a full vacation destination rather than just a casino. The awards reflect direct consumer opinion rather than an industry panel, so they show how the public sees the experience—not just how industry insiders rate it.

How Yaamava’ and the San Manuel Band built this place

The modern resort sits in Highland, California, and grew out of a long tradition of tribal gaming that began decades ago as tribes sought ways to strengthen their communities. Over the years, San Manuel steadily expanded operations, transforming a traditional casino into a larger resort with a hotel, pools, meeting space and large entertainment venues.

The resort’s growth followed a common pattern: use gaming revenue to fund broader services and businesses. For San Manuel, that meant investing in infrastructure, jobs and services both on and off the reservation. The resort today is both a business and a public face for the tribe, showing how a single tribal enterprise can reshape a local economy.

What the recognition means for Highland and the tribal community

A Newsweek readers’ award does more than decorate a trophy case. It brings attention that can attract more visitors from beyond the usual gaming crowd—people looking for concerts, weekend getaways or a hotel with a resort-style pool. More visitors can mean steady foot traffic, more hours of work for staff, and extra business for surrounding restaurants, shops and services.

For the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the honor helps validate the tribe’s long-term plan to use gaming proceeds to support education, healthcare and community services. Public recognition can also strengthen the tribe’s position when it seeks partnerships, hosts larger events or pursues future development. At a local level, Highland benefits from the jobs and taxes that come with higher visitor numbers and expanded activity.

Official reactions, what officials said, and what guests should know next

In a statement, tribal and resort leaders expressed pride in the repeated reader support and framed the award as a tribute to employees and the community. They thanked staff for daily service and highlighted plans to keep programming fresh. Resort managers said they expect to continue rotating entertainment and refining dining options to match guest tastes.

For people thinking of visiting, the big message is simple: expect a full resort experience. Shows and special events often sell out faster after awards bring extra attention, so advance planning helps. The resort’s teams also said they will keep investing in guest services and amenities even as they manage higher demand.

At heart, this is a story about reputation built over time. Yaamava’ has turned a gaming hall into a regional destination, and the Newsweek readers’ awards are a clear sign that many visitors approve. For the San Manuel tribe and the town of Highland, the recognition is both a milestone and a reminder that leisure and economic development remain closely linked.

Photo: Mykhailo Petrenko / Pexels

Sources

• prnewswire.com