RENO, NV--(Marketwired - Feb 25, 2016) - Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRI) ("Monarch" or "the Company") announced today that Spa Atlantis at the Company's Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno has earned the highly coveted Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star designation, the only spa to attain this recognition in northern Nevada. Of the over 20,000 spas in the United States, Forbes has recognized only 180 Four-Star spas, thus placing Spa Atlantis on its exclusive list of the most luxurious spas in the world.

Spa Atlantis underwent a rigorous process to receive this distinguished award. Each Forbes inspection is completely anonymous, and spas are evaluated on over 250 standards -- the most stringent in the hospitality industry. 

"We are extremely honored to receive this award and understand its significance in contributing to Reno's recognition as a globally preferred destination for leisure and business travelers. It is the result of years of hard work, dedication and training, and I congratulate our team for this outstanding accomplishment," said John Farahi, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Monarch. "Our commitment to superior service is the central focus of our business, and we are constantly working to improve and provide the best experiences for our guests."

Spa Atlantis opened in 2009, and very quickly earned industry praise for its upscale, luxurious design, and vast menu featuring treatments from around the world that provide guests true health benefits. In Spa Atlantis's expansive, yet intimate 30,000 square feet, guests are able to escape the rigors of day-to-day responsibilities to relax and rejuvenate in complete serenity. Spa Atlantis provides guests three co-ed lounges, 15 luxurious treatment rooms, an exceptionally-equipped Cardio Fitness Center, and year-round indoor whirlpools and atrium pool, along with an outdoor pool and whirlpool.

In addition to Spa Atlantis's prestigious designation as a Four-Star Spa, Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, Bistro Napa and Atlantis Steakhouse all received the Recommended designation by Forbes Travel Guide. Properties that are Recommended are those deemed the best properties in a specific destination. Worldwide, there are only 159 Recommended hotels and 68 Recommended restaurants, reinforcing Atlantis as the most luxurious resort in northern Nevada.

"Our Star Ratings recognize the finest hotels, restaurants and spas in the world. These ratings serve as the most authoritative guideposts for guests seeking exceptional travel experiences. Our primary mission is to contribute to excellence in hospitality, serving the global tourism industry as well as the guest," said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide. "We're proud to be associated with the new additions to our global list."

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is the latest addition to the luxury travel rating guide that has been the gold standard in the hospitality industry since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide inspects over 1000 properties each year in search of the best hotels, restaurants and spas in the world.

About Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.
Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc., through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, a hotel/casino facility in Reno, Nevada, and the Monarch Casino Black Hawk (formerly the Riviera Black Hawk Casino) in Black Hawk, Colorado, approximately 40 miles west of Denver. For additional information on Monarch, visit Monarch's website at www.monarchcasino.com.

The Atlantis features approximately 61,000 square feet of casino space; 824 guest rooms; eight food outlets; two espresso and pastry bars; a 30,000 square foot health spa and salon with an enclosed year-round pool; two retail outlets offering clothing and traditional gift shop merchandise; an 8,000 square-foot family entertainment center; and approximately 52,000 square feet of banquet, convention and meeting room space. The casino features approximately 1,450 slot and video poker machines; approximately 37 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and others; a race and sports book; a 24-hour live keno lounge; and a poker room.

The Company acquired Monarch Casino Black Hawk, the first casino encountered by visitors arriving from Denver on Highway 119, in April 2012. The property features approximately 30,000 square feet of casino space, approximately 700 slot machines, 14 table games, a 250 seat buffet-style restaurant, a snack bar and a parking structure with approximately 500 spaces. Once completed, the Monarch Black Hawk expansion will nearly double the casino space and will add a 23 story hotel tower with approximately 500 guest rooms and suites, an upscale spa and pool facility, three restaurants (bringing the total to four restaurants), additional bars, a new parking structure and associated support facilities. The planned nine story parking structure will increase total parking on site from approximately 500 spaces to approximately 1,500 parking spaces.

About Forbes Travel Guide:
Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, is the originator of the prestigious Five Star Rating system, and has provided the travel industry's most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against up to 800 rigorous and objective standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions. Forbes Travel Guide is the gold standard for luxury hospitality ratings worldwide. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com. ForbesTravelGuide.com combines the objectivity and heritage of the Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating system with insightful recommendations from a hand-selected group of travel experts, tastemakers and Forbes Travel Guide inspectors. ForbesTravelGuide.com is the sole online destination for Forbes Travel Guide's list of Star Rated hotels, restaurants and spas, and gives its registered members exclusive access to special offers and curated experiences from select Forbes Travel Guide partners.