Almost every brand was present (Polo, Coach, Hilfiger, Old Navy, Calvin Klein, etc.), and prices seemed decent (although not really outlet prices, but cheap enough). Casinos often fall into the trap of opening ridiculously high-end luxury shops that real people can't afford so these outlets were welcomed. Oh yeah, the Tanger Outlets on the property were also pretty impressive. I have many thoughts, but like the adage says, 'If you can't say anything nice.,' so let's get the positives out of the way. When I found out my son was entered in a chess tournament at the property, I was pretty psyched to finally spend some real time on the property and not just the usual overnight stays that I've become used to in Atlantic City.

To level set, my basic knowledge of the Native American casino came from those catchy John Pizzarelli ads from the late nineties and early 2000s that conjured images of swanky dinners, nightcaps, fine dining, throwing dice, and all that goes along with it.

FOXWOODS FULL REVIEW: 'The WONDER of it all.' More like 'The BLUNDER of it all.' Despite my early life covering casinos as a journalist and freelance magazine writer, let me just say that I've never been to the FOXWOODS Casino resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Foxwoods resort casino images