Forthcoming Hollywood Casino Aurora Will Feature ‘Luxury Wellness Spa’
Posted on: January 29, 2026, 04:32h.
Last updated on: January 28, 2026, 02:37h.
- The new Hollywood Casino Aurora will feature a full-service spa
- The land-based casino will replace the longtime Aurora riverboat casino
- Penn Entertainment and its landlord are investing $360 million in the brick-and-mortar resort
The under-construction Hollywood Casino Aurora in Illinois, a $360 million undertaking from Penn Entertainment and Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc., will include what the gaming developer is billing as a “luxury wellness spa.”
The forthcoming land-based Hollywood Aurora will replace the long floating riverboat. The brick-and-mortar facility is being built adjacent to the Chicago Premium Outlets, near Exit 119 off Interstate 88. The casino will operate at N. Farnsworth Ave. and Bilter Rd.
The resort is to feature a 200-key hotel, 1,700 parking spaces, world-class dining, including a restaurant from celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, a12,000-square-foot event center, and a casino floor with 900 slot machines, 50 live dealer table games, and a sportsbook. Construction began in November 2023.
When Penn announced the inland move of Hollywood Casino Aurora, the company confirmed that a full-service spa would be included. This week, a spa partnership was announced.
Drift Spa
When the new Hollywood Casino Aurora opens in the second quarter of 2026, the resort will include a spa branded Drift Spa.
There will be a dedicated salon and barbering area with 11 stations for hair, makeup, and nails, seven dedicated massage rooms offering deep tissue, Swedish, and therapeutic treatments, and non-chemical salon services focused on hair health and holistic care. Drift Spa will additionally offer manicure and pedicure services and customized facials.
Drift Spa originated in Pennsylvania by way of Lancaster. The first Drift Spa opened in 2022 at the Marriott at Lancaster’s Penn Square. The spa has since garnered positive reviews. The Drift Spa Aurora will be the company’s second location.
This strategic partnership creates a space where guests can step away from the pace of everyday life and truly relax,” said Drift Spa founder Stacey Steffes. “I am committed to collaborating with Chicago-area brands, creatives, and makers with shared values to help bring our vision to life and make meaningful connections in Aurora.”
Penn Entertainment is a Pennsylvania-based gaming company.
Wellness, Culinary Offerings
Penn Entertainment is confident that diversifying Hollywood Aurora, currently an aged riverboat, into a wellness and pampering destination that, of course, has a casino, will be a winning bet.
Penn is hoping that before or after their Drift Spa treatments, spa goers will make their way to the casino and taste the array of culinary offerings.
Along with De Laurentiis’ Italian steakhouse called Sorella, Penn has brought on celebrity chef Stephanie Izard for a burger joint called the Lucky Goat. A food hall concept is additionally being developed in partnership with Shawn McClain, a James Beard Award-winning chef and restaurateur.
Illinois lawmakers passed legislation in 2019 allowing riverboats to move inland. Penn announced its intentions to relocate its Aurora riverboat in October 2022.
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