Nov. 19, 2007
Casino resorts power Biloxi-area recovery after Katrina's K-O
BY MARY ELLEN BOTTER The Dallas Morning News
Hurricane Katrina clawed through casino resorts here, sucking everything from slot machines to wall art into the Gulf of Mexico and Biloxi Bay. Only hours later, plans were being made to rebuild, refit and reopen the casinos that pumped economic lifeblood into the area.
Today, eight casino resorts are back. Not all at full throttle, but all ringing with the sound of slot reels rolling, dice landing and cards slapping onto felt tables. Gaming crowds are increasing, although they haven't returned to pre-hurricane levels.
Treasure Bay Casino & Hotel lost its gambling barge in the storm in August 2005. 'You could see straight through,' Erik Johnson, advertising manager, says of the hurricane's scouring effect.
By law, the casinos were required to be on water, and Katrina took advantage.
When wind and water calmed, Rick Carter, now co-owner of Island View Casino Resort in nearby Gulfport, Miss., found his Copa Casino barge a wreck 'on top of the Chiquita Banana building.' The multistory barge at Palace Casino Resort was left partially submerged. Most others washed away. Only the barges at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino and at IP Casino, Resort & Spa on the inland side of Biloxi's land bar floated on the 35-foot storm surge and stayed in place.
'All the way around us was complete devastation,' recalls Rich Westfall, director of community development at the Isle of Capri Casino Resort.
Carter says he and his partner, Terry Green, 'had enough insurance money to go home and retire.' But he and other business leaders recognized a desperate need to put people back to work. Corporations began to plow hundreds of millions of dollars into the Gulf Coast to restore industry and livelihoods. Government aid arrived. And locals pulled together to rescue themselves and their cities.
'There's such a pride in this area and can-do spirit that everybody just gets together and gets things done,' says Ali Bass, communications manager at Grand Biloxi Casino.
As major employers and contributors to the area's economy, 'Casino resorts are leading the recovery,' says Mary Cracchiolo, Beau Rivage's director of public relations.
The healing is incomplete. Repairs and expansions continue, encouraged by a change in the law that now allows gaming on land, safer from any cousin of Katrina. Bare slabs are reminders of homes-that-were, and snaggletooth oak trees are only now leafing out fully.
But gamers are coming, many neatly dressed vacationers pairing the resorts' casinos, dining and entertainment with the sandy beaches, fishing and golf that the Gulf Coast was known for before Katrina. Joining the travelers at the tables and slots are locals glad for a break from hard times and harder memories.
What's there for players, partiers and people on getaways? Here's a rundown of the area's eight casino hotels.
BEAU RIVAGE RESORT & CASINO, 875 Beach Blvd., Biloxi; 888-567-6667; www.beaurivage.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Mediterranean garden, with potted flowers en masse in lobby. Bold colors in casino. Large Italian mosaic in shopping Promenade. Young vacationers mix with retirees.
? Games: 2,100 slots, 93 table games, 230 video poker games. Two-level poker room with 16 tables. High-limit salon ($500 to $10,000 a hand). Quietest gaming area among eight visited.
? Rooms: 1,740 in 32-story building. Contemporary, chic, roomy. Two oversize chairs near window table, credenza with flat-screen TV, pillow-top bed, marble bathroom with soaking tub and step-in shower.
? Buffet: European-kitchen decor, with chandeliers made of massed copper pots. Multiple stations. Free wine and beer in evening. Late-night steak and eggs, $9.99.
? Restaurants: Worth a trip. Todd English's Olives serves Mediterranean cuisine; butternut squash tortellini is delicious. BR Prime, steaks and fresh seafood in handsome black-and-red room. Jia, artful Asian dishes. Memphis Q Smokehouse & Barbecue; popular specials. Coast for burgers; Terrace Cafe for sandwiches; and Scoops, fresh gelato.
? Entertainment: 1,550-seat theater. Upcoming headliners include the Four Tops, Kenny Loggins, Queen Latifah and Wayne Newton. Eight75 Lounge draws locals, too.
? Shopping: A dozen shops, from sophisticated apparel and jewelry to souvenirs, on Promenade off lobby. The Roasted Bean (open 6 a.m.) is a morning magnet.
? Extras: Pool has large balcony overlooking the Gulf. Spa and salon, 20,000 square feet; solarium overlooks pool. In casino, free table games, instruction cards.
? Tip: Cookies-and-cream dessert at Olives ($12) is enough for four.
? Ten words or less: Elegant, bustling. Only Gulf outside says you aren't in Vegas.
GRAND BILOXI CASINO, HOTEL, SPA, 280 Beach Blvd., Biloxi; 800-946-2946; www.harrahs.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Welcoming. Contemporary. Buses unloading outside. Noisy, smoky but busy casino.
? Games: 800 slot machines, 28 tables, including craps, blackjack, roulette, mini-baccarat and poker. High-limit area.
? Rooms: 494. Quiet, comfortable in earth tones. Pillow-top beds, CD players, plasma TVs. Smoking and nonsmoking available.
? Buffet: Grand Buffet for classics, Southern favorites and more. Crab nightly. Fresh veggies balance fried Oreos and fried Twinkies. Cakes cut on order, don't sit out and dry.
? Restaurants: L.B.'s Steakhouse, near check-in; calming Arts and Crafts decor. Asian Cafe, 24 hours, near casino. Lobby Bar for drinks, snacks. Starbucks in lobby. Lucky Dog hot dog cart.
? Entertainment: Regional groups on weekends.
? Shopping: Destinations gift shop.
? Extras: Jack Nicklaus-designed, 18-hole Grand Bear Golf Course nearby (open to public, too). Free blackjack and craps lessons at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Spa and salon, 16,000 square feet; inviting water therapy. Walk-in pool above Highway 90.
? Tip: Parent company Harrah's and Jimmy Buffett plan Margaritaville Casino and Resort across the road.
? Ten words or less: Lively. Popular with traveling gamers in Harrah's players' club.
HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, 777 Beach Blvd., Biloxi; 228-374-7625; www.hardrockbiloxi.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Energetic, exciting; consistent theme. White walls showcase rock artifacts, part of Hard Rock brand's $45 million, 69,000-piece collection. Guests of all ages.
? Games: 1,445 slots, 50 table games, six poker tables. Large room with Center Bar (``see and be seen'). High-limit area.
? Rooms: 318. Sleek, open design with rock photos, barlike desk, maroon-and-white bedding, three-head shower, granite-top vanity, plasma TV and Bose CD music system.
? Buffet: Satisfaction Buffet with windows on Gulf. Lobster claws and fresh sushi nightly.
? Restaurants: Vibe, fusion cuisine, including beef and fish. Chef Demetrio Marquez hails from Tarrant County. Also, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Hard Rock Cafe and 24/7 Grille, Starbucks, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.
? Entertainment: Hard Rock Live showroom; audience (1,000) stands on floor in front of stage with seating in balcony for about 400. Bar in rear. Mosh-pit style is popular with fans. Name and up-and-coming acts perform. Rise nightclub on 12th floor.
? Shopping: Rock Shop for logo gear. Taunt for hip wear.
? Extras: Rock CD on check-in. Video screens in mirrors of main-floor restrooms; co-ed sink area. Spa has co-ed wet area. Rock plays underwater at pool.
? Tip: Don't worry if heavy metal isn't your bag. Many types of rock are on the PA.
? Ten words or less: Fresh, exuberant, welcoming.
IP CASINO, RESORT & SPA, 850 Bayview Ave., Biloxi; 228-436-3000; www.ipbiloxi.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Lively, eager-to-please. Contemporary, with check-in, restaurant, lounge along wide, curving corridor. Mix of ages, vacationing families.
? Games: 1,989 slots, 62 tables, poker room. On three-story barge that survived Katrina.
? Rooms: 1,087. Pleasant, light. Blond furniture, gold comforter. Curtained closet. Bland elevator vestibule and hallways.
? Buffet: Back Bay Buffet. Large, attractive room with dividers topped by art glass. Interactive food stations.
? Restaurants: Carnaval de Brasil, churrascaria and tapas bar; salad bar includes seafood. Thirty-two for steak and seafood plus panoramas. Infusion Coffee Bar for beverages, sumptuous pastries, sandwiches, wraps. High Tide Cafe, American cuisine in well-appointed room.
? Entertainment: Chill Ultra Lounge, dramatic space on lobby level. Highlights Sports Lounge for serious couch coaches. Live music in 32nd-floor lounge.
? Shopping: Essentials gift shop. Some local crafts.
? Extras: Eleventh-floor pool and cafe with great views, in-water lounges, live music Fridays. No-smoking slots area on third floor. Hand-crafted pottery 'barnacles' decorate lobby of airy, inviting spa.
? Tip: Garage isn't well-marked. Note where you park.
? Ten words or less: Shedding former 'low-rent' rep. First to reopen after Katrina. Community-minded.
ISLAND VIEW CASINO RESORT, 3300 W. Beach Blvd., Gulfport; 877-774-8439; www.islandviewcasino.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Tasteful, pretty design with roomy gaming floor. Soft jazz on PA. Friendly, locally owned. Away from Biloxi's casino row. Landscaping second only to Beau Rivage's. No neon.
? Games: 2,100 slots, 45 tables. Moderately noisy. High-limit area.
? Rooms: 562. Oversize with light, Caribbean feel. Luxe linens on pillow-top mattresses, plasma TVs, phones with memory, marble-top furnishings.
? Buffet: Warm, earth colors. Four stations around curving room. Rotisserie cooks meats in view. Hand-made pizzas. Fresh veggies. Fresh bananas Foster.
? Restaurants: Lovely ocean theme in Emeril's Gulf Coast Fish House; Capiz shell chandelier, Gulf views, wine cooler with 4,000 bottles. C&G Grille, 24 hours, sophisticated decor and art glass chandeliers over upscale salad bar (couscous asparagus, Hawaiian chicken salad, etc.).
? Entertainment: Live music at View Bar; occasionally, Emeril's band.
? Shopping: Gift shop; note locally made pralines and fudge.
? Extras: Pool and spa expected to open in summer 2008. Golf course recently purchased.
? Tip: No parking garage, but four city blocks of space in lots and on street.
? Ten words or less: Spacious, attractive, noteworthy glass art (especially the callas near View Bar).
ISLE OF CAPRI CASINO RESORT, 151 Beach Blvd., Biloxi; 800-843-4753; www.isleofcapricasino.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Caribbean theme. Construction, expansion ongoing to 2009; several features in temporary locations with underdeveloped themes. Prime location at foot of bay bridge. Second casino to reopen after the storm.
? Games: 1,300 slots, 27 tables, poker room. Upstairs gaming is temporarily in podlike areas, formerly convention space. High-limit area. More slots on ground level.
? Rooms: 720. Cheerful, tropical prints and colors. Rattan chairs, coffee service, bird-shape soap (macaw is Isle mascot). Pleasant, but feels somewhat dated.
? Buffet: Calypso's Buffet in temporary quarters. Rambling room with plentiful standards.
? Restaurants: Bragozzo serves gourmet Italian in space with rich decor, cozy corners and a two-story wine tower. Taste of Farradday's for prime rib, steaks. Compact, inviting Tradewinds Marketplace for fast foods, snacks.
? Entertainment: Lava Bar downstairs with some live music, many TV monitors.
? Shopping: Banana Cabana gift shop. Some kids' items.
? Extras: Two-level pool deck. Intimate 8,000-square-foot spa with couples' specials.
? Tip: Table 59 near enclosed fireplace in Bragozzo is most-requested.
? Ten words or less: Big plans. What you see isn't how it'll be.
PALACE CASINO RESORT, 154 Howard Ave., Biloxi; 800-725-2239; www.palacecasinoresort.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Moroccan theme. On first floor, only the unusual chandelier in skylight survived Katrina. Third to reopen post-hurricane. Slots right inside front door. Noisy, smoky but has loyal following.
? Games: 1,000 slots, 28 tables, high-limit areas. Poker bar.
? Rooms: 236. Spacious. Plump duvets and embroidered pillows. Glass bricks between bath, bed areas of some rooms offer soft light for relaxing soak.
? Buffet: Crab legs are large, very popular. Fried broccoli among Asian fare. Desserts include sugar-free choices.
? Restaurants: Mignon's Steaks & Seafood, honored for wine selection. Happy hour daily, bargain three-course meal ($29.99). Mideastern art, cozy booths, and charming leaf-shape ceiling fans. Palace Cafe & Bakery, pastries and whole cakes are serious temptations. Wahoo's Poolside Bar & Grill.
? Entertainment: No live shows.
? Shopping: None.
? Extras: Golf Preserve, a Jerry Pate-designed course. Cabanas at pool are least expensive among properties surveyed ($55 weekdays, $75 weekends).
? Tip: Corner rooms with wraparound balcony are a find.
? Ten words or less: Expansion should regain lobby, calmer mood.
TREASURE BAY CASINO & HOTEL, 1980 Beach Blvd., Biloxi; 800-747-2839; www.treasurebay.com.
? Atmosphere, decor: Very smoky downstairs. Gaming room upstairs has interesting art glass, eye-catching Chihuly-style chandeliers over stairs.
? Games: 800 slots, 22 tables. Slots to each side of front desk.
? Rooms: About 160 now, with 90 others under renovation.
? Buffet: Infinity offers 10 stations plus hand-dipped ice cream.
? Restaurants: The Den, off lobby; open 24 hours. Gulf-view CQ fine dining and blu lounge (with a tapas menu) reopened last week.
? Entertainment: None now.
? Shopping: Retail boutique expected to open in December.
? Extras: Two-level pool with flagstone patio to open soon.
? Tip: Occupies 1960s-vintage hotel; could be retro cool when complete.
? Ten words or less: A work in progress. Giant steps forward from almost total loss.
