November 2010 Destination Resort: Your Favorite Casino — An abundance of amenities are making Midwest casinos one-stop shops for all your getaway needs and desires. by Cynthia Earhart Once upon a time, a casino was just a casino — a place to gamble, have a cocktail and hope that lady luck was on your side. There was probably a restaurant or two on the premises, so you wouldn’t leave if you got hungry, and there may even have been a hotel onsite as well. And at some of the more upscale places, you could enjoy an entertainer or ogle a showgirl. But if you wanted to go shopping, be pampered with a massage or play a round of golf, you got in your car and drove to the shops, the spa or the golf course. How times have changed! The evolution of the casino as a resort destination is a fairly recent occurrence. Some say the inception is rooted back in the 1960s when billionaire businessman Kirk Kerkorian purchased The Flamingo and built the International (now the Las Vegas Hilton) and the MGM Grand (now Ballys) which, back in the day, featured an elaborate amusement park. But most agree that the age of the destination resort came into full bloom in 1989 when Steve Wynn opened The Mirage, the first new casino in Las Vegas in 16 years. The Mirage ushered in the era of the over-the-top fantasy-themed casino resort. There was the 60-foot high glass atrium at the entrance complete with waterfall and lush tropical jungle foliage, the glass-encased home for magicians Siegfried and Roy’s white tigers, the massive salt water tank behind the registration desk containing sharks and tropical fish, the quarter-mile long swimming pool, the dolphin habitat, the shopping mall, the state-of-the-art gym, and, of course, the volcano on the front lawn perched on a 50-foot waterfall, which erupted every 15 minutes every night. It was big, it was bold, and it drew people like a magnet. It also kicked off the Las Vegas construction boom, which saw one new property after another open throughout the next two decades, each more elaborate than the last. It was only a matter of time before the proliferating Midwest casinos took note of the new style of megaresorts opening in Las Vegas and quickly followed suit. It’s no longer uncommon to find casinos in cornfields and on prairies sporting elegant steakhouses, posh spas, pro golfer-designed golf courses, vast entertainment venues hosting big-name acts and even bowling alleys. Appealing to both the serious gambler and the leisure vacationer, these properties are essentially self-contained entities where one can spend days on end being entertained by a seemingly endless array of activities. All without traveling far from home. Minnesota The Grand Casino Mille Lacs located in the heart of Minnesota, in Onamia, combines its proximity to Lake Mille Lacs with access to numerous outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, fishing (noted for both walleye and ice fishing), and snowmobile trails. The hotel offers rooms and several suites complete with fireplaces and lake views, a large swimming pool and jacuzzi, entertainment by national headliners, the Grand Venture for Kids providing supervised activities for the smaller set (ages 6 weeks to 12 years), and a game arcade for the teens. You certainly will not go hungry here as The Woodlands Steakhouse serves up some of the tastiest fare in the area, at least according to the readers of Midwest Gaming & Travel who have voted it the best casino steakhouse in Minnesota six years in a row. Not too far from the Grand Casino Mille Lacs is its sister property, the Grand Casino Hinckley. Sporting one of Minnesota’s larger casino hotels at 563 rooms and suites, the Grand Casino Hinckley also offers an RV resort and chalets with full kitchens for a family-friendly rental option. Taking advantage of its natural setting, Grand Casino Hinckley makes numerous outdoor activities available to its guests including canoeing, fishing, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and even paintball. Accommodating both the experienced and novice golfer is the Grand National Golf Course, conveniently located next to the casino. While children are welcome here, and there are activities at the Arcade and swimming pool for the younger set, Fido is also welcome to stay at the resort’s pet kennel. And for the adults, the Grand Harmony Spa can soothe sore muscles after a day of activity with its signature couples massage. Well utilizing its proximity to the Mississippi River is Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing, Minnesota. Park your boat in a slip at the Marina and head on over to this casino resort with its full slate of activities. Golf at Mount Frontenac provides a memorably scenic experience atop the Mississippi River Bluffs with views of Lake Pepin and the Hiawatha Valley. The Island Xtreme Bowl holds 24 bowling lanes, a lounge, snack bar and private party rooms. You may also want to take a lunch, dinner or pizza cruise on the Spirit of the Water, traversing the Mississippi from May through October. And RV enthusiasts regard Treasure Island’s RV park as one of the best, with its 95 pads providing full hook-ups, fire pits and complimentary shuttle service to the casino. Treasure Island is truly a destination in and of itself. Golfers say there’s no better way to soak up nature than by playing a round of golf. And both Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, and Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel in Morton, cater to that philosophy with their well-regarded courses. The Meadows at Mystic Lake, one of Golfweek magazine’s best 2009 casino courses, presents a challenging par-72 course with 13 of its 18 holes entwined with water. Famed golf course architect Rees Jones is behind the stunning Dacotah Ridge Golf Club where guests of Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel can enjoy prairie vistas on this 240-acre course adorned with native fescue grasses, mature trees, natural wetlands, a creek and lake. For the ultimate in pampering, sample the imaginative body treatments at the Sereniitee Spa at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen, Minnesota. Offering pedicures, facials, and everything in between, Sereniitee Spa features daily spa specials and its own line of bath and body products. Of note are its nature-infused body wraps utilizing elements as diverse as seaweed, berries or a combo of three clays and blue-green algae. Also receiving good reviews is the recently opened 2 ONE 8 restaurant helmed by a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef. Michigan Mt. Pleasant, Michigan is home to one of the Midwest’s most luxurious casino resorts, Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort. Awarded four diamonds by AAA, this expansive property takes full advantage of its lush natural setting in the middle of the state. Rich with entertainment options, Soaring Eagle has it all, well-appointed hotel rooms and suites (some even have fireplaces), numerous dining options including a steakhouse (Siniikaung Steak & Chop House), Italian cuisine (Isabella’s) and a buffet (Firefly), and complimentary fitness center access. The 2400-sq-ft indoor pool features underwater music and lighting, glass tiles imported from Milan, Italy, and an ornate Douglas fir wood-beamed ceiling. The Soaring Eagle Spa encourages guests to ‘embrace the elements’ by offering nature-based treatments utilizing flowers and fruit. Soaring Eagle’s Concert Hall plays host to national acts in both an indoor and outdoor venue. And in a nod to those traveling with children, Kids Quest offers supervised diversions for ages 6 through 12, including a video game arcade, karaoke, Barbieland, and movies. he Turtle Creek Casino and Hotel just east of Traverse City is a relatively new property, having opened in 2008, already making a name for itself as a destination resort by offering access to two popular golf courses (The Bear designed by Jack Nicklaus and The Wolverine, a Gary Player signature course), and to the Spa Grand Traverse at its sister property the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Known for a golf course featuring a 15th hole on an island is the Island Resort Casino in Harris, Michigan. Its Sweetgrass Golf Club was named one of the best new public courses in the country by Golf Digest magazine in 2009. The Showroom at Island Resort Casino is a 1300-seat venue hosting big name entertainers. RVers also appreciate the attractive facilities at the RV park that can accommodate even the largest recreational vehicles. And while in Michigan, don’t miss the sophisticated big-city casino resorts in downtown Detroit: Greektown, the MGM Grand Detroit and Motor City. Each brings Las Vegas-style glamour to the Motor City with sleek design, luxurious hotel rooms, award-winning dining, beautifully appointed spas and well-known entertainers. Indiana Situated within a short drive of each other are two properties dotting the Ohio River, Belterra and Grand Victoria Casino & Resort. Both feature golf courses that make the most of their scenic locations. Belterra’s Tom Fazio designed course has been named one of the top 20 casino courses in the United States by Golfweek. And the Grand Victoria features the only Scottish links-style course in southern Indiana. Just outside Louisville, Kentucky is the Horseshoe Southern Indiana where the Chariot Run golf course offers an equestrian-themed experience on a course sprinkled with mature trees and sparkling lakes. With a picturesque location in the Hoosier National Forest, the French Lick Resort is a beautifully renovated historic property with a colorful past and an abundance of high-end amenities. French Lick Resort and its sister property, West Baden Springs Resort, offer golfers access to three premier golf courses, including the Pete Dye Indiana Golf Course, home of the 2010 PGA Professionals National Championship. Other entertainment options include horse stables, swimming pools, lush gardens, a video game/pinball arcade, pool tables and a bowling alley. Closer to Chicago are the Horseshoe Hammond and the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana. One of the few casino resorts accessible via water, the Horseshoe Hammond offers boat slips at the nearby Hammond Marina. With a convenient location only 20 minutes from downtown Chicago, Horseshoe Hammond’s entertainment complex ‘The Venue’ regularly presents a full roster of popular artists in its 3,000 seat auditorium. The Blue Chip Casino recently opened Spa Blu and the adjacent Spa Tower, a 22-story hotel. Spa Blu was designed with serene tranquility in mind and features 10,000 square feet of spa space including a water wall, a private make-over room for wedding groups or parties, both a men’s and women’s salon, and a state-of-the-art fitness center. Illinois Hollywood Casino in Aurora, just outside Chicago, is one of the largest casinos in the area at 53,000 square feet of floor space and soaring 18 ft-high ceilings. Its collection of movie memorabilia, scattered throughout the property, puts your movie trivia knowledge to the test. Keeping with the Hollywood theme is Fairbanks Steakhouse with its glamorous 1930s art deco ambience and its rich menu of prime steaks and seafood. Midwest Gaming & Travel readers have bestowed upon Fairbanks Steakhouse their award for ‘best casino fine dining’ in Illinois. Bringing some of the finer things in life to the eastern edge of the Mississippi River is Jumer’s Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, Illinois. This riverboat casino resort includes a 205-room hotel that offers suites with balconies, kitchens and fireplaces. Dining options include DJ’s Steakhouse, the Player’s Buffet and the Lakeside Cafe. Pampering is available at the John Taylor Salon and Day Spa, and an indoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center are adjacent to a heated lakeside patio. Entertainment of the musical variety can be found at the Edje Nightclub and of the sporting variety at the Oculus Sports Bar. Missouri Located in close proximity to St. Louis, the AAA four-diamond award winning Ameristar St. Charles exudes big city sophistication in an atmosphere made for relaxation. Each of its 397 hotel rooms is a suite with a separate sunken living room area and oversized bathroom. The Ara Spa, open to hotel guests and area locals alike, is renowned for its hydrocircuit — water-based treatments encompassing steam, sauna, whirlpool and Swiss shower. The pool at Ameristar compliments any weather; its indoor/outdoor pool, separated by a waterfall wall, is flanked with hot tubs. There’s also a fitness studio with plenty of cardio and circuit training equipment to ensure a healthy work-out. Downtown St. Louis plays host to Lumiere Place, a casino resort connected to a Four Seasons hotel, just the thing for that luxury get-away. Boasting seven restaurants and bars including the only Midwest outpost of famed chef Hubert Keller’s popular Burger Bar, Lumiere Place also offers an indoor pool and well-equipped fitness center. Iowa Meskwaki Bingo Casino Hotel in Tama, Iowa, bills itself as the “largest full-service casino in the Midwest,” and from the looks of its spacious casino to its more than 400 hotel rooms and suites, that’s a boast you can bank on. Whether hosting entertainers in its Convention Center or its huge outdoor arena, Meskwaki attracts some of the biggest acts touring the country. An array of restaurant choices can also be found, from the fine dining at Primecut Steak & Seafood House to the Full House Cafe, famous for its homestyle chicken dinners. An indoor pool with adjacent outdoor sundeck is available for relaxing, and a fully equipped exercise room summons those looking for a good workout. And for a tranquil, restorative experience, visit the Winding Stream Spa featuring a eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna and quiet areas for a peaceful escape. No wonder the Winding Stream Spa was named 2009’s Best Native American Casino Spa in Iowa by the readers of this magazine. The charms of Iowa’s countryside can be appreciated from the beautiful golf course at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (Riverside, Iowa). Riverside’s Blue Top Ridge at Riverside was named to Golf Digest’s list of America’s Best New Courses in 2009. Sophisticated interior design complements outstanding personal service and modern amenities at Riverside’s hotel. A look out your window reveals a panoramic view of the world-class golf course, which is sure to inspire your best game. Within minutes of your room, you’ll discover a spacious indoor/outdoor pool, a Vegas-inspired casino, fine dining venues and much more. Winter in the Midwest can be harsh, but at Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa, the indoor activities are plentiful. Cherry Lanes boasts 30 bowling lanes as well as a smaller venue, Alley Cat VIP Lanes, for private parties. There’s even bowling after dark on Friday and Saturday nights when Cosmic Bowling turns out the lights and amps up a music and light show for bowling like you’ve never experienced before. Other entertainment options include the Laughing Moon Comedy Club and the Dueling Pianos at the Mississippi Moon Bar. Wisconsin The Potawatomi Bingo Casino near downtown Milwaukee possesses one of the premier entertainment venues in the area at its Northern Lights Theater. With cozy booth and table seating on the first level and theater-style seating on two tiers, there’s not a bad seat in the house. Serving ‘new Wisconsin cuisine’ is the Dream Dance Steak restaurant, a 2010 recipient of a AAA four diamond award. Dream Dance Steak offers a variety of delicious steaks in addition to seafood options, soups, salads, sides and Wisconsin share plates — derived from Chef Jason’s New Wisconsin Cuisine. The restaurant uses the highest quality ingredients while offering dishes at reasonable prices. Other dining options include The Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill and RuYi for Asian-style dishes. Nestled in Wisconsin’s beautiful great outdoors is the Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel featuring 99 rooms and suites, some with whirlpool baths, and an indoor pool for swimming while the snow is falling. A meal or a cocktail can be enjoyed at either The Flames Sports Bar & Grill or The Springs Restaurant & Lounge. And the casino keeps the energy high with a full roster of musical acts. The readers of this magazine know a good thing when they see it, which is why they have bestowed upon Ho-Chunk Gaming - Wisconsin Dells a number of readers’ choice awards including Favorite Casino Hotel in Wisconsin. The rooms and suites at Ho-Chunk are designed to reflect rustic elegance with some suites offering fireplaces. That theme continues into the indoor pool and whirlpool area, which carries out a rock-inspired landscape. And it’s a real bonus having a casino resort destination that is situated in the midst of such a popular vacation destination like the Dells. Ho-Chunk Gaming - Wisconsin Dells is the perfect starting point for a tour of all the Ho-Chunk properties in the scenic Wisconsin towns of Black River Falls, Nekoosa, Madison, Tomah and Wittenberg. In a beautiful natural setting between Green Bay and Wausau is where you’ll find North Star Mohican Casino Resort. Many guests choose to take advantage of the serenely wooded RV park where towering pines provide a shaded canopy on warm summer days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at The Longhouse, which also features fresh local walleye. And for the best music, comedy and sports viewing, The Groove is the place. Kansas Adding more to the already full and lavish slate of amenities at Prairie Band Casino & Resort in Mayetta is the anxiously awaited opening of the FireKeeper Golf Course, scheduled for Spring of 2011. Clearly, the Midwest’s casino resorts offer a little something for everyone, whether you have a taste for lavish hotel rooms and fine dining, or you enjoy the mobility of a good RV park and comfort food like Mom used to make. Sure, Las Vegas has the glitz and glamour down to a science, but you can’t go walleye fishing in Vegas. Happy travels!