Business

Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Luxury is what’s on top of the Coast casinos

The top floor of most Coast casinos have luxury suites reserved for VIP players or restaurants and lounges where patrons can enjoy the view from the top.

The decor in many of the ultra suites is equal to what players and celebrities enjoy in Las Vegas, with original artwork and chandeliers.

The top floor at three casinos are devoted to public space — Thirty-two fine dining restaurant at IP Casino Resort, CQ restaurant and Blu lounge at Treasure Bay and Rise Lounge atop Hard Rock Casino Biloxi.

Each top floor has memorable touches, such as the Isle’s Chairman Suite offering perhaps the ultimate luxury — a heated commode seat that raises and lowers automatically. Employees still affectionately call the suite “The Bernie” for founder Bernie Goldstein, who died in July. The luxurious whirlpool tub, the views of Deer Island and the tropical decor make a weekend at Bernie’s a true reward for the Isle’s VIP guests.

Her’s a look at what each top floor of the Coast’s tallest casinos offers:

n Beau Rivage Resort and Casino: Behind those floor-to-ceiling windows across the top of Beau Rivage are actually three floors of suites on floors 27 to 29, all with incredible views. The corner units are the opulent Beau Chene suites, where President Bill Clinton, Ringo Starr, Usher, Prince, Stevie Nicks, Cher, Brittany Spears, Eli and Peyton Manning, Muhammad Ali, Brett Favre and some of MGM Mirage’s best players have stayed. Perks include fresh flowers, in-room spa services, a treadmill for the dog and a private elevator from the VIP check-in to the top floor suites.

n Grand Casino Biloxi: The 12th floor rooms are the most requested at Grand Casino Biloxi and hotel operations manager Chad Goss said, “We always reserve the best rooms and corner suites for our players.” The plush Presidential and Chairman’s suites are elegantly decorated and have phones in the bathrooms, a crystal chandelier over the dining room table and a grand piano that was recently used for an intimate wedding in the Chairman’s Suite.

n Hard Rock Casino Biloxi: At the 12th floor Rise Lounge, guests can reserve the VIP area and enjoy preferential treatment. Rise opens at 9 p.m. as a lounge and becomes a nightclub as the night progresses. The bartenders pour lemon drop martinis and other artisan drinks while the DJ spins Top 100 tunes and lights keep pace with the music. Guests who step out onto the balcony for a breeze can see the lights of the passing boats on the Mississippi Sound.