Historic Biloxi hotel debuts expansion just in time for Cruisin’ The Coast
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- White House Hotel adds 49 beachfront rooms, raising total capacity to 123.
- Lodging & Leisure Investments restored and expanded the 1895 Biloxi landmark.
- New rooms feature balconies, modern interiors, blackout shades and pool access.
The expansion of one of the most historic and beautiful buildings in South Mississippi is open just in time to add another 49 beachfront hotel rooms for Cruisin’ The Coast.
These additional hotel rooms, added to the 74 in the original White House Hotel, bring the total to 123. The first guests stayed in the expansion Thursday and rooms are available for Cruisin’ week.
The original hotel was assembled by connecting a boarding house and several homes on one site at 1230 Beach Blvd. in Biloxi and it dates back to 1895.
With the expansion, “We’re continuing the legacy of Cora and Walter White. We think it’s our job,” said Tessy Lambert, chief operating officer for Lodging & Leisure Investments. The company bought the White House Hotel in 2014 to save it from destruction, spent millions restoring it and opened the landmark hotel 11 years ago.
A couple of years ago, they decided to build the three-story expansion along White Avenue, directly behind the hotel. Like the original, the exterior looks historic with its classic white paint, black trim, columns and other architectural bling, while the interior is more contemporary with nostalgic touches.
“The veranda, the columns, the Mississippi Sound — everything you love,” was built into the expansion, Lambert said.
Decorated with vintage modern
What sets the expansion apart from the hotel are the balconies on some of the rooms, outfitted with rocking chairs that were so popular when the White House was “a tropical resort on the Gulf.” That label is on one of the many historic black and white photographs of the hotel and South Mississippi that were curated by Taylor Stork and hang in the lobby throughout the hallways.
“Something else that’s unique to this building are blackout shades for those that like to sleep a little later,” Lambert said.
The first floor has soaring ceilings that appear to be 12-feet high and a meeting room where brides planning to marry on the grounds of the White House can have their appointments.
Guest rooms have engineered wood floors, white bedding and spacious bathrooms. Amid these clean, modern finishes are touches like old-fashioned black telephones and mid-century modern couches.
On the second and third floors, the two two-bedroom suites are designed for friends and families sharing a getaway. A vestibule opens to the separate bedrooms with king-size beds, and the spacious balconies have rockers and partial water views. One of the units has an extra lounging area with a couch, a mini-fridge, table and chairs for playing cards or eating take out.
Guests at the expansion have WiFi and access to the swimming pool and other amenities.
More to come
Cora’s restaurant in the hotel is being remodeled and will reopen soon, Lambert said. Meanwhile, guests can buy food and beverages at the bar.
The White House Hotel is one of the historic projects by Lodging & Leisure Investments. The company also restored Margaritaville Resort Biloxi and Hotel Legends in Biloxi, along with Centennial Plaza and the Markham Hotel in Gulfport, which could be ready to open by the end of the year or early next year, Lambert said. They’re also building The Retreat, a live-work-play community near Biloxi High School. The first phase is for adults ages 55 and up.
