Hotel Review

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO

BY GERONNA LEWIS-LYTE

Relax, dine, party and gamble like a rock star on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI
777 Beach Blvd 777 Beach Blvd • 877-877-6256 www.hardrockbiloxi.com

You know you’ve arrived at the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s most-anticipated destination resort in almost a decade when you see the iconic Hard Rock guitar lighting up the sky. The hotel was supposed to open in August 2005, but Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage. Now, it stands in all its flourescent-lit glory, offering high-stakes games, boutique shopping, hip nightlife and cool digs, all to make you feel like a rock star.

The vastness of the hotel is hard to ignore; it faces you as soon as you pull into the parking lot. Upon entering the waiting area—not to be confused with the lobby, which is still an escalator-ride away—you’ll notice a shrine of historic artifacts and nostalgic photos of legends past and present. In the lobby, you’ll also find a nod to the past, via a gallery of famous faces immortalized in paint, picture boxes and thread.

Be prepared for a celebrity welcome when you step inside your room; warm lighting, music and a personal greeting displayed on the 42-inch flat-screen TV await. Want to jam to your own tunes? Simple enough—the room is set up with a Bose sound system with an iPod dock. Care for a spa-like shower experience? Done. The chic bathrooms have three showerheads, a luxury you probably don’t have at home. If you’re looking for true star treatment, visit the hotel’s Rock Spa, an Aveda Concept Spa.

Now for the gambling. The casino is enormous, yet seemingly spare in comparison to the rest of the hotel. With 1,445 slot machines, 50 table games and a poker room, there are options for both high rollers and those who just want to spend a few (hundred) bucks. If you need a break from the tables, but don’t want to go too far from the action, head to Center Bar. Smack-dab in the middle of flying cards and outfitted dealers, you won’t miss a thing.

If making bets isn’t your thing at all, you can still take advantage of the fun and carefree atmosphere. For a taste of the glamorous nightlife, grab a cocktail at Rise Lounge, owned by nightlife trendsetter Rande Gerber’s Gerber Group. And there’s no better place for a show than Hard Rock Live; guests have access to 322 reserved balcony seats.

The property also has a variety of dining options. If you’ve already been to a Hard Rock Café, you should have a low-key meal at Satisfaction! (featuring Southern favorites like fried catfish) or 24/7 Grille (a diner that’s especially great for breakfast). If you have some winnings to blow, splurge on steak and seafood at VIBE or Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

In a city that’s had its share of hardships in the recent past, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino represents what is to come for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In all it glowing glory, the hotel is proof that Biloxi is still rocking hard.