The Midwest might not be the first place a planner’s mind leaps when casino resorts come up, but the fact of the matter is that the region has quickly become a hotbed of gaming fun.
Whether situated in a major city or a more-remote setting, Midwestern casino resorts make an enticing option for groups looking for an all-in-one locale for their meetings. Lodging, entertainment, dining and after-hours events can all be addressed and some even boast four-star restaurants, top-tier entertainment, luxury spas and the full gamut of amenities.
Here are 10 casino hotels that welcome groups around the region.
MGM Grand Detroit
Set in the heart of downtown Detroit, MGM Grand Detroit touts its accessibility as a key draw for groups. The property this year was awarded four stars from the Forbes Travel Guide for both the hotel and its IMMERSE Spa. Its 400 guest rooms include nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 corner suites. There is also 30,000 square feet of function space, including the Grand Ballroom for up to 1,200 people and three meeting rooms of 1,600 square feet each.
Of its three signature restaurants, two are owned by Wolfgang Puck. Wolfgang Puck Steak was custom-created for MGM Grand Detroit, according to Lisa Williams, executive director of sales for the property.
“The design captures all that is Detroit,” Williams says.
The restaurant’s decor pays homage to the city’s industrial and car industry pursuits, with lighting and other designs fashioned from old factory parts. There are also old photos around the restaurant. More casual, Palette Dining Studio is set up as a Vegas-style buffet, with everything from a sushi station to a dessert table.
Lumiere Place Casino
Located in downtown St. Louis, Lumiere Place Casino & Hotels includes in its complex a casino, the 200-room Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, with 20,000 square feet of meeting space, and the upscale HoteLumière, which features a four-story waterfall inside the atrium. HoteLumière offers 294 suites, 8,000 square feet of ballroom space and unique group venue options. Groups can host tradeshows, cocktail receptions and galas at the atrium, while the theater Lumiere Live is ideal for award banquets, meetings and receptions.
“The possibilities are endless at Lumiere Place,” says ShaNae Walker, sales manager for HoteLumière. “We offer a great destination for business and pleasure. We provide exceptional service and can cater to your every need.”
Themed events are popular, everything from roaring ’20s to ’80s-themed parties, and from “Disco Nights” to red carpet parties.
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
Overlooking downtown Milwaukee, the 19-story, 381-room Potawatomi Hotel & Casino ranks as one of the country’s largest tribally owned and operated casinos. Last year the property opened the Potawatomi Events Center for entertainment, featuring 30,000 square feet of space with seating for 1,500.
“Casino properties are perfect for hosting meetings and events,” says Hassan Abdel-Moneim, hotel director. “At our property, in addition to the ample meeting space we offer, we have first-class lodging and built-in entertainment for those taking part. With about 68,000 square feet of meeting space, we can accommodate any kind of event on our property, from a board meeting for 10 to a tradeshow for 3,000.”
Other venue options for groups at the hotel include seven meeting rooms, a ballroom, a variety of restaurants and the 500-seat Northern Lights Theater, which brings in top local and national live acts.
MotorCity Casino Hotel
The Detroit-based MotorCity Casino Hotel caters to groups with a variety of unique onsite venues, such as the performance space Sound Board, as well as its 400 guest rooms and 67,000 square feet of function space.
“Being a casino gives us a lot of options,” says Randy Villareal, vice president of non-gaming operations for the MotorCity Casino Hotel. “We have a show room with a soundboard. We have booked fairly large names for some groups that have requested entertainment. We book musicians, comedians, whatever you can imagine.”
Aside from watching the live entertainment at Sound Board ,there is a VIP option where groups can book a breakout room that includes video with live audio from the Sound Board show, a catering menu and an open bar.
At D. tour groups can turn the spa into a private lounge. There are also options to host private parties in presidential suites on the 15th floor.
First Gold Hotel & Gaming
Located a half-mile from downtown Deadwood, S.D., First Gold Hotel & Gaming offers 190 guest rooms and five suites. Groups can use the property’s Terrace Ballroom for meetings or receptions, utilizing its 3,400 square feet of space, with enough room for up to 200. First Gold has a variety of food options from break snacks to Chef Dan’s Premier Prime Rib Dinner. The casino features a mix of slots and table games.
Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa
Overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Ind., Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa caters to groups with multiple meeting facilities, including 20,000 square feet of space at its Stardust Event Center. Attendees can also luxuriate at the property’s Spa Blu. Two towers, the original Blue Chip Tower and the 302-room Spa Blu Tower, were added in 2009, which included 60 suites.
Groups can host functions at the Vegas-themed The Game sports bar and can take over the William B’s Steakhouse on Wednesdays when it is closed to the public. Tent space for banquets can also be set up in the parking lot.
“We see a lot of corporate groups who want to be trained on table games and then go out and have their own tournament,” says Jack Elia, assistant general manager at Blue Chip Casino.
French Lick Resort
Surrounded by the serene beauty of the Hoosier National Forest in Southern Indiana, French Lick Resort features two historic grand hotels. The French Lick Springs Hotel, established in 1845, with 443 guest rooms and suites, and the 1902-built West Baden Springs Hotel, with 243 guest rooms and suites.
An expansion earlier this year brought the space at the resort’s Meeting and Event Center to more than 101,000 square feet, including a new 22,000-square-foot ballroom.
“The great thing about being a resort destination is that we can offer our groups an assortment of different options to keep their attendees entertained before and after their meetings,” says Adina Cloud, director of sales at French Lick Resort. “We offer set group activities such as Culinary Challenge, Wild West Adventure and Amazing Race, but also resort amenities, including golf, spa and our casino.”
Kansas Star Casino
Set in Mulvane, Kan., outside Wichita, the Kansas Star Casino is well-equipped to handle groups with its recently opened 11,000-square-foot meeting center. It also boasts 42,000 square feet of exhibition space at the Kansas Star Arena, adjacent to the casino, and a 300-room Hampton Inn & Suites.
The Kansas Star Event Center can accommodate up to 6,500 guests and presents headliner music and other events. Also slated to open this year is a 20,000-square-foot Equestrian Pavilion for presenting horse shows.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel
Located in Battle Creek, Mich., FireKeepers Casino Hotel offers groups nine meeting rooms totaling 20,642 square feet of space. The 242-room hotel also features five restaurants, multiple lounges and entertainment venues.
Any room at the property’s events center can be used to hold a themed event. The main portion of the events center can seat over 2,000 people for a concert or break into smaller spaces for dinner parties. On top of all the flexible space, the property has its own events decorating team to help with centerpieces.
Groups can also use the fine-dining restaurant, Nibi, for private dinning events.
Prairie Band Casino & Resort
Owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Prairie Band Casino & Resort is located 15 minutes north of Topeka, Kan. Aside from the property’s 297 guest rooms, it offers varied meeting space, from a 16-person boardroom to a 12,000-square-foot convention center.
Groups can also use the resort’s three restaurants and set up tee time at the Firekeeper Golf Course across the street.
