Gulf Coast Casinos
We have been to Biloxi at least fifty times total mostly pre and and some post Katrina. For those who want an update on the Mississippi Gulf coast casinos, here it is from my perspective: We enjoyed it a lot more pre Katrina.
Although the Beau Rivage is the most luxurious hotel resort casino and we stay there free now, we used to have a hell of a good time at The Grand. Always free rooms, food, and shows. Free show tickets always came with free drinks and snacks. And don't get me started on the loose slots. Well, the Grand isn't grand anymore. The casino has been moved into their convention hotel across the street. No more theatre. We hardly go there even to play anymore. Very sad for us. They are constructing a new casino Margaritaville on the gulf side that the Grand previously occupied, but construction has halted for now due to the slow economy. The Beau Rivage has been brought back completely. That's where we stay now and play enough to be invited back. They have gotten generous with the comps IF YOU ASK but the slots are average. The high slots area pays out the best. They have put in a lot of penny slots to get revenue from the average Joes and senior citizens. I play them when I am taking a break. They charge extra for their fitness room, but we have one at home so I don't use it. Very nice pool area. Their buffet has the best food on the gulf. And they have headliners now for entertainment instead of those Circq shows that are all the same. Like I said, they are same or better than before. The IP and Boomtown on the back bay are the same as before, we don't go to either. Nor do we patronize the Isle of Capri nor the New Palace casino. Casino Magic is gone. The President casino is gone, but it wasn't much anyway, just a barge. The Treasure Bay which was in a real cute mockup of a pirate ship has been moved into their hotel across the street. We haven't been there. The Hard Rock casino opened post Katrina. They were about to have their grand opening when Katrina came ashore. We haven't stayed there but they are right next door to the Beau Rivage so we walk over to play their low stakes slots. They also have free slot tournaments if you are interested. We have gotten some freeplay there. Also a couple of free meals, but their buffet pales in comparison with the Beau. We haven't been to any of their shows, so I can't speak of their theatre. The groups when we have been there would be too loud for us. It is a very "cold" looking building, but I like some of their cheaper slot games. Their Wheel of Fortune hit big time.
There is a casino down in Gulfport which is called the Island View. They are OK. There is an Emeril restaurant there, we haven't gone to it. Slots are OK,
we've had the breakfast buffet, it is just OK. They do have a great offer for new players, they DOUBLE your slot freeplay coupon on your first visit.
The Casino Magic at Bay St. Louis is now the Hollywood Casino. Worth a visit just for the Hollywood exhibits of costumes, motion picture items, etc.
They used to have a 4.99 lunch mid week but I think it is gone now. Haven't gone down there last two trips. The last one is also down that way on the land that Bayau Caddie Jubilee previously occupied. It is called the Silver Slipper. OK casino, no hotel, has a campground that isn't our thing, but the time we went last year we had their dinner buffet and it was excellent.
Nice big slices of prime rib. As good as the Beau. But those two are a drive and we just haven't bothered to go back. We hit Hollywood for early lunch on the way to New Orleans and the Slipper for a late dinner on the way back. Just prior to Katrina all the casinos were matching each others' coupons and freeplay, they don't do that anymore. Also, a this is a biggie for us because it is almost an eight hour drive down there for us so we stay three nights - the gulf has been so slow in recovering there isn't much to do other than gamble. There also aren't many local restaurants open. We used to like to sightsee, but some of their best attractions (Like the Jeff Davis house) haven't reopened yet. They are planning to bring the Trolleys back this summer. This has probably been way too much information including some personal experiences, but hope it helps. Returned from our recent trip last Friday. We go midweek because of fewer crowds and better deals.
Are you going down there now or are you just returning ? How are the rest of the casinos down there now, have most of them recovered ?
