If you want classy luxury, then head to Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, the best place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The AAA Four Diamond resort features 1,740 guest rooms and suites along with 10 restaurants, four lounges and bars, spa and salon, outdoor pool, live-entertainment theater, convention center, and 85,000 ft. of gaming space. It was also named one of 2017’s “South’s 10 Best Resorts” by Southern Living.
Located west of Mobile, Alabama and east of New Orleans, on Beach Boulevard down by Biloxi Bay, the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi is a sister property to the Bellagio in Las Vegas and is equally a rival. Southern landscaping defines the entrance with about three dozen live oak trees, azaleas, camellias and evergreens bedecking the way.
Once I was inside the sprawling hotel, I was amazed at the iconic indoor atrium, floral displays, and artistic arrangements. Mosaic tile floors and lush carpeting showcase seasonal flowers and plantings that simply dazzle the visitor. Along with spacious rooms with plenty of light, an elegant yet cheery decor, and abundant personal amenities – well, this hotel indulged my need for luxurious comfort and elegant style.
The hotel’s spacious guest rooms are classically designed, featuring a color palette of jade, green and neutral colors, cherry wood furniture, original works of art and Italian marble bathroom floors. Standard guest rooms are a generous 400 square feet and boast double pillow-top mattresses with triple sheeting, soaking bathtubs, and separate walk-in showers. Rooms are also outfitted with the necessities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Keurig coffee makers. Valet parking is complimentary for guests.
The resort has 9 restaurants for the choosing: All are on property. They include: BR Prime Steakhouse (signature steakhouse), Jia Pan-Asian Cuisine (contemporary Asian eatery), Stalla Italian Cuisine, The Beau Rivage Buffet which features Southern favorites and seafood, Terrace Cafe (24-hour casual dining and classic American menu), Roasted Bean Coffee Bistro (expresso beverages and casual fare), Snacks (deli items and fast food), and Haagen-Dazs for the sweet tooth. Both BR Prime and Jia have earned the 4-star rating for fine-dining from AAA and Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Coast Seafood & Brew recently closed to make way for the introduction of legalized sports betting in Mississippi and the hotel’s new Sports Book & Bar.
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You wouldn’t expect a resort to be dog-friendly, but Beau Rivage is. For the price of $75 per day plus tax, you can have up to two dogs in your room. Requirements are that they must be house-trained. (Maximum combined weight of both dogs must be less than 40 pounds.) Dogs are permitted in hotel rooms and suites, as well as the designated dog relief locations. However, health code regulations stipulate that no dogs are allowed in public areas, which includes the pool, spa, and food and beverage outlets. The exception is for guests who require a service dog or are passing through with their dogs.
Love to golf? Guests of Beau Rivage have access to the ultra-exclusive, Tom Fazio-designed championship golf course. About 19 miles north of the resort, Fallen Oak is an 18-hole golf course sculpted among grand oaks, pines, magnolias, marshes and pecan groves.
While the resort originally opened in 1996, it was forced to close its doors in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina walloped the Mississippi Gulf Coast and created devastation in its wake. However, knowing that it was important to give hope to the local community, Beau Rivage was able to re-open on August 29, 2006, exactly one year later. The cost of renovation was $550 million dollars.
Today, the Beau Rivage is still considered quite the value because of their spacious rooms, amenities, entertainment and level of service. Plus, it’s the best on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Based on various internet sites such as Expedia, Priceline, Tripadvisor, and Booking, prices range from $89-$135 nightly. (A rate of $129 seems to be about average but is dependent on the season and desired days of booking. Weekends, when there is high demand, can range from $149-$399 depending on availability. There is also a daily resort fee of $16.05.
Book your reservations at the Beau Rivage website or any of the usual booking sites. When booking, consider asking for the corner rooms since they have the best views of the water and Biloxi Lighthouse.
Review and photos by award-winning writer/photographer Karin Leperi, who was hosted at the property for purposes of review. Photograph of Stella Italian Restaurant by Karin Leperi. All others are courtesy of Beau Rivage Resort & Casino.
