Tunica Talk

I have never stayed here and only played here once so I don’t have a whole lot to say about this place. The main negative to report about this property is that it is not within walking distance to any other casino in the Tunica area. The thing that stands out in my mind about this place was how many employees were in engaged in cleaning something in and outside the casino the day I was there. The rates for the rooms are reasonable, and they have a lot of low limit slots. People that do stay here seem to like it even more so than frequent visitors other properties in the Tunica area. So I would say it is definitely a place worth checking out if you don’t mind driving from location to location.

Pros: Low Limit Games, Clean

Cons: Location

I have never stayed here, but I have played here on two separate occasions. The Hotel itself is nothing special in fact it was an old motor court hotel that was redone to make it a little more modern. The hotel isn’t directly next to or attached to the casino so Bally’s runs a shuttle from the hotel to the casino for the hotel guests. The main appeal of this casino would be the low limit table games and low limit slots. I have had the buffet on one occasion and would rate it on the lower end of buffets in Tunica. The location of the hotel and casino is probably only a quarter of a mile or less to the Casino Center and the three hotel/casinos there as the crow flies, but actually taking a road is roughly a 2 mile trip. One person mentioned to me there is a “trail” from Bally’s Casino to Casino Center, but it isn’t easily visible and any trail in that area would have to cross the steep earthen river levees, and a thickly wooded area. Personally this is something I would try and avoid myself. Bally’s is owned by the same company that owns the Resorts so you use the same player’s card at both properties.

Pros: Low Limit Games

Cons: Location, Hotel

The theme of this casino as you may have guessed is Hollywood movies. Placed strategically around the 54,000 square foot casino are props form various Hollywood movies including the De Lorean from Back to the future, a Batmobile from one of the Batman movies and various other large and small pieces of memorabilia. One thing you can say about this hotel is that it has a theme most Tunica hotels don’t. In my mind the Hollywood has always offered an outstanding value as room rates during the week are always affordable in this 494 room hotel. I have stayed here three times, and have always found the stay to be pleasant. The only thing I can really knock is the bedding in the rooms. It just isn’t of the same quality you will find at the three Caesars properties or Sam’s Town.

This hotel has a great location and is within easy walking distance to Resort’s Tunica and a canopy covered walkway between the two properties keeps the elements off you in adverse weather conditions. Sam’s Town is a longer and less pleasant walk across the street. The rooms are clean and modern the bedding isn’t on the same level that you will find at the Caesars properties. Wireless internet is only available in a sitting area adjacent to the Hotel’s café. I would rank the Hollywood Buffet as one of the better Buffets in town definitely 2nd or 3rd place in my book. The Hollywood is home to the highly rated Fairbanks Steak House that is supposed to be the best steak house in Tunica. I cannot confirm these claims as I have never eaten there. Comps for repeat visits seem to be extremely easy to get here even for limited slot and video poker play so keep that in mind if you’re planning a return visit to the area. The other noteworthy thing that makes this property stand out is the indoor pool which is a real plus if you’re in Tunica and it isn’t outdoor pool season.

Pros: Location, Good Dining Options, Easy Comps for Return Visits, Clean, Indoor Pool

Cons: Low End Bedding, Internet not available in Room

This hotel started out life as Harrah’s Mardi Gras, but Harrahs divested itself of this property when it acquired Park Place Entertainment. It is now simply known as Resorts Tunica. The hotel has approximately 200 rooms and a 35,000 square foot casino. While certainly not the biggest hotel/casino in the Tunica area, it is a good place to stay. When I last stayed here in January of 2008 I found the rooms to be comfortable, but a bit dated. The décor in both the rooms and hallways of the hotel were what I would describe as faded and probably in need of replacement. If a faded decor doesn’t upset your applecart the room was above average in cleanliness and the bathroom was above average as it had a nice black marble floor. Being a smaller property it is a shorter walk to the elevator and the casino than most Tunica properties. Their buffet while not the best in town is good, and I particularly liked their 24 hour café. This hotel has a good location as the Hollywood casino is next door and most of the walkway to the Hollywood is covered by a canopy to keep you dry when it rains. Sam’s Town is a longer walk across the street, and one I would not advise in adverse weather conditions or if you’re of poor health. The hotel is also directly next door to the River Bend Links golf course. I like the casino it has a nice selection of slots, video poker and table games and have given them a lot of play in the past. The main negative for me as far as this property goes is the lack of internet access which is a deal killer for me. If that isn’t important to you, I think you will find the Resorts to be a nice clean comfortable place to stay and play.

Pros: Location, Clean, Large Bathrooms

Cons: Rooms Need Updateing, No Internet Access

This is a small hotel/casino owned by Harrah’s located in what is known as casino center which is also home to the Gold Strike and the Horseshoe. The hotel has only 134 rooms, but they are all suites. The casino itself is small a little over 30,000 square feet of total gaming space, but when I am in Tunica and want to play video poker or slots this is my favorite place to play. They have what is generally known as full pay video poker and they claim to have the loosest slots in town. If you’re a penny or nickel slot player this is where you will get the most bang for your buck. If you’re a video poker player this is the property where you going to find the most full pay machines with the biggest selection of games. To find the video poker machines you have to go upstairs in this casino as they are on the second floor. The exterior of the casino itself resembles a stone and stucco castle. I have tried to book room reservations here on a couple of occasions but both times I found out they are booked up because of the small number of rooms they have. To be fair when I go to Tunica I usually don’t book but two to three weeks in advance. The staff usually offers me a room next door at the Horseshoe or at the Grand as a substitute, but I can’t really comment on the quality of the rooms as I have never stayed in one of their rooms.

One of the best things about the Sheraton is its location. You can walk out the door adjacent to the Sheraton Lobby and your only about 40 feet from the door of the Horseshoe Lobby and then directly on the other side of the Horseshoe is the Gold Strike. So you have two other casinos within very easy walking distance. I have had the buffet on a couple of occasions and find it to be a good choice, but not as good as the Horseshoe’s buffet next door. They also have a small casino café called Reno’s a steak house and a T.J. Cinnamons to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Pros: Location, All Suites, Good Gaming

Cons: Limited Availability

The first thing that needs to be said about the Grand is that it is currently under renovations, and when those renovations are complete the hotel will be renamed Harrah’s Casino Tunica. The renovations are scheduled to be complete in spring of 2008. The Casino itself is the largest in the Tunica Market. Think of the Grand as three hotels in one as each tower has its own front desk and lobby. There is the casino tower which is adjacent to the casino and has the fewest number of rooms and then there is the Veranda and Terrace Towers located approximately a half a mile across the street from the main casino. These two towers contain approximately 80% of the Grand’s rooms. I have never seen rooms in the casino tower made available on the Grand’s website. So if you stay at the Grand you’re more than likely going to be staying across the street from the casino. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if your preference is to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the casino. The Grand runs a shuttle 24 hours a day that shuttles guests at the Veranda and Terrace Towers across the street to the casino and restaurants. Collectively the Grand has the most number of rooms available in the Tunica market so you can usually find a room even when the other hotel/casinos are sold out. Of the three Harrah’s properties in Tunica, this is generally the least expensive one to stay in.

I have stayed at both the Veranda and Terrace towers and overall I find the rooms to be above average for the Tunica area. Internet access is available for a fee. As has been my experience at other Harrah’s properties the bedding at the grand is outstanding. The biggest negative this property has in my mind is its location. It is located 10-15 minutes away from the closest other Casino. Available dining includes the standard casino buffet, a sports bar, Murano’s Italian Restaurant and LB’s Steak House. Paula Deen’s Buffet will also be opening in the spring of 2008 replacing the Grand Buffet which is a good thing because the old buffet was to put it as kindly as possible horrible.

Pros: Large Casino, Large Number of available rooms, only Spa in Tunica and Beautiful Grounds

Cons: Location, You have to take a shuttle from the hotel to the Casino