IP Casino Resort Spa - Biloxi

This massive, 32-story complex was completely remodeled in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Subsequent upgrades have created a modern destination resort that offers everything from gaming and fine dining to an indulgent spa and a sprawling rooftop pool. The lobby’s polished marble floors and dark wood complemented by vibrant neon colors set the stage for an upscale experience. It’s a busy place with lots of enticing attractions to explore. The hotel's clientele is diverse and includes convention groups, bus tours, vacationing couples, and even locals, but it isn't a place where you'll see many families with small children. 

The resort is located on Biloxi’s Back Bay, with little of interest outside the hotel in the immediate area. It’s flanked by Interstate 110 on the west, and the numerous casinos and restaurants on busy Beach Blvd. on the Gulf of Mexico are a seven-minute drive. The Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center and Jefferson Davis Presidential Library are 15-minute drives, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a 20-minute drive. Keesler Air Force Base is 16 minutes away by car, and Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is roughly a 21-minute drive. It's about an hour to Mobile, and driving to New Orleans takes about 85 minutes along nearby Interstate 10.

Deluxe (Standard) rooms are tastefully decorated in a style that's typical of upscale chain hotels. Light yellow walls brighten the rooms and contrast nicely with ocean blue bed throws and copper-and-blue patterned carpet. The shimmery navy and silver drapes and armchairs in copper leather add a touch of elegance, and contemporary art in blue and gold gives spaces some pizzaz. All units have desks, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, safes, robes, and in-room Wi-Fi is included in the hotel's daily resort fee. Deluxe bathrooms have attractive, wide black granite vanities, Spa Blu toiletries, magnifying mirrors, and shower/tub combos.Several options for Suites are available, and they feature decor that's starkly different from the Deluxe rooms. The studio-style Spa Suite we saw, for example, had solid red carpet, dark wood furniture, and white upholstered chairs. Suites have larger marble bathrooms, with twin sinks and separate whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers. Units start at 400 square feet. Rooms and suites that face the bay have panoramic water views, while others' views are unremarkable. Guests should be aware that the hotel has smoking floors, but the non-smoking floors/rooms we visited had no cigarettes odors.

This massive, Vegas-style casino resort is packed with amenities, with one of Biloxi’s largest casinos as the star attraction. The 70,000-square-foot casino features 1,700 slots, 60 table games, and a poker room. Studio A is a bi-level theater that hosts an impressive lineup of national touring musicians, comedians, and other acts.Dining ranges from the casual Back Bay Buffet to the rooftop Thirty-Two restaurant, a fine-dining establishment with steaks, great views, and an extensive wine list. Room service is available.For wellness, the full-service Senses Spa includes separate lockers, steam rooms, saunas, and whirlpools, as well as co-ed steam room and treatment rooms. Access to the spacious fitness center, with an excellent selection of cardio and weight-training equipment, is covered by the hotel's daily resort fee. The rooftop resort-style pool is large and open seasonally, with private cabanas for rent, a huge whirlpool, and the Quench restaurant/bar. Group events are popular in the resort’s 65,000 square feet of meeting space, there's a business center on-site, and free newspapers are available at the concierge desk. On-site shopping options include the Essentials gift shop and the upscale Trends boutique, and for gamers, there's an arcade with the latest video and interactive games. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available as well. The resort fee also covers Wi-Fi throughout and valet and self-parking.