On October 1, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (ECBI) of North Carolina marked the opening of the $330 million expansion project at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort. A ceremonial ribbon-cutting opened the fourth hotel tower, the Cherokee, and the 83,000-square-foot Cherokee Convention Center.
Brooks Robinson, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos said, “We have positioned ourselves as the leader in the entertainment industry in the Carolinas with our diversified experiences and amenities, and the completion of this 4-year expansion project further solidifies our standing.”
Tribal Chief Richard Sneed added, “Today marks a monumental milestone for the resort and the EBCI community. In addition to offering unique experiences for visitors, this expansion project will attract conventions and will provide more space for businesses and associations to network in a way that has not always been available in the past. This new business opportunity will provide an expanded revenue stream that will directly impact the EBCI community in a positive way for years to come.”
The new 19-story, 725-room Cherokee tower features a two-story, open-air lobby with a dramatic aesthetic inspired by the Smoky Mountains that surround the resort. The centerpiece is a 30-foot registration desk made of onyx stone that sits in front of a custom walnut-slatted wood design, lit to create an abstract representation of the Smoky Mountains. A sky-blue marble wall lined with cascading bottles of wine highlights a 50-seat lobby bar and lounge.
The tower’s second-story terrace pool features sweeping views of the mountain scenery. Two exclusive 800-square-foot hospitality suites have private entrances to the pool. A fitness center also is situated on this level.
The new 83,000-square-foot convention space more than triples the resort’s previous convention space, with three levels of meeting spaces for large and small groups. With spectacular views of the Smoky Mountains, the venue offers a 32,000-square-foot ballroom, 33,000-square-foot exhibition hall, pre-function space and more.
