Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos officially opened on New Year’s Day a 27-story, 500-room luxury hotel at its 5 million River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the earlier ribbon-cutting ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Pat Crofts said, “This is riverfront development on steroids. Everybody that comes here, they are absolutely overwhelmed. We have not had anything or anyone that has been through that we did not fully exceed their expectations. This is a beautiful facility. You can pick it up and put it anywhere in the country, anywhere in the world, and we could compete with any resort anywhere you go.”
Attendees agreed the magnificent views of the Arkansas River with scenic Turkey Mountain and the downtown Tulsa skyline in the background helped make the property unique.
The hotel tower features 483 rooms, 54 suites, a fitness center, spa and salon, retail stores and a business center.
The Margaritaville Casino previously opened on the property during the ongoing two-year expansion. The 2,700-seat Paradise Cove Theater opened January 6 with a concert by country artist Chris Young. Ruth’s Chris Steak House will open January 24. In addition, the resort’s pool and riverfront entertainment area and swim-up beach bar will open when the weather permits.
Tulsa Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Neal said the expansion will add about 1,000 new jobs to the existing 1,050, and added the resort will generate an annual economic impact of about $135 million. “I think as we are trying to bring new conventions, new meetings, sporting events here, this will be a super location for them to choose to come,” Neal said.
