Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino

Note that, while Reward Credits (comp dollars) are accepted at each of these outlets, redemption at 8 oz. is 2:1, i.e., it takes $2 in comps (200 Reward Credits) for each $1 purchase. In others words, a $2 cup of coffee will cost $4 in comps. (There is a small sign to indicate this at 8 oz.)For a change of pace, guests who are paying cash or are members of MGM Resorts International's M life Rewards player loyalty card program should consider using the restaurants next door at Gold Strike. The former Atrium has been converted to BetMGM Book Bar & Grill. They have a good selection of breakfast and dinner items. During certain hours, such as 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, they have a $50 minimum order for a two-top and $75 minimum for a four-top. A burger and fries is $12.99 so you can order two and then get something to go to make up the $50 minimum. Or there's an excellent catfish plate for $25. They have a wall full of TVs highlighted by two big screens and show multiple games at once. Other smaller TVs are scattered around the restaurant. There are no bad seats. They also have a bar with approximately 12 video poker machines. (Prices and menu items are subject to change.)

For entertainment, there's Bluesville Showcase Nightclub.

All have desks, safes, coffeemakers and refrigerators; bathrooms have single sinks with a combination tub and shower. Toiletries are Horseshoe's house brand.

Ivy™, a 24-hour virtual concierge service, is now available to guests at Horseshoe Tunica, as well as Caesars Palace, The Cromwell, Harrah's, The LINQ Hotel & Casino, Nobu Hotel and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. After checking in, guests who have provided a cell phone number for their reservation receive a welcome message from Ivy encouraging them to text her with any questions or requests. Ivy can book dining reservations, show tickets and spa services, as well as facilitate housekeeping and maintenance requests. Ivy also surveys guests during their stay, which allows for quick recovery of unhappy guests in real time. Users may opt out of receiving messages from Ivy at any time. While Ivy is an automated artificial intelligence system, a human touch is incorporated when Ivy cannot provide a confident response. In addition to the hotel front desk agents, a specially trained universal agent team is available to provide around the clock coverage to address requests or inquiries. Guests can continue to text with Ivy once they return home for common requests such as to obtain a copy of their folio or locate a missing item.

The Spa at Horseshoe

For spa services, book an appointment at The Spa at Horseshoe Tunica, (662) 357-4032. I highly recommend Tony Patterson as a massage therapist, especially if you want a deep-tissue massage.

Keep in mind, though, that, in addition to any other charges, there is a 21 percent "service charge" – none of which goes to your service provider, which I find odd.

If you don't require a service and just want to use the spa to relax, take a sauna, etc., the daily fee is $18; however, there is no charge for Seven Stars and Diamond cardholders.

Special Seven Stars benefits*

There is a dedicated line at check-in (which is shared with Diamond cardholders) and the buffet.

There is no Seven Stars Lounge. A Laurel Lounge (formerly Diamond Lounge) has a small eight-seat bar in one of two large rooms; the other room has a large gas fireplace. There are several flat-screen televisions mounted on the walls, but sound either is turned to very low or not on at all. Smoking is allowed in the lounge, but patrons are asked not to smoke pipes or cigars. The bar stocks a number of high-end brands from Woodford Reserve to Johnny Walker Black. Food options generally include a cheese and crackers, assorted dry snacks, and cookies and candy. Some hot food is available on weekends. Currently, the lounge is open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. The lounge is open Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Fridays from 4 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays from noon to midnight, and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (hours subject to change). On Sundays the lounge offers a continental breakfast (fresh fruit, pastries and muffins, etc.). Cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary (and may be taken out to the casino from the lounge), and there is no limit to the number of visits a guest may make in one day.

Should you choose this for your Annual Retreat?

If you have an aversion to cigarette smoke, this is not the place you want to be. With the exception of The Book, the Poker Room and portions of the the buffet, the entire casino is smoking. However, with two casinos/hotels owned by Caesars (pretty much everyone recommends staying at the Horseshoe), as well as the Gold Strike next door (owned by MGM), a high-end gourmet restaurant (Jack Binion's Steak), a buffet, and an Asian restaurant – all at the Horseshoe, Tunica is certainly a destination to consider.

One problem is that, if you stay over a weekend, your options for breakfast and lunch are limited. Monday through Friday JB's Cafe is open for breakfast from 6 to 11 a.m, but on Saturday and Sunday your only choices for breakfast and lunch are Room Service and the buffet. The Village Square Buffet serves brunch for $16.99 per person between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Both Starbucks and 8 oz. Burger Bar serve breakfast, but you can't sign those charges to your room – a requirement in order to use your $500 folio credit. (You can use your folio credit for spa services, though.)

And, speaking of food, if you dine at Jack Binion's Steak -- which is outstanding -- the portions (in my opinion) are enormous and large enough to share. My guest and I had dinner there on two occasions. Both times we shared two appetizers and one entree (and, at one of the dinners, we "splurged" on a dessert to share). By the way, the "Steak Flight" is a great way to sample three different entrees in smaller portions, along with their accompanying vegetables and starches.

Also, without a car, you may feel a bit isolated. Rental cars are not available at the Horseshoe, so be sure to rent at the airport if you think you'll want a car.

*subject to change, revision or cancellation

^†employee may no longer work at subject property or be unavailable due to his/her specific work schedule

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