"Any casino trip that begins with an Elvis impersonator gyrating in a black leather jumpsuit and concludes with a giant cake in the shape of a grand hotel can pretty much be considered an entertaining visit.

Those were the bookends in my recent trip to Coushatta Casino Resort, where I traveled to be one of the first paying customers to rest my slots-weary head on the dream-inducing pillows of the casino's pride and joy - the new, $42-million Seven Clans Hotel. Boasting 401 rooms (odd number, but maybe that has something to do with luck), Seven Clans Hotel opened July 11 with great fanfare by the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, which is making it a priority to upgrade its facilities. The tribe is spending an additional $40 million during the next 18 months on projects that include bringing its Coushatta Grand Hotel and Coushatta Inn up to the high bar set by the new Seven Clans. Other upgrades include a lazy river and water amusements, new kids "zone" entertainment and a freshening up of several dining venues. Coushatta doesn't see this as a gamble but a wise investment in its future as a gaming and resort destination."

Get the Story:
Coushatta's new hotel hits the jackpot (The Houston Chronicle 8/23)

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Coushatta Tribe opens doors to $60 million expansion at casino (07/12)