Golden Nugget Biloxi

The center of the Golden Nugget Biloxi is its large 24-hour casino. Common areas are nicer than expected, but the overall effect is a bit cheesy. High ceilings are hung with grand, modernist chandeliers with red, yellow, and silver bubbles. The front desk is striking as it's built from stone and marble, and decorated with modern art. The Golden Nugget's essence is captured by the Hand of Faith, a 61-pound golden nugget displayed in the lobby. True to most casino hotels, there isn't space for relaxing in the lobby -- management would prefer guests spend their time spending money elsewhere on the premises. There is something for most adults here, from sports bar to fine dining, from a souvenir shop to a designer clothier, from country music performances to variety shows. Guests can park in the underground garage, enter the hotel, and find enough activities and food keep them going around the clock. Kids are technically allowed here, but they're not catered to and most visitors are couples and groups of revelers. Note that all guests are required to pay a damages deposit on arrival, which will be returned after check out if the room hasn't been trashed. 

The Golden Nugget Biloxi is located on an island, surrounded by water on two sides, with the beach a half mile away. The immediate area offers little in the way of outside restaurants or shops; there's a hotel under construction next door, and several empty lots waiting for development. The Nugget is easy to reach off the interstate, however, and offers free parking. The resort is in a prime area for avid golfers, with 11 nearby golf courses. Gulf Marine State Park is just outside the hotel, and downtown Biloxi is a four-minute drive away. Biloxi Lighthouse is a six-minute drive from the hotel grounds. 

Guest rooms at the Golden Nugget Biloxi come in a variety of sizes and configurations, from Standard Rooms all the way to a tranquil Spa Suite. Each room is spacious, clean, and decorated in rich browns, golds, and bronzes, with wall-to-wall carpeting and large pillow-top beds with neutral padded headboards. Framed abstract art hangs on the walls. There are large wardrobes, desks and nightstands topped with marble, and reading lamps built into the wall by the beds. Amenities include 42-inch, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs with on demand movies, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, safes, and free toiletries, but most rooms don’t have mini-fridges. Some rooms have lovely views of the Gulf of Mexico from small balconies furnished with plastic chairs. Higher rooms have better views. Simple bathrooms include a shower/tub combo and some rooms have a vessel sink outside of the bathroom. Upgrade to a Junior Suite for a double whirlpool tub. The hotel’s hallways are long, and some rooms are far from the elevators; guests with mobility issues should make the front desk aware at check-in. None of the rooms allow smoking. 

What sets the Golden Nugget apart from lesser casino hotels is the fact that each amenity is full-size and full-service. There are plenty of restaurants and bars to keep gamblers fed and relaxed, including the 24-hour Rush Lounge, which offers live music and DJs most evenings. Michael Patrick’s Sports Cafe and Grille is also open 24/7, and shows college and pro games on a bank of flat-screen TVs. There's a huge all-you-can-eat buffet, and it's a bargain with excellent food. The buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and a seafood dinner, all with a Gulf Coast touch to the menu. For fine dining, Morton’s Steakhouse is elegant and expensive, but offers a daily happy hour. Lillie’s serves an Asian menu that includes sushi. Finally, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company serves a fun menu in its movie-themed dining room or on a terrace overlooking the pool. The Golden Nugget’s main pool is a glam oasis, with more luxury daybed and cabana space than actual water. There's a (sizable) daily surcharge to rent one of the double daybeds or fully loaded cabanas, which include 47-inch flat-screen TVs, fridges, safes, sofas, and ceiling fans. The H2O poolside lounge is a full service bar with built in seating, and fire pits. Guests can order sandwiches, appetizers, and a kids menu. In addition, there are several poolside gaming tables, setting the Golden Nugget apart from other area casinos, as no other hotel allows guests to gamble from the water. A large Starbucks is located in the lobby for morning joe or evening pick-me-ups. For entertainment, The Nugget regularly brings in nationally known bands and recording artists, as well as variety shows. The full-service spa has 10 treatment rooms, a beauty salon, and a wellness boutique. The spa menu includes a variety of facials, massage (including couples massage), wraps and scrubs, and spa packages. A peaceful waiting room stocked with healthy snacks and lemon water. The fitness center is more than just an afterthought. It has Cybex equipment, free weights, medicine balls, stretching mats, and a bank of cardio machines with individual televisions. There's also a small, quieter spa pool that's less crowded than the main pool area. The sauna, steam room, and hot tubs are a good place to relax before or after a workout or treatment. The Nugget offers a full range of event and meeting spaces, as well as a VIP room. Event planning services are available. The hotel gift shop is open 24/7 for a last-minute souvenir or packet of aspirin. In addition, there are a variety of lobby shops for guests who want to spend their winnings or forget their losses.

The center of the Golden Nugget Biloxi is its large 24-hour casino, with over 1,200 slot machines, 50 table games, and nine live poker games. The casino holds frequent poker tournaments. Note that the entire area allows smoking, which can be bothersome to some guests. Past guests have complained that cocktail servers are few and far between for free drinks.