Harrah's Gulf Coast

Harrah's Gulf Coast is a relatively generic casino hotel near the beach, with views out over the Gulf of Mexico from many of its rooms and common areas. This massive block of a hotel isn't much to look at from the outside, but interiors are contemporary, outfitted with a variety of marble and patterned carpet floors, neutral-tone furnishings, and pops of color from artwork. The lobby doesn't have much room for lounging about, as guest activity is directed where the hotel wants people to be -- the casino, or otherwise at the large centerpiece pool. The property attracts people in town for gambling, and its facilities are more aimed at adults, with not a lot going on for families.

Harrah's is located in the Mississippi town of Biloxi -- a popular casino destination -- on a busy thoroughfare about a three-minute walk from the beach. The Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art is an eight-minute walk west of the hotel, while getting to the Hard Rock Cafe takes about four minutes by car. It's a three-minute drive to the Hurricane Katrina Memorial on Main Street and a five-minute drive to the Biloxi Lighthouse. The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is around a half-hour drive away.

Harrah's Gulf Coast offers a wide range of rooms and suites, all with a contemporary and attractive design, though a bit chain-like. They're all outfitted with two-toned purple-and-gray patterned carpets, a mix of dark-finish furniture with white bedding, and off-white walls with dark-wood trim and patterned wallpaper accent walls. Suites have living rooms with leather-finish chairs and sofas in muted shades of grays and blue, and some have bar areas with high stools and granite countertops. Most come with either a king bed or two queens, and many have views out over the gulf. Both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available and pets are allowed in some units. All rooms come with safes, 49-inch flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges, and rooms that don't have microwaves can have them added in for a daily fee. Rollaway beds are also available in some units. Bathrooms are contemporary but nothing special, with large mirrors and shower/tub combos or, in suites, walk-in showers and separate soaking tubs. Toiletries are provided.

The main attractions at Harrah's are its 35-table on-site casino (smaller than most in the area) and its huge heated outdoor pool and whirlpool hot tub, both of which are open year-round.The pool has plenty of lounge chairs and cabanas for guests, but it's right next to a highway, which some might find less than appealing. Also, there's no kids' pool and even the main pool has a few adult-only swim times throughout the week. Other features include a decent-sized fitness center with a good variety of weight-training and cardio equipment, plus a spa and salon -- Bellissimo -- that offers massages, body wraps, facials, and Vichy rooms for hydrotherapy treatments. Another big draw for many guests is the affiliated Grand Bear Golf Course (closed Tuesdays, located a 40-minute drive away), an 18-hole, 72-par course affiliated with the hotel and designed by Jack Nicklaus. Along with room service, the hotel offers a variety of restaurants, from casual to high-end. Steak 'n Shake is open 24 hours a day and offers American fast-food dining, while Mix & Mingle is a sports bar and grill with hot a la carte breakfast dishes, plus sandwiches and pub fare at lunch and dinner. There's also a coffee shop -- The Corner Cafe -- with grab-and-go items and pastries, plus a buffet restaurant -- Flavors -- which serves a changing selection of hot and cold items at lunch and dinner. The property also has a fine-dining option -- Magnolia House by Kelly English, which serves Louisiana-inspired dishes created by a James Beard Award semifinalist chef.There's not much in terms of event space, but guests can rent out the Magnolia House restaurant or the Grand Bear's clubhouse, and events can be staged on the hotel's sprawling "Great Lawn" across the street from the hotel or out by the pool. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, as are valet and self-parking in the property's large multi-story garage.