Colorado Belle Hotel & Casino

Opened in 1987, the Colorado Belle is a Laughlin landmark, with its 19th-century Mississippi paddle wheel riverboat exterior. The theme continues inside where there are murals depicting the Mississippi River amidst red and gold walls and elaborately patterned carpeting. A series of massive crystal chandeliers at the entranceway, as well as somewhat harsh fluorescent lighting throughout the building can feel a bit much in combination with the bold color scheme -- but there's also something charming about this throwback style. The lobby and the casino are noisy, a little smoky, and dominated by the endless slot machines and flashing lights. There are also two separate towers housing rooms and suites, and these buildings have a simpler, modern aesthetic -- each is white stucco and surrounds an outdoor pool with a plain, cement deck lined with white vinyl sun-loungers. The hotel tends to attract an older crowd, and is mainly geared toward budget-minded gamblers and tourists. 

The hotel is situated on Casino Drive, on the banks of the Colorado River. It’s a busy and convenient spot as it’s easy to get to either Nevada or Arizona, and has another hotel/casino on either side. The Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport is only a seven-minute drive away, and the Regency Casino and Laughlin Outlet Center are less than 10 minutes away on foot. Laughlin Event Center is a 15-minute walk. The automobile museum, Don Laughlin's Classic Car Collection, is a five-minute drive. Those who fancy heading into Las Vegas can be at the strip in around 90 minutes.  

Some of the hotel’s 1,164 guest rooms are situated within the "boat," while the rest are split between two separate towers -- named New Orleans and Bourbon. All rooms have either a king- or two queen-size beds, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi (for a fee), room service during limited hours, flat-screen TVs, and free local calls. There are great views of either the Colorado River, Laughlin town, or the nearby mountain ranges, and some tower rooms have balconies. Suites are available in the boat, from Mini-Suites right up to the Presidential Suite, which is two-levels and has a whirlpool bath, full kitchen, dining room, and living room, as well as a panoramic view of the river valley and mountains. The two, six-story towers are each built around a central courtyard and each has a heated outdoor pool. Rooms in the New Orleans Tower are slightly larger than those in Bourbon, and the New Orleans Tower also has the benefit of a fitness center and spa tub, mini-market and coffee/donut shop, and easier access to the casino, car park, and river. Connecting rooms are available. Some rooms with river views and in the boat have mini-fridges; all other rooms can request mini-fridges for a daily fee. There are no tea/coffee facilities in the rooms. 

The large casino has over 1,000 slot machines, a Keno lounge, poker room, and a sports book. There are five restaurants and bars in total, including a deli and a bar/grill with a buffet and barbecue. There's also the only microbrewery in Laughlin -- where guests can see the beer being brewed and dine on steaks -- and a lounge bar where live music is performed every weekend. There are two heated outdoor pools, one by each tower, and a hot tub and poolside bar at the New Orleans Tower. The pool areas look a little run down, and could use some new sun-loungers. Guests can also use the hotel’s fitness center, gift shop, and free parking. Business travelers can make use of the meeting rooms and large conference space, with room for up to 1,500 guests. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi.