Beau Rivage picks up national awards

• By ROXANNE C. HARE
• Special sections editor
• Published: Apr 26, 2009

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It’s one of the largest attractions along the Gulf Coast and has experienced a rebirth like no other. The 32-story Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., originally opened in 1999 to the tune of an $800 million price tag. Then Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, forcing a major renovation that cost more than half that – $550 million. The work that’s been put into the resort has been noticed by a few national publications.

Earlier this year, “Travel + Leisure” named Beau Rivage one of the world’s top hotels in its “World’s Best” survey, which ranked resorts based on the characteristics of rooms/facilities, location, service, restaurants/food and value.

The magazine described Beau Rivage as a “waterfront resort that’s like Vegas on the Gulf Coast, with a high-wattage casino, 3,000-square-foot arcade, and polished interior,” according to a Beau Rivage release.

George P. Corchis Jr., president and chief operating officer of MGM MIRAGE’s Mississippi resorts, which runs the resort, was pleased.

“This award is very significant because it comes from the magazine’s readers, who are among the most sophisticated and passionate travelers in the world,” he said.

There’s a little something for everyone at the resort. It features 1,740 guest rooms and suites, a large casino, 11 restaurants, four nightclubs, a theater that hosts many big-name acts, a shopping promenade, a spa/salon and the Tom Fazio-designed Fallen Oak golf course.

The golf course itself has been the recipient of many awards, including the most recent ranking of 55 in “Golfweek’s” “Top 100 Modern Courses for 2009.”

“We could not be more pleased,” Corchis said.

The magazine ranked courses according to the following criteria: routing, quality of shaping, overall land plan, greens and surrounds, variety and memorability of Par 3s, variety and memorability of Par 4s, variety and memorability of Par 5s, tree and landscape management and an overall memorability. Fallen Oak received a 7.03 out of 10 score.

The Acadian-style clubhouse also has received accolades. The 70-seat lounge, which features top-level dining and panoramic views of the 18th hole, was named as one of the “Best 19th Holes in Golf” by “Golf Digest” last year.

Call (877) 805-4657 for golf reservations. For reservations to the hotel or resort, call (228) 386-7444.

On the Net: http://www. beaurivage.com

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