Island Casino Upper Michigan
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Once upon a time people in and around Harris, Michigan, would get into their cars and drive to Harris to play bingo…in their cars…without leaving their cars.
Island Resort & Casino, Harris, Michigan. 41,590 likes 1,117 talking about this 51,798 were here. Whether it's championship golf, Vegas-style gaming, the Drift Spa or one of our 6 delicious. Island Resort & Casino Island Resort & Casino in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 👻: IslandResortMI islandresortandcasino.com. The Island Resort and Casino is located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is owned and operated by the Hannahville Indian Community, a federally recognized Potawatomi tribe. The 10-day delay in reopening was due to a letter the tribe received from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office and the Menominee County Prosecutor Jeffrey T.
It may sound like a ‘Yooper’ fairy tale, but drive-in bingo was the genesis of what is today Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan, 13 miles west of Escanaba in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Island Resort and Casino is just what its name implies, an island of big city gaming, entertainment and fun, surrounded by Michigan’s U.P. wilderness. Think mid-winter and not inches, but feet, of snow in this northern climate, and the casino’s palm tree paradise décor is all the more a tropical island getaway.
Island Resort and Casino has 140 slots, plus table games that include poker, blackjack, roulette, craps and a bingo hall. There is a poker room, near the bingo hall, both of which are very basic, but the rest of the casino has a nice, leisurely feel about it.
There are 274 guest rooms; 112 in the original hotel, built in 1998, and recently renovated; and 162 in the new Palm Tower, completed in 2007, which also boasts a handsome Presidential Suite. The 11th floor Palm Tower guest rooms have a chic style décor, while others, like those on the floor I was on (7th) are spacious and clean, but a bit more low-brow with nylon/cotton quilted bedspreads, two pillows per bed, no closet door and no iron/ironing board. All rooms have a WIFI. An average size indoor pool is on the first floor and there is a small fitness room.
Each hotel guest 18 and older, receives one $5 dinner coupon; $5 Promo coupon; $5 bingo coupon and a drink coupon at check-in. There’s also free valet parking; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. room service; bell services and in-room hair dryers and coffeemakers, with ceramic Island Casino branded coffee cups. An on-property RV park has 53 sites, with electricity, water, laundry and shower facilities.
While family friendly, there isn’t too much there for kids, and in the Palm Tower, there is no division between the check-in desk and casino floor, so families will likely feel like there’s not much space to be a family, with gambling right at the front door of the hotel.
Other than a delightful and delicious catered dinner, my only meals at the hotel were breakfasts, which were average – and one day with overcrisped hasbrowns, a bit below average, but waitstaff were attentive and friendly. An Irish coffee at the sports bar was coffee and Bailey’s, not quite what I expected, but a Blue Moon draft was a healthy pint and quite refreshing.
Most evenings there is live entertainment in the Club Four One lounge that opens to the casino floor, so if you’re at the nearby slots, you can enjoy some excellent music while you play, or of course, you can take a break to enjoy the band in the loung.
The Island Lake Showroom is spectacular. It seats only 1,700, so it feels cozy, like a private theater, and has a stylish, modern décor that says ‘quality venue’ all the way. The casino/resort is not shy about booking big names either, so you never know who you might have the chance to get up close and personal with in this delightful theater.
In addition, the Island Resort and Casino completed a $2 million expansion of its conference center – no doubt to better accommodate its Futures Tour event, as well as community and professional events. It includes a new private dining and club room that will make a group of about 20 or less feel like they’ve checked into their own clubhouse.
The casino slots offer a nice variety of traditional and electronic games. I enjoyed its Flashdance game, although I typically don’t enjoy a 40-cent minimum on a penny slot, because the payoff is always a disproportional number of pennies for the bet at stake with each spin. And while I liked the two versions of Wizard of Oz, tucked into the corner, I didn’t like watching them suck up my bets with fairly little fanfare. The John Wayne two-cent machines were pretty fun, and the blasting Monkees were downright annoying.
The machines directly outside the lounge were a fun play, paying off enough to keep me even. But after awhile, even can be a bit boring. The great music, however, kept me playing long after the machines lost their thrill.
Each night, I started the evening with $30 to $50 in slots and each night I lost, which in my book, makes the ‘win’ factor below average for me. However, one of my media colleagues picked up a quick $150 max betting his comp dollars and another said she was up $100 on max bets on Wheel of Fortune. I did see one patron raking it in on the video poker as well.
The casino seemed pretty well ventilated, so not overly smoky. Drink staff were scarce for the most part, which was an inconvenience. I also heard some comments about non-casino-labeled water bottles getting the boot, which was hard to believe, but in general, the floor staff seemed very friendly and efficient.
Although it might seem a bit hokey to some, I liked the island theme, which the casino seems to carry off well.
One of Island Resort and Casino’s best features may be its Stay n’ Play golf packages, which tee you up at some of the areas best golf courses, and then provide a fun and restful evening retreat at night.
For more information or reservations, visit www.islandresortandcasino.com or call 1-800-682-6040.
| Island Resort and Casino CASINO SCORECARD | GRADE |
| Variety of Slots | B+ |
| Smoke Ventilation | B |
| Décor & Comfort | A- |
| ‘Win’ Factor | C |
| Beverage Service | C- |
| Entertainment | A |
| Food | B |
| Y=Yes/N=No | |
| Gaming Tables Poker Room Stay n’ Play Packages | Y Y Y |
Sometimes you need to let loose during your vacation (and maybe even try to win a little bit of that money back that you spent on your trip). If you want to hit the slot machines or test your luck at Roulette or BlackJack, you need to check out one of these Upper Peninsula Michigan casinos! Whether you’re staying in the remote region bordering Wisconsin or near the Mackinaw Bridge, you can easily find a casino nearby. For more great entertainment, activities, and things to do in Michigan, request our free Vacation Guide!
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The Top Upper Peninsula Michigan Casinos
Kings Club Casino – Brimley
Kings Club Casino is full of over 700 slot machines and tables featuring over eight different card games. There is even a live poker room for those wanting to tests their skills against new competition.
Kewadin Casino – Multiple Locations
Regardless of where you are in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, you’re likely near a Kewadin Casino. This chain of casinos includes locations in Sault Ste. Maria, St. Ignace, Hessel, Manistique, and Christmas. Several of these massive complexes include hotels and dining options, but the highlight is the enormous gaming room. Hundreds of slot machines and tables await even the most intrepid gamblers. You’ll also find a great set list of entertainers performing at most of these casinos.
Ojibwa Casino – Marquette
The Ojibwa Casino might not have the glitz and glam that some of the larger casinos in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, but there are some great nightly deals in addition to their collection of slot machines and tables. A Guy’s Day and Ladies’ Day every Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. offers a variety of happy hour prices and chances to win free gameplay.
Northern Waters Casino – Watersmeet
Kewadin Casino Upper Michigan
You’ll find the Northern Waters Casino just north of the tiny town of Watersmeet. Over 500 slot machines ranging from $1 to $10 denominations line the interior of this casino in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Table games like Blackjack and 3-Card Poker are available to play between 3 p.m. and 12 a.m.
The Island Resort and Casino – Harris
Island Casino Upper Michigan Waterfront
The Island Resort and Casino sits in the tiny area of Harris, which is about 20 minutes west of Escanaba. Like most of the Upper Peninsula Michigan casinos, their game room features slot machines and table games like Roulette and Craps in addition to the poker room.
Plan Your Michigan Getaway
Freshwater Vacation Rentals has an extensive list of rental properties across the entirety of the Upper Peninsula. Check our large group rentals, pet-friendly rentals, and everything in between for the ideal vacation in our wild and wonderful state. We offer plenty of beautiful waterfront cabins and homes that are perfect for family getaways and seasonal adventures. Disconnect from the rest of the world and explore all of the incredible things to do in the UP. Trust us; it’s unlike anywhere else in the country!
Here at Freshwater Vacation Rentals, we’re all about family. That’s why when you book your rental with us, we treat you like family. So, start planning your stay and book one of our homes today!