Gun Lake Casino’s new 16-story hotel officially opens Friday, marking a major milestone in the Wayland, Michigan property’s $300 million expansion.
The 252-room hotel features a spa, café, and 31 suites, including the luxurious two-story Ogema penthouse, which starts at $2,000 per night. Located on the top floor, the penthouse boasts a full bar, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an in-suite elevator.
Gun Lake Casino CEO Sal Semola describes the hotel as a “game changer” that sets “a new standard for the Midwest,” comparing it to top-tier gaming destinations nationwide.
“Having the hotel is going to be a game changer for us,” he said via a report from MLive. “I would expect every weekend the hotel should be at full capacity.”
In an interview with News 8, Gun Lake Tribe Chairman Bob Peters described the moment as “surreal,” reflecting on years of planning and development. “So much blood, sweat and tears went into this project over the past five or six years,” he said. “And to finally bring it to fruition and open it to Michigan, West Michigan, our local community tomorrow is exciting, nerve wracking and emotional for me.”
The casino, situated along U.S. 131 between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, first opened in 2011. Construction on the hotel began in May 2022. Some areas are still under construction, including the Ogema penthouse, which will be finished later this month.
The new hotel is the centerpiece of Gun Lake Casino’s ongoing expansion, which also includes the Wawye Oasis, a large-scale glass atrium featuring two pools, private cabanas, tropical flora, and live palm trees. Designed to double as a venue for concerts and events, the Oasis is slated to open in May.
To celebrate the hotel’s grand opening, Gun Lake Casino is hosting a special event Friday, featuring a drone show, concert, and live entertainment.
While the property includes upscale suites, standard rooms start at just under $200 per night, according to Semola. The addition of on-site lodging is expected to make Gun Lake Casino more competitive with other Michigan casinos offering accommodations.
“We have guests that are north of us in the Grand Rapids area that, from time to time, will drive past us to go to Firekeepers or go to Soaring Eagle,” Semola said. “They’ll stay overnight, maybe see a show and what have you. So having the hotel — and the subsequent entertainment venue with the Wawye Oasis — puts us on a level playing field.”
Gun Lake Casino, owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, has six restaurants, 2,300 slot machines, over 50 table games, a live poker room, a sportsbook, and keno.
Guests can also enjoy the MnoYé Spa, which features a private pool, gooseneck massagers, bubble massage benches, six massage rooms, a nail salon, and a gym with Peloton bikes and free weights.
New dining options include the Sandhill Café, offering classic comfort food and all-day breakfast.
Wayland Township Supervisor Roger VanVolkinburg said the casino’s expansion has been a major boost for the local economy, funding road repairs, schools, and development.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/03/07/97385-michigans-gun-lake-casino-opens-new-16story-hotel-in-300m-expansion
