WAYLAND, MI —Gun Lake Casino’s new, 16-story hotel opens Friday, a key pillar of a $300 million expansion designed to attract more visitors and provide additional non-gaming activities.

The hotel boasts 252-rooms, a spa, a café, and 31 suites, including a two-story penthouse that starts at $2,000 a night. The Ogema, located on the top floor, features a full bar, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an in-suite elevator and more.

Sal Semola, the CEO of Gun Lake Casino, said the hotel sets “a new standard for the Midwest” and rivals the properties found at “top-tier gaming destinations across the country.”

“Having the hotel is going to be a game changer for us,” he said. “I would expect every weekend the hotel should be at full capacity.”

The casino, which opened in 2011 and is located along U.S. 131 halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, broke ground on the hotel in May 2022.

The hotel is the main piece of a $300 million expansion that also includes a large-scale glass atrium, known as the Wawye Oasis, that features two pools, private cabanas, lush tropical flora, and live palm trees.

The Wawye Oasis, which can also host concerts and events, is set to open in May.

Friday marks the first day the hotel will officially be open for guests, and the casino is marking the occasion with a drone show, concert and other entertainment.