Hollywood Oasis

By Travel Tunica on Monday February 21, 2011

getaway, hollywood-casino, travel, tunica

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season now over and cabin fever now setting in, I decided to take a mini vacation away from it all for the night. I couldn’t decide where I wanted to go, but I knew I needed a little rest and relaxation, a little fun and maybe a little special treatment would also be nice. I decided I would venture over to Hollywood Casino. It’s a short drive from Memphis and I had not visited the casino yet, so I figured, why not?

I really had no idea where the hotel was or even what to expect when I got there, but with a name like Hollywood, I was hoping that a little star treatment was in store. Hollywood Casino is a little off the beaten path as far as casinos go in Tunica. It’s not part of a huge cluster but is still close enough that the drive was reasonable. It felt like it was its own little Oasis. I had heard rumors about all of the movie props that were in the hotel lobby and casino, so I was interested to see what all the buzz was about.  Cars, helicopters and sinking ships! Once setting foot inside the hotel, I knew I was in for a good time.

My check-in was super easy and after dropping my bags in my room, that honestly felt like a 5-star suite right down to the golden Emmy award-like lamps, I returned to the casino for my dinner reservations at Fairbanks Steakhouse. The shock of my trip occurred when I traveled upstairs and stepped in the entrance. I felt like I had completely left the casino and gone somewhere entirely different. If it had not been for the windows that overlooked the casino floor, I might have had to go back downstairs just to make sure I wasn’t in a different dimension. I was immediately greeted by the House manager, Rex Lafayette, who was beyond professional and accommodating. My servers Bryan Fernandes and Mamadou Bah, where some of the most impressive gentlemen anyone would ever want to meet. Their service was impeccable. The chef, Ronnie West, sent out an off the menu item, Lobster Stir Fry, that was a clear indication of the exquisite culinary divinity I was in store for. The stir fry fry was sweet and savory and the presentation was top notch.  My 8oz. filet was seasoned an grilled to perfection and the wine, which was more reasonably priced than I have experienced at any steakhouse anywhere, added a nice touch to the meal. Despite the fact that I was definitely full, I could not resist the urge to try the Flaming Bananas Foster. I will not even attempt to put into words how utterly amazed I was. I have had plenty of bananas foster in my life, even in New Orleans, but I have never experienced it like this. All I can say is, go to Hollywood Casino, even if all you go for is the bananas foster. I would recommend this restuarant for any special occasion or date night or even for a business meeting. The ambiance was impeccible and the service was flawless.

Overall, I made a great choice. The casino floor was a lot of fun, and I even won 40 bucks. Not bad for a little get away! Thanks to Hollywood Casino for making a guy feel like a rockstar!