Not long ago, “regional casino” conjured up images of no-frills gaming halls with buffet lines and little else. Today, that perception is being shattered by a new breed of destination resort—one boldly redefining what it means to entertain, escape and indulge beyond Las Vegas.
From luxury hotel towers and high-end culinary venues to indoor-outdoor poolscapes rivaling desert oases, operators are rewriting the playbook. In the battle for guest attention and per-guest revenue, high-profile, high-tech amenities have become the must-have features driving regional resorts into a new league: the super-regional tier.
This evolution isn’t about keeping pace—it’s about leading.
“In an era of rising guest expectations, shifting travel habits and fierce competition for discretionary dollars, the most successful properties are those that think beyond the gaming floor,” says Nathan Peak, AIA, president and practice leader at HBG Design. “They’re creating all-in, design-forward experiences that draw visitors from hundreds of miles away—and keep them coming back.”
As the line between entertainment and hospitality continues to blur, architecture and design are playing a pivotal role in shaping the identity, appeal and competitive edge of these next-generation resorts.
Signature Experiences Shift Market Dynamics
Today’s top-performing resorts aren’t just adding amenities—they’re curating experiences that define their entire brand. Whether it’s a tech-powered concert venue, a soaring tropical atrium or a sports-centric dining destination, these signature spaces are designed to impress from the moment guests arrive.
“Signature amenities are incredibly important,” says Dave Zelman, vice president of architecture and design at the Cordish Companies. “They increase our guests’ time on property and add value to the visit. If our guests can see a show or have a fantastic meal on-site, they feel they’ve spent their free time well.
“We also focus on the social aspect of our amenities—creating an atmosphere where guests want to bring friends and interact. That is key.”
These showstopping amenities become the heartbeat of the resort. They boost dwell time, increase per-visit spend and amplify social media engagement. In a hyper-competitive market, they’re not just nice to have—they’re essential.
At Gun Lake Casino Resort in Michigan, long-term planning shaped its most ambitious amenity yet: the 32,000-square-foot Wawyé Oasis, a year-round indoor pool and event atrium, paired with a new 252-room hotel tower.
“Even before Phase 4 was built, I was already thinking ahead to Phase 5,” says Gun Lake CEO Sal Semola. “I wanted the property to feel like it was designed this way from day one.”
That kind of foresight reflects a growing industry trend: designing spaces with cohesion and flexibility from the outset. “When guest-facing environments are well master-planned,” says Peak, “the experience feels seamless, not stitched together.”
For Semola, the ROI on signature amenities isn’t just about experience—it’s about market position. “As an operator, you want to be on a level playing field. But if you can have a market differentiator, that’s a win. Instead of folks driving past us for properties that offer more, I fully expect guests will now pass by those operations to come to us.”
Amenity Convergence: Blurring Lines, Boosting the Experience
Resort environments are evolving into multi-use destinations where hospitality, wellness, dining and entertainment seamlessly converge. Day turns to night. Relaxation gives way to activation. Every square foot has purpose—and potential.
It’s not just about having amenities. It’s about how those amenities adapt to the guest mindset.
“Multifunctionality and immersive experience resonate across all demographics,” says Peak.
“Our Sports & Social concept highlights this multi-functionality,” says Zelman. “It combines great food, live music and DJ, state-of-the-art AV and a casino-floor presence. You can watch a game, place a bet and spend time with friends, steps from top-tier gaming.
“It’s that blend of entertainment, gaming and social interaction that defines the best resorts.”
Flexibility and utility are the new standard. “Often, event spaces sit unused,” says Semola. “But (Wawyé Oasis) gives you ROI every day. It’s a market differentiator. It’s about exceeding expectations—and I feel really good that it’s doing that.”
Beyond guest amenities, these dynamic platforms shift traffic patterns and redefine what’s possible in the regional resort landscape.
Expanding the Radius of Impact
Where is super-regional design headed next? All signs point to bigger, bolder and more immersive.
“Not everyone can hop a plane to Vegas,” Zelman says. “That doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a similar experience within driving distance. We offer four-diamond hotels, chef-driven F&B and national entertainment acts. We don’t just want to compete with Vegas—we want to be the best in our market.”
With strategic, design-led amenities at the core, super-regional casino resorts are changing the rules. No longer just local draws, these properties are pulling guests from three, four, even five hours away—offering magnetic experiences once reserved for the Strip.
They aren’t just add-ons to the program, but destination-makers. And they’re redefining what it means to be worth the drive.
