Ameristar Hits the Jackpot

Ameristar Casino St. Charles has proudly announced the grand opening of 200 fabulous new guest suites in its spacious hotel. The St. Charles, Missouri casino's Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Franke has very good reason to be proud of the opening of the beautiful new luxury hotel and spa. Since opening, the facility has brought a windfall of commerce and tourism to the region. Now the ambitious hotel expansion project, recently completed, has positioned Ameristar Casino as the premier regional destination.

The world-class hotel boasts ten enormous luxury King Spa Suites and 10 opulent Presidential Suites to suit finer tastes. The full service property also treats guests to four massage rooms, two pedicure and manicure rooms, relaxing hydrotherapy pools, a dry sauna, and a refreshing indoor/outdoor connecting pool.

In addition to the facility's original cutting edge restaurants, entertainment venues, and 130,000 square foot casino, other elements of the facility now include Home, a new state-of-the-art nightclub with a world-renowned list of DJ's and celebrities guests, and Lixx, a chic and fully stocked circle bar located on the gaming floor. An exquisite new entry way in the grand hotel grabs the roaming eye with chic custom made art pieces, a flowing water wall, and meticulously designed stained glass. In addition the facility has added five lanes of the new Ameristar Boulevard leading to the property and helping to accommodate the valued guests and members that keep the Ameristar Casino buzzing with activity. "Ameristar began laying the foundation for this expansion three years ago," says Franke. "The Ameristar Boulevard has greatly improved traffic flow, and 200 decadent new luxury suites await their arrival."

POST-GAME TIME

Guests already enjoy the more than 3,300 table games, and state-of-the-art slot and video poker machines. Now guests will relax as well, and treat themselves to the 400-room hotel and 7,000-square-foot spa, which are the epitome of luxury. Each King or Presidential Suite has a sunken living room area, two plasma screen televisions, and luxury galore. A sumptuous steam shower and whirlpool tub invites the guest for a relaxing soak in the opulent washroom, complete with custom fixtures, a 19-inch wall enclosed plasma screen television and a water door for privacy. King or Queen size beds lounge luxuriously in the sleeping area, and soft, fluffy linens welcome guests to sink into a wave of swirling earth tones. The look is decidedly modern and contemporary with a cosmopolitan edge, and caramel warmth. Upon entering the suite you get a relaxed, lounge feel, and the eye is entertained throughout the interior by joyous splashes of color. Mike Knopfel, Manager of Public Relations is excited about how the look all comes together. "We have managed every detail to ensure that our guests are comfortable," he states. "The suites have beautiful marble floors in the five fixture bathrooms, and steam room showers." Italian glass chandeliers complete the look, and French doors compliment the upscale, big city design.

The new five-lane boulevard and numerous facility enhancements have already opened and have improved access to the facility's opulent brand of full-service fun. Ameristar St. Charles' Jim Frank anticipates a wildly successful future for the hotel and casino. "We have great restaurants that use a synergy of all the culinary talent we have on staff. Ameristar gets tons of email from guests complimenting our banquet events."

With its beautiful cobblestone streetscape inspired by the 1800's architecture of the St. Charles River Port District, Ameristar Casino boasts one of the last two remaining live poker rooms in the market, and is known for its superior dining, lodging and entertainment offerings. "We have increased our retail offerings on the lobby floor so that visitors can always find the perfect gift." Says Knopfel. Ameristar's focus on the total entertainment experience and the highest quality guest service has earned it a leading market share position in each of the markets in which it operates, with some of the most convenient and dynamic gaming and entertainment experiences in the St. Louis area.

CONFERENCE CENTER

For business travelers, Ameristar offers a 19,000 square foot conference center for meetings and presentations, as well as a junior ballroom for company sponsored events. "We are one of the largest casinos in the U.S., and everything we do here is about quality," states Franke. "Our design team is unrelenting in their quest for perfection. Our team members understand quality and go above and beyond to be attentive to our guests." The Conference Center offers guests 19, 200 square feet of meeting space, high-end finishes, rich wood panels, and exclusive, custom designed woven carpet to compliment the custom lighting that adorns the center. A state of the art business center and fully equipped banquet kitchens complete the contemporary look of the spectacular meeting facility.

GET YOUR PARTY ON

The new Home Nightclub combines chic style and comfortable decadence in a 17,500 square foot facility featuring two distinct rooms, a high-energy night vibe, an inviting lounge area and a state-of-the-art sound system. The foyer entrance is enchanting with its candlelit faux stone accents, and leads guests into the intimate luxury of the lounge area. A six-foot fireplace is the signature invitation drawing guests in to enjoy cocktails as they sink into beautiful caramel colored couches. Meticulous lighting in the area creates an ambience that is alive with smooth grooves from the DJ booth, and three 42-inch plasma televisions behind the fully stocked bar complete a chic, sophisticated design.

To please all tastes, the main nightclub has two 30-foot bars on each end of the venue with three five-foot red chandeliers centered overhead. Guests can take the night on a 30 by 60 foot Brazilian walnut wood dance floor framed by 20 bottle service tables. A DJ booth completes the cutting edge look, nestled in for elegant club entertainment.

PREMIER HOTEL LUXURY

"Guests are blown away by our luxury suites," states Franke. "The quality found at Ameristar is tops in the St. Louis area, and designed to draw both business and entertainment travel." The hotel's sweeping two-story lobby greets guests with scenic views of the Missouri River amid big city luxury. All suites hold the promise of a whirlpool bathtub for total relaxation, and the presidential suites take these plush amenities to a whole new level.

GIVING BACK

Ameristar has implemented a workplace giving program, and a grand total of $597,000 was given in 2007. "Giving back is a principal of our founding owner," states Franke. "At Ameristar, we are eager to give back to the communities we serve with personal involvement from our team members, and volunteering. Our charitable giving budget is firmly in place."

PLAN AN AT-HOME GET-AWAY WITH AMERISTAR SPA SERIVCES

If you've ever wished for a break, the 7,000 square foot Spa Center, located on the fourth floor of the spacious Ameristar hotel, is for you. The Spa offers a full menu of traditional and cutting-edge spa services, confirming Ameristar's commitment to excellence. Guests from near or far are welcome to make reservations for this perfect getaway.

AWARD WINNING ENTERTAINMENT

The Ameristar Casino St. Charles won numerous prestigious awards in 2007, including 8 Casino Player Awards, 9 Midwest Gaming and Travel awards, and 12 awards in the Strictly Slots category. The casino was voted best in cash back, selection of slot machines as well as best entertainment and favorite fine dining. Franke is confident, and expects continued success for the company, and the casino fully intends that guests to be pleased beyond words. "The entire Ameristar team knows how to make guests feel right at home in the lap of luxury."

To plan your Missouri next get-away, or more information on Ameristar Casino St. Charles, call them at 1-800-325-7777 or visit them online at www.ameristarcasinos.com.

Christians Under Construction is Arkay Evans' first book and is due to be released in late Summer 2008.