Gun Lake Casino Resort has officially opened its new 15-story hotel tower, marking a major expansion designed by HBG Design. The tower features 252 guest rooms and suites, a tropical year-round atrium called the Wawyé Oasis, a new spa and wellness retreat, and upgraded dining and entertainment options.
“This project is a powerful expression of vision, identity, and hospitality innovation,” said Nathan Peak, Principal and Practice Leader at HBG Design. “Every aspect of the hotel and spa was designed to immerse guests in comfort, nature, and a sense of year-round escape – right here in West Michigan.”
The hotel tower, visible from over a mile away along Highway 131, is built on a foundation of 263 deep caissons to ensure stability. Its design is inspired by the surrounding Michigan landscape, with a tinted glass façade and earth-toned materials. At night, LED lighting highlights the building.
“Creating this level of verticality and complexity on site required an incredible effort between design, engineering, and construction,” added Paul Bell, Principal and Project Manager at HBG Design. “We had to integrate cutting-edge solutions at the foundation level to support the vision above.”
“We wanted guests to feel like the entire property had always been planned this way – from the earliest expansions to today,” added Peak. “That level of cohesion elevates the guest experience and builds a sense of place.”
Inside, the double-height lobby includes a living green wall and a lobby bar overlooking the Wawyé Oasis’s 29,000 sq. ft. glass atrium. Guest rooms feature natural palettes and views of the countryside and Oasis.
The two-story Ogema Suite offers luxury amenities such as an in-suite elevator, multiple entertaining areas, and panoramic windows. Additionally, the MnoYé Spa Retreat offers six massage rooms, a nail salon, a fitness center, and an aquathermal spa pool for guest wellness.
Meanwhile, dining upgrades include the Sandhill Café with 137 seats and a revamped Casino Center Bar designed for socializing.
“It’s been an incredible honor to help bring this vision to life,” said Bell. “This isn’t just a resort expansion – it’s a transformative destination with heart, story, and staying power.”
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/05/23/105733-michigan-39s-gun-lake-casino-resort-opens-new-15story-hotel-tower
