RIDGEFIELD, WA – ilani Hotel recently celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting celebration. Held at the threshold of the Cowlitz Cultural Corridor, which connects the new hotel to the casino, the ceremony featured the tribal drum group, a blessing by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s spiritual leader, and brief remarks from tribal, project and local leadership. Following the ceremony, attendees had an opportunity to tour the property and its amenities.
Now open, the 14-story hotel tower is the latest phase of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s master development plan. It offers Four Diamond level guest service and amenities, including nearly 300 luxury guestrooms, an indoor-outdoor pool experience complete with cabana service, and a signature top-floor Italian-influenced restaurant, Bella Vista, with floor-to-ceiling windows that capture panoramic scenery from the beautiful Cascade Mountains to the foothills of the Coast Range.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests to the ilani Hotel and offer an opportunity to extend their world-class gaming and entertainment experience in a fabulously luxurious setting,” said Kara Fox-LaRose, President and General Manager of ilani. “From well-appointed guestrooms and suites to carefully crafted menus and service offerings, no detail has been overlooked in creating a memorable stay.”
Design details sprinkled throughout the glass hotel tower pay homage to the heritage of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. For example, the Cowlitz Cultural Corridor connects the new ilani Hotel tower to the existing casino resort with an immersive experience that preserves and celebrates the cultural heritage and aboriginal lands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
The corridor was custom designed and curated by a group of Cowlitz Indian tribal members and leaders, and features hand-selected items from the tribe’s collection of historical artifacts, as well as items created specifically for the corridor. Guests can see and learn about traditional woven cedar baskets and hats, button blankets and regalia, stone bowls, pestles, fishing equipment, and other tools representative of those used by Cowlitz Indian tribal ancestors.
An impressive central light fixture illuminates the hallway, featuring an array of hand-carved Cowlitz tribal artisan canoe paddles commissioned specifically for the corridor. The walls of the corridor also boast seamless video displays that immerse guests in high-resolution footage from the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s historical homelands and teachings of the tribe’s history.
The Cowlitz Cultural Corridor shares, not only a story of the tribe’s past, but serves as a reminder and a celebration of the unwavering Cowlitz spirit.
“The opening of the ilani Hotel is a landmark achievement for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and reflects our unwavering commitment to our tribal members, to our guests, and to our community,” said Cowlitz General Council Chairwoman Patty Kinswa-Gaiser. “We have deep gratitude for the decades of work that have gone into transforming our reservation into a world-class gateway for Southwest Washington, an engine for economic prosperity and community development, and a tribute to the Cowlitz Tribe’s rich cultural heritage. While we celebrate the ilani Hotel opening as a symbol of profound progress, today is just the beginning of an increasingly bright future.”
The hotel’s decor incorporates high-quality aesthetics and elements of the Pacific Northwest, including plentiful wood, stone, metal and glass. A color palette of creams, blues and grays creates a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, enlivened by unmatched views from floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby and guest rooms. At the same time, the property’s services and amenities create an atmosphere of indulgence, from top to bottom.
Bella Vista, the hotel’s top-floor Italian-inspired restaurant, offers unparalleled views day and night, enhancing an elevated dining experience. Diners will be treated to tableside preparations, gaining insight to the craft and artistry that infuse signature dishes. Rotating, seasonally influenced menus will feature wine pairings carefully selected to suit each dish. Although the eclectic wine list will lean heavily on Italian producers, it will offer ample variety to please any palate.
At ground level, a fully equipped fitness center keeps guests on track with their exercise routines while relaxation takes center stage at the state-of-the-art, indoor-outdoor pool experience. The pool area features a craft bar, an exclusive dining menu, private and fully serviced cabanas, and comfortable daybeds, among other perks. The Lobby Cafe offers coffee, blended drinks, snack, breakfast and lunch with drinks from locally made Red Leaf Organic Coffee, while the Lobby Bar & Bistro offers expertly crafted cocktails in a relaxed environment. The property’s in-house bakery furnishes scratch-made pastries for its dining areas and room service. Additionally, the hotel’s staffed concierge is available 24/7 to guide visitors to the can’t-miss property and area attractions.
A range of guest accommodations are available in the 28 spacious suites. The Executive Suite boasts approximately 1,600 sq. ft., with an elegant living area complete with plush seating and two guestrooms. Sprawling Deluxe Suites offer more than 1,300 sq. ft., including living, kitchenette and dining areas and a separate bedroom with a king-sized bed. Corner Suites offer 180-degree floor-to-ceiling views of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s reservation and either the Coast Range or the Cascade Range, with Mount St. Helens in the distance. King and Queen guestrooms are ideal for on-the-go visitors who desire high-end features – such as sparkling tile bathrooms with walk-in showers, in-room dining menus, complimentary Wi-Fi and movies on demand, large-screen televisions and Keurig coffee – in between gaming, concerts, shopping, dining and other area activities.
The hotel has partnered with Kids Quest, a drop-in, first-come-first-served hourly childcare center and entertainment facility to serve ilani guests. Kids Quest is an entertainment experience for children 30 months to 12 years of age, where kids are physically and mentally engaged with age appropriate play and events.
Underway since April 2021, the ilani Hotel is the latest addition to the ilani facilities. Visitors can craft multi-day stays customized to their interests, from taking in headline acts at the Cowlitz Ballroom to indulging in culinary events and offerings to playing big at table games, slots and sportsbook.