WELCH, MN – Treasure Island Resort & Casino held a grand reopening of its newly reimagined Buffalo Tower, unveiling a bold transformation that elevates the resort’s hotel experience and reinforces its position as one of Minnesota’s premier destination resorts. The revitalized tower debuts as a showcase of modern comfort, thoughtful design and elevated amenities at the 788-room hotel, the second largest in Minnesota.
“Our past tribal leaders had tremendous vision when they planned and built this property more than 30 years ago,” said Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council President Grant Johnson. “It’s a privilege to further that vision and create an even brighter future for our next generations. We’re excited to watch the growth and continued success that the next 30 years will bring.”
One of Treasure Island’s three hotel towers, including Wolf and Eagle, the Buffalo Tower now stands as the resort property’s premier hotel experience and the latest milestone in a period of significant growth over the past 10 to 15 years. Recent expansions include The Lagoon indoor water park, the Treasure Island Amphitheater, Wave Spa, the Wolf Tower and now the revitalized Buffalo Tower. Together, these investments reflect the resort’s long-term vision and commitment to continued evolution as a destination resort.
The Buffalo Tower features 246 rooms, introducing a range of newly designed accommodations including family suites with pull-out trundle beds, executive suites overlooking the casino floor and spacious standard king and two-queen rooms. Originally opened in 1995 as Treasure Island’s first hotel tower, the Buffalo Tower has been completely reconstructed and re-envisioned from the inside out – while preserving its original foundation. The extensive renovation delivers a contemporary, luxury-forward guest experience designed to meet the expectations of today’s guests, blending style, comfort and convenience in each detail.
Every guest room in the Buffalo Tower, all non-smoking, was designed with comfort and functionality at its core and includes a refrigerator, new windows, new furniture, ample USB plug-ins, adjustable reading lights and an in-room safe. Guest feedback played a central role in shaping the renovation. Thousands of survey responses and hundreds of guest comments directly informed design decisions, leading to upgrades such as a modernized look and feel, luxury vinyl plank flooring, enhanced lighting, oversized rain shower heads and upgraded bathrooms.
The redesigned executive suites offer a standout experience, featuring a sleek kitchenette with breakfast bar seating and a microwave, a generous living area with views of the casino floor, a private king bedroom with modern lighting and technology, a pull-out sofa bed and a spacious bathroom complete with a soaking tub and walk-in shower. Standard king rooms provide a refreshed, contemporary stay with a luxury king bed, bright and spacious bathrooms, thoughtful storage, comfortable seating and updated amenities.
“The completely remodeled Buffalo Tower represents progress, pride, and our long-term commitment to delivering an exceptional guest experience,” said Mike Heavner, Treasure Island Interim General Manager. “This investment strengthens our foundational business and helps ensure a vibrant future for generations to come.”
Located near the gaming floor, Wave Spa, The Lagoon indoor water park, and other resort amenities, the Buffalo Tower offers updated guest rooms and suites as part of its renovation. The property expects approximately 120,000 guests to stay in the renovated tower during its first year.
The project also reflects Treasure Island’s broader economic role in the region. About 400 construction workers contributed to the Buffalo Tower renovation in 2025, including members of the Prairie Island Indian Community, and Treasure Island remains one of the largest employers in Goodhue County.
