Presidential Suite — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
Grand Casino Mille Lacs Hotel Ribbon Cutting Ceremony — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
After an extensive nine-month renovation of over 1,100 hotel rooms, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures (MLCV) is happy to announce the Grand Opening of the hotels at both Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley.
Ribbon-cutting ceremonies were held at both locations to celebrate the comprehensive hotel renovations. All rooms and suites have been upgraded to enhance every aspect of the guest experience, offering modern designs, amenities, and comfortable accommodations. These significant enhancements reflect MLCV’s strategic vision to revitalize its assets and deliver unmatched hospitality.
Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel Grand Opening LTR: Joe Nayquonabe, Bradley Kalk, Ronda Weizenegger, Kelly Sam, Harry Davis, Virgil Wind — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
About the Renovations
The hotels at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley now feature:
Modern Aesthetics: Beautifully designed rooms with a contemporary ambiance and subtle nods to Ojibwe culture, featuring art crafted by Indigenous artists.
Enhanced Comfort: High-quality bedding, modern entertainment systems, and a curated range of amenities for superior comfort and relaxation.
Welcoming Lobbies: The fully renovated lobbies blend functionality with refined charm, ensuring a warm and inviting welcome for all guests.
Presidential and Themed Suites: Upgraded Presidential and new themed suites, including English Pub-inspired, Scandinavian Spa-themed, and Speakeasy-themed suites, offer unique and luxurious experiences with features like steam showers and saunas. These final touches are nearing completion.
Ronda Weizenegger, CEO of Grand Casinos, shared, “These renovations not only enhance the guest experience but also demonstrate our commitment to providing a fun and enjoyable workplace for our associates. We believe that guests and associates will be pleased with the transformation.”
Partnerships
MLCV partnered with PCL Construction to complete the renovation alongside Hunt Electric, Egan Company, Cunningham Architects, and Atmosphere Commercial Interiors. The full-scale renovation was a meticulously planned endeavor involving large crews of up to 120 on-site employees.
“When completing hotel renovations, our commitment to the client’s customer experience drives us and guides our everyday planning. PCL’s goal is to remain ‘invisible’ to the hotel guests and not impact the quality of their stay. By performing these renovations one floor at a time, we successfully allowed both properties to continue to welcome visitors during renovations,” said Trent Johnson, district manager for PCL’s Minnesota and North Dakota offices.
Grand Opening Celebrations
MLCV hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies at each property to commemorate last week’s grand openings. Joe Nayquonabe, CEO of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, highlighted the unique aspects of the renovation that set Grand Casinos apart, particularly the art. In total, 14 artists were commissioned for this project. “The sacrifice of time it took the artists to create the beautiful pieces throughout both properties gives a deeper meaning to this project,” Joe shared.
“Our commitment went beyond mere aesthetics; we wanted to authentically portray the Anishinaabe people through every detail of these spaces,” he said.
Quilt — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
Joe spoke of quilt squares at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and the full blankets at Grand Casino Hinckley. “The craftsmanship displayed in the quilt squares and blankets carries profound significance,” he shared. “Anyone can walk down the hall and appreciate the beauty they represent, but when an Anishinaabe person sees them, they will know the direct importance, the deep cultural roots, and the healing power each blanket brings,”
Jingle art, Grand Casino Hinckley Hotel — Photo by Evan Bungum, MLCV’s Multimedia Producer
Another significant piece Joe mentioned was the Jingle art displayed at Grand Casino Hinckley, which holds special meaning for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. “The jingle art piece is beautiful and holds special meaning for the Anishinaabe – especially from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, where the jingle dress originated from,” Joe continued.
In 2018, the late elder Larry “Amik” Smallwood and producer Rick Anderson captured the significance and history of The Jingle Dress Tradition in a documentary created by TPT. According to the documentary, jingle dresses have evolved and changed over the years; however, the meaning, dance, and tradition have stayed the same throughout the past century.
Following the ceremonies, guided tours of the renovated hotels and lobby spaces followed. To learn more about the hotel renovation, visit grandcasinomn.com/Hotel-Renovation.