Ameristar Casino St. Charles 'Top Off' New $265 Million Hotel, Spa and Pool Facility

ST. CHARLES, Missouri --- Executives of Ameristar Casinos celebrated today with guests and community leaders at a Topping Off ceremony for the Ameristar St. Charles new luxury hotel, spa and pool slated
The Ameristar St. Charles Casino will be adding a hotel and many other amentiies.  to open in December 2007. To commemorate the occasion, guests signed the final steel beam that was then raised to the top of the 25-story hotel tower, signifying that construction has reached its highest point and a significant milestone toward the project's completion has been achieved.

When finished, the new $265 million facility will include a 400-room all-suite luxury hotel, a 7,000-square-foot full-service spa, an indoor/outdoor pool area with landscaped grounds and waterfalls and a 2,000-space parking garage. The first phase of the expansion -- with 19,200 square feet of state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities -- opened in September 2006.

"Ameristar is committed to creating the highest quality facilities in each of its markets," said John Boushy, CEO and President of Ameristar Casinos. "The new hotel and spa will feature best-in-class service and upscale amenities that will create a luxury destination resort experience for our guests in a fun and friendly environment that fully complements our gaming, dining, conference and entertainment options. Our guests have come to expect the highest quality facilities and outstanding service from Ameristar, and we intend to surpass their expectations once again."

Boushy noted that this capital investment in St. Charles is another example of Ameristar's commitment to grow the Company in the next three to five years. "Ameristar continues to work toward its goal of doubling its size as measured by EBITDA through a 50/50 growth strategy. The Company expects approximately half of that growth will come through acquisitions such as the pending agreement to purchase Resorts East Chicago located in the Chicagoland market, and the other half will come through capital improvement projects at existing Ameristar properties," he said.

Jim Franke, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Ameristar St. Charles, said, "Today's topping off ceremony is an historic milestone in the completion process and the official countdown to opening the hotel has begun. We are anxious to unveil the luxurious hotel and spa resort to create a guest experience unmatched in the St. Louis area. We are pleased that the community could help us celebrate and that we could provide a glimpse at what is in store with our property. Coupled with our award-winning dining, expansive casino and the new conference and meeting center, this expansion further positions Ameristar St. Charles as the premier destination in the region."

Franke noted that the project has created 400 local construction jobs, and the completed hotel and spa will employ 100 new team members. "The addition of this luxury facility in a high-demand market will also increase tax revenue and bring more visitors to St. Charles and other parts of the region," he said. "We are proud to be part of the St. Charles community and bring such a positive project to an area in which we successfully operate and already employ approximately 1,800 team members."

Hotel Exterior and Lobby

The distinctive design of the hotel and parking garage exterior is indicative of the historic masonry themes of the St. Charles area, but interpreted with a contemporary take. Guests will enter the hotel from a newly refurbished and modern entryway that leads into the hotel lobby. It is predominantly glass with stone floors and walls and includes a "water wall" feature that will introduce sound and atmosphere into the space.

Beyond the entrance, the hotel's sweeping two-story lobby will greet guests with scenic views of the Missouri River amid sophisticated luxury. The stunning contemporary but classic chocolate and burgundy-toned decor incorporates plush draperies and premium leather furnishings in intimate seating groups, framed by rich area rugs over marble flooring and lit by the glow of two striking fireplaces.

400 Luxurious Suites

The all-suite hotel's 400 oversized rooms will offer some of the metropolitan area's most upscale accommodations. Designed to maximize enjoyment of the building's magnificent surroundings, all suites have been designed with front bedroom entrances to showcase scenic views of the river and St. Charles from the sunken living room. All suites will be dressed in a warm palette of espresso, caramel, ivory and gold. Custom furnishings include full-height leather headboards and geometrically patterned marble stone floor entries.

Swimming Pools, Cascading Fountains and Romantic Fire Pits

An impressive indoor/outdoor pool, a unique pool deck and a distinctive landscaped area complements the hotel. Guests will be able to swim between the indoor and outdoor pools in two spectacular environments. Surrounded by tranquil fountains, the pool area will also feature indoor and outdoor hot tubs. Adding to the lavish setting, guests can relax in upscale chaise lounges, specialty seating areas and around romantic fire pits.

A Tranquil, Relaxing Spa Retreat

Also on the pool level guests will find the hotel's full-service spa, which will pamper guests in a tranquil and relaxing water-themed environment featuring blue and green tones and ample architectural use of custom glass and water features. The 7,000-square-foot spa will offer a full menu of traditional and unique signature spa services in six private treatment rooms.