New casino hotel opens at East St. Louis casino

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000 | 9:29 a.m.

But the Crown Hotel publically opened it's doors at the Casino Queen Monday, with a view facing St. Louis and the Gateway Arch.

The $15 million, 157-room hotel became the first major hotel built in East St. Louis in more than 40 years. It is staffed by 45 full-time employees.

"The opening of the hotel marks the official beginning of our being a major player of the convention tourism of the city of St. Louis," East St. Louis Mayor Debra Powell said.

Over the New Year's weekend, guests with invitations filled all of the rooms, according to Casino Queen General Manager Craig Traverse.

More than 200 people attended a dinner party in the ballroom and danced in the new year to the tunes of an Elvis impersonator.

Until March 31, guests will pay a special room rate of $59 a night and have access to a complimentary breakfast, parking, exercise facilities, and hourly shuttle bus service to downtown St. Louis. But the room price will increase to $99 a night in April.

The Crown will also have a display of historical pictures and art of East St. Louis, Powell said.

Mark Westhoff, president and chief executive officer of Southwestern Illinois Tourism and Convention Bureau, heaped praise on the hotel. He was one of the 150 invited guests who stayed overnight.

"The joke is on St. Louis," he said. "I've seen the view from both sides of the river and it's absolutely stunning. If you want a view from St. Louis, there's nothing in St. Louis that will give you that view."