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Harrah's 15-story Casino Hotel opens in Cherokee

By Lisa Majors-Duff
ribbon-cutting Cutting the ribbon Friday, May 10, and opening the doors to the new Harrah's Cherokee Hotel are, from left, Pat Dennehy, general manager of Harrah's Cherokee Casino; Leon Jones, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee; and Bob Blankenship, chairman of Cherokee Tribal Council. The 15-story, $62 million facility features 224 rooms, eight luxury suites, restaurants, Cherokee artwork and a sky bridge connecting it to the casino. - Herald photo by Rose Hooper Apart from owning the tallest building and the only escalator west of Asheville, Cherokee tribal officials are most proud of sculptures, painting and other artwork decorating their new hotel.

Tribal officials gathered with about 200 invited guests Friday (May 10) to officially open the new Harrah's Cherokee Hotel, a 15-story building featuring 244 rooms, eight luxury suites, two restaurants, a 15,000-square-foot ballroom, an indoor pool and waterfall, and a skybridge connecting it to the adjacent Harrah's Cherokee Casino.

Construction on the hotel, which employs about 220 people, started in 2000 and cost $62 million to complete.

Those at Friday's opening were treated to tours highlighted by detailed descriptions of the art chosen to decorate the hotel. An art committee of tribal members was established to oversee the commission of artwork and to purchase pieces for display.

"Incorporating the work of our artists gave us a means in which we could address the concern over the impact our development has on the continuation of our traditional Cherokee arts and crafts," said Principal Chief Leon Jones.

"By focusing solely on Cherokee art, we will provide casino customers with a unique experience not found in other hotels."

In his comments to those gathered, Tribal Council Chairman Bob Blankenship pointed to the casino and new hotel as economic development tools that have changed the lives of many on the reservation.

"Just look at how one business has had such an impact on the people," Blankenship said. "Look at our standard of living five years ago. Look at our education, our roads, our housing. Our casino employees now have some of the best benefits in the country, thanks to Harrah's."

"We are very excited about the future of Cherokee and all of Western North Carolina," Jones added. "Our people struggled in the past; they had a hard time paying bills. But this hotel stands today as a symbol of our growth and direction towards the future. I cannot put into words how beautiful this facility is."

Three tribal members have been hired to lead the hotel in its inaugural year, said casino General Manager Pat Dennehy. Mary Jane Ferguson, a former Jackson County educator and independent business owner, has been named hotel manager. Dwayne Reed is front service manager, and Wanda Weldin has assumed the position of executive housekeeper.

"I have great confidence in the skills and talents of each of these individuals to lead this project," Dennehy said.

Though construction continued Friday, hotel officials said they were expecting their first guests that afternoon.

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