Gun Lake Earns AAA Four Diamond Designation
HBG Design is proud to celebrate Gun Lake Casino Resort earning the prestigious AAA Four Diamond designation — a milestone that recognizes the resort’s elevated guest experience, exceptional hospitality, and commitment to luxury accommodations in the Midwest.
The designation places Gun Lake Casino Resort among only four hotel properties in West Michigan to achieve AAA’s Four Diamond status. According to AAA Diamond Program Director Chris Andersen, the recognition reflects the resort’s “exceptional service, world-class hospitality, and elevated guest experience.”
The achievement follows a transformational period for the property, including the opening of the resort’s striking 16-story hotel tower, full-service spa, and expanded dining experiences in 2025. Designed by HBG Design, the expansion redefined the property as a fully integrated resort destination — blending entertainment, wellness, hospitality, and immersive guest amenities into a cohesive experience rooted in innovation and regional identity.
A defining feature of the expansion is the Wawyé Oasis, a breathtaking glass atrium environment spanning more than 32,000 square feet. Featuring live palm trees and a year-round tropical climate maintained at 80 degrees, the Oasis creates a one-of-a-kind experiential destination within the Midwest gaming and hospitality market.
“Our goal is to set the standard for luxury and service in casino resort operations in the Midwest,” said Brian Decorah, SVP/GM of Gun Lake Casino Resort. “Our entire team has been working toward this goal for almost a year, and it is a team victory to officially receive the AAA Four Diamond designation for our hotel and our level of commitment to our guests.”
HBG Design congratulates the Gun Lake Tribe and the entire Gun Lake Casino Resort team on this outstanding achievement. We are honored to have partnered in bringing this visionary resort destination to life and celebrating this recognition alongside the team.
HD Expo 2026: Warmth, Texture & Experience-Driven Design
Chris Wood of HBG Design shares his perspective on the trends, products, and ideas shaping hospitality design after attending the 2026 HD Expo + Conference in Las Vegas.
Walking the floor at this year’s HD Expo, one thing became immediately clear: hospitality design is moving away from minimal, muted environments and embracing warmth, texture, personality, and experience in a much bigger way.
Compared to previous years, there was a noticeably stronger focus on layered materials, tactile surfaces, and expressive forms. Outdoor furniture had a major presence across the show floor, and many manufacturers seemed to be speaking the same visual language—curved silhouettes, woven rope detailing, caning, and softer organic forms appeared almost everywhere. The overall mood felt more relaxed, approachable, and experiential.
One of the biggest trends I noticed was the emphasis on tapestry-inspired textures and layered materials. That showed up across wallcoverings, fabrics, upholstery, and even flooring applications. Spaces and products felt richer and more dimensional this year. Hospitality design is clearly leaning into storytelling and sensory engagement rather than relying on flat, overly simplified palettes.
Color was another standout. We saw much more confidence in the use of vibrant tones—especially pink, which appeared throughout many booths in unexpected and sophisticated ways. More importantly, there was a broader shift away from the “greige” palette that dominated hospitality design for years. Warmth is back. Designers and manufacturers are embracing richer tones, layered textures, patterned fabrics, and finishes that feel human and inviting.
A few manufacturers really stood out. Kimball International presented one of the most thoughtfully curated booths at the show with innovative applications that felt especially relevant to hospitality and entertainment environments.
On the materials side, Koroseal Interior Products and Look Walls & Interiors showcased beautiful tapestry-inspired wallcoverings that immediately sparked ideas for future resort and casino projects.
There were also several smart product innovations that stood out from an operational standpoint. Schluter Systems introduced prefabricated shower niches with integrated lighting—something that could save both construction time and cost while elevating the guestroom experience. Their tile trim solutions were equally impressive. Another unexpected discovery was Inpro Corporation’s configurable elevator cab systems, which offer new flexibility for customization in hospitality projects.
The biggest takeaway for me is that hospitality design is becoming more experience-driven than ever. Guests—particularly younger demographics—are looking for memorable, immersive spaces that feel unique and emotionally engaging. Bold patterns, layered textures, vibrant colors, and highly curated moments all contribute to that experience. For casino and resort clients, these design choices aren’t just aesthetic decisions—they’re opportunities to create destinations people remember, share, and return to.
Beauty & Purpose: Smart Resort Reinvestments
In a gaming landscape defined by constant evolution, long-term success depends on the ability to adapt with intention. As explored in Global Gaming Business’s recent feature, “Beauty, Purpose & Smart Resort Reinvestments,” leading operators are embracing reinvestment as a strategic tool to strengthen market position and elevate the guest experience.
At Rain Rock Casino Resort, this approach takes shape through a reinvestment strategy rooted in authenticity, operational continuity, and a strong sense of place.
A Design Vision Grounded in Place
Owned and operated by the Karuk Tribe, Rain Rock Casino Resort occupies a unique position within Northern California’s Siskiyou landscape. The property’s recent expansion builds upon that identity, drawing inspiration directly from the land, water, and cultural heritage that define the region.
"We want the design and amenities to resemble the land and river, like what a salmon might see on his journey upstream!"
A guiding insight from the Tribe—envisioning the environment through the perspective of salmon navigating upstream—became a foundational design principle. This concept informed a cohesive experience across the property, shaping both spatial planning and material expression.
The result is an environment that feels immersive, intentional, and inherently connected to its surroundings.
Expanding the Resort Experience
Completed in 2025, the $40 million expansion introduces a series of enhancements designed to broaden the resort’s appeal while maintaining a clear design narrative.
A collection of lodge-style cottages anchors the guest experience, offering a more intimate and residential scale of hospitality. Organized around an outdoor lounge pool with fire features and shaded gathering spaces, these accommodations reflect a balance of regional authenticity and elevated comfort.
Throughout the property, design elements reinforce a cohesive story:
- Natural material palettes that reflect the surrounding terrain
- Architectural forms influenced by the movement of water and landscape
- Integrated opportunities for cultural storytelling and interpretation
Within the new Tribal Council Boardroom, this approach becomes more explicit. Custom furnishings, layered wood tones, and curated artifact displays create a space that is both functional and representative—supporting governance while reinforcing cultural identity.
Delivering Impact Through Phased Implementation
Equally critical to the project’s success was the execution strategy. Maintaining uninterrupted operations throughout construction required a highly coordinated, phased approach.
Rather than disrupting the guest experience, improvements were carefully sequenced around active gaming and hospitality areas. This methodology allowed the property to expand and enhance its offerings while continuing to generate revenue and serve its guests.
Key outcomes include:
- Approximately 20,000 square feet of expanded gaming space
- 175 additional gaming positions
- Renovated food and beverage venues
- A new ballroom-style event center
This balance of design and operational strategy underscores the importance of aligning reinvestment with both guest expectations and business performance.
Designing for Longevity
Rain Rock Casino Resort reflects a broader shift within the gaming industry—one that prioritizes meaningful, experience-driven environments over purely programmatic expansion.
As competition intensifies, reinvestment strategies must do more than add capacity. They must strengthen identity, enhance flexibility, and create memorable experiences that resonate with guests.
At Rain Rock, the integration of cultural narrative, environmental inspiration, and operational precision demonstrates how design can support long-term relevance while honoring the story of place.
Ask the Experts: Indian Gaming – A Look Forward
Kelly DeVine Offers Insights for Indian Gaming Magazine's 2026 'Ask the Experts: Indian Gaming – A Look Forward'
Kelly DeVine, Principal & Director of Strategic Partnerships, HBG Design
From Indian Gaming Magazine January/February 2026 Issue
As tribes consider their long-term economic visions and land development options, there has been a shift in how casino resort destinations are being planned. While the destination resort has long been the goal, what’s emerging is a more holistic, integrated town-center style approach, reimagined as a larger, tribally owned economic ecosystem anchored by the casino resort.
Signature resort “wow” amenities like gaming, hotels, pools, spas, and event centers remain critical. What’s changing is how those resort amenities are positioned within a broader planned vision – organized from the casino and hotel, layered with complementary amenities and community infrastructure. This more intentional approach supports longer stays, creates customer loyalty, and greater community economic opportunity.
Resort guests need basics as much as indulgences, and when those needs are met on tribal land – through convenience stores and fuel centers, health and wellness offerings including CBD retail, and destination-oriented shopping – it creates a more livable experience and greater benefit for all.
Looking ahead, we expect this integrated planning approach will continue gaining momentum, with casino resorts anchoring more self-sufficient town centers. By keeping both guest and tribal member spending on tribal land, this strategy strengthens local economies and expands long-term opportunities for tribal communities.
HBG Design Featured on No Vacancy: Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels
Regional casino resorts have evolved—and today’s most successful properties are no longer competing solely on gaming floors or square footage. They are competing as full-scale destination hotels, designed to extend stays, increase spend, and drive repeat visitation.
That shift is the focus of a recent episode of the No Vacancy podcast, hosted by Glenn Haussman with guest co-host Dr. Suzanne Bagnera, featuring HBG Design leaders Kelly DeVine, Principal, and Emily Marshall, NCIDQ, NEWH, IIDA, Principal and Interior Design Leader.
In the episode, Kelly and Emily discuss how design, operations, and profitability are inseparable in modern regional casino resorts—and why performance-driven design must start long before finishes and aesthetics are considered.
From Regional Casino to Destination Resort
Using Gun Lake Casino Resort in Michigan as a case study, the conversation explores how regional gaming properties now compete with Las Vegas–style destination resorts. Guests expect more than gaming alone: hospitality, dining, entertainment, and thoughtfully designed hotel experiences all play a role in attracting longer stays and repeat visits.
Kelly and Emily emphasize that this evolution requires a fundamental shift in how projects are approached—one that prioritizes operational strategy and guest behavior from day one.
Designing for Gaming Performance
Designing for Gaming PerformanceOne of the key insights from the episode is how hotel design directly influences gaming behavior. Guest rooms must strike a careful balance: they should feel comfortable and welcoming, but not so indulgent that guests disengage from the casino floor and resort amenities.
This intentional approach ensures that the hotel supports—not competes with—the core gaming experience, reinforcing the overall business model of the resort.
Operations First: The Engine Behind the Experience
At HBG Design, successful casino resorts begin with operations. Kelly and Emily discuss why elements such as:
- Housekeeping flow and back-of-house efficiency
- Durability and material selection
- Turnover time and maintenance realities
are often more critical to long-term performance than purely visual considerations.
By designing the “engine” before the exterior experience, properties are better positioned to operate efficiently, control costs, and deliver consistent guest satisfaction over time.
Programming Spaces for Repeat Visitation
Programming Spaces for Repeat VisitationBeyond the hotel and gaming floor, the episode highlights the importance of programming spaces that keep guests coming back—especially local and regional visitors. Flexible entertainment venues, food and beverage offerings, and social spaces all contribute to building loyalty and extending engagement beyond a single visit.
Design as a Business Tool
Ultimately, the conversation reinforces a core HBG Design philosophy: design is not a vanity exercise—it is a business tool. When design decisions are grounded in operations, guest behavior, and measurable outcomes, they can directly support revenue growth and long-term success.
We’re proud to see Kelly DeVine and Emily Marshall share their expertise on No Vacancy and contribute to an industry-wide conversation about performance-driven design in today’s casino resorts.
Listen to the full episode of No Vacancy: Episode 1009 – Why Casino Resorts Now Compete Like Destination Hotels to hear the complete discussion and insights.
Designing a Better Stay: Golden Mesa’s Guestrooms Set a New Hospitality Standard
At Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel, the guestrooms and suites were intentionally designed to do more than provide overnight accommodations—they were conceived as a strategic extension of the resort experience, supporting guest satisfaction, brand perception, and long-term value. For hospitality operators, these spaces demonstrate how thoughtful interior design can directly enhance a property’s competitiveness within its market.
As part of the $78 million expansion, HBG Design approached the hotel tower with a clear objective: deliver guestrooms that feel warm, contemporary, and rooted in place, while aligning with the expectations of today’s resort guest. The result is a collection of rooms and suites that elevate comfort and atmosphere without unnecessary complexity—raising the design standard for hospitality in Oklahoma’s Panhandle.
A Cohesive Design Strategy from Arrival to Guestroom
The guest experience begins well before the room door opens. Elevator lobbies introduce a subtle dusk-to-dawn progression through shifting wallcovering tones, guiding guests vertically through the tower and reinforcing a sense of journey and arrival. Guestroom corridors continue this narrative with ambient lighting and a warm, textural palette—setting a calm, welcoming tone that supports guest satisfaction and wayfinding.
Inside the guestrooms, natural materials and a disciplined color strategy establish an immediate sense of comfort. Warm white oak millwork anchors the space, delivering durability, longevity, and a residential feel that resonates with today’s travelers. Custom headboard assemblies integrate upholstered panels and built-in reading lights, reducing visual clutter while enhancing functionality and ease of use.
Above the bed, landscape-inspired artwork reflects the open skies and sunlit plains of the Panhandle through layered blues, soft whites, and sandy neutrals. Rather than literal theming, these elements provide a sense of place that feels authentic and timeless—supporting brand identity without limiting future adaptability.
“We focused on creating depth and contrast rather than relying on expensive gestures. By layering rich, saturated colors against warm wood tones and soft neutrals, we created guestrooms that feel calm, refined, and highly livable—spaces that elevate the guest experience while remaining efficient to build and maintain.”
— Chris Wood, Lead Interior Designer
Accent walls in deep, atmospheric blue tones add contrast and visual interest, framing seating areas and window views while giving the rooms a stronger sense of identity. Layered window treatments—sheer panels paired with blackout drapery—offer guests control over light, privacy, and comfort, a critical expectation in resort and casino hospitality.
Custom-designed carpet introduces subtle movement through geometric patterns inspired by the surrounding landscape. The pattern adds energy and durability while visually tying the room together—an important consideration for high-traffic hospitality environments.
Lighting Designed for Comfort, Efficiency, and Atmosphere
Lighting was treated as a foundational design tool rather than a finishing layer. Integrated bedside sconces provide focused task lighting, while ambient and accent illumination shape the overall mood of the room. This layered approach supports both relaxation and functionality, allowing guestrooms to transition seamlessly from daytime retreat to evening sanctuary—enhancing guest comfort while supporting operational efficiency.
Suites Designed to Deliver Premium Value
Golden Mesa’s suites—offered in 1.5- and 2-bay configurations—were designed to meet the needs of longer stays, VIP guests, and premium players, while maintaining a strong sense of cohesion with the standard guestrooms.
A defining feature is the solid white oak slat feature wall, which creates separation between living and sleeping zones without sacrificing openness. Integrated twinkle light detailing adds a refined, hospitality-forward moment—introducing visual interest, warmth, and a sense of occasion that elevates the suite experience without adding operational complexity.
The suites introduce a deeper, more grounded color palette, with rich green walls that create a residential, intimate atmosphere. These tones are balanced by warm wood finishes, textured ceiling treatments, and tailored furnishings—enhancing the perception of value while maintaining a welcoming, approachable feel.
Custom millwork desks with stone-look surfaces provide flexible functionality for work or leisure, while curated lighting and accessories elevate the space beyond a typical hotel suite. In the bedroom, large-scale artwork continues the landscape narrative, reinforcing a consistent design story throughout the tower.
An organic-patterned carpet flows through the suite, visually connecting zones and reinforcing the natural inspiration behind the design—while offering durability and ease of maintenance for long-term operations.
Strengthening the Resort Through Guestroom Design
By investing in elevated guestrooms and suites, Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel strengthens the entire resort ecosystem. The hotel tower provides a refined counterbalance to the energy of the casino floor and entertainment venues, supporting longer stays, repeat visitation, and a broader guest demographic.
For hospitality clients, Golden Mesa demonstrates how strategic interior design—focused on materiality, lighting, durability, and sense of place—can enhance guest satisfaction, reinforce brand identity, and deliver long-term value. These guestrooms are not simply places to sleep; they are a critical component of the resort’s overall performance and positioning as a destination.
Guestroom and Suite Vendor List:
-
Casegoods: Custom white oak casegoods
Manufacturer: Distinction Hospitality -
Carpet: Custom-designed carpet
Manufacturer: Brintons -
Elevator Lobby Accent Wallcoverings: Textured wallcoverings
Manufacturer: Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering -
Guestroom Headboard Wallcovering: Custom wallcovering
Manufacturer: Astek -
Sheer Window Treatments: Custom tribal-pattern sheers
Manufacturer: Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering -
Guestroom Lighting: Decorative and architectural lighting
Manufacturers: Trinity Lighting and Laspec -
Illuminated Mirrors & Backlit Artwork:
Manufacturer: Spacia
HBG Design Thinking: Hospitality Design Report
In 2026, hospitality design is all about creating immersive, memorable experiences that resonate with guests long after they leave. From boutique hotels to large-scale resorts and entertainment destinations, the bar for innovation has never been higher. HBG Design, ranked #2 Hospitality and Entertainment Design Firm in the U.S., by Hotel Business Magazine for 2026, has decades of experience translating industry insights into transformative guest experiences. This year, our team has identified the design thinking that will define hospitality experiences and drive both engagement and operational success.
You can download the full 'HBG Design Thinking' Hospitality Design Report here.
Social Wellness: Connection as the New Currency
Wellness has evolved beyond serenity and self-care—connection is now central to well-being. Guests increasingly seek shared experiences that foster community and engagement. HBG clients are already ahead of this curve, with co-ed hydrothermal lounges at WinStar Spa and hydrotherapy pools at MnoYé Spa at Gun Lake Resort. These spaces blend luxury, functionality, and social interaction, transforming wellness into a destination activity rather than a solitary experience.
Open Edge Environments
Seamless indoor–outdoor environments are no longer just a coastal luxury—they’re expected year-round, everywhere. The Wawyé Oasis at Gun Lake Resort exemplifies this trend, featuring a six-story glass dome that creates a tropical, light-filled escape in Wayland, Michigan. Guests enjoy the sensation of being outdoors while designers control climate, programming, and operational flexibility, proving that immersive environments drive engagement and revenue alike.
Maximalism with Meaning
Color and material storytelling are taking center stage. For an upcoming boutique resort lobby, HBG Design collaborated with Schumacher Hospitality to transform iconic residential patterns into hospitality-grade fabrics and wallcoverings. Custom applications—from vibrant lobby wallcoverings to rooftop restaurant fabrics—combine durability with artistry, craft, and narrative inspiration drawn from the surrounding woodland landscapes and local industrial heritage.
Ready to explore all six trends in detail?
Download the full 'HBG Design Thinking' Hospitality Design Report to see more quotes, actionable owner checklists, and client case studies that bring these insights to life.
Project Delivery: Delivering Complexity with Confidence
Ensuring Design Intent for Large Scale Projects
At HBG Design, Construction Administration is not a back-end service. It is a core component of project delivery—bridging design intent and built reality. On large and technically demanding projects, Construction Administration becomes the engine that aligns teams and manages complexity from day one.
Embedded Specialization from Day One
HBG provides dedicated CA representatives who bring deep casino and large-scale hospitality experience. Our CA leaders are fully embedded in the construction process—participating in coordination sessions to help ensure decisions are clearly documented, communicated, and implemented.
In the field, our CA representatives operate with a clear mandate: be visible, accessible, accountable, and solution-oriented. Site observation debriefs are conducted at the conclusion of each visit, enabling real-time discussion. This proactive communication helps resolve questions early, reduce downstream impacts, and reinforce trust across the project team.
Managing Change with Clarity and Control
Change is inevitable on complex projects. What matters is how it is managed. HBG’s CA team works to identify potential changes early, evaluate impacts to design, budget, and schedule, and present clear options so Owners can make informed decisions.
By closely monitoring RFIs, Submittals, and field conditions, our team minimizes ASIs and increases opportunities for clarity. When changes are approved, we focus on value-based solutions that maintain quality, protect design intent, and support overall project goals.
Closing Out with the Same Discipline
Construction Administration doesn’t end at substantial completion. HBG streamlines punch list documentation, allowing items to be recorded efficiently and consistently across the CA team—often with reports generated before leaving the site.
Our services also include reviewing pay applications, coordinating close-out documentation, and assembling complete record drawings, including building signage. Deliverables are provided in the format preferred by Ownership, supporting smooth turnover and long-term facility operations.
A Tropical Escape in the Heart of Michigan: The Wawyé Oasis
When winter grips Michigan in icy temperatures, guests at Gun Lake Casino Resort are now floating beneath a sunlit glass dome in a lush, 82-degree tropical paradise. Debuting in May 2025, the six-story, 32,000-square-foot Wawyé Oasis redefines what’s possible for year-round resort design—seamlessly shifting from daytime pool retreat to high-capacity concert venue, nightclub, and banquet space. Shaped by solar studies and engineered as a massive glass “sundial,” the Oasis is both sculptural and supremely functional, capturing natural daylight while shielding guests from the region’s harsh climate.
As the architectural and experiential centerpiece of Gun Lake’s $300 million expansion, the Oasis anchors a new 252-room hotel and full-service spa—establishing the resort as a true “daycation” destination for guests across Michigan and major Midwest markets. From bird-safe, low-E glass and climate-responsive HVAC systems to flexible acoustics, dynamic lighting, and thoughtfully zoned guest experiences, every element was precision-engineered to support comfort, performance, and unforgettable entertainment.
The result is more than a building—it’s a fully immersive, adaptable environment where architecture, engineering, and guest experience converge in spectacular fashion.
▶ Watch the full design thinking video to explore the innovation behind the Wawyé Oasis—and flip through the complete Project Design Release for detailed insights into the architecture, engineering, sustainability strategies, and guest experience that bring this extraordinary destination to life.
A New Era of Entertainment Rises in the Oklahoma Panhandle at Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel
Warmth, Light, and Modern Comfort: A New Era of Entertainment Rises in the Oklahoma Panhandle at Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel, Guymon, Oklahoma
The $78 million expansion of Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel has redefined entertainment and hospitality in Oklahoma’s Panhandle, transforming the Shawnee Tribe’s vision into a vibrant destination that celebrates both culture and community. The project doubles the casino’s gaming capacity to more than 1,100 electronic games and 10 tables across a 40,000-square-foot gaming floor, introduces a 99-room hotel and a 45-slip RV park, and adds new dining and lounge experiences that elevate guest comfort and connection. From the Cimarron Ridge Restaurant and Panhandle Press Café to the dynamic high-limit room and two lively casino bars, every new space was purposefully crafted to enrich the guest journey and offer a warm, contemporary sense of hospitality.
Across the new hotel tower, the elevator lobbies introduce a subtle thematic progression—each level reflecting a “dusk-to-dawn” concept through shifting wallcovering tones. Guestroom corridors extend this narrative with soft, ambient lighting and a warm, textural palette. Inside the guestrooms and suites, neutral foundations pair with bright accents inspired by the region’s open skies and sunlit plains, creating spaces that feel both grounded and refreshingly modern.
Lighting plays a defining role in shaping the atmosphere of Golden Mesa—both as a functional tool and an expressive design element. The exterior façades feature a distinctive cross-weave illumination that animates the architecture at night, while the lobby’s soaring atrium showcases a glowing geometric chandelier that sets an elegant tone for arrival. Throughout the property, lighting transitions seamlessly between hospitality and entertainment zones, guiding guests from calm to energy, from relaxation to anticipation. Every glow and reflection reinforces the resort’s identity as a destination that subtly shifts in mood from day into night.
Architecturally and operationally, the expansion embodies graceful growth—an evolution of the property’s design that preserved full operations throughout construction while introducing a new benchmark for resort-style amenities in the region. Warm yet contemporary prairie-inspired materials, the dramatic new porte cochere, and the signature nighttime lighting pattern establish a welcoming exterior presence; while inside, the clearstory hotel lobby, geometric fixtures, and rich layers of color and texture create an atmosphere of approachable comfort and elevated luxury. Together, these elements position Golden Mesa Casino & Hotel as a beacon of progress and pride for the Shawnee Tribe and a standout destination for travelers across the Panhandle.
Delivering a project of this scale on time and on budget required extraordinary coordination between the owner, operator, and design and construction teams. HBG Design’s ability to anticipate operational needs and sustain continuous functionality was essential to the project’s success. The team’s challenge was to merge the new with the existing without visual or functional disruption—an effort that highlights the depth of talent within HBG’s architecture and interior design studios and the strength of collaboration with Global Gaming Solutions, Connect Advisors, and the Chickasaw Nation.