When the reviews started streaming in from guests, they were quite mixed. Some were disappointed, not so much with the atmosphere, but with the customer service. Others were thrilled at this new arrival in the regional gambling scene. I decided to venture into the swamp and take a good look myself.
On the L'Auberge du Lac web site, I booked a Deluxe Queen non-smoking room for a nice low mid-week rate of $79. Inexplicably, the "smoking" version of the same room was listed at $159. In the special requests section, I requested a set of bed rails for my preschooler, who would be taking the trip with me. The description of the room was promising: "The Deluxe Queen room offers plenty of space, plus generous amenities, deluxe baths and stunning views. Includes a 32" TV, 2 line phones, and Internet access. No rollaways allowed. Sleeps 4."
We could see the hotel's tower from I-10 just two and a half hours from the time we left Houston. The hotel itself is a bit out of the way, off the main cluster of casinos floating on Lake Charles. Instead, L'Auberge du Lac is tucked away on Contraband Bayou, in the midst of slowly growing development at the edge of an industrial waterway. It seems an odd spot for a luxury, Vegas-style resort, and I was curious to see the inside.
Rustic Arts & Crafts Style
We parked in the open lot and walked to the main entrance. A bear sculpture outside gave us the first hint of the rustic, Arts & Crafts styling that awaited inside the hotel. Chandeliers topped a dramatic driveway, where a white limousine stood at the ready next to a large fountain.
Inside, the lobby entryway soared up to more chandeliers and skylights. On either side, massive stone fireplaces flanked a sitting area. Straight ahead, the jangle of slot machines could already be heard. As a longtime patron of Gulf Coast casinos, I'm used to a long, sometimes inconvenient walk to a floating casino. Seeing the casino virtually inside the lobby was a pleasant and convenient surprise. I had to remind myself that, despite the seamless integration, it was a separate riverboat.
After a bit of trouble finding the lobby (a common complaint, it seems, in many new hotels), we checked in and were assigned a third-floor room overlooking the lazy river. We found our way around the casino from the lobby to the guest room elevators and showed our room key to the attendant, who presumably was there as much to keep looky-loos at bay as for security.
Inside a Deluxe Queen Guest Room
I was pleasantly surprised at the deluxe queen room. It certainly lived up to its description in many ways. It was roomy, although not unusually so. The two queen beds were fluffed up with cloudlike feather pillows and a feather duvet, all in fashionable white. Two chairs, upholstered in a whimsical cow print, flanked a glass table. Floor to ceiling windows indeed offered a view of the lazy river below.
The bathroom was roomy as well and decked out with marble floors, walls and countertops. Amenities from Gilchrist & Soames included bath salts, mouthwash and oatmeal soap. Bath towels were large and extra fluffy. The shower and bathtub combination, although marble lined, was a standard size; a curved shower curtain rod made a difference in space.
A large television armoire housed the TV and lit hanging space, which included bathrobes and slippers. The room also included an iron, ironing board and blowdryer. High-speed Internet access, both wireless and wired, was available in the room for a $9.95 charge per 24 hour period. Noticeably missing from the room, however, was a luggage rack; our single small suitcase was nonetheless too large for the armoire, and had to sit on the floor. Also missing was a coffee maker.
A safe in the armoire was already locked, so we placed a call to have it opened, and made a third request for bed rails, which had still not made an appearance.
At this point I should probably confess the real reason I love Las Vegas-style casinos: the buffets. And that's where we headed, downstairs and around the casino to Le Beaucoup Buffet for lunch.
