MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL WELCOMED FIRST HOTEL GUESTS DURING GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION

Unique guest experience with 'uncompromised level of service' pledged to all guests



By HB Meeks
Editor-in-Chief
Tell Us Detroit



DETROIT - Chris Ilitch, son of MotorCity Casino Hotel owner Marian Ilitch, joined by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, welcomed the hotel’s first guests on Wednesday, Nov. 28 during the grand opening. With the tap of the hotel bell, located at the registration desk, Edwin Davis of Dearborn, and his Norwegian fiancée, Annette Kjelstad, checked in as the first guests. The international couple will be married in the hotel on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The new hotel features 400 superior quality guestrooms, including 41 suites, and some of the finest high-tech amenities offered in the region. The hotel interior décor compliments the post World War II “Future Retro” design theme of MotorCity’s new casino space, paying tribute to Detroit and America’s love affair with the automobile.

MotorCity Casino Management Committee member Christopher Ilitch, representing Mrs. Ilitch, welcomed Detroit into their new “home” during an opening ceremony today and reiterated her passion for continued development and reinvestment in her birthplace. He was joined by Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick, Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Michael O’Callaghan, Travel Michigan Vice President George Zimmerman, and casino-hotel leadership.

Mayor Kilpatrick addressed local officials and casino-hotel leadership during Wednesday's celebration. "We love you, we appreciate you, we thank you," he stated. "Make a lot of money, because when you make a lot of money, we make a lot of money." The welcome celebration is symbolic of the new level of hospitality that MotorCity Casino Hotel will bring to the region.

Davis and Kjelstad met in Las Vegas about two years ago and planned to return to the 'Strip' to get married. They decided to hold the wedding at the new MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit where more of their friends could join in on the special day. "The MotorCity Casino Hotel is sort of like being there (Las Vegas) without the chaos of traveling" said Davis. The couple’s family and friends from Norway, South Africa, California, Ohio and South Carolina are traveling to Detroit to attend the wedding and will stay at MotorCity Casino Hotel this weekend.

The new hotel is part of a $300 million dollar expansion project which includes a recent expansion of the gaming area, construction of convention and banquet space, a spa, a theatre and new dining and retail outlets that will open over the next several months.

HOTEL FACT SHEET

Facilities & Services
• 17 story hotel tower with 400 guest rooms, including 41 suites
• State-of-the art business center with secretarial support
• Premium Spa (to open in 2008)
• Fitness center (to open in 2008)
• 65,000 sq. ft. Conference & Banquet Center (to open in 2008)
• 1,200 seat theatre (to open in 2008)
• Concierge service, laundry and in-room dining available 24 hours per day
• Nightly turn down service
• Same day pressing service
• Comprehensive, state-of-the art business center with 24 hour accessibility
• Complimentary WiFi in all guestrooms and public areas

Room Amenities
• Luxury bedding with 300 thread count imported bed linens
• Marble bathrooms with a separate water closet, soaking tub and shower
• Sumptuous towels and bathrobes
• Pillow library – guests may choose from more than 15 pillows of varying size, firmness and fill
• iPod docking station
• Two-line conference phone with voicemail and unlimited local phone calls
• 37” plasma television with in-room movies and more than 60 TV stations
where guests may also retrieve messages, review account, control thermostat, check flight times, order room service and check out via in-room TV
• In-room coffee/tea maker

About MotorCity Casino Hotel
MotorCity Casino Hotel is owned by Marian Ilitch and is the only locally owned and operated casino-hotel in Detroit. In addition, the casino represents the only 100% female owned casino in the United States and one of the largest independently owned casino enterprises in the country. For more information about MotorCity Casino Hotel or to make a reservation, please call 1-866-STAY-MCC or visit www.MotorCityCasino.com.