When most people travel to Louisiana it usually goes something like this: 1. head straight to New Orleans;2. eat (at overpriced, touristy spots) and drink (way too many watered-down Hurricane cocktails) alongside swarms of other tourists on Bourbon Street;3. stay wherever you can get reservations in the French Quarter and never leave the area.
However, if you want to explore the real Cajun country, filled with swanky casinos, world-class birding, fishing, hunting, top golf-courses, exciting swamp tours (complete with alligators), toe-tapping Zydeco bands, and deliciously authentic Cajun country cuisine then head to Southwest Louisianas Lake Charles. Lake Charles is also known as The Festival Capital of Louisiana and their Mardi Gras extravaganza is second only to New Orleans. Plus all the above is delivered with that famous Southern Hospitality.
Suite sleep
Once you check into the elegant L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles youll be tempted to just stay put and enjoy all the on-site offerings: high-end boutiques, 70,000 sq. ft. of non-stop gaming, Vegas caliber live entertainment, tranquil Spa du Lac, the 18-hole championship Tom Fazio Contraband Bayou golf course, a fully-equipped fitness center, tropically landscaped swimming pool complete with a lazy river to drift down and eight fabulous restaurants. Gentlemen in need of a little pampering will want to book a luxury shave at the old-school 1740 Barbier before retiring to the cigar lounge for a shot of whiskey and a peek at some vintage Playboys.
Fresh from a multi-million dollar facelift, the 1000 comfy/luxe rooms are well appointed with pillow top mattresses, local artwork, flat-panel TVs with premium channels and coffeemakers stocked with PJs Coffee. But if you really want to feel like a big winner book one of their huge, luxurious suites, available with butler service. I was thoroughly spoiled by my stay in the Versailles Suite, located high in the 26-story hotel tower. As I wandered through my bathroom, bedroom, living and dining areas, I counted 5 TVs. One was framed in antique gold, a small one was set in my bathroom mirror just a foot away from another big screen TV overlooking the Jacuzzi tub.
Delish eats
The Crab Cake Benedict with homey grits served at the resorts casual Le Caf makes a perfect start to your day. For a truly memorable dinner (on a par with a Michelin starred restaurant) Ember Grille & Wine Bar has it all: impeccable service, over 200 bottles of wine, and your choice of Certified Angus, Kobe and Natural Grass Fed beef seared to perfection over a wood-fired grill, served with a variety of flavored butters and complementary sauces. The foie gras butter melting over the Kobe beef was beyond incredible. The foie also made a welcome appearance in the Midas- rich, Foie & Toast, which was seared Foie Gras stuffed into French Toast topped with Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. For sheer bragging rights, if youre reeeealy hungry you could opt for the Ember Prime Tomahawk, a whopping 40-oz. Rib Eye, carved tableside, for a mere $99, with a side of Chef Mark Chapmans addictive Truffled Mac n Cheese. Non-meat eaters will be blissfully happy here too, with choices ranging from a tower of chilled seafood to pan seared scallops, wild salmon, crab cakes, and sesame crusted Ahi tuna.
