Where to Stay: 5 Reasons to Stay at the Live! Casino and Hotel.
Dear Live! Casino & Hotel, thank you for the most mouthwatering pancakes, the softest pillows (that I may or may not have tried to take home with me), and for having basically everything a girl could ever want in one place. xo Melanie. That would pretty much be my love note to one of the coolest hotels in Anne Arundel County in Maryland. I had the pleasure of staying at the Live! Casino & Hotel recently thanks to the phenomenal team at Visit Annapolis and could not have had a better experience. Not only were the amenities and space stunning, but I was blown away by the hospitality (and the Old Bay-rimmed Bloody Mary’s from David’s.) Traveling for business or in desperate need for a staycation as soon as possible?
Here are five reasons to stay at the Live! Hotel and Casino:
1. It has something for everyone.
The Live! Casino & Hotel has an amazing mix of special promotions that you can snag to make your experience in Anne Arundel County even more wonderful. Whether you’re looking for plush robes and an overnight stay in a Spa Suite (yes, you can really do this) or to take advantage of one of the largest commercial casinos in the country, there’s definitely a kick-butt package deal that you’ll love. One of my favorites is the Foodie Package which includes a $100 food and beverage credit to Live! Restaurants. Y’all know I’m a foodie so I was all about the gelato at Luckies, a must-deserved steak at The Prime Rib (Zagat-rated #1 steakhouse!) and the all-day breakfast at David’s (you should always say yes to bacon and eggs, especially after a late night).
There’s even an out-of-this world spa package for all my fellow babes who live to be pampered. I would definitely recommend an olive oil body glow exfoliation body treatment or sweet dreams aromatherapy wrap during your stay. The Live@ Spa menu even includes lime & ginger brightening body scrubs for men and makeup applications for a night on the town.
2. The food is crazy good.
Since we’re already on the topic of food (let’s be real, I’m always on the topic of food), can I just say that the Live! Casino & Hotel has no shortage of delicious things to eat? There are so many options when it comes to your dining experiences with some of my favorites including David’s, The Prime Rib, and 8 at Luk Fu. David’s is the newest restaurant at the hotel and features global cuisine, all-day breakfast (yassssssss), and delicious handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant was named after the Cordish Companies' Chairman David Cordish, and features an eclectic menu of different tastes from around the world that I’m absolutely obsessed with. I’m still thinking about my meals there even though it’s been a few weeks since I visited. I mean, how do you forget about Hong-Kong style french toast or cast iron Maryland crab dip with fresh pretzel bread? Or how about hot and sour sea bass with baby bok choy and a lobster broth? What about chicken and waffles with a chili-spiked maple syrup and honey butter? My mouth is watering just typing this out.
I also fell head-over-heels for Bobby’s Burger Palace. Crispy fries and juicy burgers by Bobby Flay? Yes, please. I stopped by on a late-night adventure with a new friend and had a great time that definitely goes down in the history books for unexpected moments of magic while traveling. While the service wasn’t the best (let’s just say that we waited more than an hour for cheese fries and two milkshakes), the food was perfection once it finally arrived. I’m no psychologist, but I’m a firm believer that a good cookies ‘n cream milkshake can solve a fair amount of life’s problems.
3. The chance to make that money. Cha ching.
Looking to have some fun at the slots and take home a little extra shopping money? Spend the day at the never-ending, adrenaline-pumping casino with over 200 live action table games, a poker room, and about 4,000 slot machines. From there, head to the Orchid Gaming and Smoking Patio, which is Maryland’s largest and only full-service gaming and smoking patio. The space is beautiful (there are some serious Pinterest goals happening at the bar) and offers games, spirits and some of the world’s best cigars. There are also always a ton of awesome promotions going on to help you add a little more cash to your wallet.
4. The endless entertainment.
Looking to explore beyond the casino for the night? The Live! Casino & Hotel features different entertainment options every night ranging from live shows to headliners like Tracy Morgan, KC and the Sunshine Band and Patti Labelle. There are also tons of other entertainment options like Late Night Live! With DJ Jealousy and live music that will have you up and dancing in no time. One of my favorite moments during my stay was stumbling upon jazz musicians playing a jaw-dropping version of John Mayer’s “Gravity” while playing the electric cello. Anne Arundell County has no shortage of talented musicians!
The Arundel Mills Mall (aka as the largest mall in Maryland!) is also less than a minute walk from the casino’s front door, so there are definitely more than enough places to visit, shop and explore. Medieval Times for chicken and some jousting, anyone?
5. The 5-star accommodations.
The Live! Casino & Hotel is a stunner. It’s seriously beautiful! I mean, would you expect anything less from a hotel that is the home of a famous Andy Warhol original? The hotel is a 17-story tower with 310 guest rooms including 52 suites, a grand event center, spa and salon (I’ve been dying to go back and try the Himalayan Salt Stone massage), state of the art fitness center, a new Live! retail store and all that amazing dining I mentioned earlier. Rooms range from deluxe kings and deluxe double queens to spa villas and penthouses, so there’s something for every budget. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway from NYC or to spend a full week trying Old Bay-everything, the Live! Casino & Hotel is calling your name in Anne Arundel County.
Have you visited before? What did you think? Are you planning on visiting Maryland soon? Tell me in the comments below or on social media!