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http://www.sunherald.com/2012/07/19/4073021/one-of-the-first-hemingway-hotels.html#storylink=rss

Published: July 19, 2012

Rotate Black Plans to Pair Up with Hemingway Hotels

By MARY PEREZ — [e-mail]

GULFPORT -- Rotate Black has signed a letter of intent with Hemingway Hotels and Resorts to operate a four-star hotel at the casino it wants to build at the Gulfport harbor.

Dual Cooper, president of Rotate Black, said the 205-room hotel will have outdoor saltwater swimming pools and cabanas among its many amenities. The agreement was signed this week, said Tuckey Devlin, president of Hemingway Hotels and Resorts, and is contingent on financing and approval of the casino project by the state Gaming Commission.

Twice the Gaming Commission has directed Rotate Black to bring something unique that will grow the casino market in Gulfport rather than split the revenue. Rotate Black hasn't cheduled a date to return to the Gaming Commission with this hotel, an additional 105 guest rooms and more casino and entertainment space added to the project.

Hemingway Hotels is a new brand and Gulfport is the first property in the country to go under contract, said Devlin. The brand is based on author Ernest Heming

way, whose life and adventures extend beyond the literary world,

"The project in Gulfport is all about real good, hard, fun living," he said.

The hotel would sponsor fishing tournaments and provide a variety of entertainment. And for more relaxing times, Hemingway Hotels each will contain a library featuring Hemingway's books and other classics.

Guidelines for Hemingway Hotels require that each has architecture that expresses the spirit of the hotel's location. In the case of Gulfport, Eley Guild Hardy has designed the waterfront casino resort to reflect the architecture of the nearby downtown buildings and neighboring Jones Park.

The restaurants will serve both local cuisine and Hemingway's favorite dishes from Paris, Spain, Italy and other locations, according to the guidelines. The bar at the Hemingway Hotel will best be described as "The best damn place to have a good time," said Devlin.

The idea is to bring people to the Gulfport resort, he said, and with excellent concierge service help them to enjoy the marina at the site along with fishing, dining and golf. "

Reporter Anita Lee, contributed to this article.

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/2012/07/19/4073021/one-of-the-first-hemingway-hotels.html#storylink=rss#storylink=cpy