Published on: March 25, 2026, at 07:45h.
Updated on: March 25, 2026, at 07:45h.
- The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is nearing completion on its new hotel tower
- The tribe announces that the hotel will feature 100 luxurious suites
- The hotel project has been mired in controversy
The Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana is set to unveil its new eight-story, 204-room upscale hotel at the Coushatta Casino Resort in Kinder this May.
Situated approximately 35 air miles northeast of Lake Charles, where commercial riverboats like Golden Nugget, L’Auberge, and Horseshoe operate, the Coushatta Casino spans 100,000 square feet, featuring 2,000 slot machines, 55 table games, a sportsbook, a bingo hall, and off-track parimutuel betting.
The federally recognized tribe indicates that the new hotel will enhance the resort’s total offering to over 1,000 accommodations, featuring 100 luxurious suites. Construction began in March 2024.
“This expansion exemplifies our commitment to the future of Coushatta Casino Resort. For over thirty years, Coushatta has been a vital economic driver for our area. This new hotel tower will allow us to attract more visitors, create additional jobs, and improve the overall resort experience for years to come,” stated Nate Tanner, the general manager of Coushatta Casino Resort.
The Coushatta Tribe plans to announce a specific opening date in May shortly. This $150 million project also includes updates to the casino floor. The Coushatta Casino Resort celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Project Surrounded by Controversy
The new hotel at Coushatta Casino Resort has not been without controversy.
The tribe’s chairman, Jonathan Cernek, stepped down unexpectedly in August 2024 due to allegations involving nearly $112K in personal expenditures charged to tribal casino credit cards. The scandal led to the termination of Coushatta Casino Resort CEO Todd Stewart after the National Indian Gaming Commission suspended his gaming license and placed him on leave.
The NIGC investigated claims that Stewart was aware of Cernek’s fraudulent activities but failed to report the misuse in a timely manner. He was also implicated in not notifying Wells Fargo, the tribe’s lender for the $150 million hotel loan, regarding the potential fraud.
Tanner was later appointed to take over Stewart’s position.
Neither Cernek nor Stewart faced criminal charges. Last fall, both federal and state investigations concluded without obtaining any indictments.
However, the upheaval did not stop there.
In November, the residence of David Sickey, who returned as chairman after Cernek’s departure, was the target of gunfire as a bullet struck through his child’s bedroom window around 11:15 PM on Sunday, November 2. Fortunately, no one was harmed in this incident.
As of now, no arrests have been made.
The Largest Casino in Louisiana
In addition to its sprawling 100,000-square-foot casino, recognized as Louisiana’s largest, Coushatta offers eight dining options, 20,000 square feet of meeting rooms, an outdoor pool featuring a lazy river, a concert venue that seats 4,000, a 100-spot RV park, and an 18-hole golf course.
Similar to the casinos in Lake Charles, Coushatta mainly attracts visitors from Texas.