Island Resort & Casino is a tribal casino resort in Harris, Michigan, about 15 miles west of Escanaba in the Upper Peninsula. Its strongest draw is the combination of approximately 1,150 advertised slots, a 454-room hotel, golf, entertainment, and spa facilities. I see it as a better choice for a planned weekend than a trip built around gambling alone. The main trade-offs are its rural setting, after-5-p.m. hotel check-in, and separate Splash Island admission.
Island Resort & Casino quick facts
| Location | Harris, Michigan, about 15 miles west of Escanaba |
|---|---|
| Address | W399 Hwy 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845 |
| Property type | Tribal casino resort |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Slots | Approximately 1,150 advertised machines |
| Other gaming | Live table games and live bingo |
| Poker room | No |
| On-property retail sportsbook | No |
| Hotel | 454 rooms and suites |
| Check-in / checkout | After 5 p.m. / 11 a.m., Eastern Time |
| Golf | Sweetgrass and Sage Run, totaling 36 holes |
| Pools | Splash Island waterpark and a separate adults-only saltwater pool |
| Rewards program | Island Club |
| Phone | (800) 682-6040 |
| Information date | October 16, 2026 |
What kind of resort is the Island?
The Island makes the most sense as a destination you drive to and settle into. You can organize a stay around golf, a concert, dinner, or the spa, with casino play taking whatever share of the weekend you want to give it.
This is not a casino hotel opening onto a walkable entertainment district. If your group likes to wander between independent restaurants and nightlife spots, the rural setting is a meaningful limitation. If everyone wants a room, meals, and evening entertainment within one resort, it becomes an advantage.
The casino operates within the Hannahville Indian Community’s gaming framework. The Hannahville Gaming Commission describes itself as the property’s regulatory body, operating independently of casino management.
Casino games: slots, tables, and bingo
The property’s official gaming overview advertises 1,150 slots, live table games, and live bingo. Treat the machine figure as an advertised inventory, not a promise that every machine will be available when you arrive.
Slots and video poker
Slots are the clearest documented strength of the casino floor. For a specific title, denomination, or video poker game, check availability directly rather than making the drive on an assumption.
At the machine, look at the full wager before pressing the button. A penny denomination does not necessarily mean a penny spin, and a familiar video poker title does not guarantee a favorable pay table. I would not use winning or losing guest stories to judge the machines’ returns.
Table games and bingo
The resort advertises live table games, but check the current game selection, rules, minimum bets, and operating hours if table play is the reason for your visit. Do not build a budget around a fixed minimum without checking the current pit.
Live bingo offers an alternative to the machines. Confirm session times and buy-in arrangements before planning the rest of your day around it.
Poker room and sportsbook
Island Resort & Casino has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room and no on-property retail sportsbook. Poker-themed casino games are not a poker room, and sports televisions are not a betting facility.
The resort advertises sports betting generally, but that is not a description of a dedicated retail sportsbook or a promise of staffed ticket service. If sports wagering is central to your visit, ask which services are currently available.
Hotel rooms, check-in, and cancellation
The hotel has 454 rooms and suites, including queen, king, and accessible guest rooms. Some suite descriptions include whirlpool tubs and kitchenettes; confirm the features of your particular category rather than assuming every suite has the same setup.
The practical benefit of staying here is straightforward: dinner, a show, and casino time do not have to end with a late drive. For a golf group or concert weekend, that convenience may matter more than a small difference in room price elsewhere.
- Check-in: After 5 p.m. Earlier access depends on room availability.
- Checkout: 11 a.m.
- Time zone: The hotel explicitly lists these times as Eastern.
- Cancellation: The published general policy accepts cancellations 24 hours before scheduled arrival. Check your reservation’s terms, particularly for packages and special offers.
Is Splash Island included with a room?
No. Standard room reservations do not include Splash Island wristbands. The Splash Island Hotel Package adds up to four wristbands, and limited additional wristbands may be purchased separately. The hotel amenities page also lists limited cribs and rollaway beds for an additional, unspecified charge.
The separate saltwater pool and whirlpool are for resort and Drift Spa guests age 18 and older. Published hours are 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, and there is no lifeguard.
My advice: choose the stay around the pool experience you actually want. Families should price waterpark admission before booking. Couples seeking a quieter swim should look at the adults-only facilities rather than assume they need a waterpark upgrade.
Hotel packages: compare what you will actually use
The resort’s package descriptions distinguish between waterpark, golf, and gambling-focused stays. Compare each with a room-only reservation for the same dates.
| Trip priority | Option to compare | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Family swimming trip | Splash Island Hotel Package | Wristbands, party size, and available sessions |
| Golf weekend | Stay & Play package | Courses, rounds, tee times, and transportation |
| Casino overnight stay | Game & Stay package | Package premium versus usable meal credit and promotional play |
| Concert or spa getaway | Room-only rate plus selected activities | Whether a package includes anything you need |
Game & Stay advertises a $20.00 meal credit and $20.00 in promotional cash per person per day. For an illustrative two eligible guests receiving benefits for two eligible days, that means $80.00 in meal credit and, separately, $80.00 in promotional play. Confirm eligible guests, credited days, and redemption restrictions.
I would keep those benefits in separate columns. Meal credit can offset food you intended to buy. Promotional play is not cash in your pocket or a guaranteed return.
Drift Spa prices and service charges
Drift Spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, and salon services. Its published service menu adds an automatic 18% service charge. The menu is undated, so confirm prices and terms when reserving.
| Custom Massage | Listed price | Additional 18% service charge |
|---|---|---|
| 60 minutes | $95.00 | $17.10 |
| 90 minutes | $125.00 | $22.50 |
The longer massage costs $30.00 more before the service charge. Also watch for per-person pricing: Harmony for Two is listed at $170.00 per person. For two people, that is a $340.00 treatment subtotal before the automatic service charge, not $170.00 for the couple.
The menu recommends advance reservations and warns that missed appointments without proper notice are subject to a full charge. I would secure the treatment time before making a spa-centered room reservation.
Restaurants, golf, and entertainment
The dining mix includes Horizons for a steakhouse-style evening, Firekeeper’s for casual dining, and T. McC’s for sports-bar food and drinks, along with quicker food and snack options. What matters most is which outlet is serving when you need it.
For a show night, leave enough time for dinner. For a late arrival, ask which kitchen will still be taking orders. A casino’s operating schedule tells you little about its restaurant hours.
Golf is one of the strongest reasons to make a dedicated trip. Sweetgrass and Sage Run provide 36 holes across two courses. Check where your round starts and what your package includes. The resort’s Stay & Play reminders say groups smaller than four should expect to be paired with other golfers, so a two-person booking does not mean a private round.
Entertainment includes ticketed Island Showroom performances and advertised free live music and comedy at Club Four One. Check the calendar before choosing dates, then coordinate the room and dinner around the event.
Directions, transportation, and practical advice
The property’s contact page places the resort about 15 miles west of Escanaba on the Highway 2 and 41 corridor. A car is the straightforward choice for exploring beyond the resort. Allow extra time for winter driving.
- Airport transportation: Contact Guest Services at (800) 682-6040 to arrange availability, pickup details, and any charge. Do not assume an on-demand shuttle.
- RV stays: The resort advertises a 42-site RV park operating May 1 through November 30, with a free casino shuttle arranged through a courtesy phone.
- Parking: Ask about arrangements for oversized vehicles, trailers, and special access needs.
- Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available. Discuss specific bathroom features and the route to your main activities before reserving.
- Smoking: If smoke exposure would affect your stay, ask about current policies and the routes between your room, dining, and entertainment.
- Budget: Compare the final reservation total, package inclusions, extra admissions, and cancellation terms. Keep gambling money separate.
For a late-season RV visit, confirm water availability separately from campground dates. One guest’s November 4, 2021, review reported that the water was already off during an early-November stay. That is a dated individual report, not a current shutdown schedule.
Island Club rewards
Island Club is the resort’s rewards program. Ask about enrollment before gambling and present your card for eligible play and purchases. The resort also advertises cardholder discounts at Paradise Bay.
My rule with casino offers is simple: use them to reduce the cost of a trip you already want to take. Do not increase your gambling budget to justify a room offer or chase the next benefit.
Who should stay at Island Resort & Casino?
The Island suits golfers, concertgoers, and couples who want a hotel, casino, dining, and spa facilities in one destination. Families can build a stay around Splash Island, provided they book admission rather than assume it comes with the room. Choose another property if your ideal weekend involves walkable off-site nightlife or an early, all-inclusive pool day: the rural setting, after-5-p.m. check-in, and separate waterpark arrangements reward planning.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum gambling age at Island Resort & Casino?
The minimum gambling age is 21. The adults-only pool’s separate 18-and-older rule is not the casino gambling-age requirement.
How many hotel rooms does it have?
The hotel advertises 454 guest rooms and suites, including queen, king, and accessible rooms.
Is Splash Island included with a hotel reservation?
No. Standard reservations do not include wristbands. The Splash Island Hotel Package includes up to four, and limited additional wristbands may be purchased separately.
What time are check-in and checkout?
Check-in is after 5 p.m., with earlier access dependent on room availability. Checkout is 11 a.m. Both times are Eastern.
Does Island Resort & Casino have a poker room or sportsbook?
No. It has neither a dedicated player-versus-player poker room nor an on-property retail sportsbook. General sports-betting advertising should not be confused with a dedicated physical sportsbook.
What can you do besides gamble?
Options include Sweetgrass and Sage Run golf, scheduled entertainment, Drift Spa, dining, Splash Island, and the separate adults-only saltwater pool. Admission, eligibility, and reservation requirements differ by activity.
Sources: ParkAdvisor review.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room or on-site sportsbook.