CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Owners of Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes are getting ready for a series of grand opening events to celebrate the opening of their new 150-room hotel.

Casino owners quietly opened the hotel two weeks ago, said hotel manager Jerry Anderson. Despite the soft opening, he said 99 of the hotel's 150 rooms were booked the first weekend, and 133 the second. "I think we'll be turning people away this weekend," he said.

Even so, casino owners Hartman & Tyner Inc. are getting ready to start a regional advertising campaign to publicize the hotel in West Virginia and surrounding states. Owners plan a grand opening celebration Aug. 25-29, where they plan to give away $100,000 in cash, in addition to other prizes.

Anderson said the new hotel features 24-hour room service, 206 flat screen TVs, free cooked-to-order breakfast, swimming pool, fitness room, conference room and business center. Room rates start at $169 a night, but there are also 21 luxury suites, including several executive suites at about $250 a night and two special suites for about $350 a night.

To promote the opening of the hotel, casino owners plan to give 25 patrons $1,000 in cash every day for five days. Other prizes include Wii game systems, flat screen TVs, dining packages and free overnight stays at the hotel. Casino owners are also giving away a Mercedes C-class car.

Anderson said there are still a few finishing touches to be put on the hotel. Casino owners are working on a new Internet Web site for the hotel, and hope to have the new site up and running soon.

For more information about the hotel and grand opening events, call 1-888-789-7829.

Reach Rusty Marks at rustyma...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-1215.