Once Al Capone’s hideout & Elvis’ favorite, this Ocean Springs hotel is getting a makeover

It was built as a hideout for mobster Al Capone.

Elvis stayed and played there.

Now, Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort is getting a makeover to update its look and function, while preserving the history and waterfront setting.

Getaway tunnels reportedly were under the hotel when it was built in 1927, and owner Roxy Condrey said they hope to unearth some as renovations continue.

In 2019, when it was possible the Coast could lose this iconic resort, Condrey and her husband Ted Condrey partnered with Jennifer Jones, purchased the hotel and the history that came with it, and began the restoration.

Now, they are the keepers of the property, the legends and the photographs that show Elvis Presley performing at the Pink Pony lounge in the 1950s and water skiing with the son of one of the Branigar Brothers out of Chicago, who reportedly built the hotel for Al Capone with laundered money.

Judy Garland, Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe were among the movie stars who stayed in the villas on the waterfront to be near the mob.

Elvis stayed in Villa 9, Roxy Condrey said, in the years when he was just launching his career and Gulf Hills was a dude ranch and a country club. Wood from that villa is part of the Love Me Tender suite that’s a favorite at Gulf Hills Hotel. An update of that suite is about to begin, but guests say they don’t want too many changes to the three-room suite with ‘50s decor.

“We want to keep some of that charm but also just update a little bit,” Condrey said.

Big plans ahead for community

Gulf Hills already has undergone a huge transformation by the new owners, and much more is ahead.

All 52 rooms in the hotel wing were remodeled, as were the lobby and the ballroom.

The Sunset Lounge was created in what was the Pink Pony and it’s a neighborhood draw to watch games and sunsets.

The pool where Elvis swam — believed to be the oldest resort pool in Mississippi — was restored. It’s the only original part of the nearly century-old resort. The villas where Elvis stayed on the waterfront were destroyed by weather and time, and the hotel burned in a 1971 fire and was rebuilt.

The idea is to return the country club amenities and atmosphere, Condrey said, and the updates for 2024 will focus on more amenities for use by hotel guests and the community.

First comes a complete exterior remodel that will begin in the next 30 days.

Christian Preus Landscape Architecture created a master plan for landscaping and the resort layout.

“It’s really just going to transform the whole property,” Condrey said.

The view to the waterfront, previously blocked by storage rooms, was reopened and the main entrance will be replaced with a wall of windows overlooking the neighboring golf course. Two new suites are being added.

New landscaping will enhance the 12-acre property and the 2,000 feet of waterfront. Along with the clay tennis courts, pickleball courts will open. The pool will get still more upgrades, with an adjoining fitness facility, spa services and a private club room being added for country club members and hotel guests.

“I think we’re really inspired by like what they had in the past here,” Jones said. Gulf Hills advertised activities like archery, bocce ball, bird watching and even horseback rides that she said they are looking at bringing back.

The country club will start in 2025, after these additional upgrades are done, Condrey said.

Destination resort and wedding venue

“This property will be more of a destination,” Condrey said.

A breakfast room is ready when the lobby remodel is complete and the guest rooms are a mix of king and double queen beds with some bunk beds that are fun for families, Jones said. They also have rooms with kitchenettes and three suites, decorated in “approachable modern” style and with pictures of Elvis and the dude ranch days.

Room rates start at $109, said Mike Davis, who worked in the casino industry for 32 years and now is director of sales and marketing at Gulf Hills, where he said he gets to promote his hometown of Ocean Springs.

“We actually had our high school prom here 40 years ago,” Davis said, and Gulf Hills will host his 40th class reunion this year.

The board room accommodates 4-12 people for meetings, Davis said, and the banquet room has seating for 175. They’ve hosted up to 400 people for weddings and receptions in the remodeled ballroom and flexible space.

“It’s such a fun place for weddings,” Jones said. Most of the weddings and some family reunions took at least 30 hotel rooms and some filled all of the resort.

More big plans ahead

As Gulf Hills moves toward its centennial year in 2027, the owners have plans for still more amenities and improvements. They include

▪ The return of a marina

▪ A family-style, zero entry swimming pool

▪ An outdoor chapel-type amphitheater on the waterfront for weddings and other events

They’ll end up with 63 renovated rooms, two swimming pools, marina and tennis court, the ballroom in the main building and more food and beverage spots.

Gulf Hills Hotel & Resort is part of the Rain Travel Collection of boutique hotels in and near Ocean Springs. It joins Roost Boutique Hotel, The Inn at Ocean Springs, The Beatnik Motel, The Hemingway and The Springs Hotel managed by the Condreys.

They didn’t realize when they started the makeover of the resort how many people are drawn to Gulf Hills because of the Elvis connection, Jones said. A local boy who did a school project on Elvis arrived at the resort — dressed in a white jumpsuit and dark glasses like Elvis — to see where Elvis stayed and to study the memorabilia in the suite, Jones said.

Elvis is still there — peeking out of a second floor window as guests arrive, looking out from the second floor lobby and in photos and memorabilia throughout the resort where he is king.