How suite it is: Biloxi's new short-term rentals feature music, pop-art themes

Stepping into the foyer of The Bella in downtown Biloxi is like stepping into a posh speakeasy of the 1920s — with a twist.

Tall ceilings, marbled black-and-white floors, art deco wallpaper and a glass chandelier remind guests of another era. But gazing at the gilded-framed portraits and posters bring them back to the present with the faces of celebrities like Freddie Mercury, Muhammad Ali and Tupac Shakur looking back at them.

The Bella's location is in the heart of downtown, with beaches and casinos just a block away, plenty of restaurants to choose from and entertainment venues like Ground Zero Blues Club, Hard Rock Live, Beau Rivage and Skal Axe Throwing, all within walking distance.

"We consider our location the intersection of Main and Main," owner Ivan Spinner said. "I think the location is as good as it can get."

Spinner, a developer who is helping refurbish Biloxi's downtown area, and his wife Kelly Spinner, interior designer, are committed to keeping the old downtown charm while giving it a contemporary flavor.

"I had no idea what I was going to do with it at all," Ivan Spinner said of the former Wells Fargo Bank building.

The Spinners took some time away and did a little traveling before embarking on the new venture.

"I was already doing some short-term rentals — I figured this would be a cool place to do it, so it kind of transformed from there," Ivan Spinner said. "It was nothing that was planned."

Once the Spinners settled on the idea, it began taking shape quickly.

"We thought, 'Hey, this could be a great thing for downtown Biloxi and maybe a profitable situation for us as well,'" Ivan Spinner said.

Guests arriving at The Bella will see the BrewPaddle Cafe when they first walk in. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and serves French-inspired dishes and fresh-baked artisial breads. The BrewPaddle is open to the public as well as for guests.

Upstairs are the 13 suites that guests can call home for a minimum of two nights or as long as they plan to be on the Coast. Rates are reasonable, comparable to local mid-range hotels, but with five-star quality accommodations.

"Each of the 13 suites are individually themed," Kelly Spinner said. "A lot of them are musically inspired. We brought in a lot of cool art and gave each suite a name. We have a lot of vibrant color and custom pieces in there."

The 13 suites are decked out and welcoming, much like The Bella's main entryway. The themes run the gamut from the Weezy-influenced Young Money Manor and the Mic Masters suite vibing on classic rappers like Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg to the glamorous Blonde Bombshell of Hollywood's golden era and the 90210, which focuses on fashion designers, haute couture and luxurious accoutrements.

In between. there are suites designed around other musical artists like The Beatles, Prince, Tom Petty and themes like blues, rock and swing music.

The Bella's suites offer spacious living rooms, kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs and Alexa Echo devices connected to in-room sound systems. The suites are equipped with either one king-sized bed or two queen beds. Some of the rooms have views along the Biloxi Mardi Gras parade route for those planning a visit during carnival season. Guests have the opportunity to see the parades twice as the route circles the building.

Guests with suites on the first floor have access to a private courtyard while second-floor guests have balconies for a view of the downtown area.

For those wanting to venture a little farther, The Bella has Mokes, which are all-electric vehicles similar to golf carts, for rent. The Mokes are street legal on roads up to 35 mph. And for guests who drive electric vehicles, The Bella offers four charging stations.

Next door to The Bella is Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, which was built in 1902. The church was started in 1843, but its first two buildings were destroyed, one by a hurricane and the other by a fire.

The Bella is available to rent to wedding parties, which is convenient for a wedding anywhere on the Coast, but having a historic church building next door makes it even easier for those who chose to marry at Nativity.

"We've already had two weddings that booked out the whole hotel," Ivan Spinner said.

The bridal party, groomsmen and their families can stay in separate suites but still be close for rehearsals and other wedding preparations.

"They can get their hair and makeup done here and just walk over to the church," Kelly Spinner said.

Before The Bella, the Spinners were purchasing and flipping homes, which led them to create a short-term rentals/Airbnb business. Things took off from there. Ivan became a developer and Kelly his interior designer.

"I would stage all those and get them ready," Kelly Spinner said. "Then we got this project. We both felt like we wanted to put a Miami-South Florida vibe, bring something a little different to the Coast."

With The Bella, the Spinners were able to add a more personal touch. They named the facility after their daughter, Bella Spinner.

"She's our baby girl," Ivan Spinner said.

The couple already has plans for their next project on the site of the former Upstairs, Downstairs venue. It will be named for their son, Austin. A third project is in the planning stage, which will likely be called the Logan Lofts, named after the Spinners' third child.

"My goal is to have three projects down here all named after our children that will have a special connection with downtown Biloxi and create a legacy," Ivan Spinner said.

BrewPaddle Cafe: New Biloxi restaurant offers French-inspired dishes and artisanal breads

If you go

The Bella and BrewPaddle Cafe are located at 854 Howard Ave. in Biloxi. For more information or to book a stay, visit thebelladowntown.com or call 228-224-3976 ext. 2.

For the latest news, visit The Bella's social media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and SnapChat.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: New Biloxi hotel features pop art, music, convenience to amenities