SHORTER, Ala. - The afternoon sunlight bounces blindingly off the side of this 24-karat tower of excess glowing in a shade of gold seen mostly in Crayola boxes and fairy tales. It sits on the shore of an ocean of a parking lot.

It's connected in an L shape to two other long, lower buildings, both emanating gold and daubed with glitzy-tacky Vegas touches.

The sign atop the 300-room hotel reads The Oasis.