Casino Reviews

The Lac Leamy casino and Hilton hotel resort complex is one of the better casino complexes we have visited in Canada. It does not rival the Vegas casinos and hotels. It does measure up as being the best place in the Ottawa / Gatineau region to spend an evening. The Akwesasene Hotel and casino that has been recently updated now rivals this location.

One of the reasons we make this point is that both gamblers and non gamblers can enjoy a very nice evening at the Lac Leamy casino and Hilton Hotel. Whether you are looking for an evening out for fine dining. Or wish to take in a show or listen to the music on the weekends , there is something for everyone.

Lac Leamy Casino Resort – Hilton Hotel

The Hilton hotel next door and connected by indoor walkway to the Lac Leamy casino makes an excellent weekend retreat combined with gambling at the Lac Leamy casino.

he Hilton hotel offers all of the attributes that a Hilton hotel offers from outdoor pool with a great view, spa services, several fine dining restaurants, and a conference center to attend conferences and other formal gatherings. The Lac Leamy casino also offers a theater that brings in a variety of song and dance shows for your entertainment pleasure.

The Lac Leamy casino has over 1900 slot machines, and a large compliment of table games for your gambling pleasure. Join the Lac Leamy casino slot card membership to be comp’d for various things such as cash back, meals, and even rooms at the Hilton hotel. Note that the comps are not as lucrative at this casino due to the lack of competition. However it is still worth your while to get one of these cards if you plan on gambling at the casino. They are free to everyone.

The Lac Leamy casino is located just across the Ottawa river from Ottawa. It is less than 10 minutes from down town and is definitely worth the visit. If you are planning a conference or a company meeting the Lac Leamy casino and the Hilton Hotel are excellent venues for these sorts of get togethers. Both facilities have excellent conference centers to accommodate most needs.

Restaurants  ( Includes the casino and the Hilton Hotel)

La Baccara Gourmet restaurant – located on the 2nd floor of the Lac Leamy casino, it has been rated a five diamond restaurant since 2001. Excellent service and excellent meals!

Arome Seafood and Grill – Located in the Lac Leamy Hilton hotel overlooking Lac Leamy, this is an excellent restaurant to dine in specializing in surf and turf

La Cellier – Located in the Lac Leamy hotel beside Arome, this is the bistro section of the Arome restaurant

Banco Buffet – Located on the 2nd floor of the Lac Leamy casino, they offer an excellent buffet. The deserts are French pastries and are a must have.

Le Cafe – Located in the basement of the Lac Leamy casino, this is an excellent place to grab a sandwich  and a bowl of soup

TGV – Located pool side at the Lac Leamy Hilton hotel

La Marina – Located at the Lac Leamy casino, at the back of the casino, this bar is only open after 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Excellent value, atmosphere and food.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines and table games
• Free entertainment at the bar located in the casino
• Buffet – very nice food and the French pastries are particularly good
• La Bacara – fine dining at it’s best, great place to impress a customer, a colleague or your family.
• Pool area and spa for hotel guests at the Hilton overlooking Lac Leamy
• Hotel rates are very reasonable for Canada, they are much cheaper in the US
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways and from Ottawa
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Marina bar located at the back of the casino, only open Friday and Saturday nights
• High vaulted ceilings, very well designed, a nice place to spend an evening

It is a 5 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

What We Did Not Like

• There are no real complaints about the Lac Leamy casino
• Drinks are not free while gambling
• You must remain at the bar while having a drink, you cannot take them to the slots

Slot Player Card

They are part of the Quebec Loto slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at many Quebec casinos  in Montreal and Quebec city as well.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Lac Leamy casino & hotel  in a large parking garage beside the casino and also surface parking for casino patrons. You can access the casino from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather. Access to the Hilton hotel, which is beside the casino can be from inside the casino or from surface parking lots.

Directions: 1 Boulevard du Casino, Gatineau , Quebec

When you arrive by Highway 401, take Route 16 North, which becomes Highway 416 toward Ottawa. Take Highway 417 East to Exit 118 for Nicholas /Lees and go straight on Nicholas Street North. Turn right on Laurier Avenue, then left onto King Edward Avenue. Stay left to take the MacDonald-Cartier Bridge, which becomes Highway 5 North. Take Exit 3, boulevard du Casino. Turn right at the exit and you’ll find yourself at the entrance of the casino

There are two casinos located in the Ottawa, Canada region. The one that we will review in this post is called the Rideau Carleton Raceway Casino. This is the only Ottawa casino in the area. The other casino is located across the river in Quebec and is called the Lac Leamy Casino. We will review this casino in another post. As a result there is not much competition, the casinos are small and demand is large. They are run by the Ontario and Quebec governments. As a result there is little competition and little incentive to be competitive. Hence the Lac Leamy casino is by far the superior casino offering more dining, gaming, entertainment and lodging value.

Patrons can enjoy themselves at the Carleton Raceway Casino, playing many of their favorite machines. However if you have been to any of the large US casinos, this certainly does not compare. We have seen people win large jackpots at the Carleton Raceway Casino with pictures taken etc.

Rideau Carleton Raceway- Entertainment

The entertainment is available Friday and Saturday nights and is aimed at the older crowd. Rock, country and easy listening music would best describe the music. Although there really is no dance floor, patrons have been seen dancing to a particular song they enjoyed.

There is a long list of things that we do not like about this casino run by the OLG. Carleton Raceway Casino is nothing more than a prop to keep the racetrack alive and a tax on patrons for the Ontario Government. Hence it is not a competitive casino run by private enterprise. It is typical government with all of the bureaucracy of a government. We have seen slot machines taken out of service for maintenance or upgrading. As a result the entire bank might be out for a week or more. In private industry, this is completed over night!

This is not one of our favorites. However many people do go to the Carleton Raceway Casino every day. It is open 24 hours a day except for Christmas.

Restaurants

There is one restaurant at the Carleton Raceway Casino. It overlooks the racetrack and there is a nice ambiance of racetrack betting and dinner at this restaurant. However in the writer’s opinion, it is not even close to fine dining. Even though there are 100 items in the buffet it lacks presentation, quality and taste. The staff clearly do not take pride in their restaurant and it shows. As a result I know many people, the writer included, who will not even eat there, even if they have been comp’d.

In addition customers may also order basic meals from the menu. This is a racetrack restaurant trying to look like something else and failing.

Sandwich’s, soup, hot dogs, chips and peanuts can be ordered at the bar inside the casino. Prices for beer and mixed drinks are regular price. They are the same that you would find in any restaurant or bar. The Carleton Raceway Casino does not comp any mixed drinks. soft drinks, coffee and water is free. However you should tip for this service.  Chicken wings are also known to be served at the back of the casino on Saturday nights.

They also offer group visits, however we have never utilized this service and cannot comment on it.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines with 1250 slot machines to choose from
• Free entertainment located in the casino on Friday and Saturday nights
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

What We Did Not Like

• There are no table games at the Carleton Raceway Casino
• Customers must pay for all alcoholic drinks and you can take these drinks to the slot machines
• Guards standing at single entrance scrutinizing everyone that enters
• Larger payouts are still paid by slot runners, and they expect a tip for their efforts. We suggest you save your money.
• There is no associated hotel
• Located a long way from downtown Ottawa
• Slots appear to be very tight
• Crowded on most evenings and holidays

Slot Player Card

The Carleton Raceway Casino is  part of the OLG Winners Circle slot players card system. Hence slot members can take advantage of limited benefits such as cash back and comp’s for food at the buffet. The OLG Winners Circle card can be used in all OLG casinos across Ontario , Canada.

Slot cards at the Carleton Raceway Casino are free and you should definitely obtain one. However they are not nearly as lucrative as other slot cards in the US.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Carleton Raceway Casino in a large outdoor parking lot. In addition, valet service is also available should you prefer not to walk from the outdoor parking lot.

Directions:

The OLG Carleton Raceway Casino is located at 4837 Albion Road. From downtown Ottawa , take bank street south to Albion to get to the casino. Allow a minimum of 20 minutes from down town.

Treasure Island Hotel and Casino or TI as it is now branded is a very nice hotel sitting beside the Mirage Hotel and across the street from the Venetian hotel and Casino. Next door further down the street you have the new and upgraded Fashion Show mall that is also a treat to visit with its modern and futuristic design. Also across and down the street are the Palazzo and the Wynn hotels. This hotel is in the middle of the action and a great place to stay. You can easily walk to all of these venues from TI.

The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino TI has been recently upgraded and we have stayed there several times. We find it to be very up to date, modern, clean and enjoyable. You get great value for your dollar when you stay at this casino. The outdoor pirate  show is great , free and many people enjoy seeing it. This pirate show plays every day weather permitting and it is free to watch from the sidewalk. The entire area has been updated in recent years, with a new show, restaurants and bars.

There are also restaurants and bars that you can sit in and have a drink or dinner while watching the show. The Treasure Island Casino TI and hotel also has the standard shops and games that every casino offers. One thing we liked is that the coffee shop offers wireless access so you can sit and have a coffee while checking your email.  This is one of the must hotels to see while in Las Vegas, so take a few minutes and wonder around inside to see the casino and all it has to offer. If the weather permits, watching the free pirate show is the very least you should take in during the day.

Treasure Island TI – Monorail

The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino and the Mirage hotels are connected by a short Monorail system for people who do not want to walk between the hotels. The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino is elegant with many machines and tables to take advantage of.

You can also use your MGM Mirage slot card at the Treasure Island Casino to gain comp’s towards free rooms and meals as well as shows.

Treasure Island TI – Restaurants

Upscale Restaurants

• Khotan
• Phil’s Italian Steakhouse
• Isle Mexican Kitchen

Casual Dining

• Kahunaville
• Canter’s Deli
• The Buffet
• The Coffee shop
• Pho- Vietanmese

Other Eateries

• TI Desserts

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Free entertainment at the bar located in the casino
• Buffet
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Pool area off the lobby is very nice, although not as nice as some other hotels.
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas

Located in the middle of the action close to the Mirage, the Mall,  and across the street from Wynn, the Palazzo, the Venetian and Harrahs hotels and casinos.

What We Did Not Like

There was one complaint about the Treasure Island casino & hotel

Normally as long as you are gambling, all drinks are free. Apparently they apply these same rules to coffee at the bar in the morning. The bar tender made a big deal about the fact that we both had to be playing in order to receive a free coffee. Well we won $800 at the bar that morning and the bar tender did not get a tip!!!

It is a 5 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

Slot Player Card

The Treasure Island casino is part of the MGM Mirage slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at many Las Vegas hotels,  as well as sister hotels in Tunica, Biloxi, Laughlin and Reno.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Parking

There is ample parking at the Treasure Island hotel & casino in a large parking garage behind the hotel. There is no surface parking that we observed. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. It is a bit of a walk, although indoors for the most part, visitors must walk in the garage to the elevator, exit the elevator on the bridge level which takes you to the indoor bridge which takes you into the hotel. Next go down the escalator and follow the signs to check in. If you are concerned about the distance to walk, take advantage of the valet parking. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Directions:

Treasure Island Casino and hotel is located on the south west corner of Spring Mountain road and Las Vegas Boulevard ( the Strip). Pedestrian bridges take you across the street to the Venetian and also to the Fashion Show mall. Look for W Spring Mountain road exit off of Route 15 that runs north and south through Las Vegas.

We found the Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino by accident and we are glad we did.  Driving along the interstate one day on our way to Tunica, Mississippi, we decided to stop for a coffee and a sandwich.  Once we got off the interstate, there were signs advertising the Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino, so we thought that we may as well go there for lunch, since all casinos are known for their food. We were not disappointed.  This is a first class hotel with many of the amenities that you would find in any Las Vegas hotel. The casino is typical of the virtual riverboat casinos and so it is not as nice as some of the land based casinos, but it is more than sufficient for any ones needs.

An Elegant Hotel

The Belterra Casino Resorts hotel is very elegant and reminds us of the Bellagio to some degree, but on a much smaller scale. Well landscaped out front with water fountains, lots of marble inside with very nice rooms and restaurants. We were really pleased by this hotel since it seems to be in the middle of no where, yet it has all the elegance of Las Vegas style hotel and casino. We will add better pictures of the hotel and grounds next time we are there in Feb 2010.

There are numerous reviews available on some sites, that are quite positive about the Belterra Casino Resorts hotel, although we saw one negative review after it just opened. Still some construction and new paint smells that did not agree with the writer. We echo the positive reviews about this hotel and we are confident in saying that anyone visiting for a weekend or just passing through will be quite satisfied.

Slot Machines

There are 1600 slot machines of various types and denominations and 54 table games ranging from blackjack to roulette.  There is a par 71 18 hole golf course near by that is ranked in the top 20 casino golf courses inthe United States by Golfweek 2007, the pool area is very enjoyable and the shopping is like many casinos, somewhat expensive, but great variety. They have just about anything the average casino winner is looking for. Shops at the Belterra Casino Resorts hotel include B. Loved, Bling, Blush of Belterra, Studs, TEN. ETC, and Belflora.

We were very pleased with the rooms, they were clean and well appointed. The Belterra Casino Resorts Hotel is relatively new and so the rooms and the hotel in general reflect the elegance and style of a new hotel that is among the best there is to offer.

We have only stayed once at this hotel, however we plan to go back several times over the next year to enjoy what it has to offer.

Belterra Casino Resorts – Restaurants

There are some great restaurants and eateries at the Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino including: Jeff Ruby’s steakhouse, The Ultimate Buffet, Aquarium Cafe, Starbucks, Casino Cafe, Ben and Jerry’s scoop andOut of Bounds Bar and Grill.

We ate at the buffet only while we were their last time. Found it to be excellent with lots of selection as well as quantity. You will not be disappointed with this restaurant. Next time we will try several of the other restaurants we have listed.

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Free entertainment at the bar located in the casino
• Buffet
• Pool area is free to hotel guests with a heated outdoor pool and there is also a spa. However we do not know if this is included for room guests.
• Hotel rates are very reasonable and comparable to staying at some of the chain hotels such as Hampton inns or Holiday inn express. In fact last time we stayed we paid the going rate since we were new to this property and found it to be $10 less than the above mentioned hotels.
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways, although you do have to drive for 7 minutes from exit 55 off of interstate 71
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west, or to spend a luxurious weekend at this casino resort hotel
• Starbucks coffee, with free WI-fi when it is working

What We Did Not Like

• There are no real complaints about the Beau Rivage hotel & casino
• Wireless Internet can be purchased for $9.99 for a 24 hour period .
• It is a 5 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

Belterra Casino Resorts Slot Player Card

They are part of the MyChoice slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at this casino & hotel,  as well as sister hotels in  Reno, St Louis, Lake Charles, Harvey and Bossier. They are adding properties in Atlantic City and Baton Rouge.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are many benefits that slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment. Also a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Belterra Casino Resorts Parking

There is ample parking at the Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel as well as surface parking in front of the hotel. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels.

Directions:

The  Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino is located off of Interstate 71 at exit 55. Just follow the signs to highway 156 east for 6 minutes. The Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino is just one minute away. The Belterra Casino Resorts hotel and Casino is located approximately 1 hour from major cities such as Cincinnati and Louisville.

Save

The Beau Rivage in Biloxi Mississippi is another hotel and casino that we enjoy visiting. A member of the MGM group of casinos, your MGM Mirage card, Mlife, will work in the slots machines in their casino and you may also arrange for comp’s as well depending on your play level. As with all hotel reservations, always call your casino host to make arrangements for room reservations and get the best deal you can.

This hotel is the most modern of all of the hotels in the Biloxi area that we saw.  Hurricane Katrina did a lot of damage to the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino and it was closed for almost a year while repairs were underway. The result is a brand new casino, hotel and restaurant complex. If you visited the hotel prior to Katrina, you will see the same basic structure, however everything is brand new and updated.

There is a great selection of restaurants to chose from. We particularly like the Roasted Bean with it’s great coffee , open air patio area and you can also sit outside as well to enjoy your fresh coffee. The Roasted Bean also offers free refills as long as you have your receipt within a 24 hour period. Nice way to start the day away from the hustle and bustle of the casino.

Beau Rivage Biloxi

The Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino stands by itself on the gulf coast. There are other casinos in the area and over time we will add them to our review list. The point is that if you want to make the rounds to the other casinos in the area, you will need to take your car to get to them. There is also a shuttle bus that runs to the other casinos, although we have not use it.

Along the coast you can still see the damage caused by hurricane Katrina. Vacant lots, cement slabs without houses, denuded trees ( they are growing back) and the odd building still boarded up and not yet torn down or repaired.  Inland about half a mile life returns to normal and close to I10 there are many stores and outlets that you would find in most cities.

Sandy Beach

Their is a fantastic sand beach which goes on for miles. We saw a few people along the beach and hardly anyone in the water . This is not what we expected. We talked to some locals about this. They told us no one really wants to swim here because of the memories and the material that was floating in the water, some of which is still in the sand. If you are planning to go to Biloxi for the beaches, you may want to reconsider. Enjoy the casinos and the restaurants, go deep sea fishing or take an excursion into the gulf.

The Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino is one of our favorite hotels and we intend on returning every year.

The Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino is one of our favorite hotels to stay at. We enjoy the casino, but the 3rd floor pool is special. Protected from the wind, overlooking the gulf, the pool area and spa is an excellent spot to unwind, get some sun and relax. Guests must show a room key to use the spa and the exercise area. There are lots of lounge chairs and towels are located at the entrance to the pool area. There are also tennis courts, however we did not access this area. Don’t miss the pool if you are staying at the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino.

Beau Rivage Biloxi – Restaurants

• BR Prime – excellent restaurant and steakhouse
• Jia – Looking for Pan Asian food? Enjoy the Jia’s sophisticated exotic cuisine
• The Buffet  – excellent variety and quality. Sit along the windows and enjoy the view or find a more intimate location
• Terrace Cafe – Round the clock for breakfast, lunch, dinner or late night dining
• Memphis Q – Celebrate the blusey culture of the Mississippi river delta
• Coast Restaurant – Enjoy pizza’s and juicy burgers
• Snacks – fast and fresh just a few steps from the casino games
• Roasted bean – Gourmet coffee, teas and pastries, free refills with receipts
• Scoops – Frozen treats, ice cream and more for all ages
• Pool Bar – Enjoy mixed drinks and snacks while lounging around the pool bar
• Bars & Lounges – Enjoy Eight75, the Coast Nightclub, or the Breeze Bar

What We Liked

• Variety of slot machines
• Free drinks while gambling
• Free entertainment at the bar located in the casino
• Buffet
• Pool area and spa free to hotel guests on the 3rd level over looking the gulf
• Hotel rates are very reasonable
• Covered garage parking
• Easy access from all highways
• Safe environment in the casino, hotel and parking areas
• Great stopover point on your way to Biloxi or points west
• Coffee shop offers free refills as long as you have your receipt
• They also offer free WiFi

What We Did Not Like

There are no real complaints about the Beau Rivage hotel & casino

It is a 5 star hotel in our estimation and quite adequate for our needs

Slot Player Card

They are part of the MGM Mirage slot players card system. Slot members can take advantage of benefits at many Las Vegas hotels,  as well as sister hotels in Tunica, Biloxi, Laughlin and Reno.

If you have not taken advantage of slot player cards, there are a number of benefits that many slot players should consider. Free or discounted rooms, email mailing list of promotions, free or discounted meals, access to entertainment, and a tax report outlining your losses and wins for tax claim purposes.

Beau Rivage Biloxi Parking

There is ample parking at the Beau Rivage hotel & casino in a large parking garage beside the hotel. There is no surface parking that we observed. You can access the hotel from the garage via an elevator from all levels. The parking garage is also patrolled on a regular basis and it also protects your car from the weather.

Beau Rivage Biloxi Directions:

The Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino is located on the Mississippi gulf coast , one hour drive from New Orleans, Louisiana from the west and one hour drive from Mobile, Alabama to the east.  From route I10, head south to Biloxi and follow the signs for the Beau Rivage Hotel & Casino. It is the last exit at the end of the highway.