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Canada Casino Hotels

Richmond, British Columbia · 19+ to play

River Rock Casino Resort: our review

Last updated · facts verified

Getting to River Rock is easier than reaching any other casino hotel in Canada: the Canada Line runs seven minutes to YVR and eighteen to downtown Vancouver. Once there, you've got 396 rooms (some seriously big suites), Gordon Ramsay Steak — his first in Canada — a water-slide pool and a marina on the Fraser.

  • Rooms & views8.5
  • Casino floor8.0
  • Dining9.0
  • Shows & events7.5
  • Pool, spa & fitness8.5
  • Getting there10.0

Ideal for: Anyone flying through YVR, food-focused weekends, and travellers without a car.
Think twice if: You want a stadium-size act — The Show Theatre tops out at 965 seats.

The case for River Rock

Opened 2004 on the Fraser in Richmond; refreshed for its 20th birthday, most visibly with Gordon Ramsay Steak, the chef's debut fine-dining room in Canada. In June 2026 ownership passed from Great Canadian Entertainment to a First Nations-led partnership. Still, the thing guests care about is geography: Canada Line's Bridgeport station is the next-door neighbour.

Where you'll sleep

Two towers share the 396 rooms. The Hotel Tower keeps it simple — King, Two Queen or accessible King, 325 sq ft apiece. The suites are across a sky bridge in the Casino Tower: 525–650 sq ft one- and two-bedrooms, Executive suites built around a sunken lounge, 1,000–1,200 sq ft Penthouses with sweeping views of the Fraser, and, at the top of the range, a 2,800 sq ft Presidential with fireplaces and a starlight ceiling above the bed. Every room has blackout curtains, a safe, a coffee maker and a mini fridge. Guests checking in must be 19+.

The food

River Rock's best argument. Ramsay's steakhouse dry-ages for 28 days and now has an indoor-outdoor section looking onto the marina. Sea Harbour — Chinese seafood, with dim sum 10 am to 3 pm. KOI — sushi from the people behind Kuns Omakase, in the former Miku room since 2026. Chopsticks Noodlehouse feeds the late crowd until 3 am; Rock House does burgers. Fridays to Sundays, The Chairman's Room lays on the Grand Weekend Dinner Buffet (4–9 pm: adults $85, seniors $80, kids $35), and Sunday adds a brunch, 9 am–3 pm. Privé Bar: 11 am–2 am daily.

Pool, spa and marina

Water slide in the pool; hours 6 am–10 pm. Absolute Spa (level 2): six treatment rooms, 10 am–6 pm. Plus a fitness centre and the riverside marina.

Casino and stage

24-hour gaming, a poker room and a racebook, 19+ only. The resort's site gives no slot or table totals, and we don't guess them. Loyalty is Encore Rewards — the same card used at casinos across B.C. The Show Theatre: 965 seats, a comfortable size for comedy and tribute nights, not for stadium headliners.

Fees

Expect a $19.99 resort fee per room per day; it includes parking in the West Lot, about a five-minute walk to the entrance. Pets: $35 per pet per night, billed for three nights at most, bed and bowls supplied.

Verdict

Flying into or out of Vancouver? This is Canada's cleverest casino-hotel booking, and a destination for dinner in its own right. Building a trip around a headline concert, go east instead; around a great meal, stay put.

Quick answers

How long is the trip from YVR to River Rock?

Around 7 minutes on the Canada Line — get off at Bridgeport station, right beside the resort.

Does River Rock run a buffet?

On weekends: the Grand Weekend Dinner Buffet in The Chairman's Room, Fridays to Sundays 4–9 pm, with a Sunday brunch as well.

Is River Rock pet-friendly?

It is: $35 per pet per night, and you're never charged for more than three nights.

Where our facts come from

Verified October 23, 2026 against the list above. Rates, fees and opening hours move without warning, so ring or email the hotel before you book. Something stale? Email us. Next: Casino Hotels in British Columbia · all ten ranked.