Casino Hotels

The place — The complex occupies the former French and Québec pavilions of Expo 67 on Île Notre-Dame, in the river south of central Montréal. The pavilions were converted rather than replaced, and the angular form of the French building still reads clearly from the water. A hotel operates alongside the public rooms on the island site.

Restaurants, bars and a performance space fill the converted pavilions, and the upper levels keep long views over the river and the city. Parkland, water and the rowing basin surround the island on every side. The gaming floor is not described here, and its layout and equipment fall outside what this guide covers.

Before you write — Ask which restaurants and public rooms are open on the dates you have in mind, since what runs on the island changes through the year. Parking, shuttle arrangements and the walk from the metro are also worth confirming directly with the property.

The place — Fallsview Casino Resort is set into the escarpment above the Niagara gorge, on the Ontario side of the falls. The building steps down the slope, so its entrances arrive at different levels, and the upper floors face the water. It is a resort, with a hotel, a theatre and a spa under one roof.

The public parts include a theatre used for touring shows, restaurants on several levels, retail arcades and a spa. Glazed walls on the gorge side carry the view through the main circulation spaces of the resort. The gaming floor is not described here, and this guide does not discuss how it is arranged.

Before you write — Ask which rooms face the gorge, as the outlook varies between wings. Theatre dates, spa hours and the route between the parking structures and the hotel lobby are all worth confirming with the property before you settle on dates.

The place — River Rock Casino Resort stands on the Fraser River in Richmond, British Columbia, a short distance from Vancouver International Airport. The complex sits at the water's edge with a marina of its own, and the rail line into the city runs close by. Hotel rooms, a show theatre and restaurants stand on the same ground.

The resort keeps a large theatre used for concerts, a spa, several restaurants and a river frontage with moorage. Guest rooms are divided between two hotel buildings of different ages and different plans, joined at ground level. Nothing here describes the gaming floor, its equipment, or the way play is organised on the premises.

Before you write — Ask which of the two hotel buildings a booking falls in, and how far it stands from the entrances you expect to use. Shuttle arrangements to the airport, theatre dates and access to the marina are worth confirming with the resort.

The place — Casino Rama Resort stands on the lands of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation in central Ontario, near Orillia. The resort was developed on that land and remains there, set apart from any town centre. A hotel, an entertainment centre and a number of restaurants occupy the same grounds, with open country around them.

The entertainment centre is a seated venue used by touring performers, and the resort also holds a spa, meeting rooms and a range of dining rooms. Buildings are low and spread across a wide site with surface parking between them. The gaming floor is not described anywhere on this site.

Before you write — Ask about the distance between the hotel block, the venue and the dining rooms, because the site is spread out. Show dates, shuttle services from the nearer towns and the hours of the public rooms are worth settling with the resort itself.