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Casino Stays Canada

Richmond, British Columbia · 19+ to play

River Rock Casino Resort: our review

Last updated · facts verified

The Canada Line makes River Rock the simplest Canadian casino hotel to reach without driving: YVR in about seven minutes, downtown Vancouver in about 18. Beyond the station you'll find 396 rooms, some serious suites, the country's first Gordon Ramsay Steak, a pool with a water slide and a marina on the Fraser.

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

Good for: Anyone flying via YVR, food-focused weekends and car-free trips.
Think twice if: You want a stadium-scale concert; the theatre holds 965.

The short version

Opened in 2004 on the Fraser River in Richmond, River Rock marked turning 20 with a run of upgrades. The biggest was Gordon Ramsay Steak, the chef's first fine-dining room in Canada. Ownership moved in June 2026, when Great Canadian Entertainment closed the resort's sale to a First Nations-led partnership. For a guest, though, the headline fact is Bridgeport station on the Canada Line, right beside the building.

Sleeping

Most of the 396 rooms are standard King, Two Queen or accessible King units in the Hotel Tower, every one 325 sq ft. Suites are over the sky bridge in the Casino Tower, and they escalate quickly — one- and two-bedroom layouts of 525–650 sq ft, Executives with a sunken lounge, Penthouses of 1,000–1,200 sq ft facing the Fraser, and finally the Presidential: 2,800 sq ft, fireplaces, and a starlight ceiling above the bed. Whatever you book, expect a mini fridge, coffee maker, safe and blackout curtains. You'll need to be 19 to check in.

Eating and drinking

This is where River Rock earns its place. Gordon Ramsay Steak dry-ages beef for 28 days and now has an indoor-outdoor section looking onto the marina. Sea Harbour handles Chinese seafood and dim sum (dim sum 10 a.m.–3 p.m.). KOI — sushi from the Kuns Omakase team — took over the former Miku room in 2026. Hungry late? Chopsticks Noodlehouse runs to 3 a.m.; Rock House has burgers. The Chairman's Room hosts the Grand Weekend Dinner Buffet, Friday to Sunday 4–9 p.m. ($85 adult, $80 senior, $35 child), and Sunday brunch 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Privé Bar pours daily, 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Downtime

Pool with water slide: 6 a.m.–10 p.m. every day. Absolute Spa, level 2: six treatment rooms, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Plus a fitness centre and the riverside marina.

Gaming and stage

The casino runs 24 hours with a poker room and racebook; entry is 19+. River Rock's website gives no slot or table counts, so neither do we. Loyalty goes through Encore Rewards, the card used at B.C. casinos generally. The Show Theatre seats 965 — right-sized for comedians and tribute bands, not arena headliners.

Fees

Expect a resort fee of $19.99 per room per day; it covers parking in the West Lot, roughly a five-minute walk from the hotel doors. Pets run $35 apiece per night, charged for three nights at most, and the hotel supplies a bed and bowls.

Our call

Passing through YVR? Nothing beats it, and the restaurants alone justify a trip. Go elsewhere for a big show; come here for dinner.

Common questions

How do I get to River Rock from Vancouver airport?

Take the Canada Line and get off at Bridgeport — the resort says the ride from YVR is about seven minutes.

Does River Rock still do a buffet?

It does — head to The Chairman's Room between 4 and 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday for the Grand Weekend Dinner Buffet, or on Sunday for brunch.

Is River Rock pet-friendly?

It is: $35 per pet per night, with no more than three nights charged.

Where our facts come from

We verified the facts on this page against the sources listed above on October 23, 2026. Rates, fees and opening hours shift over time, so check with the hotel before you book. Found something out of date? Email us. Keep browsing Casino Hotels in British Columbia or the complete hotel top 10.