River Rock Casino Resort

The location worked perfectly for our plans, with the airport train, ferry bus, and other places we needed to get to nearby. We had a spacious, clean one-bedroom suite, though it felt dated and showed a lot of wear. The TV didn't have Netflix or anything similar, which was disappointing. The king bed linens and pillows were nice, but the mattress was terrible and the pullout couch blanket felt rough. My kid was excited about the waterslide, but couldn't use it because she didn't meet the height minimum. The pool water was freezing. There were no towels or staff around when we used the facilities, so we walked back to the room wet. The hot tub was a nice temperature, but overcrowded with kids because the pool was so cold. The fitness center was decent, though it opened too late for my early-rising husband. Food was a letdown with kids, since most options were inside the casino where minors aren't allowed. The staff were friendly, the hotel was clean, and having Starbucks on site was great. My husband could bring me coffee each morning after the gym. We'd stay again because the location suited us so well, but with more realistic expectations. I wouldn't call it a four-star hotel, maybe two or three.

The pool was warm and great, and I really liked the gym. The staff were friendly, and the hotel is in a good spot with easy SkyTrain access. I liked staying here, but the casino didn't live up to the hype. Everything was very expensive, and paying the resort fee still didn't get you breakfast, lunch, or even small complimentary appetizers. Unless I need to be in Richmond, I don't think I'll come back. I'll pick another hotel next time.

The gaming floor is big, there's a good range of games, and the atmosphere makes for a fun night out. Staff were generally friendly, and I'd give the casino destination 4 out of 5. Some things around the outside seem poorly maintained, though, and there are a few spots inside that could use attention. The carpet is rippled in places, and some repairs don't match. Still a good entertainment spot, with a few cosmetic issues to sort out.

We recently stayed here using a promo code sent to my spouse. On a previous visit, I'd been told to book directly with the front desk, so I called and made the reservation in my name, using my credit card. Nobody told me when I booked that my spouse had to be there to use the code, or that I'd need the promo email and players card to check in. I can see the rules at the bottom of the email now, but they weren't explained at booking. When we arrived, they asked for my spouse's players card and ID. He wasn't travelling with us, so I couldn't provide them, and they said they couldn't honor the reservation. The night supervisor came to handle it and heard me out, but said they couldn't apply the $79-a-night promo because my husband wasn't there. He said he'd find us the best rate. I was left sitting in the lobby while I got the emails to show him, and he told me to sit down. When he came back, he offered the room for $170 a night, more than double the promo. I checked online from our room and found third-party sites offering rooms for $142. Since it was late and we didn't want to find another place, we stayed. We felt treated very poorly and cut our Richmond trip short.