Gatineau, Québec · gaming age 18+
Hilton Lac-Leamy & Casino du Lac-Leamy: weekend review
Last revised · facts verified
Gatineau's Hilton is wired straight into a Loto-Québec casino, between two lakes and about ten minutes' drive from downtown Ottawa. All-season heated pools inside and out, Amerispa's 17 treatment rooms, an 1,100-seat theatre and 1,400-plus slots make it Canada's most complete spa-and-casino stay.
Ideal for: A spa weekend with a little gaming, or an Ottawa sightseeing trip based on the Québec side.
Look elsewhere if: Your group includes under-18s who want the casino, bars or theatre — all three are 18+.
Why book it
This is a resort first. The casino opened in 1996; the Hilton, theatre and conference centre were added in 2001. Since then the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy has held five stars from Québec's CITQ (from 2001) and a CAA/AAA Four Diamond rating (from 2002). Loto-Québec runs the gaming; Hilton runs the hotel.
Rooms worth asking for
Sources split on size: Tourisme Outaouais says 349 rooms, Bonjour Québec says 312 rooms and 37 suites. Classic means two queens; Deluxe means a king and a dressing table by the door. Executive floors take up the top three levels, with a dedicated elevator and service. Suites: Junior, Murphy, One-bedroom. Standard in every room — safe, 47-inch TV, mini fridge, robe and slippers, Crabtree & Evelyn amenities — and the hotel advertises views over Lac Leamy and Lac de la Carrière.
Sunday morning, slowly (start here)
The reason to come. Indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs are heated and open year-round. Amerispa has 17 treatment rooms; its two-hour Serenity package is $252 Monday–Thursday, $308 Friday–Sunday, and spa access covers pools, whirlpools, sauna and steam bath. The gym is complimentary and open 24/7. Nobody else in our guide matches this.
Friday night on the floor
1,400-plus slots, 48 tables, electronic terminals, a poker lounge and a Mise-o-jeu sportsbook. Hours: 9 am–5 am Monday to Thursday, nonstop Friday to Sunday. Québec's age is 18; look under 25 and you may be asked for government photo ID.
Saturday: dinner, then a show
Arôme, the signature room, grills seafood above Lac de la Carrière and offers a three-course Experience menu (plus Sunday brunch). Cheaper: Banco Bistro (rotisserie, pizza, steak) and L'Instant (Montréal smoked meat, pasta, smoked-meat poutine). The poolside TGV snack bar stays shut until next summer.
Théâtre du Casino: 1,100 seats theatre-style, 770 cabaret-style, 18+ except special events. Afterwards — Bar 7 for bands and DJs from 7 pm Fridays and Saturdays (Latin night on Thursdays), Bacchus for scotch by the fire and a cigar room, or Aléa, the dress-code nightclub, 11 pm to 3 am.
Logistics
- Check-in 4 pm; check-out 11 am; in-room dining 6:30 am–10:30 pm.
- Ottawa by car ≈ 10 min: ByWard Market 4.1 km, Parliament 6.4 km, Rideau Canal skateway 7.3 km.
- Airport ≈ 25 min; STO Rapibus at Lac-Leamy station.
- Outdoor parking free; valet suspended for now; EV chargers on site.
- Pets welcome: $50 fee, up to 34 kg.
Our call
Most relaxing casino hotel in the country and the most practical for Ottawa. Midweek spa packages cost noticeably less; Friday is the night the casino doesn't close.
What weekenders ask us
How close is Hilton Lac-Leamy to downtown Ottawa?
About ten minutes' drive: 4.1 km to the ByWard Market and 6.4 km to Parliament.
Is the outdoor pool open in January?
Yes. The hotel heats both its indoor and outdoor pools and keeps them open all year.
What age gets you into Casino du Lac-Leamy?
18, Québec's minimum. Look younger than 25 and staff may ask for government photo ID.
Where our facts come from
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/home
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/plan-your-visit
- tourismeoutaouais.com/en/where-to-sleep/hilton-lac-leamy
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/hotel/hilton
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/restaurants/all-restaurants
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/hotel/information
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/hotel/activities
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/groups
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/bars-shows/theatre-du-casino
- casinos.lotoquebec.com/en/lacleamy/hotel/congres-et-banquets
We verified the facts on this page on October 23, 2026 against the sources listed above. Rates, fees and hours change, so confirm with the hotel before booking. Found something outdated? Let us know. See more in Casino Hotels in Québec or the complete top 10.