Nothing can compete with the cascading beauty of Niagara Falls, especially on the Canadian side. But Fallsview Casino Resort does a spectacular job of playing second fiddle to the powerful waters.
The hotel is perched on a hill with views of the falls from multiple locations, including rooms, terraces, and restaurants. Plus, the amenities are copious. In addition to the gaming, there are two theatres, a shopping galleria, a spa, and 18 dining and beverage venues.
My husband and I decided a mid-week getaway was in order. The drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls is a little over an hour. And with multiple stops and attractions along the way, the route becomes part of the adventure.
There are quite a few places to stay overnight in Niagara Falls, including moderate to mid-range. Fallsview Casino Resort felt like a cut above the rest.
Rooms at Fallsview Casino Resort
At 2.5 million square feet, this is the largest gaming resort in Canada. There are 372 guest rooms and suites in the 27-story tower.
We decided to splurge on a Fallsview room on the 22nd floor with a panoramic sweep of the rushing waters. If you really don’t care about the view, there are also city-side rooms. Plus, you could opt for a variety of suites if you need more room. Beds come in king, queen, or double configurations.
Our room came with complimentary WiFi, a coffee maker, and a flat screen TV. I noticed there was no mini-fridge. Probably to encourage guests to visit the many food and beverage options on site.
Casual Fare from Sandwiches to Lattes
We were not going to go hungry in this sprawling, yet elegant complex. Taking a stroll around the gaming floor, we stumbled upon the Falls Deli. Along with the usual egg and pancake choices, they featured a breakfast sandwich.
The lady sitting next to us smiled and pointed at her plate.
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“I always get one of these sandwiches. They are the best!”
We took her advice. The swirly rye bread, stacked with a fried egg, peameal bacon, and cheddar cheese, was hard to get your mouth around. Delicious!
For a caffeine wake-up, we headed to Bar Barista. Inviting and plush, it was a lovely place to catch your breath. Sunlight streamed in from the curved, floor-to-ceiling windows as we sipped our cappuccinos.
Fine Dining and Surprise Fun Food
Where to go for dinner? It was difficult to choose, but Ponte Vecchio won. Featuring an Italian-influenced menu, it also had outstanding steak. We each had the beef tenderloin, which was grilled to perfection. Other dining options in the complex included 21 Club Steak and Seafood and Golden Lotus for Chinese food. Lots of choices for our next visit.
Totally by chance, we stumbled upon another fun find. The Backyard BBQ Food & Drink Market is a pop-up event held every Thursday, 3 pm-9 pm, from May until the end of September. Food trucks lined the resort’s outdoor terrace, and a live band got our toes tapping.
Live Entertainment at Fallsview Casino Resort
Fallsview Casino Resort gets big names performing at the 5,000-seat OLG Stage theater. Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, The Killers, and Jerry Seinfeld are just a few of the celebrities who have appeared in this venue, which had its grand opening in 2023. I was excited to book an upcoming show to see the Mavericks.
The resort’s 1,500-seat Avalon Theatre is an even more intimate experience. Performers have included Los Lobos and tribute acts honoring legends such as Ricky Nelson.
Dame Fortune Provides the Action
The Fallsview Casino Resort floor contains more than 3,200 slot machines, 110 gaming tables, including blackjack, roulette, and poker. There’s an area devoted to Asian games of chance, and high rollers have their own prestigious area.
Fitness and Spa at Fallsview Casino Resort
Exploring the property, I came across the indoor swimming pool and hot tub.
The fitness center had treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, and loads of free weights. I didn’t get a chance to make an appointment, but Damara Day Spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, pedicures, manicures, and professional make-up application. In addition, the spa has a sauna, steam room, and relaxation lounge.
A Little History and Background
Fallsview Casino Resort opened in 2004 and was built at a cost of approximately $1 billion. One of the largest tourism investments in the province’s history, it is owned by the Government of Ontario’s Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG). Day-to-day gaming operations and management are handled by Mohegan, a U.S. -based tribal-owned gaming company.
It’s an impressive facility with shopping and additional restaurants outside the casino. I loved the spring flower display in the atrium.
Activities Nearby: Gardens and Aerial Views
Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens spans 99 acres and features a gorgeous, two-acre rose garden with 54 beds and 2,400 rose bushes. The largest section of the Gardens is the Arboretum with an assortment of ornamental trees and shrubs. Designed by the students of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, the gardens come to life annually with more than 80,000 plants grown in the on-site greenhouse.
Perhaps my favorite stop was at the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. An enchanting place, I was amazed to watch more than 2,000 butterflies floating freely. The lush tropical gardens are enclosed, and if you are patient, one of these delicate creatures may choose you for a brief landing. It helps to wear colourful clothing.
Our most unforgettable activity was a helicopter ride over the falls. Niagara Falls Helicopter Tour Canada offers a 12-minute trip that loops over the falls, the Whirlpool Rapids, and Rainbow Bridge. You can book ahead of time online and will get a refund if the weather turns nasty.
A Wide Variety of Wineries in the Region
The Niagara region is also a wonderful place to quench your thirst. It’s brimming with wineries that you can visit for tours and tastings. We chose three during our getaway. The first was Chateau des Charmes, a pioneering winery whose founder, Paul Bosc Sr., planted his first grapes in 1978. We sipped a taster flight outside on the grass, overlooking the vineyard.
Riverview Cellars was a much smaller operation, but it also had delicious wines. Starting as a family-run fruit farm, owner Sam Pillitteri uprooted the fruit orchard and planted vinifera grapes in the 1990s. The winery officially opened in 2000 and continues as a family operation.
Our last stop was Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery. Dating back to the early 1800s, it was the first commercial vineyard in the area. In the Lowrey family for six generations, the winery is known for Bordeaux reds, Chardonnay, and Riesling. We also discovered their bistro and bakery. Plus, you can get delicious wood-oven pizza there on weekends.
Rates at the Fallsview Casino Resort
Rooms overlooking the falls range from $300-$600 per night. City-view rooms start around $200 per night. Suites range from $700 to more than $1,000, depending on the season and headliner at the major concerts. Overnight parking is available for a fee.
Hotel feature by Toronto-based travel writer Maureen Littlejohn. Photos © Maureen Littlejohn. Niagara Parks arranged for her stay as she researched a larger piece. As always, her thoughts and opinions are her own.
