Gatineau, Québec · gaming floor 18+
Hilton Lac-Leamy & Casino du Lac-Leamy — full review
Last revision · fact check
Five stars, two lakes and a Loto-Québec casino next door: the Hilton in Gatineau sits about ten minutes' drive from central Ottawa. Year-round heated pools indoors and out, Amerispa's 17 treatment rooms, an 1,100-seat theatre and over 1,400 slots add up to the best wellness-and-gaming combination in Canada.
Book it for: A spa getaway with some gaming, or an Ottawa sightseeing base on the Gatineau side.
Pass if: Your group includes under-18s who want the casino, the theatre or the bars — all adults-only.
Hotel, casino, theatre
The casino arrived in 1996; the Hilton, theatre and conference centre in 2001. As the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy, the complex has carried five CITQ stars since 2001 and CAA/AAA Four Diamonds since 2002. The hotel flies the Hilton flag; Loto-Québec runs the gaming.
Rooms
Sources disagree on the total — 349 per Tourisme Outaouais, or 312 rooms and 37 suites per Bonjour Québec. Classic means two queens; Deluxe means a king plus a dressing table at the entry. Top three floors: executive levels, private elevator, extra service. Suites: Junior, Murphy, One-bedroom. In every room you'll find a robe and slippers, a 47-inch TV, mini fridge, safe and Crabtree & Evelyn amenities; the hotel describes outlooks over Lac Leamy and Lac de la Carrière.
Check-in 4 pm, out by 11 am. In-room dining: 6:30 am to 10:30 pm, seven days.
The pools and Amerispa
Nothing else in Canada matches this part. Indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs — all heated, all open twelve months. Amerispa has 17 treatment rooms; its Serenity package (two hours) costs $252 Monday–Thursday and $308 Friday–Sunday and includes pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam access. The fitness centre is free and open 24/7.
Gaming
Over 1,400 slots, 48 tables, electronic terminals, a poker lounge and Mise-o-jeu sports betting. Monday–Thursday the doors are open 9 am to 5 am; Friday through Sunday, 24 hours. The minimum age is 18, and staff may ask anyone who seems under 25 for government photo ID.
After dark
Théâtre du Casino: 1,100 seats theatre-style, 770 cabaret-style, adults only except at special events. Bar 7 does live bands and DJs Fridays and Saturdays from 7 pm, plus Latin nights on Thursdays. Bacchus is fireside scotch and a cigar room. Aléa is the club — 11 pm to 3 am, dress code enforced.
Dining
Overlooking Lac de la Carrière, Arôme is the flagship: seafood, grill, a three-course Experience menu, Sunday brunch. For a cheaper meal, Banco Bistro (rotisserie, pizza, steak); for comfort food, L'Instant (Montréal smoked meat, pasta, smoked-meat poutine). The poolside TGV snack bar won't reopen until next summer.
Location
Ten minutes or so to downtown Ottawa: ByWard Market 4.1 km, Parliament 6.4 km, the Rideau Canal skateway 7.3 km. Airport: around 25 minutes. Transit: STO Rapibus, Lac-Leamy station. Outdoor parking costs nothing; valet is suspended for now. EV chargers on site; pets up to 34 kg for a $50 fee.
Our take
Canada's most restful casino hotel, and the handiest one for Ottawa sightseeing. Do the spa Monday to Thursday — weekends cost a lot more — and leave the gaming for Friday night, when the casino doesn't close.
Traveller questions, answered
Is Hilton Lac-Leamy close to downtown Ottawa?
Very — about ten minutes by car, with the ByWard Market 4.1 km away and Parliament 6.4 km.
Is the outdoor pool at Lac-Leamy open in winter?
Yes. Indoor and outdoor pools are both heated and run year-round, according to the hotel.
What's the minimum casino age at Lac-Leamy?
18, as everywhere in Québec; guests who look under 25 can be asked for government photo ID.
Sources behind this review
- 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
Fact check: October 23, 2026, against the sources listed above. Rates, fees and hours move — confirm directly with the hotel before booking. Something out of date? Email us. Next: Casino Hotels in Québec or the full ranking.