Hilton Lac-Leamy, Gatineau: the spa stay that happens to have a casino

This is the stay for people who want the spa more than the slots: a five-star Hilton attached to the Loto-Québec casino at Lac-Leamy, with heated outdoor pools you can use in January and a full spa in the building. Ottawa's sights are a short drive across the river, and the casino runs all night at weekends if the mood takes you.

How the 89 points add up

The room to ask for

Room counts depend on who you ask: Tourisme Outaouais says 349, Bonjour Québec says 312 rooms plus 37 suites. Classic rooms have two queens; Deluxe rooms have a king and a dressing table near the door. The three highest floors are executive levels with their own lift and service, and the suites come in Junior, Murphy and One-bedroom versions. In each room: Crabtree & Evelyn products, slippers and robes, a 47-inch television, mini fridge and safe. The hotel describes views over its two lakes, Leamy and de la Carrière. Arrival from 16:00, departure by 11:00; in-room dining 06:30–22:30.

Swim, steam, unwind

This is where the property wins. Heated water all year, indoors and out, in the pools as well as the hot tubs. Amerispa has 17 rooms for treatments; book the two-hour Serenity package Monday to Thursday for C$252, or pay C$308 Friday to Sunday, with use of the steam bath, sauna, whirlpools and pools thrown in. There's a free gym, open 24/7.

Arriving and parking

Ottawa is across the river, roughly ten minutes' drive: Parliament Hill 6.4 kilometres, the Rideau Canal Skateway 7.3, the ByWard Market 4.1. Allow 25 minutes for the airport. By bus, use the STO Rapibus stop called Lac-Leamy. Outdoor parking is free, valet is paused for now, cars can charge on site, and pets of 34 kg or under come for a C$50 fee.

Where to eat and drink

Arôme, overlooking Lac de la Carrière, is the signature room for grill and seafood; it serves an Experience menu of three courses and a Sunday brunch. Banco Bistro is the budget option (steak, pizza, rotisserie); L'Instant does pasta, Montréal smoked meat, and poutine topped with it. Poolside snacks (the TGV bar) return next summer. For drinks: Bacchus has a fireplace, scotch and a cigar room; Bar 7 has DJs and live bands from 19:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Latin Thursdays; Aléa is the nightclub, 23:00 to 03:00, dress code applies.

What's on stage

Théâtre du Casino: 1,100 theatre-style, 770 with cabaret tables; adults 18+ except at special events.

Downstairs: the gaming floor

The casino opened in 1996; the Hilton, the theatre and the conference centre followed in 2001, and since then the complex has carried five CITQ stars, with CAA/AAA Four Diamond status added in 2002. Loto-Québec runs the floor: 48 tables, upward of 1,400 slots, electronic terminals, poker, and Mise-o-jeu sports betting. Hours are 09:00 to 05:00 Monday to Thursday and non-stop from Friday to Sunday. Minimum age 18; look under 25 and staff can ask for photo ID.

Our take

Nowhere on this list is more restful, and no base is handier for sightseeing in Ottawa. Go for the spa on a weekday, when the price drops, and keep the gaming for a Friday, when the floor stays open through the night.

Paper trail

• Loto-Québec casinos: reference page, visitor planning, hotel page, restaurants, hotel page (another), activities, group bookings, theatre, hotel page (another)
• Tourisme Outaouais: lodging listing

These facts were verified on 23 October 2026 against the pages listed above. Room rates, fees and opening hours move — ring the hotel before you set off. Seen something that has changed? Write to us. More nearby: Québec · the rankings.