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Enoch (Edmonton), Alberta · minimum age 18+

River Cree Resort & Casino: our review

Updated · facts checked

Hockey, a Ramsay dinner and a big casino in one stop: River Cree, just west of Edmonton on Enoch Cree Nation land, has a 249-room hotel, twin NHL-size rinks, Canada's first Hell's Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay and one of Alberta's largest gaming floors, plus a free West Edmonton Mall shuttle. A new 18-storey tower is under construction.

  • Rooms & views7.5
  • Casino floor8.5
  • Dining8.5
  • Shows & events8.0
  • Pool, spa & fitness8.5
  • Getting there7.0

Ideal for: Families with hockey bags, Ramsay fans and slot players spending a weekend in Edmonton.
Think twice if: Only a brand-new room will do — the new tower is targeted for July 2027.

The short version

Three crowds share this resort, opened in October 2006 on Enoch Cree Nation land just past Edmonton's western boundary: casino regulars; diners booking Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen, the first one in Canada; and hockey families at the Twin Rinks — two NHL-size sheets running public skates and youth programmes.

Which room to book

The existing building has 249 rooms (11 are suites) and bills itself as a full-service hotel of 4½ stars. Each room has a Keurig, a microwave and a small fridge, and you can order food to the room 24 hours a day. You can book a Traditional King or Traditional Two Queen, or step up to the Luxury Family Suite or Luxury One Bedroom Suite; rather than written specs, the official website shows each type on video.

The tower on the way

Shovels went into the ground in September 2024 on a $200 million project. STAY Magazine and GlobalData describe the result as an 18-storey tower holding roughly 230–240 rooms, 30-plus of them suites, along with a large event space and a pool with two waterslides. By June 2026, trade press said, the exterior was finished and the target opening was July 2027.

At the tables

In numbers: 1,665 slots, 46 tables, and 14 more in the poker room. The main floor is smoke-free; smokers use Embers, a separate casino with 405 slots and 14 tables. Alberta's minimum age is 18. Membership in the River Cree Players Club costs nothing and takes 15% off the best available hotel rate.

Eating in

Hell's Kitchen serves lunch and dinner, and the Ramsay classics are all there — Beef Wellington to start the conversation, sticky toffee pudding to finish it. Families tend to eat at The Kitchen, which runs a $19.99 breakfast buffet on Saturdays and Sundays from 7 am to 2 pm, and buffet nights each Friday and Saturday. Sports fans head to Tap 25; night owls have Fatburger until 4 am and Cree Subs until 5.

Families, shows and getting around

A rule change on July 29, 2024 opened every area without gaming — restaurants, rinks, community events — to minors who come with an adult. With a pool and whirlpool, a gym that never closes and a complimentary bus to West Edmonton Mall about five minutes off, families have plenty to do. The Venue is configurable, from 500 people up to 2,500. Allow 20–25 minutes by car from Edmonton International Airport. You won't pay to park, and valet is free from 9:30 am until 3 am.

The getaway verdict

Alberta's most family-friendly casino resort, and a dinner booking worth the drive. Go now for the rinks and Hell's Kitchen; come back once the new tower opens (targeted for July 2027) if you want its rooms.

Good to know before you book

Is Hell's Kitchen at River Cree open?

Yes, for lunch and dinner, according to its page — and it was Canada's first Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen.

Can I bring kids to River Cree?

Yes. Since July 29, 2024, minors with an adult are welcome in every area that isn't gaming. The casino is 18+.

When is River Cree's new tower due?

July 2027 is the target reported by trade press in June 2026.

Where our facts come from

Fact check: October 23, 2026, against the sources above. Hotels change rates, fees and opening hours without warning, so double-check with the property before you book. Spotted an error? Email us. Next stop: more hotels in Casino Hotels in Alberta, or the top 10 ranking.