Review: Caesars Windsor (Ontario, Canada)
Detroit, the Motor City, is closer than many of us think to Canada. Ontario lies just across the Ambassador Bridge and offers a very easy escape from the United States. One of their major attractions is casinos. And boasts a Caesars property just a stone's throw away.
Back in January, I realized I hadn't used my Diamond dinner that I get for being a Caesars Diamond status member. I didn't want to waste a few nights in Las Vegas and buy expensive plane tickets just to use a $100 dinner. Instead, I managed to meet up with a friend in Detroit for cheap and head across the river.
Booking
Caesars Windsor can be booked on their own website who offers some exceptionally low rates, epically during winter when the low season keeps everyone away. I managed to book a complimentary night for being a member that has gambled at a Caesars property before.
Side Note: It is easy to be offered complimentary nights if you become members at these casinos and throw money in the slots or at the tables. Even as a non-status member at MGM, they are constantly offering free nights. Most casinos use it as a way to get you to come in and gamble, where the real money is made.
Location
Caesars Windsor is located right on the Detroit river and is both easy access for the 250k citizens of Windsor, Ontario and the 633k citizens of Detroit, Michigan. If you live on the United States side of the river you have both the tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge that can take you across the river, it is easy driving distance from the Detroit Airport.
Check-In
The expansive lobby is located on the second floor of the hotel. The main floor is dedicated to elevators and the valet area that is located right below the lobby area. The check-in experience was straight forward, and I had been offered an upgrade for a complimentary room to a down river King room.
The Room
For how hotels go, the room is very standard. A rectangle room with a bathroom by the front door and a bed with a large single living area with a couch. While there was nothing exciting about the room, it was appointed nicely and the room looked fresh, without any sides of overuse or wear and tear.
The bathroom features a stand-up shower, which was quite cramped for room, and a decently sized tub with its own separate amenities. I don't know what it is with most hotel brands, but they always seem to undersize the stand up shower.
Overall it was quite the lovely room, I would say it ranks even higher than most Las Vegas casino hotel room. Most of those rooms are well-worn with signs that it needs to have a remodel. This was a much more exceptional experience than any Las Vegas hotel room that I've stayed in.
Service
I don't think I had a bad interaction with anyone at the hotel. The front desk were very proactive to see if I was aware of the area and the layout of the hotel and made easy work of pointing out the most important things to know.
My one gripe was the elevators. They all seemed extremely slow, and it was quite annoying that I had to get off the elevator on the second floor, and walk across the lobby to catch a second slow elevator to the first floor. It's not ideal, and I would much rather an elevator that goes straight down to the first floor.
Final Thoughts
Compared to other hotel casinos, this was up there in the level of quality you get compared to Las Vegas area casinos. The winter time is a great time to go as it was fairly quiet on the casino floor and even in the restaurants. Winter time also seems like a good time to visit, with the generous complimentary night offers. I might just have to come back next year for my Diamond dinner.
