Nestled along the banks of the Fraser River overlooking the gorgeous boardwalk lies the River Rock Casino and Resort. Conveniently located roughly 5km from Vancouver International Airport, it offers upscale dining, indoor salt-water pool and water slide, spa, gym along with a 24-hour casino and live entertainment. Before we had children, The River Rock was Jake’s and I’s go-to place for date night. Since Dylan was born, we’ve been there a few times, but mostly for an event or a concert.

The opportunity came along to go and stay at River Rock for a couple of nights with Dylan. Turns out, the resort is surprisingly kid-friendly.

The highlight for my 6-year-old son was the saltwater pool complete with a 70ft slide. If it was up to Dylan, he would’ve spent the whole two days there.  For Jake, it was the food. River Rock offers many dining options – but in my opinion, their buffet is definitely a must-try. There are so many choices, from pasta to roast carvings and even sushi. The buffet is West Coast inspired, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We also enjoyed dining at Curve, their lounge. It has a good kid’s menu and that’s a plus in my books!

Our suite was quite spacious, with a queen bed and a sofa bed for DJ. More room amenities include a Nespresso machine, 300 thread-count sheets, free WIFI, a 42 inch TV, and complimentary bathrobes.

No stay at River Rock is complete without a visit to Absolute Spa. Services include manicures, pedicures, massages and more. The award-winning Absolute Spa will make an absolute difference to your stay at River Rock.

For those who can get away from the family obligations for a little bit, the casino floor is full of thrills. Jake stayed with DJ after a day of fun and I went down to the casino to play for a bit. I even won $20.

Overall, our stay at River Rock was a very pleasant experience. It’s nice to see that one of our favourite places as a couple can be enjoyed as a family as well.