I was really hoping for something great with a new shining, and sparkly casino downtown but nope. I have been numerous times to the Grand Villa and just about every time, I'm disappointed with something. The first time, it was very crowded so people bumping into me and stepping on my toes so I wanted to come back before I wrote a review and have been back about 4-5 times now. The one thing about this place is I was expecting it to be much bigger. Sure it's nicer than the old Baccarat casino but at least there was more room to walk. During my last visit, there was a person playing a slot and another person that was playing on the machine one over from the machine directly behind the person and I barely had room to walk through. I could only imagine if people were playing slots behind each other, I can forget about walking down that aisle. When there's an event at next door Rogers Place, you can hardly move in here and people are lined up in the casino to get a table at Match. I have eaten at Match but I will save those details for their review.
The service here is bad. I have had a Players Card for years and when I get Player Points or want to redeem my points, there's a disorganized mess at the Customer Service desk. One time there was 4-5 staff, and they looked like they were doing something like ripping coupons but there was only one customer being served while there's a line up of people there. Then if you do line up, the staff will help whoever butts and goes right up to them. I guess this is a place where one shouldn't respect a line up?!
A couple of weeks ago, they opened Sbarro and Vera's Burger Shack. I was by the community rink and it was busy as there was a concert next door. I saw numerous customers get their food and then look around for a place to sit. I guess they expect people to stand and eat their pizza and messy burgers and fries as I haven't seen any seating for customers ordering from the food court.
The one thing the Grand Villa is doing is having contests on social media and cash draws in person to get people through the doors. I haven't been here on a draw day but I could only imagine the mayhem of crowds standing around waiting for the draws and a place to stay away unless you want to be close enough to hug each other. I would hug them all if I'm the lucky winner of $5000.
The washrooms by the elevator seems to be taken care of and clean. There's 2 sets of stalls, one on the left and one on the right once you enter. There's soap, water (but sometimes super cold) and a dryer at each sink so that's convenient and maybe the only thing they got right here?
Palace casino in WEM is owned by the same company and when talking with one of the staff there, my impressions are the same of others he's spoken with so it seems to be a common theme; too crowded with no room to walk among the slot machines and tables.
With the old Baccarat, at least the dealers were friendly and knew what they're doing. Someone told me, it's not the same friendliness here but at least they know how to count when playing Blackjack, haha (or maybe not if you read Maggie G's review). I know casino gamblers that tell me they have been and aren't coming back or don't want to come as there's no parking (unless you want to pay an arm and maybe your leg too). A competing casino has jumped on this fact and is advertising their free parking. I think I will head over there instead or maybe Vegas ... read more