I’m sure the majority of casino enthusiasts have at least heard of the Grosvenor Casinos chain considering it’s the UK’s largest casino operator.

I tend to find that casinos part of a chain offer a pretty similar experience across the board and I therefore never find myself too excited to visit one that has escaped my notice.

However, after hearing about a substantial refurb that this place underwent a few years back which apparently modernised the interior and just generally brought everything up to date, I was feeling a little more optimistic.

There is quite a decent gambling scene in Nottingham and so the competition between casinos is pretty high.

Therefore, I was looking forward to seeing how the Grosvenor Casino Nottingham stacks up against the other venues I’d planned to visit during my trip.

I was surprised to learn that the Grosvenor Casino Nottingham opened its doors all the way back in 1991. For some reason, I had the impression that it was a newer addition to the Grosvenor chain.

You’d never guess that this casino is over 30 years old though, and that’s thanks to the significant £3.4 million refurbishment it underwent in 2017.

The renovation saw an extra 1,500 square foot of space added to the casino floor which increased the number and variety of the games on offer here, which includes a range of new state-of-the-art HD electronic roulette machines.

On top of this, the restaurant, bar, and lounge area has been updated along with the general décor.

Location

You’ll find the Grosvenor Casino Nottingham at 4 Maid Marian Way, smack bang in the middle of the city centre. So, this place has an enviable location for sure.

I’m a fan of city centre casinos for two reasons. Firstly, it allows you to try out other things in the area and secondly, it makes it super accessible.

Arriving by car

While I always look forward to visiting a city centre casino, the one part I don’t look forward to is finding a parking space.

But luckily, Grosvenor Casino Nottingham has a secure car park that contains a lift which takes you directly up to the casino reception.

Simply punch NG1 6HS into your sat nav and you’ll be directed straight to the casino. 

Arriving by train

If you’re travelling from another city within the UK, arriving by train is your best option when it comes to public transport.

Nottingham railway station is situated just over a 10-minute walk away from the casino and has direct links to major cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and London.

Arriving by bus / tram

There are plenty of bus stops located on the streets around the casino which provide travel around Nottingham and surrounding areas.

Some of the services running with stops within walking distance from the casino include the 5, running from central Nottingham to Gamston, the 6, running from central Nottingham to Edwalton, the 1, running from central Nottingham to Loughborough, and the 3, running from central Nottingham to Clifton.

Similarly, the closest NET Tram stop (Old Market Square Tram Stop) is situated just a five-minute walk away from the casino and provides travel around Nottingham.

The Grosvenor Casino Nottingham is a mid-size venue that’s spread out over two floors and offers a range of classic table games, slots, electronic table games, and its very own dedicated poker room.

The casino is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and so I made a point to check out how things are holding up here, both wear and tear and cleanliness wise.

Overall, I thought the casino was clean and tidy and everything was in good working order apart from one single slot machine which was out of order.

Table Games Selection

The table game selection on offer here is about what I expected.

There are over 15 live tables on offer here and punters can choose from roulette, blackjack, three card poker, and Texas Hold’em out on the main floor.

As I visited on a Saturday afternoon, there was enough of a crowd for the atmosphere to feel dynamic. However, apparently not enough of a crowd to warrant more than half of the tables being manned.

More tables were opened as the day went on and the casino became busier, though.

I decided to try my luck at one of the roulette tables before a series of consecutive losses forced me to move on to blackjack, which I can report was much kinder to me.

Slots

There is a good selection of slots to choose from at this casino, though most of them are modern video slots.

There is a handful of classic slots but I found these to be pretty popular and I didn’t end up getting a chance to test any of them out as a result.

The refurbishment saw more slots added to the casino floor which includes a range of progressive slot machines with jackpots of up to £20,000.

Again, the progressive slots were very popular and there was actually only one free when I wandered over to see what was on offer.

I took this as a sign that maybe, just maybe, it was my time to take home the jackpot. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, but I had fun playing anyway.

Electronic Table Games

The electronic table game section here is limited to roulette. 

Players can choose between playing one connected to the live tables or one with an automated wheel depending on preference. 

Poker

The 2017 refurbishment saw the bar move to a different section of the casino and a poker room installed in its place.

The poker room features dark walls and soft lighting which gives it a touch of class, and there are screens in there so that you can keep up to date with any relevant sporting events.

It was pretty quiet when I popped in for a hand but the dealer confirmed that it begins filling up as the day goes on.

There are cash games available to play daily in the poker room, including Texas Hold'em games with a Bad Beat Jackpot of £20,000.

Tournaments are held regularly too and you can check out the poker schedule either on Grosvenor Casino Nottingham’s dedicated poker Facebook page or on the Poker Live app.

Though there’s no hotel attached to the casino, there are plenty of hotels to choose from thanks to its city centre location.

Some of the best rated hotels within walking distance include the Lace Market Hotel, Roomzzz Aparthotel, Crowne Plaza Nottingham, and the Park Plaza Nottingham.

If you’re on a budget, try out the Premier Inn Nottingham City Centre hotel or the Travelodge Nottingham Central hotel, both of which are situated just a one-minute walk away from the casino.

As a big lover of history, I couldn’t resist staying in the Lace Market Hotel. The hotel is located in Nottingham’s famous Lace Market district – once the core of the British Empire’s lace industry.

There’s a range of standard rooms and suites to choose from and there’s even a jointly owned pub next door which serves the most amazing full English breakfast, and what’s not to like about that?

Food and Drink

Before the refurbishment, it was necessary to walk through the casino before reaching the bar and restaurant which was located right at the back of the gaming floor.

Now, the restaurant, bar, and lounge are located at the front of the building, making it feel somewhat separated from the casino floor and therefore easier to just nip in for a drink and something to eat without the pressure or temptation to gamble.

The restaurant and bar area are super contemporary and the soft lighting and light wooden flooring make it feel inviting.

The restaurant menu is diverse – from curries to pies, and fish and chips to pasta, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Plus, the prices are great too so who can complain about that?

One of the highlights here, though, is the 24-hour Player’s Menu. From here, you can choose from a selection of smaller plates, including things like sandwiches, wings, pizza, and nachos any time of the day or night, which is great news for the night owl gamblers!

Given the fact I’d already eaten, I decided to go with something small from the Player’s Menu. I opted for a portion of wings and they were simple yet delicious. 

The bar menu is pretty standard, with a range of premium cocktails, lagers, ciders, spirits and shots on offer. In saying that, there was nothing standard about the cocktails here – I absolutely recommend the French Martini, by the way.

The lounge area is pretty sports focused, evident by the 100-inch screen which is constantly on and showing the biggest sporting events, which makes it a great place to take a break from the tables with a drink in hand.

There are smaller screens dotted throughout the casino too, so you don’t have to miss out on any sporting action. All in all, the food and drink options are very good, which is brilliant to see given it's one main advantage land based properties have over the best online casinos.

Experiences 

Grosvenor Casino Nottingham offers a range of different packages that are perfect for those who are perhaps just starting out or for those in a group.

• All In Experience – £60 per person includes 30 minutes at a private table, drinks, £30 Grosvenor money to spend in the casino, and a lucky number roulette bet.
• Game On Experience – £30 per person includes 30 minutes of private dealer coaching, £15 Grosvenor money to spend anywhere in the casino, and a gift to spend on your next visit.
• Fan Zone Experience – £25 per person includes a welcome drink, a reserved seating area, £15 Grosvenor money to spend in the casino, a lucky number roulette bet, and a £5 online bet.
• Poker Hand Experience – £25 per person includes a welcome drink, a two-hour private dealer tournament, and a lucky number roulette bet.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted anywhere within the building and guests therefore must step outside for a cigarette break.

Grosvenor Casino Nottingham is wheelchair accessible and there are dedicated disabled toilets for guests to use.

While there are occasional promotions that run at the Grosvenor Casino Nottingham, it’s true that the majority of them are reserved for online play only.

As more of a traditionalist who believes nothing beats a visit to a land-based casino, I found this frustrating to be honest.

The most notable promotion available during my visit was a welcome offer. The offer requires you to register for a Grosvenor Casinos membership upon your first visit to the casino by going to the cash desk. You must then spend between £5 and £20 on slots to win up to £40 to play with in casino.

Past promotions have included things like 2-4-1 cocktails on specific days, free bets with certain menu items, and entries into prize draws once spend a certain amount on specific slot machines.

Grosvenor Casino Membership 

Being a member is not a requirement to enter the Grosvenor Casino Nottingham, though there are benefits of doing so.

The benefits include being fast tracked into the casino and allowing you to create an online wallet which makes it possible to switch between online and in-person gambling at any of the 53 Grosvenor casinos up and down the UK.

Plus, from time to time, there are member-only promotions available.

As Grosvenor casinos go, Grosvenor Casino Nottingham is up there with the best of them.

Having visited on a Saturday afternoon, I thought the atmosphere was great and I enjoyed having a beer (or two) in the bar area while watching some sport.

Games wise, I had fun on the table games I played and I thought all of the dealers I interacted with were really professional and helpful when I had any questions relating to the casino.

Speaking of staff, the staff here are fantastic in general. I do tend to ask a lot of questions when I visit a casino I know I’ll be reviewing and it’s not uncommon that I’m met with less than enthusiastic, shall we say, staff members who are clearly disinterested.

However, that was not the case here. Every member of staff I spoke with was not only approachable in the first place but super friendly and knowledgeable and that’s something I always appreciate.

Having visited many a Grosvenor casino in my time, I think the Grosvenor Casino Nottingham has one of the best interiors I’ve seen in a while and I think this can be put down to the 2017 renovation. 

While I didn’t get the chance to see the casino before the refurb, there’s always a need to stay relevant and the way it looks now is great. 

There are enough games on offer for a good day out, though a bigger variety would be preferable.

It’s not the only 24-hour casino in Nottingham city centre but I think it’s worth a visit, especially if you’re a fan of Grosvenor casinos in general.