As a casino fan, I was surprised that I had never gone to Grand Villa Casino in Burnaby despite my countless trips to Vancouver. Seeing how I was in town visiting friends for the weekend, I thought I would remedy that situation by taking the short trip to Burnaby and testing myself against the gambling gods. I’m glad I did. 

This Grand Villa Casino review will detail my latest casino adventure. I’ll tell you about the facility and all it has to offer, as well as its hits and misses. This should give you a good idea of whether this is the casino for you. If you are a casino enthusiast like me, I can’t see how it wouldn’t be.

After two years of construction, the Grand Villa Casino opened its doors to the public in 2008. It is located just outside of Vancouver at 4331 Dominion Street in Burnaby. It is a modern complex that features over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, plenty of dining options, and the 195-room Delta Burnaby Hotel. 

Covering two floors and over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, Grand Villa Casino offers a vast range of gaming options, including more than 1,300 slots and 67 gaming tables. It also has a 12-table poker room and a great selection of dining options, including what I found to be one of the best and most reasonably priced buffets in the city. Grand Villa also offers live entertainment, although live shows are generally limited to weekends.

Grand Villa Casino in Burnaby is owned by Gateway Casinos and Entertainment, which operates a total of 31 gaming establishments in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. This includes the Starlight Casino in nearby New Westminster alongside the Cascades Casinos in Langley, Delta, Kamloops, and Penticton. 

In terms of gaming options, Grand Villa is on par with most Las Vegas casinos. You’ll find over 1,300 slot machines (comparable with the best online casinos too) including several progressive jackpots. You can play penny slots, high-limit slots, and everything in between. Fortune Gold, Wheel of Fortune, and Buffalo Grand are among the most popular slots available at the casino.

Grand Villa Casino Burnaby has an abundance of table games, too, including several blackjack, baccarat, and casino poker variants like 3-Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, and Pai Gow. 

As I expected, the craps and roulette tables were buzzing with activity. I usually find that these particular games attract the friendliest and most boisterous crowds. If you want to immerse yourself in the table gaming action in a more relaxed setting, then the Grand Arena has dozens of electronic stations that are linked to live tables. You can play roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and more.

As mentioned, Grand Villa has a 12-table poker room that offers Texas hold ‘Em and Omaha with blinds starting at $1/$2. In addition to tournaments, the casino also runs a variety of poker promotions, including a high-hand progressive jackpot and a bad beat jackpot. Even though I didn’t play, I did visit the room and was quite impressed with the atmosphere and décor. 

In total, I spent about five hours playing a combination of blackjack, roulette, 3-card poker, and slots. I found the dealers to be professional, well-dressed, and engaging. The tables were in excellent shape, and the seats were comfortable. Plus, servers were always close by and they were quick to deliver even when it was busy. 

If you want to stay overnight, Grand Villa is attached to the Delta, which has nearly 200 rooms and all of the usual amenities, including a pool, fitness centre, and spa. There are also several other hotels in the immediate vicinity.

Getting to Grand Villa is easy. It’s just a short walk from both the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain station and the nearest bus stop. Ride-sharing services and taxis are also options if you want to get dropped off right outside of the main entrance. I, however, decided to drive and was pleased to find free on-site parking. It’s a safe and secure parkade that even has an EV charging station. 

When I entered the casino, I stopped for a few moments to look around and soak in the atmosphere. The place was clean, nicely decorated, and well-lit without being too bright. Being fully wheelchair accessible, there seemed to be more than enough space in the aisles. There is also a noticeable presence of security, which is always reassuring.

One of the first things that I noticed was the Centro Bar, which is located right in the middle of the gaming floor. I decided to stop there for a refreshing beverage and to watch the final few minutes of a hockey game on the big screen. It is just one of the seven dining establishments on the premises. I was tempted to visit the buffet, but I had already eaten lunch. However, I did go there later in the evening and the food was awesome and reasonably priced. More on that later in my Grand Villa Casino review. 

Other dining options available at the casino include:

• Personas
• Atlas Steak & Fish
• Grand Neptune Seafood Restaurant
• Alpina
• Chow Lucky Noodle Bar

If you are a poker fan, then you should definitely visit the 12-table poker room, which offers Omaha and No-Limit Hold ‘Em. Those who play for at least an hour between 6 am and 11 am on weekdays are treated to a complimentary breakfast sandwich. It’s a nice touch. 

It’s also worth noting that Grand Villa Casino has VIP rooms where high rollers can enjoy all of their favourite high-limit slots and table games in a private setting. 

Smoking: Smoking is prohibited indoors, but there are a few designated smoking areas outside.

Guest Services: If you need anything like an Encore rewards card, simply go to Guest Services, and they’ll take care of you.

Transportation & Parking: SkyTrain, bus, taxi, and ride share. Grand Villa also has free parking.

Cash: ATMs and cages that accept major debit and credit cards. Winnings are delivered in cash, making withdrawals faster than even the best payout casinos online.

Grand Villa Casino is fully wheelchair accessible, and the size of the gaming space ensures it is easy to get around in wheelchairs and mobility scooters. 

The attached accomodation also have a limited number of fully accessible rooms as well. 

Licensed BC casinos offer Encore Rewards. It’s free to join, and you can sign up either online or at Grand Villa’s Guest Services. You just have to show a valid photo ID to get your card. You use your card to earn points when you play casino games or eat in Grand Villa’s restaurants. You can even earn points when you play casino games online at PlayNow.

You can then exchange your Encore Rewards points for casino credits at BC casinos or at PlayNow. That’s not all. Encore members enjoy a range of other benefits, including exclusive promotions, birthday offers, and discounts on accommodations, entertainment tickets, and dining. To redeem your points, simply bring your card and a valid ID to Guest Services. 

Grand Villa has loads of other promotions, too, although they frequently change. For instance, the casino runs regular draws through which participants can earn cash prizes, casino credits, and other perks like VIP vacations and luxury items. You can find out about the latest special offers by visiting Grand Villa Casino’s website or by going to Guest Services. You’ll also see advertisements at various locations throughout the casino.

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a lot out of Grand Villa. I have been to many other casinos in Vancouver and the rest of BC, and I always found them to be a tad generic and uninspiring. 

I truly wish that I had discovered this place much earlier. It isn’t just the amazing selection of games. I thought that the overall atmosphere and vibe were exciting. I also liked that the food and drink prices were a lot more budget-friendly than they are at many other BC casinos. 

The buffet also blew me away. It’s quite a spread and costs just $33.99. Furthermore, it offers various food themes, including Mediterranean, Asian, and South American. If you go on Sundays, you can choose from a range of international dishes, including Italian, Thai, Moroccan, and Chinese. Of course, the roast beef is awesome, and the dessert options are plentiful.

I should point out that the dealers and floor staff were friendly, easy-going, and neatly dressed. I even noticed that the security guards seemed glad to help visitors. This is a good reflection of a venue that is modern, clean, and welcoming. It’s also nice that the Centro Bar is conveniently located in the middle of the casino, meaning food and drinks are always close at hand. Let’s not forget the reasonable prices.

⭐ Standout Moment

It may sound strange, but my standout moment occurred as soon as I entered the casino. I was taken in by the size of the gaming space, the décor, and the general atmosphere. 

I immediately knew that Grand Villa Casino was going to far exceed my initial expectations. It was a lot different to most other casinos. The buffet was also memorable both in terms of price and food quality. The selection was fantastic, too, giving me yet another reason to visit Grand Villa again.  

So, what is my verdict on Grand Villa Casino in Burnaby? I find it guilty of being awesome. I was beyond satisfied with the gaming options. There are far too many of them to take in during a single visit. Grand Villa caters to players of all budgets, and it provides an electric atmosphere, great service, and a clean, safe environment. This verdict also extends to the floor staff, security personnel, and restaurant workers.

Even though Grand Villa Casino might be a little out of the way, it’s worth the trip if you want to enjoy a superior casino experience. Getting there is easy if you take the SkyTrain or the bus. Of course, there are plenty of taxis and ride-sharing options for those who want to get there quicker and be dropped off outside the entrance. Those who prefer to drive will appreciate the abundance of secure free parking. 

Finally, I wish I had taken the time to play a few hands of hold ‘em in the poker room. Like the rest of the complex, it was clean, nicely decorated, and looked to be comfortable. It’s also nice that it offers Omaha for as little as $1/$2, along with the bad beat jackpot and high-hand jackpot. 

I will definitely make a point of playing a few rounds next time, and there will absolutely be a next time. I can’t wait.

🧭 How to Get There

Grand Villa Casino is located in Burnaby, British Columbia, which is a suburb of Vancouver. 

If you're driving, it's easily accessible from Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway). Take the Willingdon Avenue exit if you're coming from the east, or the Willingdon Avenue exit if you're coming from the west.