TMR Inside Look: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa

Ottawa is ready to shed its “sleepy” reputation, with the arrival of Canada’s first fully integrated Hard Rock resort—bringing a little Las Vegas–style flash and fun to the nation’s capital.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa (HRO) officially opened its doors in July.  Developed for the iconic Rideau Carleton Raceway site and conveniently located just minutes from the Ottawa International Airport, the 150,000 square-foot entertainment complex combines a full-service hotel, casino, dining, and live music venues, all conveniently under one roof.

That’s the brochure description. In reality, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is so much more.

Travel Market Report visited the property to experience the new resort firsthand and find out how Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa fits into the region’s hospitality landscape.

Hard Rock’s path to Ottawa wasn’t a direct one. After taking over operations of the Rideau Carleton Raceway in 2017, the company committed to a major redevelopment, eventually taking on the project solo. The pandemic forced design changes and delays, and ultimately, Hard Rock doubled down, reimagining the site for a new era of entertainment.

In the end, Hard Rock invested more than $350 million in the project, underscoring the brand’s commitment to elevating the city’s appeal as a leisure destination. The property is Canada’s second Hard Rock hotel, but as a resort, it’s the first of its kind in the country

“This is the first fully integrated Hard Rock in Canada, and it’s 100% Hard Rock. Everything else in the country is a franchise,” Christine Crump, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, explained. “Being in the nation’s capital was a great decision. Hard Rock is one of the most globally recognized brands in the world, and it just made sense to be in Canada.”

The Signature Hard Rock Experience in Canada’s Capital

What sets the property apart isn’t just the scale of the development, however. What truly defines the resort is the unmistakable Hard Rock DNA woven throughout. From the massive guitar-themed art installation hanging above the casino entrance to some very cool vinyl-based portraits by Vancouver-based mixed-media artist Rob Ubels, the resort is a celebration of music and pop culture through a distinctly Canadian lens.

The resort is a grown-up playground, bursting with wall-to-wall theming and music memorabilia at every turn. There are displays in the hotel (like the Tom Cochrane guitar, pictured above), as well as exhibits throughout the resort, each with placards that explain the object’s history. The collection was carefully curated for Canada, and Hard Rock plans to update the displays periodically—giving guests a reason to return again and again.

The entire property is adults-only, and its layout incorporates different zones for different vibes: there’s the loud, high-energy Hard Rock Cafe in the center, with its own stage and regular live bands; closer to the hotel is the Council Oak Lounge (also with a small stage) for a more upscale, intimate feel; and then a whole Marketplace section for a more quiet and casual spot to grab a drink or a quick bite.

“We actually have a position called ‘Vibe Manager.’ That’s how much Hard Rock cares about the guest experience,” said Crump.

Obviously, a major draw for the property is its live music. The cafe regularly hosts acts on Fridays and Saturdays, with larger bands like George Thorogood & The Destroyers and Celtic Women taking over the 1,900-seat main stage venue (an event schedule is available online).

Tammy McMullen, the vice president of marketing, told TMR that they also see a lot of guests coming from out of town for events at the Canadian Tire Centre, Ottawa’s stadium—feeding into the greater concert-based travel trend for music-lovers. While the HRO is about a 45-minute drive from the stadium, it’s very close to the airport, making it ideal for people flying in to catch an NHL game or see their favorite pop star live.

And with approximately 1,500 slot machines, 40 table games, and a race track, the resort includes a huge variety of gaming options onsite.

“When people walk in, they say, ‘Wow—this feels like Las Vegas,'” Wesley Boodhram, director of culinary operations, told TMR.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa: Room Categories & Essential Info

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa has 150 rooms, 22 of which are categorized as suites. Guests can choose between a double-queen or a single king bed, and rooms include a mini-fridge, coffee-maker, and a rainfall shower. Connection rooms are available for larger groups.

TMR found the rooms to be comfortable and stylish, with a surprisingly premium feel for the price point (and with the exchange rate, even better value for U.S. travelers). The rainfall showers are a nice touch, and the marble with gold accents aesthetic really elevates the overall design. The hotel felt very on-brand as well, right down to the Smart TVs being set up with music playlists.

The suites also have two options: silver or gold. The silver category is 773 square feet with a king-size bed and a separate seating area. The gold suite, which is on the corner, is a bit larger at 825 square feet, and also includes a king bed, a living room, and a dining area (pictured above). TMR toured the gold suite and found it was very efficiently laid out and spacious—it would be perfect for bachelorette parties or girls’ weekend.

Unlike some other hotel-casinos, there is no separate entrance/lobby for the hotel. Guests need to enter through the casino and then walk down a hallway to get to the check-in desk, which means bringing your luggage through security (and potentially having to show government ID). This also means that you can’t have guests who are under legal drinking age anywhere on the property.

For travel advisors, the resort offers opportunities for group bookings as well as events. Although there isn’t meeting space on-site (so not a great fit for MICE), there is ample space for weddings, galas, and private parties. The property has five main venues that can be booked, ranging from the 23,000-square-foot Hard Rock Live space (1,900 capacity for seated, 935 for banquets) to the 22-guest Council Oak private dining room.

Comfort Food & Contemporary Dining: Blending Hard Rock Hospitality with Canadian Flavors

The food and beverage program is the cornerstone of the Hard Rock experience. According to Boodhram, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa culinary program was designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes while still feeling intentional and distinctly Canadian.

“We wanted to create a food and beverage program that caters to everybody,” said Boodhram. “Whether you want a quick bite of pizza, something casual, or a more elevated dining experience, every restaurant has its own niche.”

The resort currently features seven restaurants and four bars (including the seasonal Mr Lucky’s, a soup and sandwich joint attached to the racetrack). On the casual end is the Marketplace (coffee shop, shawarma, and Italian food). There’s also the recently opened Asian noodle bar, YOUYU, and the Hard Rock Cafe.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa’s signature steakhouse, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, is the more elevated dining option on the property. Boodhram describes the experience as “contemporary casual” rather than traditional fine dining. The menu places a strong emphasis on Canadian sourcing, with approximately 90% of its beef coming from Alberta and seafood sourced from the East Coast, including Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

“We really pay homage to Canadian producers,” said Boodhram. “We age our steaks for 28 days in-house, we cut them ourselves, and everything is made fresh.”

Guests can view the steaks as they’re being aged, and the kitchen can be seen from the dining room. Boodhram told TMR that the open kitchen design was intentional, making food preparation part of the guest experience. “We wanted it to feel open and comfortable—not too posh—but still very special.”

The Hard Rock Cafe is open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily, serving as the property’s main breakfast option. We were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere in the mornings; it’s a little quieter, and the menu offers an assortment of classic dishes (many of which feature the Canadian staple, real maple syrup).

The service was excellent at both Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and Hard Rock Cafe (breakfast and dinner). The wait staff were friendly and attentive, and were quick to offer insightful recommendations.

Crump told TMR that the resort had an overwhelming number of applicants when it first opened and has been able to foster a community of workers who appreciate the Hard Rock culture.

“We can train for skill, but personality is everything. We want people who are genuinely happy to be here,” she explained.

Boodhram agreed: “When you walk through the property, you’ll see people smiling—and it’s not staged. It’s genuine hospitality.”