Caesar's Windsor - Worth the trip??

My wife and I have a planned trip to Horseshoe Cleveland Jul 30-31 on our way to Arlington, VA to see our son. Now we find that our nephew who plays in the Ultimate Disc League has a playoff game in Madison, WI on Jul 27th. I suggested that if we go to Madison we should stay overnight and then head for Caesar's Windsor for Jul 28-29 on the way to Cleveland. I can get a comped room. How about some feedback from the members? Would the trip make sense? Is CW an interesting place? Most important how is the video poker? Is the pool worth laying by in the daytime? Are the drinks comped and if not are they inexpensive? I really do not want to be away from home 11 days (it would only be 8 days if we skip Madison and CW) unless I am sure it would be fun. Some advice please. We live in Indy by the way.

The Casino itself is nice, I really like the rooms and the food is good. Drinks not comped because of the Liquor laws here The pool is an indoor pool but pretty nice, I'm not much of a video poker guy so I asked a friend and he told me "The Quarter JoB Machines are pretty much a 50/50 split between 7/5 and 8/5 but CET VP sucks". Also the Casino is close to the Italian Village with some great restaurants.

I go to CW often for the comped rooms and other offers. Casino is nice, two floors, larger than Cleveland and 100% non-smoking. Room décor is similar to Augustus Tower at CP in Las Vegas. The hotel is part of the casino complex ala Vegas hotel-casinos so not much walking from room to casino. As noted, pool is indoors with windows overlooking the Detroit skyline. His/her locker rooms have showers and saunas. Buffet is pretty good and restaurants are decent. Good for sandwiches and basic entrees. Downtown restaurants are a few blocks/short walk away.

Soft drinks & coffee are free. There are self service beverage areas and total touch service screens on the slot & VP machines. We bring beer/liquor with us and just have drinks in our room. All rooms have coffee makers and a fridge.

A nice non-gaming excursion is a tour of the Canadian Club center. It's about 5 minutes down the road from CW. The tour involves the history of CC Whiskey and takes place in the founders former headquarters. It does not involve a tour of the whiskey factory next door but there is a whiskey flight tasting at the end of the tour. There is a charge for the tour - not allowed to give away free samples.

If you go to CW use the free valet parking. From there it's just an elevator ride up one floor to registration. When making the reservation ask for the Forum tower in the comments/requests box (if booking online). There are two towers - Forum & Augustus - and are at opposite sides of the casino. The pool is in the Forum tower so just an elevator ride down from your room. The Forum tower is also 21 and older only. Drinking age in Canada is 19 and the Augustus tower gets not only families but what I like call the amateur drinkers. Both seem to make lots of noise. Also ask for a room with a sofa. Rooms with a sofa tend to be slightly larger. Finally, upon check-in see if you can have a river view room. Comped rooms generally are city view (at least for me) but sometimes I can get one at check-in if they are available. River view rooms in the Forum tower look over the Detroit river and the Detroit skyline. Loving seeing the barges go by during the day and the lit up skyline at night.

Exchange rate is not bad at the casino. Easier to exchange there than going to a bank or exchange center.

From Detroit I find the Detroit-Windsor tunnel is a quicker route than the Ambassador bridge. Don't forget your passport. If staying two or more nights you can bring back alcohol purchased at the duty free shop just before the tunnel entrance. Prices are cheaper than what we pay in Ohio.

~Allen

Thanks doughy and akron al. I will show your comments to my frau and see what she says. It sounds like fun except for the VP not being too great but it never is unless you are in off strip Vegas or anywhere in Reno. I knew about the difference in towers but many people on Tripadvisor liked the Augustus tower saying it was a long hike to the elevators for the Forum tower. The pool being in the Forum tower is a plus and I do not mind walking even towing a suitcase. We usually bring our own beer as my wife has celiac disease and can only drink gluten free beer which I have never seen in any casino. I was concerned about exchanging money but that is obviously not problem. I will book the room and see what we decide to do. One more question are they strict like the Vegas casinos in checking both total rewards members on the booking or do the blow it off like every other casino I have been too??

CW does not check everyone's Total Rewards--only the person making the reservations. It is a clean, comfortable casino. We have had many good times there.

If you go to the Duty Free store before the tunnel and by the casino, use your rewards card. They give a larger discount according to the card status. Prices are excellent compared to US.

Have a good trip!

They will check for both TR cards if both used to make the reservation. if only one used the other does not have to be present.

If the tunnel Duty Free will not accept your TR card for a discount (promotion may have ended) ask to sign up for their free Loyalty Rewards card. It's done at the cash register and just takes a moment. You then get 10% off anything that is not on sale.

~Allen

Just saw your post. I am a frequent visitor to CW, from the Detroit suburbs. CW is a favorite of mine, very clean, well run, and always has some neat promo going on. And it is a NON smoking casino. I do like an occasional cigar, but can put up with the outdoor smoking areas to not see the smokers mess near my machine! Bob

Also, table mins are $5.00 in Windsor. Very nice location. Diamond lounge is nice also. Have a great time. If stopping in Cleveland, let us know, we can arrange a meet.

The no smoking is one of my favorite things about Casino Windsor.Plus the good Canadian beer.The rooms in the Forum tower are very nice.

do they have free liquor in the diamond lounge? What are its hours? thanks.