Garden Route Casino Review

Review

You'll find the Garden Route Casino near Pinnacle Point, in one of the most picturesque regions of South Africa. Looking out over the coast while you place your bets is certainly a special experience that you won't encounter in many land-based casinos.

Garden Route has been operating for over a decade, and is a popular destination in the summer because of its lush surroundings, plentiful activities and great weather. However, it also makes for a fantastic winter getaway if you're in need of some sea air.

While it's true that this isn't the biggest casino around, though it's not the smallest either, we have no complaints about the games on offer. With hundreds of slot machines (split between smoking and non-smoking areas) and table games like Blackjack, American roulette and Raise 'Em Poker to enjoy, and at a wide range of stakes, there's enough to keep any player happy here.

It's a shame that there's no European or French roulette, as these games have a lower house edge. It would also be nice to see some additional table games, like Craps or Baccarat, but Garden Route remains a fine destination for anyone looking for some gaming action.

For a really special experience, there's also the Salon Privé. With 42 slot machines, three table games, spectacular views and dedicated hostesses, this really is the place to be for players looking for a private casino gaming experience.

Restaurants & Bars

When it's time to take a gambling break and grab a bite, you're spoilt for choice at Garden Route Casino. If you've got a big appetite, you can fill up on hearty fare at The Admiral's Buffet. And yes, it is all you can eat, so don't be afraid to loosen the belt a little.

If you'd prefer some American-style fare and a cocktail or two while enjoying live music or televised sport, head to the Bravo Lounge. The atmosphere in here really does get electric sometimes, particularly when big winners start splashing their cash on drinks!

Try The Red Cherry Cafe for a delicious breakfast, steakhouse classics, toasties and seafood or, for something a bit different, visit Cosmic Candy and indulge your sweet tooth with their international selection of sweets and chocolate. Be warned: if you take your kids in there with you, you might struggle to get them to leave...

Hotel Accommodation

With a four star hotel on-site, there's no need to make the long trip home after a night of gambling. Hopefully you can just deduct the cost of the room from your winnings! Take a hot bath, watch a little TV and get some well-earned rest so you're ready to hit the tables again in the morning. Try to book in advance if you can, since there are only 43 rooms in the hotel and they do tend to book up during peak times.

Many rooms have ocean views, and there's a seaside hiking trail close by if you want to get some fresh air and explore. Or, head to the golf club and play a few holes if that's your thing. In fact, the golf course ranks in South Africa's top 10.

After a long day of gambling, golf or tanning on the beach, head to the in-house spa to unwind, get pampered and send all your cares packing. Win or lose at the casino, it's the perfect way to end a day in Mossel Bay.

Entertainment & Nightlife

From a jazz festival and the annual Bravo Music Festival, to weekly karaoke and impromptu rock and roll events, Garden Route has something for everyone. As you might expect, the bar does get VERY busy and it can take a bit of luck to get served quickly during peak times like weekend evenings.

Younger audiences might be disappointed by the lack of a dedicated nightclub where they can dance the night away, but all that fresh sea air means that you probably won't be planning on too many crazy late nights anyway.

In terms of daytime entertainment, Garden Route is ideal for the extreme sports fan – shark cage diving, bridge swinging, mountain biking, surfing and bungee jumping are all just a stone's throw away from the casino. If you'd prefer to leave all that to those who are made of sterner stuff, you can always stick with the swimming pool or try your hand at whale watching.

Other Facilities

We've really just scratched the surface of what Garden Route has to offer; this is much more than just a casino, it's also a fully-fledged seaside resort. There's a crèche for the little ones and an arcade for the slightly less little ones, plus the swimming pool and spa to enjoy.

If you're celebrating a wedding, anniversary, birthday, reunion or conference, you can rely on Garden Route to make the experience really special.