Ameristar Casino Hotel at Council Bluffs - Council Bluffs IA Ameristar Casino hotel gambling

The Ameristar Casino Hotel at Council Bluffs is part of the larger Ameristar Casino chain. Headquartered in Vegas, this casino chain specializes in mid-market casino operations throughout the Midwest and Southwest. The Council Bluffs location is done up as a riverboat with attached hotel, and is visible for some distance to travelers coming from either Nebraska or Iowa along the river.

The Casino is nearly 40,000 square feet, with more than 1500 slot machines and nearly 40 gaming tables. It is described by travelers as being the glitziest of the Omaha-Council Bluff area casinos. It is very popular with the bachelor/bachelorette party crowd due to the upscale appearance and reasonable room rates.

The hotel itself is targeted to budget and mid-market travelers who like gambling or are simply seeking something affordable near the downtown Omaha area. The casino is only 10 -15 min drive from downtown Omaha, although getting to the Omaha airport will take closer to 30 minutes. Those staying on the Iowa side of the river will be able to tour historic downtown Council Bluffs and see some of the unique older structures before returning to hotel for an evening of gambling and entertainment.

Ameristar Casino Hotel at Council Bluffs aims to be somewhat family friendly, but as with many casino attractions there are limited opportunities for children's entertainment available. The hotel and casino are more suitable for adults, couples or groups. There are a number of dining options available on site.

The main buffet has gotten positive reviews. The Prairie Grill restaurant in the hotel is also popular with guests. Throughout the hotel/casino complex it is possible to obtain drinks or place orders for "bar food'' with the servers and attendants circling, so no one visiting the casino is likely to feel as though they are removed from dining options at any time. Seasonal dine, play and stay promotions are also available.