The Great Blue Heron Hotel on Scugog Island delivers modern rooms attached to an Indigenous-owned casino complex near Port Perry, Ontario. This guide compiles verified facts from the operator’s website, travel platforms, and review sites to give Ontario visitors a clear picture of amenities, dining, pet policies, and contact details before booking.
Last checked: 2026-05-30
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Name: Great Blue Heron Hotel · Location: Port Perry, Ontario, Canada (Scugog Island) · Property type: Casino hotel · Key feature: Integrated casino with slot machines and table games · On-site dining: Restaurant, buffet · Hotel ranking: #2 of 2 in Port Perry (TripAdvisor)
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-30.
Sources reviewed: official property website (Great Canadian Entertainment), Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, Booking.com listing, TripAdvisor reviews, Expedia/Hotels.com listings, Trivago, York Durham Headwaters tourism guide, Scugog Tourism, Casinos.com editorial review.
We did not conduct an on-site visit, staff interview, or independent price verification. All claims draw from publicly accessible sources listed above.
At a Glance
- 21777 Island Road, Port Perry, Ontario, L9L 1B6 (Scugog Island) (Great Canadian Entertainment)
- Open 24 hours, seven days a week (Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation)
- 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM (Great Canadian Entertainment)
- 1-888-399-4998 (Great Canadian Entertainment)
Where is the Great Blue Heron Casino Located?
The Great Blue Heron Casino sits at 21777 Island Road, Port Perry, Ontario, L9L 1B6, on Scugog Island just east of the town of Port Perry. The property is accessible via the causeway connecting Port Perry to the island. According to Booking.com, the hotel lies approximately 5.6 miles from Port Perry’s town centre, making it a short drive rather than a walkable in-town location.
Location on Scugog Island
Scugog Island is part of the Township of Scugog in Durham Region. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation owns the land underlying the casino-hotel complex. Scugog Tourism lists the Great Blue Heron Hotel as one of the primary accommodation options on the island, alongside smaller motels accessible via the same causeway.
Distance from Oshawa and Stouffville
For visitors driving from the Greater Toronto Area, the property sits roughly 26 miles from Oshawa GO Station and 27 miles from Stouffville. York Durham Headwaters regional tourism guide describes the hotel as a convenient base for exploring Lake Scugog and the heritage town of Port Perry.
Getting there: The casino and hotel have no on-site shuttle. Visitors from Oshawa or Stouffville will need a car or rideshare. Parking is available on-site and described as well-lit by guest reviewers on Hotels.com.
Who Owns the Great Blue Heron Casino?
The Great Blue Heron Casino and Hotel is owned by the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, which promotes the property as a key attraction on Scugog Island. Great Canadian Entertainment operates the casino and hotel under a management agreement.
Ownership by Great Canadian Entertainment
Great Canadian Entertainment lists the property among its Ontario destinations, describing it as offering a wide array of slot machines and table games in a lakeside setting. The company’s corporate site provides the property address and phone numbers for both general inquiries and hotel reservations.
Operator Details
The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation page for the casino confirms it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Guests must be at least 19 years of age and present valid government-issued photo identification to enter the gaming floor.
Is There a Buffet at the Port Perry Casino?
Recent online listings and guest reviews indicate the dining model at Great Blue Heron has shifted from an all-you-can-eat buffet toward table-service dining at Water’s Edge restaurant. Booking.com identifies one on-site restaurant by that name. An older Tripadvisor review from December 2018 praised the dinner buffet as excellent and reasonably priced, but more recent OTA listings do not prominently feature a buffet.
Great Blue Heron Casino Dining Options
Water’s Edge, listed on Booking.com, serves as the primary on-site dining option. Expedia describes additional food and beverage amenities including a coffee shop or café and a bar. Some Booking.com guest comments from 2026 describe the restaurant as having limited offerings and mixed quality, suggesting inconsistency that guests should factor into their expectations.
Buffet Availability and Price
While older reviews confirm buffet service existed in 2015–2018, current property listings emphasize Water’s Edge restaurant over a buffet. Visitors seeking buffet details should contact the hotel directly at 1-888-399-4998 to confirm current offerings before visiting.
Note: The buffet model appears to have changed over time. Recent OTA reviews and the Booking.com listing emphasize Water’s Edge restaurant rather than an all-you-can-eat buffet. Check directly with the property for current dining options.
What Is Special About a Great Blue Heron?
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird common across North America, known for its slate-blue coloring, long neck, and deliberate hunting style in wetlands. The property name draws on regional wildlife, aligning with the Scugog Island setting near Lake Scugog.
Overview from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology notes that great blue herons are the largest herons in North America, standing up to four feet tall with a six-foot wingspan. They hunt fish and small prey in shallow waters, often seen standing motionless before striking.
Symbolism and Behavior
The bird’s presence in the region likely influenced the casino-hotel’s naming, similar to how other Ontario gaming properties use local wildlife identifiers. The casino’s Indigenous ownership adds cultural resonance, as herons appear in multiple Indigenous storytelling traditions across the Great Lakes region.
Great Blue Heron Hotel Port Perry: Key Details
The Great Blue Heron Hotel opened as a newly built property directly connected to the casino, giving hotel guests step-free indoor access to the gaming floor. Trivago describes the property as featuring Indigenous art in hallways, spacious rooms, and comfortable beds. The hotel targets both casino visitors and regional tourists exploring Scugog Island.
Hotel Amenities
According to the Great Canadian Entertainment hotel site and corroborated by Booking.com and Expedia, amenities include:
- Modern guest rooms (Double, Twin/Double, and Suite options per Booking.com)
- Direct casino access via enclosed walkway
- Water’s Edge on-site restaurant
- Fitness center (charges may apply per Booking.com)
- 24-hour business center (per Expedia)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Pet-friendly rooms
Phone Number
Great Canadian Entertainment lists two key contact numbers: the general casino line at 905-985-4888 or toll-free 1-888-29-HERON (294-3766), and a dedicated hotel reservations line at 1-888-399-4998.
Pet Policy and Fees
The hotel allows up to two pets (cats or dogs only) per room, with a maximum weight of 50 lbs per pet. The pet fee structure, per the official hotel site, includes a nightly accommodation fee of $49 plus a one-time $49 cleaning fee before applicable taxes.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Great Blue Heron Hotel |
| Location | Port Perry, Ontario, Canada (Scugog Island) |
| Street Address | 21777 Island Road, Port Perry, Ontario, L9L 1B6 |
| Property Type | Casino hotel |
| Key Feature | Integrated casino with slot machines and table games |
| On-Site Dining | Water’s Edge restaurant |
| Check-In / Check-Out | 4:00 PM / 11:00 AM |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes, up to 2 pets (cats/dogs), max 50 lbs each, $49/night + $49 cleaning fee |
| Casino Operating Hours | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Minimum Gambling Age | 19 years with valid government-issued photo ID |
| Hotel Ranking | #2 of 2 in Port Perry (TripAdvisor) |
| Booking.com Rating Example | 8.6/10 (2026 listing snapshot) |
Great Blue Heron Hotel: Pros and Cons
Strengths
- Step-free indoor access between hotel and casino floor
- Pet-friendly policy with reasonable weight limits
- Modern rooms with big-screen TVs and air conditioning (Casinos.com)
- Clean, quiet guest areas per Booking.com reviews (2026)
- Friendly, helpful staff noted across multiple platforms
- Convenient for visitors combining gaming with Durham Region tourism
- Indigenous-owned property on Scugog Island
Weaknesses
- Only one on-site restaurant (Water’s Edge) with some negative dining reviews
- Limited food-and-beverage variety compared to larger GTA casinos
- No in-room coffee makers or kettles (bring your own per Trivago)
- Ranking #2 of 2 hotels in Port Perry on TripAdvisor
- Approximately 5.6 miles from Port Perry town centre
- Fitness center may involve charges
- No on-site shuttle from transit hubs
What to watch: Guest reviews indicate the on-site restaurant has received mixed feedback. Visitors prioritizing dining quality may want to explore options in Port Perry proper before or after casino visits.
Who Is This Hotel Best For?
The Great Blue Heron Hotel serves several distinct guest profiles:
- Gamblers: The primary audience—hotel guests gain direct indoor access to the casino floor, eliminating outdoor walks between gaming sessions.
- Couples: The modern room design, casino ambiance, and lakeside setting appeal to couples seeking a nearby getaway without driving to the GTA.
- Solo travelers: Single visitors attending events or concerts in the Durham Region may find the hotel convenient, particularly those arriving by car.
- Weekend getaway seekers: Ontario road-trippers exploring Scugog Island, Lake Scugog, and the heritage town of Port Perry can use the hotel as a base.
- Pet owners: The pet-friendly policy (two pets per room, max 50 lbs each) makes this one of few options in the area allowing furry companions.
Location and Getting There
The property sits on Scugog Island at 21777 Island Road, accessible via causeway from Port Perry. Visitors driving from Oshawa (approximately 26 miles) or Stouffville (approximately 27 miles) will use regional highways to reach the island.
The York Durham Headwaters regional tourism guide describes the area as offering outdoor recreation on Lake Scugog alongside heritage attractions in Port Perry. Scugog Tourism promotes the hotel as a key lodging option for visitors exploring the township.
Alternative Hotels in Port Perry
Port Perry has limited hotel inventory, with the Great Blue Heron Hotel ranking #2 of 2 properties listed on TripAdvisor. The other option in town serves travelers seeking accommodations closer to the town centre. For visitors prioritizing casino access, the Great Blue Heron Hotel remains the only property with direct indoor casino connectivity.
Travelers open to staying outside Scugog Island may find more options in Oshawa or Whitby, though those properties involve additional driving to reach the casino. The internal link dataset identifies the Hotel Royale Whitby as a geographically relevant alternative in the broader Durham Region.
Our Pick
For visitors prioritizing casino access and indoor hotel-to-gaming connectivity on Scugog Island, the Great Blue Heron Hotel delivers the only integrated experience available in Port Perry. Its pet-friendly policy, modern rooms, and 24-hour casino access make it the practical choice for this specific use case. Travelers seeking the widest dining variety or closer proximity to Port Perry’s town centre should weigh the 5.6-mile distance against the convenience of direct casino access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Great Blue Heron Casino?
The casino and hotel sit at 21777 Island Road, Port Perry, Ontario, L9L 1B6, on Scugog Island just east of Port Perry’s town centre. The address is confirmed by Great Canadian Entertainment.
What is the phone number for the Great Blue Heron Hotel?
Hotel reservations can be reached at 1-888-399-4998. The general casino line is 905-985-4888 or toll-free 1-888-29-HERON (294-3766) per Great Canadian Entertainment and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
Does the Great Blue Heron Casino have a buffet?
Current property listings emphasize Water’s Edge restaurant over a buffet. Older Tripadvisor reviews (2015–2018) described an excellent buffet, but recent OTA descriptions suggest the dining model has shifted to table service. Contact the hotel directly at 1-888-399-4998 to confirm current offerings.
What games are offered at the casino?
Great Canadian Entertainment describes a wide array of slot machines and table games. Tripadvisor reviews characterize the gaming floor as friendly and casual with good variety, though not as large as GTA casinos.
Is the hotel attached to the casino?
Yes. The hotel is directly connected to the casino via an enclosed, step-free walkway, giving hotel guests indoor access to the gaming floor without going outside.
What is the Great Blue Heron Hotel ranking on TripAdvisor?
The hotel ranks #2 of 2 hotels in Port Perry on TripAdvisor. The ranking reflects limited hotel inventory in the area rather than absolute quality.
Who owns the Great Blue Heron Casino?
The Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation owns the property. Great Canadian Entertainment operates the casino and hotel under management.
How far is the hotel from Oshawa?
The property sits approximately 26 miles from Oshawa GO Station. The drive takes roughly 40–50 minutes depending on traffic and route.