Ameristar Casino Resort Spa Black Hawk Review for June 2026

If Monarch is the newcomer that changed the conversation in Black Hawk, Ameristar is the property that started it. When it opened in 2009 with a 33-story hotel tower - the tallest structure between Denver and Salt Lake City at the time - it brought a level of resort ambition to the Colorado mountains that nobody had seen before. The building still dominates the Black Hawk skyline, and a decade and a half later it remains one of the most complete casino resort experiences in the Rocky Mountain region.

Owned by Boyd Gaming, Ameristar Black Hawk sits on Richman Street in the heart of Black Hawk's historic district, about 40 miles northwest of Denver via the scenic Clear Creek Canyon road. The approach through the canyon is genuinely beautiful, and arriving at a 33-story casino tower at the end of it is a pleasantly surreal experience.

Ameristar sits at 111 Richman Street in Black Hawk, a short distance from the main strip and easily navigable from Highway 119. From Denver the drive takes around 40 minutes via US-6 through Clear Creek Canyon, a winding, scenic route that makes the journey part of the experience. Free covered garage parking is available at the rear of the resort, with valet also on offer at the front entrance. The casino is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The two-story gaming floor at Ameristar covers 71,500 square feet, making it the largest casino floor in Black Hawk. The two-level layout is well designed and gives the space a sense of energy. The upper level looks down over part of the action below, which creates a more dynamic atmosphere than a single-floor casino typically achieves. The interior leans into a rustic mountain elegance aesthetic, with large timber beams, warm lighting, and Colorado-inspired decor that grounds the property in its setting rather than trying to replicate a Las Vegas vibe.

Colorado's indoor smoking ban applies here as everywhere in the state, with heated outdoor patios available for smokers. The same $100 maximum bet cap that applies across all Colorado casinos is in effect, which shapes the high-stakes experience somewhat.

Table Games

With 40 live table games, Ameristar has one of the stronger table game lineups in Black Hawk. The selection includes:

• Blackjack
• Craps
• Roulette
• Baccarat
• Three Card Poker
• Mississippi Stud

A dedicated high-limit area serves players who want elevated stakes and a more private environment. The $100 Colorado bet cap applies across all tables, including the high-limit room.

Poker

The poker room at Ameristar is one of the most active in Colorado, with 22 live tables running Texas Hold'Em and Omaha cash games across a range of stakes. It is a dedicated, purpose-built space with professional dealers, automatic shufflers, and a consistent schedule of cash games throughout the day and evening. For serious poker players, it is one of the primary reasons to choose Ameristar over other Black Hawk properties.

Slots

The slot floor carries 940 machines and video poker terminals covering a solid range of denominations and titles. I found a good mix of established crowd favorites alongside newer releases, with the layout across two floors giving the overall selection a more varied feel than a standard single-level floor. A high-limit slots section is available for players who prefer bigger denomination play within the Colorado cap.

Sportsbook

The Barstool Sportsbook at Ameristar operates Friday through Sunday with a full sports bar menu alongside the betting action. Multiple screens cover major sporting events, and wagering is available on all major professional and college sports with live betting, futures, and parlays available throughout the week via the app even when the physical space is not staffed.

Rewards Club

Ameristar Black Hawk uses the mychoice rewards program, Boyd Gaming's loyalty system that operates across its full portfolio of properties nationwide. Members earn points through gaming, dining, and hotel stays, redeemable for free play, dining credits, hotel discounts, and entertainment. The Club 38 lounge on the casino floor provides complimentary bites and drinks to elite-tier mychoice members, a nice perk for regular players who qualify.

The 536-room hotel tower is one of the standout features of Ameristar Black Hawk. Spread across 33 stories, rooms start at a generous 400 square feet with oversized beds, 50-inch flat-screen TVs, marble foyer entries, glass-enclosed bathrooms, free WiFi, and Rocky Mountain views from most floors. Suites come with double-sided fireplaces, wet bars, and in-room hot tubs with panoramic mountain views, the kind of suite amenity that genuinely justifies the upgrade.

The rooftop pool is an Ameristar signature and a genuine highlight. The indoor/outdoor configuration includes sun loungers, two hot tubs, one indoor and one outdoor, and views across the surrounding mountains. Ara Spa is a full-service day spa offering massages, body wraps, facials, and a full treatment menu. The 24-hour fitness center has cardio machines, free weights, and strength training equipment.

For groups and business travelers, 15,000 square feet of meeting space includes the 5,000-square-foot Summit Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 400 guests for a reception.

Where to Eat

Ameristar has five dining options plus a Starbucks - the only one in Black Hawk - which is a more useful fact than it might initially appear on a cold mountain morning.

Timberline Grill is the fine dining option, open for dinner only and serving upscale American cuisine with steaks and seafood in an elegant setting. The generous baked potato has become something of a talking point among regulars. Centennial Market is the buffet option, offering a diverse Colorado-inspired spread across themed dining nights. Fireside Kitchen handles the all-day casual dining with a broad American menu and has the distinction of serving its Denver omelette via a robot, which is either charming or alarming depending on your perspective. Waypost Deli covers quick bites. Bar 8042 in the heart of the casino floor functions as the social hub, with lounge entertainment and screens showing sport throughout the evening.

Pool and Spa

Ara Spa is a full-service facility offering the complete range of massage, body treatments, and facial options alongside a relaxation lounge. The rooftop pool complex with its indoor/outdoor configuration and two hot tubs is one of the best pool setups of any casino resort in Colorado. The 24-hour fitness center is available to all hotel guests.

Entertainment

Entertainment at Ameristar centres on Bar 8042 on the casino floor, which hosts live music and lounge entertainment on a regular schedule. The property's meeting and event spaces also accommodate private parties and corporate events. The mountain setting and proximity to outdoor activities including hiking, scenic drives, and Central City's historic attractions give the resort additional entertainment dimensions beyond the casino itself.

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa is a mature, well-established mountain resort that continues to deliver one of the most complete casino hotel experiences in Colorado. The 71,500-square-foot gaming floor is the largest in Black Hawk, the poker room is excellent, the hotel tower is impressive, and the rooftop pool and Ara Spa give the property genuine resort credentials. The dining lineup is solid across all price points, and being the only Starbucks in Black Hawk is a competitive advantage that should not be underestimated on a cold morning.

The property is showing some age in places, and the service consistency that defines a truly premium resort experience is not always as reliable as it could be. But for the combination of gaming depth, hotel quality, spa facilities, and mountain views, Ameristar Black Hawk remains one of Colorado's most compelling casino destinations.