Everything a first-timer — or a regular — needs to know before heading to Ridgefield's biggest destination: dining, gaming, concerts, the hotel, parking, and the insider details that actually matter.
ilani opened in April 2017 on the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's reservation in Ridgefield, Washington — about 16 miles north of Portland — and it has grown into one of the largest entertainment destinations in the entire Pacific Northwest. What started as a casino with a handful of restaurants has become a full resort: a hotel, a concert venue, a sportsbook, a spa, and somewhere north of a dozen places to eat and drink.
If you haven't been in a year or two, the place looks meaningfully different. The Cowlitz Tribe took over full management from Mohegan Gaming in 2025, and that transition has accelerated a wave of changes — new restaurants, relocated concepts, and a dining identity that's becoming more explicitly rooted in Pacific Northwest and tribal heritage. This guide reflects where things stand as of spring 2026.
ilani is owned and operated by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. The name — pronounced "ee-LAH-nee" — is a Cowlitz word meaning "above" or "heaven." The resort sits on a 152-acre reservation parcel, with additional development underway across the street.
The casino floor is 21-and-over, full stop. Restaurant and entertainment areas that don't require crossing the floor are generally accessible to all ages — check with ilani directly if you're planning a family outing, as policies can vary by venue and time of day.
ilani is directly off Interstate 5 at Exit 16 (NW La Center Rd). From Portland, it's about a 20-minute drive under normal conditions — take I-5 north, exit at 16, turn right, and you're there in under a minute. From Seattle, it's roughly two and a half hours south on I-5.
From Vancouver, WA it's about 15 minutes. From downtown Portland it's closer to 25–30 once you factor in crossing the bridge and hitting any I-5 traffic near the Hayden Island exits.
Concert nights — especially Friday and Saturday shows at the Cowlitz Ballroom — can back up I-5 Exit 16 significantly. If you're heading to a show, plan to arrive 45–60 minutes early, or consider eating at ilani before the doors open rather than scrambling for dinner after you're already in the parking garage.
Self-parking is free. The six-story parking garage has over 2,700 spaces, LED wayfinding that shows available spots by floor, license plate recognition for entry, free EV charging stations, and speed ramps to the upper levels. It connects directly into the resort, so you won't be walking across an open lot.
Valet is available for $6 and is genuinely convenient on busy nights. Handicap spaces are available on every level of the garage.
On concert nights, the garage fills up. Overflow surface lots are available and staff direct traffic. The top floor of the garage has been used for outdoor concerts — if something's happening up there, factor that into which level you park on.
ilani has somewhere around 15 dining and bar options depending on how you count — from a full-service fine dining steakhouse to a Smashburger counter. The lineup has been evolving in 2026 as the Cowlitz Tribe takes direct ownership of more of the resort's concepts. Here's where things stand.
The newest high-end dining option at ilani, Sovereign opened in May 2026 in the space formerly occupied by Michael Jordan's Steak House. It's a tribally owned and operated concept — no licensing fees, no national chain, just the Cowlitz Tribe building something their own. The menu centers on premium American beef (USDA Choice, Prime, and regional Wagyu) alongside sustainable Pacific Northwest seafood, including cedar-plank salmon that nods to traditional Cowlitz foods. The redesigned space includes two private dining rooms and an outdoor area with a fire pit.
View dining at ilaniOne of ilani's original restaurants and one that's always been a proprietary Cowlitz concept — not a licensed brand. Line & Lure focuses on Pacific Northwest seafood and regularly features live jazz, blues, and rock performances. It's the middle ground between Sovereign's fine dining experience and the more casual spots on the floor. Reservations are a good idea on weekends.
Italian cuisine with a focus on premium Italian wines. Bella Vista is one of ilani's more relaxed sit-down options and a solid pick if you want something substantial without the price point of a steakhouse. Known for its pasta and wine list.
Longhouse has been one of ilani's most popular restaurants since opening, and it recently relocated to the larger space formerly occupied by Tom's Urban — a sign of how busy it's gotten. The expanded footprint allows for private dining and a broader menu of Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Japanese dishes, including sushi and noodle bars. The old Longhouse space became the new ilani Forever Rewards Center.
A high-energy restaurant and live entertainment venue with one of the more advanced stages in the resort. Local artists perform here weekly, and the food leans American comfort — burgers, tacos, and shareable plates. The $9 Taco Tuesdays and $10 Badass Burger Wednesdays are genuinely popular deals. Weekend breakfast is also available.
Tom's Watch Bar relocated from its original footprint and now sits right next to the ilani Sportsbook — which makes sense, given Washington's legalized sports wagering. The venue features the region's largest LED video wall and 30 high-definition TVs. If you're coming for a game day or want to pair sports betting with a beer and a bite, this is the spot.
Beyond the sit-down restaurants, ilani's Market includes Chef Jet, i.talia Pizzeria, Smashburger, and the Lobby Cafe for faster, more casual meals. The 360 Bar is a late-night option near the casino floor. The hotel's Lobby Bar & Bistro is a quieter spot for cocktails. And the 15th-floor restaurant in the hotel offers views spanning from the Cascades to the Coast Range — check ilani's website for current hours and reservations.
Dining prices at ilani trend higher than you'd expect for a resort — plan accordingly. The quick-serve options in the Market are the most budget-friendly. If you're a Forever Rewards member, keep an eye on your account for dining offers and comps, which can take some of the sting out of a nice dinner.
The gaming floor spans 100,000 square feet — one of the largest in Washington state. You'll find 2,500 slot machines ranging from penny slots to high-limit rooms, and 75 table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and poker.
The ilani Sportsbook is Washington state legal and handles major sports leagues. Tom's Watch Bar sits right next to it, making it easy to place a bet and grab a seat with a drink while the game plays out on one of 30 screens.
If you're new to table games, ilani offers Casino 101 sessions — their professional dealers will walk you through the rules with fun money before you hit the real floor. It's a genuinely useful option for first-timers.
"The gaming floor is 21-and-over. Restaurant and entertainment areas accessible without crossing the floor are generally open to all ages — check with ilani on specific venues if you're planning a family visit."
ilani's loyalty program is called Forever Rewards. It's free to join and earns you points on gaming, dining, and hotel stays. Points convert to Rewards Dollars that can be applied to your bill. Regular players get access to exclusive dining and gaming offers, special invites, and priority treatment. If you're visiting more than once, it's worth signing up before your first trip — you can't retroactively credit points.
The Cowlitz Ballroom is ilani's main concert and event venue — 30,000 square feet that can hold up to 2,600 people for a standing concert or 1,000 for a seated conference. It's where the major touring acts come through: country, rock, pop, and comedy. The sight lines are clean, the production is professional, and the sound is legitimately good for a resort venue.
Beyond the Ballroom, Rock & Brews hosts local artists weekly, and Line & Lure regularly features jazz, blues, and rock performers in a more intimate setting. There's almost always something live happening on any given weekend.
Seating varies by show — some events are general admission on the floor, others are reserved theater-style. Accessible seating is available throughout. Bag policies follow standard venue guidelines: small hand-held clutches are your safest bet, clear bags better than opaque backpacks.
Parking passes for specific shows are sometimes available through third-party ticket sites like Vivid Seats. Doors typically open 60–90 minutes before showtime — ilani's website publishes specific times for each event.
The top floor of the parking garage has hosted outdoor concert events — a genuinely fun setup with open air and a view of the surrounding area. These aren't regular events, but when they happen they tend to sell out. Check ilani's entertainment calendar for anything happening on the garage rooftop.
The ilani hotel opened in April 2023 — it's relatively new and the rooms show it. The property sought a Four Diamond AAA rating, and the finish quality reflects that ambition. Standard rooms start at a minimum of 400 square feet, include two queen beds, wall-to-wall counter space, a walk-in shower with dual vanity, a 65-inch TV, free Wi-Fi, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Cascades or Coast Range.
The pool is a genuine standout: indoor-outdoor with a retractable wall, cabanas, day beds, a craft bar, and a separate adult-only swim window Thursday through Sunday from 10pm to midnight. The fitness center covers aerobic machines and free and mechanical weights.
The 15th-floor restaurant offers panoramic views that reach from the Cascade Mountains to the foothills of the Coast Range. The hotel Lobby Bar & Bistro is a quieter, more relaxed option for cocktails before dinner or a nightcap after a show.
Book directly through ilaniresort.com. Forever Rewards members can use Rewards Dollars toward room payments, and the casino's concierge team can point you toward local area highlights if you're spending more than a night.
If you live in Ridgefield or have been going to ilani since it opened, you've developed a mental checklist. Here's ours.
This guide is updated as ilani evolves — and it's been evolving fast in 2026. If something has changed that we haven't caught yet, let us know. We're local too.
