Atlantic City has really begun to clean up it's act. Brand new bus and train terminals have been built, as well as a new convention center, located far away from the boardwalk near the train terminal. There's also a brand new Sheraton hotel complex located right next to the new convention center. It looks like there's finally some real effort to clean up the city going on, no thanks to the well established AC casino owners. Remember these are the guys who originally promised to clean up the city years ago as part of the agreement to let them open their casinos. The funny thing is, the clean up didn't seem to start until the casino board (whose members are the owners of the well established casinos) graciously allowed Las Vegas casino owners a slice of the Atlantic City pie. We figured they passed the dirty work off to the Vegas interests in exchange for rights to put up their casinos. But enough of the soapbox. Here's what you'll need to know when you go.
Where To Stay THE BORGATA is the ONLY place to stay! We've never wanted to stay in an Atlantic City hotel before, but now that the new Borgata is open, we just had to try it. It's the best casino/hotel in Atlantic City, bar none. If you've ever been to Las Vegas, this will remind you of one of the nicer Las Vegas hotels. It's really big-2200 rooms, and these rooms are HUGE. The beds are super comfy, with pillow top mattresses. The bathrooms are also huge, with a shower you could fit 5 people in. The decor of the rooms is ultra nice, but very subdued-no flashiness here. It reminds us of a mini Bellagio (one of the top 5 nicest in Vegas), very muted colors, but everything clean as a pin and comfortable. The pool area is also the best in Atlantic city. We don't know if any of the other guys have indoor pools, but the Borgata does, and it is FUN. It's a very nicely decorated indoor pool, reminding you of an italian villa setting. The pool is big enough-not deep, though-only 4 feet all around, but that's OK. Be sure to spend lots of time underwater-there are underwater speakers playing music-COOL! There are lots of chairs and tables, a towel desk, a snack bar, and 2 BIG jacuzzis. We would come back just for the pool! There are doors leading to the outside where a garden area with cabanas for rent will be available soon. When we stayed (7/03) it was $179/night weeknights and well worth it-the other guys are charging the same, and they aren't half as nice. One drawback is that the Borgata is on the Marina, so if you like to walk between casinos, like on the boardwalk, you're out of luck. The 2 closest casinos are Harrah's and Trump Marina-those with stout hearts can easily walk to either one of these, but if you don't get around like you used to, $6 will get you a cab ride to either one. FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BEWARE: Children are not allowed in the Borgata AT ALL unless they are registered hotel guests. They WILL turn you away at the door if you are not staying in a Borgata hotel room. We liked this-we don't have children, and it was nice not to have kids wandering all over the place while mom and dad were gambling. This is not to say it was kid free, since some hotel guests did bring their kids, but it did keep it to a minimum. Some people are really upset about the no kids policy, but this is not new-there is more than one casino in Las Vegas that does the same thing. Really, the main attraction is gambling, after all-kids will be completely BORED waiting for you while you gamble, anyway!
Getting around
If you are on the boardwalk, it's easy. Walk from one end to the other, and you'll see all the boardwalk casinos. If you've come by car, park at one of the casino lots, and you're all set. If you decide to take your car to another casino lot, be sure to show them your receipt from the last one you were at-if you've paid once for the day, you don't need to pay again at another lot. If you've got some extra cash, you could take a ride on one of the little wicker chairs that are waiting outside every casino-they're pretty steep, though-about $1 a block is what it looked like to us. There used to be a boardwalk tram years ago, but they did away with it-why we don't know, but they really should bring it back. If you're in the marina, you can either drive between the casinos, or take a cab (it's about $6 from one casino to another in the marina). The Beach Itself
It's a free beach, but it's REALLY short. When you step off of the boardwalk, it's only a few steps to the sea. It's not really super clean, so if you're coming here specifically for the beach, don't. If you're staying at a casino because you're gambling, then it's a plus that there just happens to be a beach. Some of the hotel/casinos have little beach tents for use by their guests.
The Boardwalk
There's really not much special besides the casinos. OceanOne mall closed up awhile ago-it was taken over by Caesars to become part of their casino. There are lots of little junk shops all up and down the length of the boardwalk, but most of the shops close up once it gets dark, so it's not a good idea to linger on the boardwalk. There are way too many panhandlers and other seedy characters that come out of the woodwork, so when going from casino to casino, you don't have to run, but we'd suggest walking briskly. And don't even think about going for a walk along the streets off of the boardwalk, day or night. It's nothing but hookers and peep show joints anyway. It looks a bit dangerous.
Hotel/Casinos on the Boardwalk Here's a list of all of them and we'll periodically add info about them if anything interesting pops up.
Bally's Park Place
Bally's Wild West: We were really impressed with this newly built casino. It's obvious that the designers took a cue from the newer Las Vegas casinos when building this one. The casino itself is quite spacious, with lots of room between tables and slot machines, unlike many of the other AC casinos. Also, this is a good one for all of us non-smokers. The high ceilings and a really good air exchange system make the atmosphere a pleasant one.
Caesar's
Claridge
Hilton Atlantic City
Resorts International
Sands
Showboat
Tropicana
Trump Plaza
Trump Taj Mahal
Hotel/Casinos on the Marina
The Borgata: The nicest casino, located on the Marina. Big and airy, decorated with light toned colors and lots of room between tables, and lots of room between slot machine rows, which makes it much better than some of those older claustrophobic joints. At the time we went (a July Monday and Tuesday), the tables are all $10 minimum. What are they thinking? I very rarely gamble at a $10 table-that makes playing craps and caribbean stud too expensive-if I want to bet $10, I will, but don't make it a rule or I won't play at all.
Harrah's
Trump Marina (formerly Trump Castle)
Kid's Activities
For the most part there's nothing to do here except dump your kids in the casino's video game room that will take their quarters while you are losing your dollars in the casino. Yes, there is one single solitary ride pier, across from the Taj Mahal, but if you look closely, these rides don't look like they're kept up very well, and we wouldn't recommend going on them to our worst enemies.
Nightlife
Well, obviously it's all in the casinos! Lots of headliners appear nightly, but you didn't come here for that, did you? The slots and gaming tables await!
Restaurants we Recommend Animations at Bally's Park Place A whimsically decorated coffee shop, this is a nice casual restaurant with good service. There's usually a line because the food is pretty good here. Reasonable prices and a bottomless crock of cole slaw on every table. Borgata Buffet at The Borgata The new best buffet in AC! The price you pay for dinner is a little pricey ($25), but well worth it. The quality is better than any AC buffet we've been to. There is lots to choose from-the entrees have very good cuts of meat, for example, there is all you can eat NY Strip steak, which was very tender, and quite tasty. They also had more than one entree with shrimp, and they were medium sized shrimp, a good size for entrees. The dessert bar alone is worth the price-the freshest, nicest desserts you'd pay an arm and a leg elsewhere for. The food selections are somewhat organized, but not really-everything is clearly marked, but there isn't exactly a "chinese station" or a "pasta" station", it's all kind of a mishmosh. There are 2 sides, which seem to be identical, but they are not-some stuff is duplicated, and some is different, so be sure to check both sides when you go. Epic Buffet at the Sands The 3rd best buffet in AC, and the second best on the Boardwalk. If you can't find something to eat here, you're just not hungry. The food stations include: Chinese, Italian, American, salads and soups, and desserts (with the BEST New York cheesecake and cherries flambe, especially since you'd pay $5 a slice somewhere else, but you can have all you want here!) Hard Rock Cafe' at the Taj Mahal You've seen our standard recommendation for theme restaurants elsewhere, so there's no need to go into detail. Good food, quick service, huge portions, and a fun atmosphere. Pickles Deli at Bally's Park Place Not a bad deli. Reasonable prices and a bottomless bucket of yummy kosher dills on every table! If you like really speecy spicy, try the buffalo wings. Planet Hollywood at Caesar's See the write up for Hard Rock. Virginia City Buffet at Bally's Wild West The second best buffet in A.C., and the best on the boardwalk! A great selection of food at a good price.
If you think any of this info has changed, or have any questions, feel free to Email / knighton@cablespeed.com
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