It’s happening at Atlantic City Hotels and Casinos

For the savvy traveler, cost is always one of the utmost considerations when it comes to booking accommodations. In Atlantic City, many people come to have fun and gamble, giving the impression that only those who can afford to throw away their money can afford to spend their vacation in the gambling capital of the East. But what many aren’t aware of is that cheap hotels in Atlantic City are not few and far between. They may not be as largely advertised as more well-known combinations of resorts and casinos, but they provide affordable housing services without sacrificing comfort and relaxation.
Resorts Casino Hotel
If you’re looking to save some money without compromising on the kind of service you want to receive, then the Resorts Casino Hotel is the place to go. Luxury for a cheap price is the name of the game at this hotel. It certainly is not as extravagant as the bigger names offering sky-high prices for everything, but at an average price of $156 per night or less (depending on the package you choose), guests are content in its snug and cozy standard rooms and swanky suites that feature marble-top counters and Jacuzzi baths. The Resorts Casino Hotel is only a few steps away from the bustling Boardwalk and the high-rise rooms offer dazzling views of the Atlantic.
Best Western Envoy Inn
For around $100 per night, you can stay at one of the cheap hotels in Atlantic City without worrying about cockroaches in the bathroom sink and leaking faucets. Best Western Envoy Inn is housed in a 1960s building that, well, looks older than the newer casino hotels found at the Boardwalk. But the rooms look clean and feel clean. In fact, theirs are some of the cleanest rooms found in the entire Atlantic City, even rivaling the lush and plush Borgata and the Trump Taj Mahal. This inn is not for the faint-hearted, though, or the ones who mind walking down a badly-lit street where just anyone can jump out at you and grab your purse. But if you’re just here to rest and sleep after a tiring day in Atlantic City, then this cheap hotel is perfect.
La Renaissance Suites
A home away from home is the right way to describe La Renaissance, an all-suite hotel that offers breathtaking views of the ocean and a clean and spacious place for families and big groups for low prices. If you’re looking to save some money on dining, you can also bring your own food to your suite and prepare homemade meals in your kitchen that’s fully equipped with cooking appliances, cookware, and eating utensils. Keep in mind that this is not the Borgata or anything else, but for around $80 for a clean place with two bedrooms, a comfy pull-out, a Jacuzzi, an ocean view, access to an indoor heated pool, and a secured parking lot, La Renaissance Suites is excellent.
Courtyard Atlantic City
If you could pay $200 less for the kind of luxurious service you receive at a five-star casino hotel, would you? The chic and classy and recently refurbished Courtyard by Marriott is hands down one of the best cheap hotels in Atlantic City. The guest rooms are large and roomy and the beds are soft, comfortable, and perfectly conducive for resting after a day spent touring the Boardwalk and other nearby attractions in the city. All rooms are fully wired with high-speed Internet and sparkling granite bathrooms with a variety of fresh, fluffy towels and bathrobes. They also offer a hot breakfast buffet at the Courtyard Café for guests, access to an indoor whirlpool and updated exercise equipment.

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Charming and elegant are two words that rarely go together, but the Tropicana Hotel Atlantic City has a mystic allure reminiscent of Cuba’s Havana and the grandeur of a classic Spanish city built in the 1500s. This is combined with the modern comforts and excitement a beachside casino resort in the gambling capital of the East has to offer.
The Rooms
A savvy traveler always minds the accommodations first. After all, it is going to be your home for the holidays. At the Tropicana, you can select from over 2,100 standard and classic rooms located in the West Tower, North Tower, and the much coveted Havana Tower, which overlooks The Quarter, where much of Tropicana’s Old Havana magic emanates.
Many of the guest rooms are a unique blend of quaint old world appeal and spectacular views of the Atlantic skyline, but the most lavish of all is the New Yorker Penthouse Suite, the height of luxury at the Tropicana where guests enjoy three elegant bedrooms, four ornate bathrooms, a bar, a grand piano, and the scenic views reminiscent of all rooms at the Tropicana Hotel Atlantic City.
The Quarter
Glamorous and exotic, yet ageless and classic was what the Old Havana was all about. It was the ultimate escape from drudgery of everyday life, where people treated themselves to pleasure and indulgence in sheer Latino style.
At the heart of the Tropicana is The Quarter, a pure recreation of the stimulating Old Havana. This is the main attraction of the hotel and guests couldn’t call their stay in Atlantic City perfect without experiencing The Quarter.
The saying ‘Shop ‘til you drop’ is an understatement in this haven for shoppers, where you can find a wide variety of, well, almost anything. Wines and cigars from around the world, designer fashion accessories, celebrity fashion clothing, fine jewelry, luxury chocolates, quaint farmer’s market goods, hats of all kinds, high-end pet treats, autograph memorabilia, baby items, authentic Swarovski products, gourmet food, and a whole hodgepodge of Havana goods and merchandise.
The Quarter also features the only movie theater in the whole Atlantic City and a chain of restaurants, bars, and lounges to enjoy good food and company.
The Casino
Atlantic City is not called the gambling capital of the East for nothing. It is second only to Las Vegas, thanks to the string of casinos that line the Boardwalk at the beachfront, one of which, of course, is the Tropicana Hotel Atlantic City.
You can play on progressive machines, video poker, video roulette, and more on more than 3,100 slot machines, or you can join the table games in the next room. Blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette are all traditional casino standards, but the casino at the Tropicana also features a the Jade Palace, separate area for Asian games like Pai Gow poker, Pai Gow tiles, and mini-baccarat.
And if you choose to stay overnight in one of the luxurious guest rooms, you are eligible for a discounted poker rate as long as you’ve logged at least four hours at the Tropicana poker club.
Of course, The Quarter and the casino are only the tip of the iceberg. People don’t just shop and gamble at the Tropicana, they also flock to wine and dine in the finest award-winning restaurants on the Boardwalk and bask in the serenity of the Bluemercury Spa. Only then can they say that their stay in Atlantic City is complete.

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They say food is what makes any trip worthwhile. And while Atlantic City is better known for its world-class casinos and electrifying gambling experiences more than anything else, no holiday spent at the gambling capital of the East is complete without taking a bite in one of the best Atlantic City restaurants to eat, meet, and savor the delectable taste of the East.
1. Dock’s Oyster House
Ever since Harry “Dock” Dougherty opened his 60-seater oyster restaurant in 1897, locals and tourists have flocked to the place to try out what has been known to be the best oyster dishes in Atlantic City. And so we joined the throng and, we have to say, the best dishes in Dock’s menu are still the same old classics that were served a hundred years ago. Dock’s Beef and Reef—a sumptuous combination of filet mignon and broiled cold-water lobster—is the ultimate Dock’s meal. If you settle for something less filling, they have a daily raw bar where you can sample oysters, shrimps, shells, tuna, crabs, and a medley of other seafood.
2. Bill’s Gyro Souvalki
Whether you’re starving at 3PM or you just want to take a break from late-night gambling at the Boardwalk, Bill’s is the place to go—anytime! They never close, not when it’s raining sleet and ice or scorching hot. If you’re the type who can handle eating on paper plates and plastic forks, then Bill’s is perfect. It isn’t just your ordinary burger joint—but, yes, they do have burgers. If you’re more adventurous, which is a good thing if you’re in Atlantic City, then try their authentically Greek gyro—freshly sliced lamb meat served on homemade pita bread topped with tomatoes, onions, and lettuce. Yum! Don’t forget to sign a dollar bill and glue it to the wall on your way out.
3. Knife & Fork
Seems like the Dougherty family owns the entire restaurant business in this city. Knife & Fork was bought by Frank Dougherty, great-grandson of Dock Dougherty, and is one of the best Atlantic City restaurants we recommend for couples and families. The historical structure that houses the restaurant used to house a rebellious men’s club during the Prohibition Era of the roaring 20s. It’s not as defiant now, but the meals are just as sinful! The menu is heavy on seafood and steak and we suggest you don’t skip dessert. Try the dessert sampler—combination of walnut-crusted cheese cake, luscious chocolate truffle torte, lemon pie, and their heavenly peanut butter mousse—it’s wicked goodness all in one plate!
4. Borgata Buffet
This is hands down the best buffet we have ever been to in Atlantic City. They have a huge—and by that, we really mean huge!—selection of dishes. Italian pizzas, pastas, Greek salads, seafood chowder, fresh shrimps, lobsters, oysters, bacon and eggs (served during one of their busiest times of the day—breakfast), 100% all-American macaroni and cheese for the kids, bagels, pancakes, waffles, Chinese noodles, and more. You could sample pretty much every thing in bite-size servings. What really captivated our senses, specifically the taste buds, was the dessert table. We have to admit, cookies served at a buffet at a luxury hotel seems a little bit off, but you have to try them. And they serve fruit tarts that had, well, genuine fruits. Servings were pretty small, but considering you can taste a bit of everything, you get real value for your money at one of the best Atlantic City restaurants. Our only complaint was it took some time, 15 minutes maximum, before we were let in and seated. Other than that, the Borgata is one delectable experience you shouldn’t miss.

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When the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built a royal resting place for his beautiful young wife in the 1600s, it had to be more than just a mausoleum. It was the Taj Mahal, one of the most picturesque pieces of architecture to have survived over four centuries of India’s political strife, global warfare, and natural disasters.
If you haven’t seen the Taj Mahal yet, you should see it twice—once in the delicate hours of the morning, where its marble facade gleams as bright as the sunrise, and another time as the sun has settled beneath the cobalt blue horizon and the Taj Mahal is a glistening blue.
But right next to the cold waters of the Atlantic, the Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City lies at the center of the city’s world-famous Boardwalk. You could say this rich, opulent hotel and casino stamped with the name of one of the world’s wealthiest men lives up to its palatial name.
Imagine sparkling chandeliers, an Italian marble-adorned lobby, the thickest and plushest carpets, masterpieces of art, only the softest linen bedding, an Olympic-sized heated indoor pool, finely-crafted dark wood furniture, topped with a breathtaking view of the Atlantic Ocean and the amenities of a fast-paced, high-tech modern lifestyle. You’re better off vacationing at the Taj Mahal Atlantic City than trooping thousands of miles to India.
It’s not called Taj Mahal for nothing. In spite of the more than 1,200 richly decorated guest rooms and suites, booking a room in one of the East’s most famed destinations is quite a challenge. We suggest you make reservations months in advance to experience the lavish indulgence offered at the Taj. The Tower rooms are sprawling and the floor-to-ceiling windows let in ample sunlight for brighter, natural lighting.
And the suites! The suites are nothing short of majestic! Each of the Regal Suites at the Taj has one-of-a-kind designs. They all feature a marble foyer, a complete bar area, beach-view living and dining areas, leather sectional sofa, and a full-size fireplace for keeping warm and cozy.
And of course, the attractions at Taj Mahal Atlantic City are nothing less. Professional and recreational gamblers from all over the world troop to this resort’s renowned casino to revel in the excitement of playing in one of the best casinos in the world, as dubbed by many international gambling magazines. More than 4,000 slot machines alone should speak for itself, but you can also play at the table games, baccarat, and in smoking and non-smoking poker rooms. And for the avid horse-racing fan, the casino also houses a state-of-the-art simulcast facility that features up to 20 live racing channels.
Dining is also an experience you shouldn’t miss. It’s not surprising that opulence of the Taj is also exhibited in its five-star restaurants, the best of which, we think, is the Safari Steak House—the only place in this side of the Atlantic where angus beak steak prime is served at its best.
Craving for scrumptious Italian will lead you to Il Mulino, and delectable Asian to Dynasty, where you can sit in the bar and watch the chefs prepare your meal. Casual diners and cafes also abound. Hard Rock Cafe is always a treat, and you can enjoy a hot cup of mocha at Starbucks.
Best of all, as is reminiscent of a vacation spent at lush and plush locations, is the warmth and friendliness of the people at Taj who are there to make your stay in Atlantic City even more pleasant.

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Hard Rock International, famous for its rock and roll-themed cafes, said on Tuesday it will develop a $300 million casino-hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The move follows recent state legislation aimed at encouraging new development in Atlantic City, whose gambling revenue has dropped amid the recent economic downturn as well as new competition in neighboring states like Pennsylvania, where gambling was approved in 2006. Hard Rock, owned by Florida’s Seminole Indian tribe, said the proposed legislation would allow developers to build new casinos in Atlantic City with fewer than 500 hotel rooms, significantly reducing construction costs. “We are intrigued by the newly proposed legislation, which makes entering the marketplace more manageable,” Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen said in a statement. “Despite current headwinds, Atlantic City remains the country’s second-largest gaming market and would be an exciting location for a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.” He said the estimated $300 million price of the project does not include the cost of land — a beachfront parcel along the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Hard Rock, based in Orlando, Florida, has a total of 162 venues in 52 countries, including 13 casino-hotels.

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Lisa Williams is one of America’s most loved clairvoyants and mediums. Her amazing gift of communicating with those who have gone on before us has changed the lives of many who have had the opportunity of having Lisa do their readings. She has traveled the US to share her gift with thousands of people who need a sense of closure with loved ones they have lost.

From a very young age Lisa has been blessed with a special talent of speaking to those who have passed on. She also has a special gift of healing that she has shared with people from all around the world. Lisa uses these gifts to help improve the lives of those who are searching for answers and healing from illness and emotional pain as well.

On January 23rd, 2010 Lisa will be in concert at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ. She welcomes any and all who have an interest in seeing her perform or getting a personal reading. Fans and skeptics alike will watch in amazement as she shares her gift of clairvoyance with her audience. Many who doubted her abilities when they walked in to a concert, leave knowing their doubts have been put to ease.

If you have unfinished business or need to know where a relationship stood with a loved one you have lost, you may want to attend one of Lisa’s concerts. She has helped thousands of people find the answers they have been seeking and may very well help you find those answers too. Lisa Williams feels that having a sense of peace after the loss of a loved one is the first step in healing from the pain of losing them. She feels it is her purpose in life to help guide others to achieving that peace.

Image Courtesy: http://psychicvas.com/lisa_williams.htm

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Lady Gaga canceled her appearance at the hotel with just 24 hours notice.

Gaga’s camp claimed she was fighting exhaustion and dehydration late Thursday night when they pulled her gig at Purdue University in Indiana (where her two opening acts had performed before there was word she wouldn’t be coming on). They used the same excuse the next day for Gaga’s New Jersey show but — no shocker here — the singer was well enough to appear live on “Oprah” that very afternoon.

“This is what happens when spoiled rich girls become entertainers,” one disgruntled fan wrote on her official Web site. “They don’t care about anything but themselves.”

Atlantic City has most definitely been home to a great many musical acts and spectacles but few are as exciting as the upcoming event featuring the “Dynamic Duo” of Lady Gaga and Jason Derulo. This is certainly going to be one of the most - pardon the pun - dynamic events to hit the city in a long time. Those that love a diverse spectacle of music will definitely find it appealing.

Again, these are acts you will not want to miss.

Lady Gaga is known for her glam rock look that is a modernized version of the trend made famous in the 1970s. This is, by no means, an indication that her music is derivative. Quite the contrary, she brings a unique and brilliant sound to the event that fans will surely never forget. She is coming off a very successful world tour and a commercially strong selling CD. This will definitely translate into enthusiasm when she appears live on stage.

Jason Derulo has been a successful songwriter and he is now branching out in the music world with his own singing performance. Seeing him live on stage will certainly prove to be an unforgettable experience.

Kid Cudi’s supporting stint on Lady Gaga’s “Monster Ball” tour though has come to an end. The “Day ‘N’ Nite” rapper announced that he is pulling out of the tour due to time conflicts.In a statement released on Wednesday (Dec. 16), he explained his departure. “Kid Cudi has decided to take an early leave of absence from Lady Gaga’s Monster Ball tour, in order to balance his schedule surrounding the recording of his next album and acting commitments. Cudi does not want to disappoint his fans and will move forward with his individual show dates in December and throughout the month of January.”

The show will take place at the Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City on the Saturday evening of January 16, 2010.This event is going to be a huge hit,after being sold out in a record time of 10 minutes,people hardly doubt it. The show will start promptly at 8pm so don’t be late or you may miss out!

Image Courtesy: http://blog.thenext2shine.com/2009/mp3-lady-gaga-ft-rodney-darkchild-jerkins-reloaded

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John Legend is quickly becoming one of the most famous soul singers in the world. Since his multi-platinum album Get Lifted, he has been awarded six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His collaborations with superstars like Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, and The Black Eyed Peas have made Legend a household name. And singers and songwriters who want to work with Legend consider him a hot commodity, because he is very high in demand. This was yet again proved at the  much anticipated concert in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on January 1, 2010. The show had tons of energy, the crowd was whooping and clapping the whole time, the new year couldn’t get kick started any better.The songs moved quickly,the transitions were almost smooth, no endless interludes, no uninteresting solos, and all hits! Thumbs up to this one.

John Legend was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, and began playing the piano at the age of four. By age seven he had joined his church choir. He graduated from his high school at age 16 and was offered many scholarships many Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Morehouse College. He eventually attended the University of Pennsylvania. There he studied English with emphasis on African American literature. While in college, he was the president and musical director of a jazz/pop a cappella group. The group recorded a cover of Joan Osborne’s “One of Us” which was featured on a compilation CD called Best of Collegiate a Cappella in 1998.

After graduation, he began recording and sending his demos to various record labels in 2001. He was introduced to Kanye West, and was signed under West’s label. From there, he started doing background vocals; he can be heard on Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name”, Jay-Z’s “Encore”, Kanye West’s “Never Let Me Down”, Dilated Peoples’ “This Way”, and Slum Village’s “Selfish”.

John Legend has released three studio albums worldwide, and all three have been very successful. His first studio album Get Lifted was released December 2004, and sold 2.1 million copies in the U.S. and 3 million worldwide, making it Platinum. His second album Once Again, released October 2006, also went platinum. Evolver, the third album, is different from the two previous albums in that the sound is more upbeat, unlike the two slower, soul and blues albums before it. Evolver was released October 2008, and has currently reached Gold status on the U.S charts.

Legend has made many appearances on television shows and movies. He has performed with numerous artists on the Grammys and other award shows. He has done music videos with other artists, like the “Yes We Can” music video with Will.I.Am. Legend has made numerous appearances on Sesame Street shows and specials. He also had a small non-speaking role in the 2008 film Soul Men. His music has also been in the background for shows and movies as well.

He is also a spokesman for companies such as Bailey’s, GQ Magazine, and MLT (Management Leadership for Tomorrow). Along with these spokesman duties, he has also been a part of many charitable events such as the Live Earth concert and the Tide laundry detergent company to aid families that were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

With all of his success, he has gained many fans around the world. One of his stops on his first tour was in Atlantic City, New Jersey, January 1, 2010. His fans have been waiting with great anticipation for this concert. This performance was his first in the new year of 2010, he has surely left everybody wanting for more.

Image courtesy: http://www.nj.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/10/05-week/

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Mariah Carey is one of the best selling female artists of all time.This sexy diva is known for her sultry and dynamic vocal stylings. She is a five time Grammy Award winning artist and has the most number-one hits in the United States as a solo artist. Mariah collaborated with some of the hottest names in the music industry that include the likes of Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Usher, Jermaine Dupri, Kanye West, The Neptunes, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Not only is she a singer, but a writer and producer as well. Not that Ms. Carey is back on top of the music world, her concert during the week of January 2nd at Borgata was the most incredible so far. When she stood there and began singing the interlude to Daydream, that’s when the crowd knew it was in for a treat!

Mariah Carey was born and raised in Huntington, Long Island, New York. Music had a large influence on Mariah at an early age. She would listen to her mother practicing opera and soon began to imitate her. She began singing at the age of three and throughout her early teens would find herself skipping school to focus on music. After graduation from high school, she moved to New York City working part-time jobs to pay the rent. In 1998, Mariah finally got her big break when she met Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola. Mottola listened to a demo of Mariah’s work and soon signed her to a recording contract.

Mariah’s early success came with the release of her self titled debut album, where she co-wrote many of the tracks. Her debut album was a huge commercial success as it yielded four number-one singles and made Mariah an over night star in the United States. As the success of the debut album continued, Mariah would win Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Mariah’s career continued to roll and she received Billboard’s Artist of the Decade Award. Soon after, Mariah would depart from Columbia Records and sign with Virgin where she would sign a contract worth a reported $80 million. It was during this time that Mariah’s career would begin to take a turn in the opposite direction. She would find herself checking into a hospital suffering from an emotional and physical breakdown. Also during this time, Mariah would be panned by critics for her role in Glitter and the accompanying soundtrack of the same name.

Carey’s career was resurrected in 2005 with her tenth studio album release, The Emancipation of Mimi. Mimi was critically acclaimed and garnered Carey three Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary R&B Album, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best R&B Song.

The diva was back and her career was skyrocketing her to a new level of fame. Mariah began The Adventures of Mimi Tour, which was the most successful tour of the career to date. Her personal life would also begin to shine as she met and married Nick Cannon. According to Mariah, she has never been more at ease with herself or more fulfilled in her life than she does at this point in her life.

Mariah’s latest album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, has already earned praise from critics and fans alike. Mariah would also receive much praise for her role in the critically acclaimed film, Precious. Mariah’s new tour features the diva at her best. Coming down from the ceiling on a swing with a beige dress she yet again proved that she is one of  the most beautiful, talented performer of all time, Mariah Carey!

Image Courtesy : http://soundcheck.freedomblogging.com/tag/justin-bieber/

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