It's happening at Atlantic City Hotels and Casinos

The place to eat some, shop some, and mingle some is the Borgata, the Italian village where everybody goes out to have some fun. In Atlantic City, they have their own kind of Italian village where tourists and locals flock to have the time of their lives—the Borgata Casino Atlantic City, a mix of resort, casino, and spa all rolled into one imposing, bronze-walled structure that stands out from the rest of the sparkling lights of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. This contemporary Italian village certainly offers a new venue for eating some, shopping some, mingling some, and more.

The Resort

Guests visiting the Borgata are welcomed with an assortment of luxurious choices when it comes to accommodations—from classic rooms that feature wraparound, floor-to-ceiling windows and bathrooms topped with authentic Italian marble, studio suites that offer high-tech entertainment, to piatto suites that have their own wet bar and multimedia entertainment center. Award-winning and celebrity chef restaurants also abound for the fine dining enthusiast. Choose from contemporary Mediterranean at Seablue, beef specialties at the Old Homestead Steakhouse, or innovative Japanese cuisine at Izakaya. Or, if you have a penchant for a casual and friendly atmosphere to eat and socialize, the Borgata Buffet and the Metropolitan Café are just a few steps away from your room or the gambling table.

The Casino

At the Borgata Casino Atlantic City, the staff are rigorously trained to be serious about fun. And there certainly is no reason for them not to be. More than 160,000 square feet of gaming area is a vast space for a huge variety of slot machines and gaming tables, where guests can easily pick their way through one of the many choices of machines and gambling games. Are you looking to win in Texas Hold’em Poker? Do you want to play Spanish 21, Let it Ride, Keno, Blackjack, or various Asian games? Whatever you’re looking for, you can find it right here at the Borgata casino, where the atmosphere is extremely lively, charged with a different rush of sensual energy that only this Italian masterpiece can exude.

The Spa

The Toccare Spa offers only the best signature Borgata relaxation options in its sprawling 54,000 square feet of space. The Toccare houses a salon and barbershop, five different swimming pools, an outdoor garden, and the modern and fully-equipped Pump Room, where guests are welcome to continue their regular workout routines even when they are away on vacation at the Borgata Casino Atlantic City. The spa offers a huge variety of treatments that you might have trouble picking the best for you. Full-body massages are always the best for easing tension from sore muscles and stressed out nerves, and the Toccare’s offerings range from hour-long relaxation treatments to rejuvenating sessions of essential oil massage. Other spa services include facials, clinical skin treatments, waxing, conditioning body scrubs, body wraps, and tanning services.
There is no wonder why the Borgata is amassing rave reviews from many of the country’s most widely-read publications. The New York Sun says, “This luxury hotel separates itself from the other hotels, both literally… and stylistically.” Maryland’s Baltimore Magazine believes that the Borgata is “…a world-class collection of art, lighting, furniture, and flowers amidst subtly stunning European surroundings.” Card Player magazine has a unique way of describing the Borgata Casino Atlantic City: “It’s not uncommon to have a celebrity at your table while visiting the Borgata Poker Room.” And what of the dining experience? Meeting Professional magazine says it is, “offering everything from chic Italian and upscale steakhouse fare to innovative Asian fusion.”
But don’t take these reviews as laws. You’ve got to experience the Borgata for you to know.

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When was the last time you visited Atlantic City, NJ
and stayed overnight in a hotel or casino? If it’s been
longer than one year, you may want to visit again soon.

The restaurants are amazing…Rainforest Cafe is great fun for kids! I was so impressed with the great shopping (high end at The Pier at Caesars and reasonable outlets at The Walk). The city has undergone a complete transformation. Gone are the days when you stuck to the boardwalk. Between The Walk and the Marina District there is so much more to see!

Atlantic City gets two thumbs up for a great family vacation!

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Dazzling and full of life is what Atlantic City’s Boardwalk is. This long stretch of land along the coast of this eastern jewel of a city is crammed with everything from local handcraft stores, souvenir stalls, sweetshops, to five-star hotels, world-famous attractions, and glitzy casinos where the fun and adventurous come to find their delight. After all, this city is not the gambling capital of Eastern United States for nothing. If you’re planning to go casino-hopping in this flashy side of town, here are five of the best casinos in Atlantic City you shouldn’t miss.
1. Tropicana Casino and Resort – In Atlantic City’s largest casino, you will never find yourself out of action where there are more than 3,100 traditional and innovative slot games to choose from in its elegant Crystal Room and the new, tropical-themed Palm Cove. Catch all the casino action while settling for poker slots and refreshments on the Rumba Lounge, which overlooks all the heart-pounding action on the wide casino floor below. You can also experience the excitement at the classic table games or most authentic Asian games at the Tropicana Jade Palace.
2. Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort – If the magnificent crystal chandeliers, ornate dark wood furniture, and plush Oriental carpets do not impress you, we don’t know what will. It certainly is more than one of the best casinos in Atlantic City, as it was voted Best Casino in the world by the readers of Casino Player magazine. More than 3,000 slot machines, 210 table games, an impressive baccarat pit, a smoke-free poker room, and a state-of-the-art simulcast facility that offers more than 20 live channels—here is where all there is, at the heart of the Boardwalk.
3. Bally’s Atlantic City – Majesty is the name of the game in this Boardwalk casino, where you have to ride a staggering escalator of 93 feet and pass through tall columns of flowing waterfalls on either side to enter Bally’s Atlantic City’s dynamic gaming center. The floor is covered with colorful confetti carpet and the walls with vivid murals to give the whole room an exhilarating sense of entertainment and pleasure. Choose from more than 2,300 slot machines and classic table games or slip into Bally’s Wild Wild West—the only old frontier town casino in Atlantic City, where even the restrooms are decorated like abandoned mine shafts.
4. Resorts Casino Hotel – This is where it all started. One of the best casinos in Atlantic City today is the first casino in town to have ever set up the shop and provided the first gaming experience for locals and tourists alike. Hints of tasteful neon are reminiscent of the casino’s early days as the only gaming venue on the Boardwalk. Today, the place has more than 100,000 square feet filled with the latest slots and table games that offer some of the highest limits all over Atlantic City.
5. Harrah’s Atlantic City – Up three miles from where most of the gambling action is, Harrah’s cool and laid back casino is accessible to all those willing to drive or ride the Jitney, Atlantic City’s unique bus system that transports tourists and locals to the prime destinations and landmarks in the city. Serene blues and greens are interspersed with deep coral hues to provide a relaxing mood amidst the animated atmosphere the gaming floor provides. Harrah’s houses more than 175,000 square feet of slot machines, table games, and a poker room where the prestigious World Series of Poker is held.

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Gamblers, boaters, water-lovers, and vacationers abound in Atlantic City, this eastern jewel of a North American city which boasts of a variety of attractions and entertainment galore. One of the most exciting destinations in this place is the Trump Marina Atlantic City. As with any other place associated with the name ‘Trump,’ this opulent casino resort hotel offers the best when it comes to accommodations, recreation, dining experiences, and a one-of-a-kind harbor facility managed by the Trump Marina Associates—the Frank S. Farley State Marina.
If you are traveling to Atlantic City by boat, then this state-owned facility is the best place to dock, where amenities include 24-hour security provided by the New Jersey State Police Station and the Coast Guard, a fuel dock with a pump-out station, gas and diesel fuel, hook-ups for water, cable TV, telephone and electricity up to 100 amps, private baths and showers, and a laundry area. Mariners also have quick and easy access to the Docksider, a nautical shop found right inside the Trump Marina Atlantic City where they can find everything they need for smooth sailing.
In the late 1950s, the governments of the state of New Jersey and the city of Atlantic City signed a joint venture agreeing upon the construction of the marina, mainly to revive the dying pleasure boat industry in the city and open a new avenue for a certain kind of tourists—mariners and ocean-lovers alike. Today, the marina is owned by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry Services and can accommodate up to a staggering 640 boats of various sizes. Coming from the Atlantic Ocean, you can enter the marina through Absecon Inlet or the Intracoastal Waterway.
If you are spending the night in Atlantic City, you have a variety of choices to stay in. Of course, the best way to save your gambling, shopping, and sightseeing money—if you’re going to do all those in Atlantic City—is to stay inside your boat’s cabin, if you have one. Over nighters can also take advantage of the marina health club located right above the Farley State Marina office. For travelers seeking the optimum in comfort and luxury, though, the answer is standing straight and tall and imposing in front of the marina itself—the Trump Marina Atlantic City.
The luxurious hotel is connected directly to the Marina office and it houses guest rooms and opulent suites that have received a Five Star Diamond Award from the Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The savvy mariner looking for a comfortable place to stay should be more than contented with standard guest rooms located in the Bay Tower of the Trump Marina, where only the softest linens and Simons Health Smart pillow-top mattresses cover the king-sized beds. Each room has high-speed Internet connection, an in-room safe, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, and a Lodge net system for on-demand movies, music, and games.

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Life’s a beach in Atlantic City, literally, where both locals and tourists can enjoy the different activities that are offered at different times of the year in one of the best Atlantic Ocean beaches in the East. Go surfing at Crystal Beach in New Hampshire Avenue, kayaking on Jackson Avenue Beach, and fishing and bike riding on the Boardwalk. Of course, swimming is always one of the best activities you can do at the beach, along with sun bathing, beach volleyball, or generally just hanging out and enjoying the festivities. If this is what you live for, then a weekend’s stay at one of the resorts Atlantic City boasts of should be part of your life to-do list.
Rekindle the Passion in Any Relationship at Tropicana Casino and Resort
Conveniently located right in the heart of Atlantic City’s world-famous Boardwalk is Tropicana, where lovers of old and new can spend a weekend (or a week’s) getaway and revel in the abundance of activities that can be done inside the resort and a few steps away into the sandy beaches of the Boardwalk. The Quarter is the most defining feature of the Tropicana; without it, the Tropicana wouldn’t be Tropicana anymore. Experience the glamour of shopping, eating, and generally frolicking and romping around in The Quarter, Atlantic City’s very own recreation of the Cuban Old Havana. Here’s a more detailed experience of the Old Havana in Tropicana’s The Quarter. In the summer, you can lounge at their indoor swimming pool or you can choose to enjoy a more natural body of sparkling blue water only just a few leaps away from your luxurious bedroom.
Indulge Yourself at the Borgata
The Borgata Hotel is known as one of the most luxurious beach resorts Atlantic City has to offer. The guest rooms and suites at the Borgata are richly decorated with ornately-carved dark wood furniture, velvety soft bedding made for kings, marble-topped bathroom counters, and plush rugs and carpets. Guests at the Borgata in Atlantic City certainly have found the right place where they could pamper themselves. All these opulent inclusions to every room at the resort are combined with the conveniences of a modern, jet-setter life and topped with one of the most breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, which constantly reflects the color of the sky above—sparkling blue at times, silvery grey at others, and a mélange of pinks and oranges at sunset. The Borgata is, indeed, one rich experience to remember.
Live Like a King in Taj Mahal Atlantic City
This is one of the resorts Atlantic City has that certainly lives up to its name—palatial. To say that each of the guest rooms is huge is an understatement. The rooms are flat out expansive. Each of them has floor-to-ceiling windows that allow guests to fully appreciate the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and provide them with bright, natural sunlight. The upper-floor suites, to say the least, are majestic, featuring marble foyers with a fully-equipped bar area, full-size fireplaces for keeping warm during the colder months, opulent living and dining areas, and, of course, a panoramic view of the beach. Wherever you may be sitting inside your suite at the Taj Mahal, you can breathe in the wonderful sight of the seemingly endless, silent but powerful Atlantic Ocean. The Taj also houses one of the best casinos in the world. You can find out why here.

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Let’s Get PsYched

Psychedelic folk rock band with a major up-and-coming presence in Philadelphia will be traveling to Atlantic City to play Boneyard bar tomorrow, 9/18 at 10PM. This show will be the after party for the Sublime Tribute band Badfish who are playing House of Blues and will also feature Giant Mind.

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The answer to this question really depends on your own preferences as a traveler. Do you want an upscale suite at the Boardwalk or are you a practical vacationer who only needs a hotel room for keeping your things and sleeping during the night while you hop casinos during the day. If you want to find the best hotel in Atlantic City, then determine your needs and finalize your budget before you start looking. We’ll help you with the last bit here.
For the Luxurious Spender
It’s not unusual for you to be hobnobbing with the rich and famous at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City. This is where the Hollywood A-listers and celebrity brats go to wine and dine, unwind, have fun at the hotel’s world-class casino, or simply to get away from their stressful schedules in Los Angeles. And they don’t go to the Borgata for nothing. Imagine luxurious 300 thread count bedding, sparkling marble bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows that open to breathtaking views, sweeping bedrooms, first-class concierge and valet parking services, five-star restaurants, a world-class spa and restful retreat, the works!
For the Savvy Sojourner
If you’re a practical spender and wouldn’t really want to splurge on your choice of hotel but want something clean, presentable, and economical, the Courtyard by Marriott is the best hotel in Atlantic City for you. The rates are very affordable, perfect for singles, young couples, and anyone who can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a single night at an upscale Boardwalk hotel. The beds are nothing short of relaxing and the granite bathrooms are some of the cleanest, best-smelling bathrooms you’ve ever seen. It’s not in the middle of Boardwalk, but it only takes a few minutes of walking before you reach the world-famous ocean-side avenue and its myriad of attractions.
For the Young Family
Good value for your money awaits your family at the Wyndham Skyline Tower, located just a couple of blocks away from the beach, the historic Steel Pier, the Central Pier Arcade and Speedway, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum, Jake’s Salt-Water Taffy, the Ocean Life Center, and numerous kid-friendly attractions that are often upstaged by the glitz and glamour of the casinos. Wyndham is an all-suites hotel and you and your kids are sure to experience the comforts of your own home with its king- and queen-sized beds, a fully-equipped kitchen, a mini-refrigerator, an entertainment center, a Jacuzzi bath, and scenic views of the ocean.
For a Romantic Getaway
For first-time honeymooners and old-time lovers looking to rekindle the flame in their relationship, the Tropicana Casino and Resort is the best hotel in Atlantic City. Even if you don’t step out of the bounds of the hotel, you will still find plenty of activities that provide pleasurable bonding time with your partner. Summer is the best time of the year to be at Tropicana, when the outdoor swimming pool as well as the tennis court is opened to their guests. Also, a few steps away are the sparkling blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, where private cabanas are set up exclusively for their guests. At night, you and your lover can enjoy playing at the game tables or watching regular and special entertainers cook up a party. And of course, you go to bed in a rich and charming bedroom where you and your partner can enjoy picturesque views of the lovely Atlantic City horizon.

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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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