J-man-
I was in AC over the weekend. The place has an incredibly LONG way to even come close to 1/16 of the place Vegas is but the best casino there is the newest, the Borgata.
It is AC's only "Vegas style" casino. I've been there a bunch of times and like to call it "Bellagio lite." Compared to the other places in the town it is high end and can boast about having restaurants that can compete with the best most Vegas casinos have to offer and would certainly make it in a Top 10 list of US casinos for restaurant dining.
As a poker player, it has the second nicest (read as cleanest with comfortable seats and no smoking tables) room I've been to with Bellagio having the nicest. Easily crushes others in terms of technology. It probably has a dozen or more plasma screens showing a myriad of things from waitlists, to horse racing, to the latest NBA/NHL action. The floorpeople have wireless headsets and carry Ipaqs to manage waitlists and to run player club cards.
The horse racing area is pretty sweet and has mini plasmas/LCDs for the players.
The limits are "highish" for AC and I believe that it helps manage the clientele a bit. For example, the minimum BJ you will find on a Saturday night is $25 with a sizable number being $50. (You will find 1 $5 table and maybe another small handful of $15 tables).
The downside is that it has an active bar/club scene which attracts a younger "cheesier" crowd. Nice eye candy but can be a bit annoying at 2:30 am when you are trying to focus on the shoe count or your poker hand.
BTW, they published a calendar called the "Babes of Borgata" (I think Dante started a thread on it). I was given a free copy of the calendar and much of their help is VERY attractive.
For those of us on the East coast, it is the closest we can get to Vegas without the flight.
I was in AC over the weekend. The place has an incredibly LONG way to even come close to 1/16 of the place Vegas is but the best casino there is the newest, the Borgata.
It is AC's only "Vegas style" casino. I've been there a bunch of times and like to call it "Bellagio lite." Compared to the other places in the town it is high end and can boast about having restaurants that can compete with the best most Vegas casinos have to offer and would certainly make it in a Top 10 list of US casinos for restaurant dining.
As a poker player, it has the second nicest (read as cleanest with comfortable seats and no smoking tables) room I've been to with Bellagio having the nicest. Easily crushes others in terms of technology. It probably has a dozen or more plasma screens showing a myriad of things from waitlists, to horse racing, to the latest NBA/NHL action. The floorpeople have wireless headsets and carry Ipaqs to manage waitlists and to run player club cards.
The horse racing area is pretty sweet and has mini plasmas/LCDs for the players.
The limits are "highish" for AC and I believe that it helps manage the clientele a bit. For example, the minimum BJ you will find on a Saturday night is $25 with a sizable number being $50. (You will find 1 $5 table and maybe another small handful of $15 tables).
The downside is that it has an active bar/club scene which attracts a younger "cheesier" crowd. Nice eye candy but can be a bit annoying at 2:30 am when you are trying to focus on the shoe count or your poker hand.
BTW, they published a calendar called the "Babes of Borgata" (I think Dante started a thread on it). I was given a free copy of the calendar and much of their help is VERY attractive.
For those of us on the East coast, it is the closest we can get to Vegas without the flight.
Here's an article on The Borg...wish I would have seen this before I penned the tome above...
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/02/10/leisure.borgata.reut/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2004/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/02/10/leisure.borgata.reut/index.html
Normally the answer to this question is the first place you stop on your way OUT of there
BUT swami has a point about the Borg being the best (and it's because it is the newest). I always enjoyed the Resorts even though it's more of a temporary retirement home (most there are senior citizens).
AC is still a dump for the most part but it seems like they're trying to renovate some areas. For a weekend though it's not bad.
sb
BUT swami has a point about the Borg being the best (and it's because it is the newest). I always enjoyed the Resorts even though it's more of a temporary retirement home (most there are senior citizens).
AC is still a dump for the most part but it seems like they're trying to renovate some areas. For a weekend though it's not bad.
sb
Irish pub and White house sub shop are staples off AC. Sinatra and Liberace both used to come in and make their own subs at the White House. There is literally no more room left on the wall for pictures of all the stars who have been in the dive.
Casinos are of course the main draw to the town. Borgata is the classiest place in town. The place to be seen in AC and the sights on the weekends are comparable to the Hard rock in Las Vegas. Borgata has the best poker room in town and it is quietly tucked away downstairs.(I did here they were changing venues with the mixx nightclub which will bring it upstairs and drop the mixx to the downstairs) Lots of young people playing poker here because they want to be the next Moneymaker. They also have some good video poker at all levels.
The rest of the casinos are just good in the summer. Something Nobody else has is casinos on the Atlantic ocean. As far as I know the water is ok. Tons of people swim in it all summer long.
AC is a town filled with corrupt politicians. Three of the last six mayors have went to jail or been indicted. They have tried to clean the city up and the last 3 years it has improved. I still don't know what the 200 million dollar entrance to the city is. They spent all that money on a crappy lighthouse and mini laser show that nobody pays attention to.
Casinos are of course the main draw to the town. Borgata is the classiest place in town. The place to be seen in AC and the sights on the weekends are comparable to the Hard rock in Las Vegas. Borgata has the best poker room in town and it is quietly tucked away downstairs.(I did here they were changing venues with the mixx nightclub which will bring it upstairs and drop the mixx to the downstairs) Lots of young people playing poker here because they want to be the next Moneymaker. They also have some good video poker at all levels.
The rest of the casinos are just good in the summer. Something Nobody else has is casinos on the Atlantic ocean. As far as I know the water is ok. Tons of people swim in it all summer long.
AC is a town filled with corrupt politicians. Three of the last six mayors have went to jail or been indicted. They have tried to clean the city up and the last 3 years it has improved. I still don't know what the 200 million dollar entrance to the city is. They spent all that money on a crappy lighthouse and mini laser show that nobody pays attention to.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by krackman:
SNIP.....I still don't know what the 200 million dollar entrance to the city is. They spent all that money on a crappy lighthouse and mini laser show that nobody pays attention to.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What is that Krackman? Never heard of any of this and I've been going to AC for 10+ years
SNIP.....I still don't know what the 200 million dollar entrance to the city is. They spent all that money on a crappy lighthouse and mini laser show that nobody pays attention to.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
What is that Krackman? Never heard of any of this and I've been going to AC for 10+ years
At the foot of the expressway starts the AC project something they started seven years back. The lighthouse with the laser in the tower(usually only turned on for the weekends) and some kind of 1/10th filled lake with plastic on the bottom. They spent 190 million on this WTF?
They are building $100 million dollars worth of shopping outlets but I cannot see people leaving the casinos and walking 3 blocks to shop in this area. My wife says it will work I disagree. (she's probably right)
They are building $100 million dollars worth of shopping outlets but I cannot see people leaving the casinos and walking 3 blocks to shop in this area. My wife says it will work I disagree. (she's probably right)
They built those shops not just because of tourists, but also because Atlantic County is a burgeoning residential area with minimal retail relative to its population. People that live there have long driven to Cherry Hill to shop, about 45 miles away so the local powers used some of the redevelopment funds that casinos give due to tax incentives and decided to see if retail would stick. So far the results are inconclusive, but it is winter so they really won't know. As for the city itself, I personally think the town isn't half as bad as most people make it out to be. Most people stroll into town and don't even go to more than one casino. If you just drive in and park and gamble, then leave the city doesn't matter much. And most casinos aren't half that bad, biggest problem is the tables are fairly crowded and higher limit. Then again Vegas now is almost always crowded and table limits have gone way up in most Strip places. It all comes down to the fact that AC still will be a place you go for the day, maybe one night max, while Vegas is a long weekend kind of place.
Borgata is nice, but people putting into mini-Bellagio status are kidding themselves. It is a big step up from AC standards, but I would say it would compare to what you would have if you put the New York New York and Monte Carlo together, but then jacked up the table limits. There is more buzz and a lot younger crowd there, not to mention full tables and mostly empty slots, but it still only has a handful of restaurants and a few nightspots.
Borgata is nice, but people putting into mini-Bellagio status are kidding themselves. It is a big step up from AC standards, but I would say it would compare to what you would have if you put the New York New York and Monte Carlo together, but then jacked up the table limits. There is more buzz and a lot younger crowd there, not to mention full tables and mostly empty slots, but it still only has a handful of restaurants and a few nightspots.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WildBill:
SNIP....Borgata is nice, but people putting into mini-Bellagio status are kidding themselves. It is a big step up from AC standards, but I would say it would compare to what you would have if you put the New York New York and Monte Carlo together, but then jacked up the table limits. ...SNIP<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I called it Bellagio "lite" not necessarily "mini."
More importantly, at last check New York New York and Monte Carlo's rooms are not 1/3 as nice as Borgata's and neither one of those places have restaurants that can even come close to Old Homestead and Susanna Foo's place. Oh yea, did I forget the spa.
Comparing it in a pure sense to Bellagio is a stretch but it is WAYYYYYY better than the lower tier strip places like Monte Carlo and NY NY (even if you combine these two).
Just for context...
- I've stayed at NY NY (1x), Monte Carlo (2x) and Borgata (6x)
- I've eaten at Gallagher's and ESPN Zone (NY NY) (and have had the original Gallagher's, America, and Gonzalez y Gonzalez at home here in NY)
- I've eaten at the buffet and Blackstone's (Monte Carlo)
- I've had the Borgata buffet and the lower tier Metro Cafe. I've not eaten at Old Homstead (Borgata) but have had the original at home in NY. I hear it is ALMOST as good. Have eaten at Sulian (sp?) (Susanna Foo of Philly).
Bill-
Have you been to these restaurants and hotels? If so, I find it hard to believe that you think Borgata compares to NY NY and Monte Carlo alone or combined.
BTW....
min·i ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mn)
n. pl. min·is
1. Something that is distinctively smaller than other members of its type or class.
2. A miniskirt
lite ( P ) Pronunciation Key (lt)
adj. Slang
Having less substance or weight or fewer calories than something else: “lite music, shimmering on the surface and squishy soft at the core” (Mother Jones).
SNIP....Borgata is nice, but people putting into mini-Bellagio status are kidding themselves. It is a big step up from AC standards, but I would say it would compare to what you would have if you put the New York New York and Monte Carlo together, but then jacked up the table limits. ...SNIP<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I called it Bellagio "lite" not necessarily "mini."
More importantly, at last check New York New York and Monte Carlo's rooms are not 1/3 as nice as Borgata's and neither one of those places have restaurants that can even come close to Old Homestead and Susanna Foo's place. Oh yea, did I forget the spa.
Comparing it in a pure sense to Bellagio is a stretch but it is WAYYYYYY better than the lower tier strip places like Monte Carlo and NY NY (even if you combine these two).
Just for context...
- I've stayed at NY NY (1x), Monte Carlo (2x) and Borgata (6x)
- I've eaten at Gallagher's and ESPN Zone (NY NY) (and have had the original Gallagher's, America, and Gonzalez y Gonzalez at home here in NY)
- I've eaten at the buffet and Blackstone's (Monte Carlo)
- I've had the Borgata buffet and the lower tier Metro Cafe. I've not eaten at Old Homstead (Borgata) but have had the original at home in NY. I hear it is ALMOST as good. Have eaten at Sulian (sp?) (Susanna Foo of Philly).
Bill-
Have you been to these restaurants and hotels? If so, I find it hard to believe that you think Borgata compares to NY NY and Monte Carlo alone or combined.
BTW....
min·i ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mn)
n. pl. min·is
1. Something that is distinctively smaller than other members of its type or class.
2. A miniskirt
lite ( P ) Pronunciation Key (lt)
adj. Slang
Having less substance or weight or fewer calories than something else: “lite music, shimmering on the surface and squishy soft at the core” (Mother Jones).
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Racing411.com:
non-gambling stop...White House Subs. Ask a cabbie to take you there for the best munch ever. A true landmark in AC.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
RACING411,
MAN YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT!!!!~ best sub i EVER had!~ i had a guy in front of me in line order double meat one time. they just asked him if he was sure and they were laughing. it was his first time there. i bet he never made that mistake agian!!!
non-gambling stop...White House Subs. Ask a cabbie to take you there for the best munch ever. A true landmark in AC.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
RACING411,
MAN YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT!!!!~ best sub i EVER had!~ i had a guy in front of me in line order double meat one time. they just asked him if he was sure and they were laughing. it was his first time there. i bet he never made that mistake agian!!!
Sorry, I missed that "lite" detail. Just that many people outside of this forum are calling it that and I always laugh at it. Yes I went to a bunch of the restaurants there and the service was terrible. Reservations were booked. Ok, so maybe my restaurant comparisons were off, but I was talking more about the gaming ambience/options and the nightclub options. I am not anything close to a foodie so I am the last person to ask on that subject.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WildBill:
Sorry, I missed that "lite" detail. Just that many people outside of this forum are calling it that and I always laugh at it. Yes I went to a bunch of the restaurants there and the service was terrible. Reservations were booked. Ok, so maybe my restaurant comparisons were off, but I was talking more about the gaming ambience/options and the nightclub options. I am not anything close to a foodie so I am the last person to ask on that subject.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'll let it go but even the rooms and nightclub options do not compare. The only comparison is that like most other casinos all three offer BJ, Craps, Slots, Roulette, and a Big 10 wheel (or whatever that damn thing is called).
Sorry, I missed that "lite" detail. Just that many people outside of this forum are calling it that and I always laugh at it. Yes I went to a bunch of the restaurants there and the service was terrible. Reservations were booked. Ok, so maybe my restaurant comparisons were off, but I was talking more about the gaming ambience/options and the nightclub options. I am not anything close to a foodie so I am the last person to ask on that subject.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'll let it go but even the rooms and nightclub options do not compare. The only comparison is that like most other casinos all three offer BJ, Craps, Slots, Roulette, and a Big 10 wheel (or whatever that damn thing is called).
definitely agree with White House and Irish Pub. Two "must-stops" every time I am there.
I used to hang out a bunch at AC Bar & Grill. Great seafood and a decent bar.
Further up the line is a relatively new restaurant called Mojo (in Margate I think). Excellent food. A bit pricey but worth it.
As far as the casinos, they are almost exactly the same to me, and all pretty crappy...
I used to hang out a bunch at AC Bar & Grill. Great seafood and a decent bar.
Further up the line is a relatively new restaurant called Mojo (in Margate I think). Excellent food. A bit pricey but worth it.
As far as the casinos, they are almost exactly the same to me, and all pretty crappy...
