Where to stay in Atlantic City?

Ok,

We have finally decided to visit Atlantic City. We qualify for the flights but, the dates don’t work so it’s going to be a road trip mid week in August.

We are diamond and We qualify for any cet standard rooms possibly some small suites.

Bottom line - where should we stay???? I definitely like to walk around and explore.

Thanks

 

As a first time visitor with CET Diamond status, I would recommend Caesars due to the boardwalk location, it’s adjacent to Bally’s, and both have nice Diamond Lounges.

 

I agree with hammie. As a first time visitor you should stay on the boardwalk. Caesars would be first choice.

 

Agreed, stay at Caesars, without doubt the best location on the boardwalk and very close to the Tanger Outlets, do you have a host? If you don't I can put you in touch with mine if you like.

 

IMO, Harrah's has the nicest rooms of the 3 CET locations. That would be my choice. Atlantic City isn't really a "walk around and explore" kind of place.

 

I like the rooms at Harrah's too.... but first timers in the summer should be on the boardwalk ... they can walk around there all they want... or walk to the outlets if they want.

 

Oh definitely Caesar's on the boardwalk. Great walking, the beach, people watching. Have a great time!

 

while it is one of the older casinos in ac, resorts may be the best for room prices------it is on the boardwalk and in the middle of all the action-----they have 2 towers,the ones near the boardwalk are the original hotel rooms but have been remodeled recently-----

 

I agree with staying at Caesars and ask for a corner room in the Centurion Tower. Nice rooms with windows on front and side overlooking the Boardwalk and ocean. We like Harrah's but you're not near anything within walking distance except Borgata and golden Nugget. Plenty of exploring to do on the boardwalk if you like tacky t-shirt shops, hot dog and ice cream places, etc. Ocean One mall is right across the street and Tanger Outlets is a few blocks away if shopping interests you. Diamond parking is free and the DL's in Caesars and Bally's are both great. Unlike the DL's in LV you can get a full buffet which is usually very good. Harrah's has good food too but the room isn't as nice as the others.

 

As a long time AC guy I must agree with the overwhelming majority that Caesars would be the ideal choice. Center city location , the beach and outlets right there at your door step. I disagree that AC isn’t the “ walk around “ kind of place. Strolling the boardwalk is a great way to spend some time. Or jump on the tram. Enjoy !!

 

As a regular visitor to AC, I would say some additional information would be needed. What type of vacationers are you? Do you like to walk and explore? Do you like the beach? Do you want a relaxed environment or party atmosphere. AC is definitely a walk around and explore place since is has the boardwalk which is a great walk around and explore option day and night especially if you have never been.. There is also a great set of outlets and a Bass Pro walking distance from Caesars and Ballys.

If you are people who like the beach and outside things to do I would say stay at Caesars (that's our summer destination). It has nicer rooms than Bally's, but full access to all of the Bally's party scenes in the Wild Wild West and Beach Bar. Harrah's is wonderful and where we stay in the winter since the indoor pool is great and the property is totally self sufficient. But in the summer trying to get to the beach is a pain and takes way too much planning from Harrah's ( take a shuttle, change at bally's spa, cart stuff to the beach...) Caesars is leave hotel room go out first floor cross boardwalk and beach.

Before booking think about what your preferences are and what you dislike and then book accordingly.

 

Thanks for replies. I think we are going to with majority and do caesars. We will be there for two nights. I spend half my time in Vegas walking so I will be happy doing an am stroll around on the boardwalk. Something tells me it won’t be a 4-5 am stroll like in Vegas !

We do have a Vegas host so we will be in contact with him shortly. We are looking at mid week late August for our quick trip down .

 

Supposedly, this is Mike Tyson running on the boardwalk in the early morning.

 

I feel like all three have there pros and cons, so here are my comments:
- Harrah's has the best food choices AND a cooking school that is amazing
- Harrah's has the best spa
- Harrah's has the best pool (but it's indoor only with just an outdoor deck)
- Harrah's has the most diverse crowd
- Harrah's has the best Video Poker bars
- Harrah's has the best (and biggest) rooms
- Harrah's is the cleanest / most resort like
- Harrah's has the best bartenders
- Bally's has the best late night entertainment (only during summer time)
- Bally's has the beach bar
- Bally's has the best (and most private) high limit room
- Bally's has the best Diamond Lounge (Caesar's is VERY close)
- Bally's has the best sports book
- Caesar's has the best brunch (Nero's)
- Caesar's has the best slot selection

So, what does this all mean? Harrah's is the best property -- in my opinion. But, if you want to walk the boardwalk / be by the beach, Caesar's is the way to go as Bally's is within walking distance and Caesar's is better than Bally's in many regards.

That said, I've found that I'm actually not really taking advantage of the beach location when I'm at Caesar's (except for the fact that they have the outdoor pool). I say, take the jitney to Caesar's from Harrah's and use their pool. It's $2.50 or there's a free one for CET guests. You can wear beach-ware on the bus without problem (with a cover-up) and you'll enjoy your experience the most.

 

The air show is August 21. It's a great time to be in AC so, if you're dates are not set in stone, you might want to consider going then.

 

It's truly amazing how subjective these properties are. I always felt like Wild Wild West / Ballys had the most diverse crowd One night I played craps with a bachelorette party, an 85 y/o in a wheel chair, 2 convention guys and a guy who looked like he had been up for 2 days, all while a band was rocking!
I think Caesars has the best rooms, but that's probably because we always get Ocean Tower there.
Ballys winter weekend entertainment is also awesome
Wife prefers Caesars Spa to Harrah's
Crazy enough we both prefer the DL at Harrah's to the other two for food, but not for view or drinks.

Either way I think the key here is AC has a lot to offer and can really cover any age range or vacation goals

Not to hi-jack, but how was the cooking school? My wife and I keep talking about doing it, but never actually do it.

 

I would go with Borgata. Personally I think the Boardwalk resorts have become quite run-down in recent years.

 

Another Caesar's vote, especially for a first time AC visitor.

FYI, with your diamond card you can get two free beach chairs ( and umbrella) to use on the beach. I just learned, this past Sunday, if you go on the Bally's side they are limiting this to the first 10 DC holders. However, Caesar's side of the beach has no limit. Plus you probably won't hear the pain staking Guy Fieri plug over the PA system if you go on the beach in front of Caesar's. ( that commercial needs to just stop).

I'm also more inclined to go with the DL at Bally's.

Have fun!

 

I’m convinced they play his annoying commercial so that no one sits on the benches along the railing. Great point about the beach chairs and umbrella in front of Caesars. I think an umbrella rents for $10 and a chair $7 for the uninitiated. And there’s no way I’m hitting the beach without a chair and umbrella.

You may want to check out Tropicana, Hard Rock, and Ocean.

 

IMO you made the best choice as a first time visitor to pick Caesars though I've been going 25+ years and Caesars is still my first choice because waking up and looking out at the Atlantic Ocean NEVER gets old (and that's acknowledging that Harrahs has been more refreshed in terms of the gaming floor and rooms). There's nothing like the energy of the boardwalk, especially in summer, which will be just a few minutes walk from your room.

I would definitely work with a host to work to ensure you get an ocean view room and agree with comments above that the corner in Centurion (forgot the room number) is great because you'll have TWO windows with two different views of the ocean. Even if you can't get a corner room work it to get the ocean view. I think it does add, for me at least, a lot to my typically 2 night/weekend experience, even though I spend a minimal amount of time in the room. And +1 what was said above about the views from the Diamond Lounges at both Caesars and Bally's. You'll also see that all three Diamond Lounges, including Harrah's, have offerings that are on par with small buffets in Vegas.