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An Honest Assessment of Harrah's AC: 02/19/2016

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Trip Reports' started by lithium78, Feb 21, 2016.

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  1. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    I booked a room at Harrah's AC for May to attend the Atlantic City Boardwalk Con comic book convention, so I decided to take a day trip down and check the place out. A friend was supposed to go with me, but their parents got the plague right before we were supposed to go (this is how the zombie apocalypse starts. I've seen the movies), so it ended up being a solo trip.

    I got there around dinnertime and I had a comp for two free buffets or a $25 meal credit. Since my friend couldn't make it, I used it to get some food at Bill's Burger Bar. I had a BBQ bacon burger without cheese (because I'm allergic) and apparently they forgot that I'm not also allergic to bacon, because they didn't put any on it. It was a long drive down and I was famished, so I didn't make a big deal about it, but it was annoying.

    After that, I went in search of high-limit slots, which brought me to Diamond Cove. They had the usual $100 and $25 single line slots and $5 slots with up to 40 lines, but what I really found charming was that they included some $1 progressive slots with a progressive jackpot of a little over $7000. It was adorable! All those little grannies on SS checks thinking they were playing high limit slots.

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    I played for a little while, but it turns out that Diamond Cove is a smoking section and someone sat down next to me while in the process of killing themselves with poison gas. I got out of there pretty quick so I could preserve my life and lo and behold there was another progressive dollar slot bank in the regular low-limit casino right outside. This one only had a progressive jackpot of $4000, though, which is how you know it's not for high rollers. (I still can't get over dollar progressives in a high limit room. Jesus.)

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    I blew through about $500 in an hour or so and only earned 245 tier credits, so clearly I wasn't lucky or maybe the casino's hold is ridiculous due to CET's bankruptcy. I was only there for a day trip so I decided to hold onto the rest of my money and go take a look around.

    Harrah's AC has a Tazza gelato bar just like Caesars AC. That's promising.

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    The Marina and Harbour Towers where the poor people stay are off the front desk area, but the Bayview and Waterfront Towers where the dollar slots players and higher rollers stay are near the pool. The Waterfront Towers is directly next to the pool which turns into a nightclub on weekend evenings. I don't really get the attraction of paying hundreds of dollars for bottle service to attract some VD-ridden club skanks and attend a pool party where nobody actually goes in the pool, but hey. Different strokes for different folks.

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    Apparently, DJ Pauly D from Jersey Shore and Paris Hilton from The Simple Life are the resident DJs at Harrah's pool party, so I guess Atlantic City is where former reality TV stars go to die.

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    The wing of the hotel with the pool seems to be where everything of note is located at this resort. It's where you find the waterfront buffet (which I'll try next time) and the food court, which has a donut place that could be dangerous for me.

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    There also seem to be some nice restaurants at Harrah's AC, like McCormick and Schmick's Seafood and Steak, which the Total Rewards desk gave me a free appetizer coupon for.

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    I went walking around a little more and found what seems to be the biggest convention center in Atlantic City. They were having some kind of educational convention there. The place looks massive.

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    They offered me a free room for the night in the Bayview Tower, which is the 2nd best tower after the Waterfront Tower, but it's a little quieter because it attracts fewer of the annoying loud drunk club kids. I had stuff to do the next day so I didn't take them up on it.

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    So, that's about it. The place isn't as luxurious as Caesars AC, but they at least have a pool. I have to assume that Caesars doesn't have a pool because space was limited along the Boardwalk and they already have a beach. Harrah's seems okay, though. They've been trying to get my attention with offers of suites on weeknights. Hopefully, I'll have a little better luck on the slots in May, because I was disappointed by how quickly they sucked me dry. I know AC odds suck compared to Vegas, but that was pretty lame even for AC.
     
  2. cptcomp

    cptcomp Tourist

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    loved it. Solo seems to suit you. How busy were the table games compared to the slots ?
     
  3. lithium78

    lithium78 VIP Whale

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    The table games were really hopping. This place must be really popular because it was packed. A lot of the blackjack seemed to be 6:5, though, for anything under $25/hand, which is unfortunate. Caesars AC does the same thing.
     
  4. jamesxnj

    jamesxnj VIP Whale

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    Hope your trip in May works out better for you..As a veteran of Harrah's AC I know all the changes have not been that great,but at least still tolerable..
    I miss thier own restaurant (Reflections) and the Deli that is where that upscale BurgerKing is now(Burger Bills)..I think that is the only 1-1 comp dollar place left in there..
    I've only ever eaten thier take-out late-night..
    Years ago you could print ot a comp slip for daily play $ and use it anywhere that coffee /gelato area used to have a ton of of stuff to take home..Plane or car.

    But the Pool and the new towers have been good I think because the room comps are still there as they were a bit limited 20 years ago and all these changes came with the Borgata ipening next-door so to speak..They HAD to step it up a notch..And they did..

    About the Pool.-Saturday night all depends on the clientele...couple years ago David Hasselhoff comes in with a couple other guys through the lobby..I'm crossing the lobby at the same time and just notice this really tall guy wearing all leather.haha then I realized who it was...So imagine the people in the hallways are socially behaved and a bit too old to act otherwise..

    You get the crazy type fans variying by the star and such,but back in the new area,the food court is great.These people are paying absurd amounts to stay there on Saturday night..Any given week of the year my options are probably $250 + for Sat and comped on Sunday and I am Platinum..
    That's where there income is coming from with the kids spending $$$$$$ on drinks and maybe a little table play/slots..And Vegas Strip the same..It is what it is..

    But when you check-in in May- ask about a Atrium Tower room..The elavators are next to Diamond Cove.Your play should grant you one.Seperate bedroom and living room with 2 tvs and the couch in the living room pulls out.Very quick up and down to the gaming floor. GL
     
  5. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice report! And yeah Paris has fallen far. Not as surprised with Pauly D...
     
  6. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    yup, a couple years back, wife and I stayed in the Atrium tower for $25 a night during the week. we enjoyed it.
    also the "Diamond cove" isn't necessarily a high-limit rom, as when we played there, they had 7/5 bonus poker for 25c multiplay.
     
  7. Texas Steph

    Texas Steph A Work in Progress...

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    "The Marina and Harbour towers are where the poor people stay".

    Geez.
     
  8. spdandpwr

    spdandpwr VIP Whale

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    Funny how everyone has different tastes. In AC, I prefer Harrahs to Ceasars. I stayed at the Ceasars temple tower rooms and have a very terrible taste in my mouth. Those rooms are terrible and the casino, while very open at Ceasars, feels very dated. The only reason I'd stay at Ceasars is because you're right across from the bars and shopping at the mall over there. Also Ceasars has a better nightclub with much better talent. Food is comparable (meaning great at both), but prefer the selection at Harrah's: Mortoranos, Oshi, Dos Caminos, McCormick's, The Steakhouse, and Sammy D's satisfy all cravings / spending thresholds.

    One last thing: if you earn 500 tier credits in one day at a CET property, you get a point bonus.
     
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