Attraction of the Week: The Borgata in Atlantic City
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Atlantic City is often referred to as the Vegas of the East Coast. While it may lack some of the glamour, amenities, uniqueness, and non-gaming related attractions of Sin City, it’s your best bet for Vegas style fun in the Northeast. Because it is located within an easy drive of many major cities, it is a budget-friendly alternative when you do not want to shell out big bucks to fly to Vegas. Mike and I recently planned a trip here from Pittsburgh. It was a long 6 hour drive but worth it as we had a free hotel gift card from Christmas to use. We were last here over 10 years ago, although not much has changed.
Most AC resorts do not offer the pizazz and unique amenities found in Vegas, however, there are a few standout options. Our favorite resort, The Borgata, is a beautiful 4 star property located away from the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk. This is the resort to choose if you are seeking a low-key setting.
I love that this resort is off on its’ own with much less congestion. This property opened in 2013, making it the first new casino in 13 years. Compared to the older 70’s style properties, you will notice an attractive contemporary design throughout. The decor is really beautiful – I especially love the Chihuly artwork.
Amazing Chihuly glass art throughout
The refined elegance of this resort really gives it the edge over others in the area. One thing I really love are the beautiful Chihuly glass art sculptures throughout the property. Dale Chihuly is such a wonderful artist. I first discovered his amazing glass blown art pieces at The Chihuly in St. Petersburg, Florida. Check out a few of the gorgeous chandeliers and sculptures on the property.
This resort is truly beautiful, unfortunately, the strong presence of smoking everywhere dampers the experience a bit. When I first visited this casino about ten years ago, the smoke wasn’t nearly as bad. Unfortunately, today it is much more prevalent.
The amenities are wonderful!
While most AC hotels offer little amenities compared to Vegas, this upscale resort offers a nice variety of restaurants, a number of shops, 2 fantastic pools, a top rated spa, several bars, live entertainment throughout the year, and a trendy nightclub. Also, they offer a free shuttle (weekends only) to Brigantine Beach. I think the abundance of amenities easily justify the higher price tag. The pool alone is enough for me to justify a stay. We spent a lot of time lounging around enjoying the gorgeous setting.
I have highlighted a few of the standout amenities here including the gorgeous pool and the fantastic dining options.
The pools
The indoor pool is a beautiful area to relax, swim laps, or kick back in the hot tub. Hours are a bit limited (7am-7pm), however, they do offer a nice adult’s only (7-9am) time period where you can relax minus noisy kids. The pool is open to hotel guests and anyone with a spa reservation.
The Water Club is also open to guests. An infinity edge pool, a lap pool, and 2 Jacuzzis are surrounded by lush tropical plants and palm trees. This pool area is only open to guests 21 and up which is a big plus.
Spa Toccare: Elegant 54,000 square foot spa in the beautiful Bellagio Tower. With any treatment, you get access to the whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms. The spa was unfortunately under construction on our recent stay.
The Pump Room: Spacious gym which overlooks the pool area. I prefer to take my workout outdoors, but this is a decent option if you are looking to escape the summer heat and humidity.
Outdoor pool: Beautiful Roman themed pool. Enjoy cocktails and light snacks as you lounge poolside.
Nightlife & entertainment
For anyone looking for a gambling alternative, you will be able to enjoy several casual bars and a nightclub. Long Bar, Gypsy Bar, and B Bar all offer a trendy ambiance where you can socialize and enjoy the lively setting. Reservations and tickets are required for Premier Nightclub (open 10pm-4am). Also be sure to check out if any special events will be going on during your visit. The 30,000 square foot Event Center has hosted some big names over the years.
Dining options
For me, the best part about staying at a casino resort is having access to a wide range of delicious restaurants and treat shops. It’s nice not to have to drive around anywhere especially after driving 6 hours.
It’s so easy to overeat when surrounded by so many tempting choices. I tend to splurge a bit on vacation as I eat healthy 90% of the time at home.
The Metropolitan – This casual American restaurant offers a diverse menu of classic and contemporary favorites. The “outdoor” seating area is a great place to people watch. The upscale setting makes it a perfect place for a coffee or wine date. Super pricey, but I loved their Americano and the patio.
The Buffet: Really, you can’t visit a casino without indulging in a buffet at least once. Borgata’s upscale buffet is about as close to a Vegas style buffet which you will find. A bit pricey, however, the selection is amazing. Everything on the buffet line is clean, well-maintained, and the overall ambiance is aesthetically pleasing for a buffet. Lunch is the best – you will find lots of healthy choices including a salad bar.
As a vegetarian, I was impressed with the offerings at both times. We thought it was good 10 years and it was still fabulous after all these years. I’ve noticed many other buffets have gone downhill in recent years.
Bread and Butter: When the buffet is closed for breakfast (on Tuesdays), your next best bet is to enjoy a housemade pastry and cup of Lavazza coffee (everywhere in the casino serves the premier Italian roaster). They serve chocolate croissants, bagels, Danish, so you really cannot go wrong here. The setting is casual upscale, so again a nice choice for a morning date.
N.O.W.: Noodles of the World is a trendy modern Asian Fusion restaurant located on the casino floor. If you are craving Thai, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean food, this is the place to get your fix. We loved the fried rice and lo mein. Try the Mochi for dessert!
Borgata Baking Co.: Serves Lavazza coffee and espresso drinks plus pastries. Tempting selections include macaroons, cupcakes, gelato, and tiramisu. We enjoyed a double chocolate cupcake.
- Other popular restaurants on-site include:
- Angeline: An award winning Italian restaurant by chef Michael Symon
- B- Prime: A modern steakhouse
- Izakaya: A sleek modern Japanese restaurant
- The Marketplace: Casual food court offering everything from pizza, to Philly cheesesteaks, to Mexican food. Great acai bowls and smoothies at The Green Bar.
Lodging options
The basic rooms are comfortable, modern, and simplistic. This room is spacious at 460 square feet. Views from the floor-to-ceiling windows consist of marsh or city views (we enjoyed our marsh view). The highlight here is a very large marble bathroom with a beautiful shower. I really loved the simplicity and fabulous views.
Casino gaming
Sign up for a MGM Rewards card to earn points before playing. The casino floor is small but includes all the standard table games and slots. A fair number of 1, 2, and 5 cents slots if you are trying to keep your gambling to a minimum. The highlight here is the beautiful Poker Room. Do check with the Poker Room for tournament info.
My Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The casino and resort are very clean and upkept.
- The Buffet is the best in Atlantic City.
- The vibe is a bit more upscale than other resorts in the area.
- It’s a great place for singles and couples, not so much for families.
- Room deals often offered during the week and off season.
- Parking is only $5 for your entire stay.
- Great coffee. All restaurants serve Lavazza which I love.
- Spacious rooms with beautiful marble shower and floor-to-ceiling windows.
- The pool area is beautiful and I love the landscaping around the hot tubs.
- It’s a quick drive to the Jersey Shore. If you are a fan of Jersey Shore, I recommend taking touring the iconic MTV house in Seaside Heights. There is also a nice boardwalk here and a fun SkyLift ride over the beach.
Cons:
- Restaurants often close mid-week. This was a bit inconvenient for us. Check the website for more info.
- Horrible smoking scent throughout the entire property. Very poor ventilation. I hate smoke and this was one of the worst casinos I’ve had the displeasure of walking through. Even the non smoking areas and some restaurants reeked like smoke.
- Room furniture is a bit outdated and stained.
- You can’t walk to the beach and boardwalk.
- A lack of fun/themed restaurants. While the restaurants were good, the ambiance was a bit boring. If you are seeking something a bit more fun, you will need to head to the boardwalk.
- Not much of a party/vacation-y ambiance if that is what you are seeking.
For more info, including a full list of amenities, packages, and booking details, please visit The Borgata website.
