Table Service
The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority provides a complimentary restaurant reservations cart for meetings of 600 attendees or more that are held in the Atlantic City Convention Center.
Atlantic City
In late January, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed bill S-11, which authorized the creation of the Atlantic City Tourism District. In a statement, Christie said, "The challenges faced today by the Atlantic City tourism and gaming industries have been a long time in the making, and significant steps are needed to stop the decline and set a new course of economic growth and job creation, and return Atlantic City to the ranks of the best destinations in the world. But, it can and must be done for the economic health of New Jersey as a whole."
The new tourism district will be administered by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, which will establish land-use regulations, implement a tourism district master plan, promote public health and safety initiatives, advance commercial development, undertake redevelopment projects and institute infrastructure improvements. The CRDA also will enter into a public-private partnership with a new not-for-profit agency consisting of a majority of New Jersey casino licensees, through which the casinos will commit funds totaling $30 million annually for the development and implementation of a marketing program aimed at promoting the destination.
The measure also provides for the merger of the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority into the CRDA. At press time, the merger had not taken place, and details of how the two bodies would operate had not been announced.
Also in January, Gov. Christie signed a measure allowing the development of two new 200-room casino hotels in Atlantic City. One of the new licenses is for a "staged casino," which means the developers may open a 200-room property on the condition they will expand it in five years. New Jersey law previously required casino hotels to have at least 500 rooms. According to press reports, Hard Rock International is interested in developing one of the new, smaller properties.
Last month, Gov. Christie vetoed a bill that would have allowed New Jersey residents to place bets through websites run by casino companies in Atlantic City, the only city in the state in which gambling is allowed.
Revel Entertainment Group announced in February that it had completed a $1.15 billion financing package which will enable the company to complete construction of Revel, a casino resort. The property, which will feature 1,100 guest rooms, a 150,000-square-foot casino and a 5,500-seat theater, is expected to open in June 2012.
Landry's, the parent company of Nevada's Golden Nugget Las Vegas and Golden Nugget Laughlin, has agreed to purchase the Trump Marina Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City from Trump Entertainment Resorts for $38 million. The 728-room property will be rebranded under the Golden Nugget name and will undergo a head-to-toe renovation set for completion by the end of this year.
Trump Entertainment Resorts, which owns and operates the 2,032-room Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel, the 904-room Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, and, until its sale last month, the 728-room Trump Marina Hotel Casino, emerged from its third Chapter 11 reorganization last year.
Gomes Gaming Inc. purchased the Resorts Casino Hotel last December. The property offers 942 guest rooms in the 13-story Ocean Tower and 28-story Rendezvous Tower, along with approximately 100,000 square feet of gaming space and 45,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotel recently hired a marketing director to target the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender market. Proposed changes include opening Atlantic City's first gay nightclub. The property is adjacent to the Boardwalk, close to the Central Pier and Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.
Four dining spots are slated to open this summer: Luke Palladino, featuring locally sourced cuisine; Dos Caminos, a Mexican eatery; and Bill's Bar & Burger, all at Harrah's Resort. Meanwhile, Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino is opening a new seafood restaurant, the Atlantic Grill.
The 804-room Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort unveiled four new restaurants last year: Simon Prime, a steak house by celebrity chef Kerry Simon; ONO Pan-Asian Bistro and Bar; Nick's Burger Bar, and The Coffee Shop. The gaming property also updated its Beach Bar, and the casino now features new slot machines. The resort offers more than 37,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the 14,000-square-foot Cambridge Ballroom.
Seaview, a Dolce Resort, debuted a new look last month following a renovation of its 297 guest rooms. The Galloway Township property, which was purchased by Richard Stockton College last year, had been closed since January. The college plans to use part of the resort for student housing and intends to develop a hotel-management program.
The 2,133-room Tropicana Atlantic City Casino & Resort, purchased by investor Carl Icahn last year, has been awarded an operating license by the Atlantic City Casino Control Commission. Three years ago, the commission stripped the casino of its license following a massive layoff that left the property understaffed. The resort has a variety of meeting spaces, including the 18,000-square-foot Royal Swan Ballroom and the 13,000-square-foot Grand Exhibition Center.
At the 1,756-room Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino (owned by Caesars Entertainment Inc.), the Wild Wild West Casino completed a $1.5 million renovation last summer. The project transformed the faux frontier-town décor into a country-music themed setting, including the addition of a stage, a mechanical bull and a "beer pong" area. In addition, the property's 500-room Claridge Tower is getting a makeover to the tune of $20 million, which will include revamped guest rooms.
On the meetings front, Atlantic City saw an uptick in its convention and attendee bookings. According to projections by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, the city will show an increase of 10 percent in conventions and trade shows, public shows and hotel bookings in 2011, over 2010 figures. Projected attendance for 2011 is 360,000, also a 10 percent increase over the previous year. Projected room nights for 2011 are 130,000, up 11 percent over 2010, and the city will see $150 million in attendee spending, an increase of 8 percent over last year.
Getting Around
Transportation options abound in Atlantic City, but the following are unique to the destination.
Jitneys These 13-passenger mini-buses travel throughout the city, running from the Inlet to Jackson Avenue, and the Marina area to Pacific Avenue.
• There are four jitney routes: No. 1, Pink; No. 2, Blue; No. 3, Green; and No. 4, Orange.
• Fare for a single ride is $2.25. Frequent-rider tickets are sold at a discount.
•The Atlantic City Jitney Association (that's their green jitney pictured above; jitneys.net) and New Jersey Transit provide free shuttle service each way between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and all casinos in the city.
• The city's jitney system is undergoing a makeover. The new vehicles will use compressed natural gas to reduce emissions by up to 49 percent, particulate matter emissions by 90 percent, carbon monoxide emissions by 75 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 25 percent.
> Fun fact: Jitneys got their name from the slang phrase for a nickel, the original fare.
Rolling chairs• Rolling chairs, pushed by hearty attendants, are available on the Boardwalk from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
• Rates are charged by the block or amount of time traveled. For up to two passengers, a trip of up to five blocks starts at $5 and increases from there. A half-hour tour can run $30, while an hour costs around $40.
> Fun fact: The rolling chair was introduced in the 1880s and was the only vehicle permitted on the Boardwalk at the time. It was originally used by visitors with disabilities. -- L.G.
Big Wheel
The Boardwalk's Steel Pier is one of the city's most historic landmarks. The amusement park, open during summer, features a Ferris wheel and a carousel depicting Atlantic City's storied past. (609) 345-4893
Meeting Hotels
Properties include the 2,590-room Harrah's Resort Atlantic City; 2,133-room Tropicana Atlantic City Casino & Resort; 2,032-room Trump Taj Mahal Casino Hotel; 2,000-room Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa; 1,756-room Bally's Atlantic City; 1,331-room Showboat Casino Hotel; 1,140-room Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino; 942-room Resorts Casino Hotel; 904-room Trump Plaza; 804-room Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort; 800-room Water Club, a Signature Hotel by Borgata; 728-room Trump Marina Hotel Casino; 502-room Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel; 331-room Chelsea, and 206-room Courtyard by Marriott.
Convention Center
Atlantic City Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 486,600 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 45; (888) 222-3683
Airport Transit
Atlantic City International Airport, about 10 miles northwest of the Boardwalk. Transfer cost by airport shuttle, $13; by taxi, $25-$35
Taxes
Luxury tax, 9%; sales tax, 4%; occupancy fee, 1%; tourism promotion fee, $2 per room for casino hotels, $1 per room for others; total tax on hotel rooms, 14%, plus tourism promotion fee
Group Venues
Sail the Atlantic in one of the many excursion vessels available for private hire, including Atlantic City Cruises,Black Whale Cruises and Evelyn Ann Charters.
Il Mulino New York, voted one of the top Italian restaurants in the Big Apple for the past two decades by the Zagat Guide, has come to the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort. Dishes include veal shank roasted in a red wine and porcini mushroom sauce, served with saffron risotto and presented by tuxedo-clad waiters. Private groups of up to 40 are accommodated. (609) 449-6006
Spas
Weary attendees can revive body and soul in any of Atlantic City's many spas, including the following.
Qua Baths and Spa at Caesars Atlantic City offers 14 treatment rooms and a new rooftop swimming pool. Offerings include Roman Rituals (three distinct pools varying in temperature and size), a tea room and a new state-of-the-art fitness center, along with a fitness concierge. (609) 343-2400; caesarsac.com
Immersion Spa at The Water Club features 360 degrees of floor-to-ceiling water views, a 25-yard infinity-edge lap pool, 16 treatment rooms, a fully equipped fitness center and a gourmet spa menu by chef Geoffrey Zakarian. (800) 800-8817; thewaterclubhotel.com
The Spa at Bally's Atlantic City offers 14 treatment rooms, the Spa Café, fitness equipment and signature treatments such as the Salt Water Taffy Scrub (a sea-salt scrub followed by application of a choice of scented lotions). (609) 340-4600; ballysac.com
Spa Toccare at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, with 31 treatment rooms, offers four signature facials, nine body treatments, four hydrotherapy services and an array of six massages. (609) 317-1000; theborgata.com
The Red Door Spa at Harrah's Atlantic City has 23 treatment rooms, an Elizabeth Arden signature spa and salon services including skin care, massage, body treatments and more. (609) 441-5333; harrahsresort.com
The Health Club & Spa at Resorts Atlantic City features Swedish, shiatsu and aromatherapy massages, as well as a Eucalyptus breathing room. (609) 340-6414; resortsac.com
The Spa at the Taj at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort features exotic Yon-Ka skin and body treatments. (609) 449-6100; trumptaj.com
Bluemercury Spa in The Quarter at Tropicana, with 15 treatment rooms, features 10 different facial treatments on its menu of offerings. (609) 347-7778; tropicana.net
The Trump Plaza Health Spa at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino offers a "Just For Men" (massage, scalp treatment, facial, manicure and pedicure, and blow-dry) among its traditional treatments. (609) 441-6710; trumpplaza.com
Sea Spa at The Chelsea has 10 treatment rooms and specializes in nourishing, soothing and healing treatments featuring sea salt. (609) 428-4554; thechelsea-ac.com
‘Nucky' Johnson's Legacy
The hit HBO series Boardwalk Empire has sparked interest in Atlantic
City's glamorous and notorious past as a Prohibition-era playground.
Power broker Enoch "Nucky" Johnson (1993-1968), upon whom Steve
Buscemi's Nucky Thompson character is based, left a long legacy here,
and one of his pet projects,
Boardwalk Hall today
hosts concerts and events.
For groups of up to 25 that want to
explore the city's colorful history, the Great American Trolley Co.
(800-487-6559;
gatrolley.com) arranges tours that includes a stop to
dine at the Irish Pub, where Johnson once held court.
Nightlife
The city's bar and club scene expands to the shore each summer, when beach bars open for the season (typically Memorial Day through Labor Day). Call for information on private events at the following surfside venues.
The Atlantic City Hilton Beach Bar (between Boston and Pacific avenues) features live entertainment (heavy on the tribute bands), tropical drinks and snacks. (609) 347-7111
Rock legend Sammy Hagar, founder of the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, brings the signature Cabo Wabo vibe to Atlantic City with Sammy Hagar's Beach Bar at Bally's (between Park Place and the Boardwalk). Besides live music, deejays and occasional visits from Hagar himself, the club offers Tex-Mex fusion eats such as spicy Jersey Shore fries, peel-and-eat shrimp, and Wabo wings with tequila-infused sauce. (609) 236-6983
The Beach Bar at Trump Plaza (at Mississippi Avenue and the Boardwalk), voted one of the 21 Sexiest Beach Bars by the Travel Channel, features live bands and entertainment nightly, tropical drinks and a full menu of eats. (609) 441-6000
Golf
Have a group with a yen for the greens? The Atlantic City area has been ranked among the Top Ten Golf Cities in America by ForbesTraveler.com. Among courses of note are the following.
In the suburb of Northfield, the Atlantic City Country Club, one of America's oldest and most prestigious golf clubs, offers 18 holes and 6,539 yards of green. The links-style course has a tradition of fast and firm greens with uncompromising playing conditions. (609) 236-4400; caesarsac.com
Blue Heron Pinesoffers 18 holes of championship golf. The facility features more than 6,800 yards of exquisite fairways, manicured greens, water and strategically placed bunkers. (609) 965-1800
The Links at Brigantine Beach promises an ocean view and flat, nearly treeless terrain. It plays 6,570 yards and was recently renovated. (609) 266-1388
Harbor Pines Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township has been called a "diamond tiara" by Golf Magazine. The course features five sets of tees, a 20,000-square-foot clubhouse and 17 acres of water. (609) 927-0006
Mays Landing Golf Club sits on 175 acres in the pinelands surrounding Atlantic County. (609) 641-4411.
McCullough's Emerald Links is a public championship golf course in Egg Harbor Township. (609) 926-3900
Sand Barrens Golf Club is 30 miles south on Route 9 and features three sets of nine holes, each a par-36. Golf carts are equipped with ProLink GPS Tracking systems to provide course layout, yardage, pace of play, shot measurement and play advice. (609) 465-3555
Seaview Pines Course and Bay Course are on-site at the Seaview, a Dolce Resort. (609) 652-1800
Shore Gate Golf Club stretches over 235 acres of woodlands and sand dunes. (609) 624-8337
Twisted Dune Golf Club in Egg Harbor Township is a first-class, public links course. (609) 653-8019
Vineyard Golf at Renault Winery is a 7,000-yard championship course with sweeping views of the vineyards and orchards. (609) 965-2111
Contact
Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, (888) 228-4748