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Make the Most of Your Atlantic City visit
By ELAINE ROSE

How far in advance do you have to book your stay? That depends. If you want to come on a weeknight in December or January, you can probably secure a nice room on the day you arrive, and at a bargain rate. If you want to spend a summer weekend in Atlantic City, it's best to make your reservation months in advance, and still be prepared to pay top dollar for the privilege. You can search for rooms right here, check Internet travel sites or deal directly with the hotel of your choice. All holidays, especially if it's a three-day weekend, means rooms are at a premium in Atlantic City. If you want to stay over, make your reservation well in advance and be prepared to shell out some serious cash unless you're an established gambler at the property. The only exception is Christmas Eve, which is usually very slow. You should have no trouble getting a room, even at the last minute.

Don't even think about getting a casino hotel room for new year's eve unless you're a bona fide high roller. most casinos throw parties for their best players that night, and their rooms are filled with big-time gamblers. the few casinos that do sell rooms for december 31 charge more than $500 a night. if you just have to ring in the new year in atlantic city, your best bet is to get a room in a non-casino hotel. even that will make a big dent in your wallet.

Casino Hotels

There are 11 casino hotels in Atlantic City, with nearly 15,000 rooms, and they're adding more all the time. If you want to savor the "Always Turned On" experience to the utmost, this is the way to go.

For the ultimate in luxury, book a stay at the Borgata or in one of the newer towers at another casino. You'll get plenty of living space, and a walk-in shower. For a retro feel of Atlantic City's heyday, stay in a refurbished room of a classic hotel at Resorts or Bally's.

Hotels also tend to fill up for major events and conventions, such as the New Jersey Education Association meeting in November or the air show in August. Presidents Day weekend also attracts major crowds unless there's a major storm to keep them away. Make your room reservations well in advance if you want to come at a busy time.

Go to our Casino Guide

Insider Tips:

- If you're not happy with your room assignment when you check in, you may want to discreetly display a $20 bill and ask for another room. It will often result in much nicer digs. If it does, give the clerk the Andrew Jackson.

- Don't forget to pack a bathing suit. Most casino hotels have indoor pools that are free to hotel guests, and some of them are quite luxurious.

- Even if you don't gamble, sign up for the casino's slot-club card. Use it even if you play only a little, as you may get generous offers in the mail for your next trip. If you gamble a lot, your next overnight stay could be free.

Smoking

New Jersey law forbids smoking in all casino restaurants, lounges lobbies, ballrooms and most guest rooms. By city ordinance, 75 percent of gaming areas must be smoke-free. So look for a "Smoking Permitted" sign before you light up.

Parking

The State of New Jersey collects a $3 fee for every car that parks in an Atlantic City casino garage. Visitors can get a transfer good at one other casino. Be sure to ask for it when you pay.

Most places charge $5 to park, but the price can go up to $20 if a major concert or convention is in town, so check our online calendar.

Insider Tips:

- Even if you don't plan to bet a nickel, join the casino's slot club. Flash it to the booth attendant and you'll never pay more than $5, no matter what the sign at the entrance says. And you may get lucky and find they're offering free parking to all card holders. Every casino except Trump Plaza, Resorts, the Claridge and the Showboat charges the parking fee when you leave, so sign up before you go back to your car.

- Here's a move if you're feeling gutsy. Most casinos offer free parking to their premium players. You can check the card readers on slot machines or the area around the one-armed bandits for cards that high-rollers left behind. Then show it to the parking attendant on the way out. You probably won't be asked for ID, but if you're busted, you'll have to pony up the fee.

- If you plan to stay in the casino for only a few hours, look for free or metered parking on the street a block or two away from the gaming hall. At 50 cents per hour, the price is right for short visits. Warning! Do this only if you will return to your car in daylight. Walking around with large amounts of cash after dark is not the best idea.

Non-Casino Hotels

If you can't get a room in a casino hotel, or want to save a few bucks, there are plenty of smaller establishments in town and on Routes 30 and 40, the two main roads that lead to Atlantic City. Some, like the Sheraton near the Convention Center, are quite elegant. Others are much less so.

Insider Tip:

If you want to stay at a non-casino hotel, it's best to stick with the national chains to be assured of a clean and safe room. Some of the independents are OK, but buyer beware.

Dining

Maybe you just want to grab a quick bite. Maybe you want to try some ethnic cuisine or pig out at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Or perhaps you want an exquisite dining experience with tablecloths, fine china and white-glove service and the repast created by a chef who has his own show on the Food Network. Atlantic City casino hotels have them all.

Every casino has a 24-hour coffee shop where you can order a sandwich, a dessert or a hearty meal. Most also serve alcoholic beverages.

The buffets are a good place to fill your stomach to the bursting point, but the quality of the fare varies from just a tad short of gourmet to unappetizing. Read published reviews or ask your friends about their experiences before you get into the cashier's line. Search our online dining guide for detailed information and customer reviews.

A gourmet meal is a wonderful indulgence during a stay in Atlantic City. Advance reservations are usually required, but sometimes you can get in at the last minute if it's not busy. Allow at least two hours for your dining experience.

If you want a taste of the chef's fare, but not a full meal, several of the new gourmet restaurants have a bar menu. The food is still great, and comes in smaller portions. Ask the bartender if there's a special, because the prices can be quite reasonable.

Search for Restaurants

Insider Tips:

- The best way to eat in Atlantic City is to let the casino pick up the tab - or at least part of it. If you gamble, always use your player's card and then check with a host, a pit boss, the slot-club desk or a comp kiosk for how much you have coming in complimentary food, called "comps" for short. The food tastes a lot better when the house is buying.

- For a gourmet meal on the cheap, check our dining guide for details or sponsored links offering special deals. You can get a three-course dinner for about $35, and it's every bit as good as the entrees the diners at the next table are paying top dollar for. Some of the specials are unadvertised, so check the menu at the door or ask the maitre d'.

- For a quick, tasty meal, scout out the Asian noodle bars nestled somewhere out of view on the gaming floors of most casinos. They offer a huge bowl of soup or a noodle dish for $12 to $15, and it's quite tasty, even if you do sit at the counter instead of a table.

Security

A lot of people walk around Atlantic City casinos with lots of cash in their pocket or purse. Sometimes there are bad guys who want to take it away from them.

Use common sense on the gaming floor, especially if you hit a jackpot. Don't flash huge rolls of $100 bills in public, and you may want to leave your pricey bling at home. Women should keep hold of their purses at all times, and it's better for men to carry their wallets in a front pocket where it's harder for a thief to reach. Surveillance cameras are everywhere in the casinos, but it doesn't stop some thieves from trying.

Insider Tips:

- Always be aware of your surroundings. Notice if someone is watching or following you. If someone jostles or distracts you, it may be a ploy to grab your cash.

- If you hit a jackpot, don't head straight to your room or the parking garage. Wander around a little to make sure someone isn't looking for a chance to grab your hard-won booty.

- If you make a big score, don't reach for your cell phone to call a buddy back home and brag about your good luck. You don't know who is listening in.

- If you feel at all nervous, ask security for an escort to your car or your hotel room. The peace of mind will be well worth the few bucks you tip.

- Elaine Rose, Staff Writer, The Press of Atlantic City

Editor's Note: The information on this page was last verified on Dec. 10, 2007.

Is something on this page incorrect or out of date? Please e-mail us with corrections, additions or changes. Note: Your message will go to The Press of Atlantic City, not to any groups or organizations listed. Mailto:cwray@pressofac.com

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