ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: My husband and I arrived right at check-in time for a two-night stay. Valet service was quick and efficient, and because our room included VIP access we were able to use expedited check-in—very welcome given the long line at the front desk. We were in our room within minutes.
GUEST QUARTERS: Our king room faced The Wheel, a 227-foot Ferris wheel on the boardwalk, and featured floor-to-ceiling windows that highlighted the view. The room included standard amenities: a walk-in shower, complimentary WiFi, a large desk with ample outlets, a flat-screen TV, and an in-room refrigerator that kept our bottled water cold. Although we spent much of our time exploring the resort, we enjoyed a leisurely in-room breakfast the first morning; service was prompt and the meal was tasty.
SERVICES/AMENITIES: Ocean Casino Resort offers a wide range of restaurants and activities, so there’s plenty to try during a stay.
On our first night we dined at Dolce Mare, the resort’s fine-dining Italian restaurant. For lunch we enjoyed tapas-style dishes at Amada by Chef Jose Garces, and we even met the chef after our meal. For our final night we chose a classic steakhouse experience at American Cut. Casual options include Mexican cuisine at Distrito, award-winning brunch at Harper’s, Hawai‘ian dishes at Makai, pub fare at Villain & Saint, noodles and sushi at Zhen Bang Noodle & Sushi, and burgers at Wahlburgers.
PHOTO: © OCEAN CASINO RESORT
The resort features several pools, including private cabanas, HQ2 Beachclub, and the indoor/outdoor Eclipse pool. Visiting in summer, we spent time at Eclipse; it was busy and seats were taken, so we grabbed cocktails from the lobby-level bar and moved to The Park, a three-acre open green space with Adirondack chairs and ocean views. It was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon.
Ocean Casino Resort is home to the country’s largest TopGolf Swing Suite. We didn’t have reservations but found an available slot, letting us practice swings and play virtual games. We also tried our luck at the casino, which has a wide selection of table games and slots. Although we didn’t catch any live shows on this visit, the resort regularly hosts musical and comedy performances across its venues. Before checkout we fit in a quick workout at the fitness center, which is open daily and offers cardio equipment, weight machines, and free weights.
With so many on-site dining and entertainment choices, we never left the property during our stay. Ocean Casino Resort is a strong option for a luxurious Atlantic City getaway.
TOP TAKEAWAYS:
- Grab a drink at the lobby-level bar and enjoy it outside at The Park, the resort’s open-air green space.
- Any of the on-site restaurants are solid choices; Amada and Dolce Mare are especially nice if you want a meal with a view.
- Visit Shops at the Row for retail shopping during your stay.
OCEAN CASINO RESORT
500 Boardwalk Atlantic City, NJ 08401
tel 609 783 8000
theoceanac.com