The Classic Room At The Borgata
The thing that makes Atlantic City stand out from the general gaming crowd is the fact that the city itself is bathed in a rich and storied history of gaming. That history itself is focused on the Boardwalk and it’s series of hotels that grew, as much as they could with the exception of later additions, until they couldn’t grow anymore.
But as the gaming industry changed, including the explosive growth of Las Vegas, the Vegas style hotel and casino became the desirable model. And as Atlantic City continues to struggle to keep patrons in the seats, the city’s only true Vegas style resort (although some would argue Harrah’s and the Golden Nugget are as well) has been the only one to maintain a consistent profit margin as the city sees property after property close. So it was not a question that I would have to stay at the property that changed Atlantic City’s fame with one word…Borgata.
Although I’ve discussed the Borgata in my previous post on it’s boutique property The Water Club, that hotel wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the wild success of the Borgata. From the moment you arrive, aside from having to pay for parking and the chill of a winter day, I wouldn’t have known I was over 3000 miles from Las Vegas. Arriving at the port cochere and entering into the soaring lobby with it’s Chihuly pieces, the Borgata exudes a feeling akin to a mix between the Bellagio and Mandalay Bay. A mix of warm neutral tones with hints of glinting glass and warm wood.
And this feeling continues into the casino, with long chandelier covered gaming pits and slot areas, and a high limit room featuring big baccarat and friendly dealers centered in the middle of all the action. Much like Vegas casinos, the food and beverage outlets circle the property turning the casino into the neighborhood, the gathering place where you move from point A to point B. It’s no wonder the property was built in the early 2000’s by MGM, when Vegas was perfecting the mega-resort model.
Once in the lobby, a quick walk to the left takes you to the front desk. Check in was quick and efficient, with a friendly clerk gladly taking note of my request for a high floor room. Continuing to the left along the rim of the casino, just before entering the elevators, you encounter a unique bit of design, The Living Room.
Instead of having a random sundries shop near the elevators, and a few places to gather in varying lobbies, the Borgata has combined all of these features into one large enclosed space that serves as a buffer between the hotel and casino outside. Inside are large comfy groupings of couches to hang out, as well as a small counter selling sundries. All of this protected by a guard asking to show your room key serves as a backdrop for one of the most delightful hotel stays I’ve had on either side of the country.
A quick ride up the elevator and I arrived on the 31st floor. Immediately in the lobby you encounter Borgata’s signature mix of bright color pops and mixed woods. At first it’s a bit much to take in, with pops of pink, light maple toned wood, and neutral toned and patterned carpet, but as you immerse yourself in the design, you start to realize that it works in an over the top yet restrained way.
Continuing down the hall, the same asymmetrical design seen in The Water Club shows in walls with striated paper on one side and highlighted with sconces embellished with a very Bellagio-esque “B” on the other. Following the chocolate carpet banded with playful lines of yellow and pink I arrived at my room, 3115. But the pleasant surprises were just beginning, and in part II of the review, you’ll see just why I can’t wait to get back to the Borgata for a follow up visit.
