Atlantic City has known good times and bad, and just when we start to think it's down for the count it surprises us with something new. Perhaps it was the popularity of Boardwalk Empire that revived interest in this seaside town. Or the appeal of hip hotels such as the Borgata and the non-casino Chelsea that have been attracting a younger crowd to balance out the cash-cup-carrying grannies.
Whatever the case, Revel Resorts has invested $2.4 billion to build this new glass, Arquitectonica-designed structure on The Boardwalk between South New Jersey and South Connecticut avenues. Open spring 2012, the glass behemoth will contain 1090 guest rooms, dozens of retail shops, multiple restaurants encircling the 150,000-square-foot casino, nightclubs, a huge spa with an indoor-outdoor pool, and two theater venues.
"Iron Chef" Jose Garces, who has restaurants in Philadelphia, Chicago and Scottsdale, open Amada, a tapas bar with live flamenco performances; Village Whiskey bar stocked with whiskey, bourbon, rye and Scotch from Scotland, Canada, Ireland, United States — and serving American dishes; and Distrito Cantina, which will feature a selection of 100 tequilas and modern Mexican street food.
Atlantic City is a 2.5 hour drive from New York City and slightly shorter from Philadelphia. Weekend express train service from New York City to Atlantic City is available. Taxis line up outside the station.
