Ann

I am trying to plan a bachelorette party for a weekend in May in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

We want to get a room at one of the big casinos, but it seems they are all booked.

One reservation taker told me if it was on a weekend, then I would not be able to get a room b/c they are all booked for conventions (and for comps, I assumed). They said I'd have to keep calling as it got closer to the date to check for cancellations.

This seems a little crazy to me...has anyone else had this experience? Am I going to have to become a high roller between now and then in order to get a room? Living in Atlanta, this is not going to be possible!! I know they must have rooms...the question is, how do I get one for ME and MY FRIENDS?

Please help!

Ross

I don't know how things work in AC, but in LV some weekends sell out months in advance. However, sporadic rooms will open up in the larger hotels as the date of interest approaches.
You can 1)ask what cancellation policies are at specific hotels and start calling on that date, 2) keep calling to check on status if 1) isn't applicable, or 3) ask if hotels maintain a waiting list, and if so get on the lists at places you're interested in.

brent

if you go to atlantic city keep phoning Taj Mahal. it's the only hotel that has an upbeat feel. the city is quite tough and depressing. get a package deal from an agent, they get blocks of rooms from package sellers. best yet get a package to Vegas and stay at Mandalay Bay. they'll love seeing you, great pools too.

Ann

Thanks for the info. So now hearing one opinion of the Taj Mahal...what about the other casinos? What ARE the big casinos/hotels there? Where should we go when we get there? We are a group of girls in our late 20s having a bachelorette party.

xxx

You may want to try to reserve your rooms (at the Taj or wherever) through one of the hotel booking networks. They buy up lots of rooms ahead of time and then sell them, usually at a discount, to the public. I just did this for an upcoming Vegas trip and used Hotel Reservation Network. Their website is hoteldiscount.com Good Luck.

Ann

Do you think I'll have better luck doing that? I just called AC Toll Free – 1 800 833 7070. Apparently they have info on ALL hotels / casinos in AC. This was our conversation:

I told the guy at AC Toll Free the date and he said "Is that a Saturday?" and I said "yeah" and he said "then the only thing that is available is the Hilton Hotel and Casino with is $225/night".

I said "can you tell me why that is the only one we can book on a Saturday?" and he said "yes, that is because all the other hotels are by invitation only (i.e. comps) on the weekends"

Tim

I agree with the poster who said go to Las vegas. From Atlanta you should be able to get three or four nights, airfare and hotel for 400 dollars. Much more to do LV and not a bit depressing, quite the opposite of Atlantic City

gambler

This begs a giant question: Why Atlantic City?

The town is overpriced, depressing, and not a good destination unless you're a hard-core gambler.

Maybe there are reasons you absolutely have to meet in AC, but if there aren't, I'd look elsewhere.

thereuare

As a last resort, you may want to inquire about the Ramada Rennaisance Suites (it changes hands a lot, so it may not be called that anymore, if you can't find it, let me know and i'll try to do some legwork). It's what i refer to as a "timeshare hotel" right on the boardwalk, and just a few steps from Resorts and the Taj.

Since it's a timeshare, they'll require you confirm the inventory of plates, forks, cups, etc before you check in (to ensure that you don't steal anything on your way out). But the place is fine, location is good, and you could probably get a 2 or 3 bedroom suite so all the girls can be together in one "space."

Ann

Thereuare: Thanks. I will check into that option.

Brent, Tim and Gambler: I have been to Vegas many times (and AC, when I was younger), and obviously Las Vegas the better choice! How can anyone even compare Las Vegas and AC?

The deal is, all the girls LIVE in NJ (I'm the only one from out of town), and we are having the first 1/2 of the party at a local spa in our hometown (NJ).

Everyone is on a budget as we have many friends getting married this year. We've all done the Philadelphia and NYC nightlife scenes before. This is just something different to do and getaway for a night.

Trust me...if it were up to me...we'd be going to Vegas.

Mary

The question is not how, but WHY? Have you been to AC? We had the misfortune of stopping on our way to a wedding and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. Dirty, depressing, and the height of tacky! Why on earth would a group of women under the age of 70, not into polyester and not living in a trailer park want to go there? I'm assuming you don't fall into the above catagory.

If it's a fun weekend and good nightlife go to NYC. You'll have a much better time, eat at better restaurants and surely be around a better class of people!

Todd

rather than questioning ann's reasons for wanting to go to AC, why don't you try to offer some useful advice?

ann, we had my bachelor party in AC last year (for similar reasons that you have). we stayed at the hilton for about $250/night, so i think you've got a good rate. the color scheme in the hallways was a bit interesting, but overall, the hotel was nice and we had fun. after a few cocktails, you'll hardly notice any of the problems the other posters seem to have with AC...

Mary

I'll tell you why Todd. What if Ann is under the misconception that AC is a nice place? She may be responsible for planning this party only to have some very uspet friends. There is nothing wrong with giving people the downside of a destintation so they don't waste precious time and money only to be very disappointed or worse yet disgusted!

Mary

Just wanted to add Todd that some of the charming benefits that a male would find in Atlantic City are not going to be appealing to a group of females, especially if they need a few drinks to overlook them as you admit! I'm sure Ann doesn't want to be blamed for choosing the wrong destination.

Todd

loosen up.

if you had read ann's post, you would have understood that not only has ann been to AC several times, but she is from NJ and all of her friends are, as well. i'm sure they're all well aware of what AC is like.

njgirl

OK-I have to put my 2 cents worth in now.I live in NJ and I have been to Atlantic City a few times, when we feel like a getaway and do not want to sit in traffic trying to get to the casino in Connecticut...Atlantic City is just what it is supposed to be, casinos, food,shows, gambling and a boardwalk..lots of seniors are bussed from NYC and various towns in NJ and they spend the day and it is fun for them to get out and see something different..It is also fun for non-seniors.I think one thing some people forget is that what one person considers fun/tacky/whatever is not always another persons opinion...Ann wants to know about rooms in hotels, wait until she asks your opinion on something else before you are so quick to offer it...
ANN, all year round, AC does this with the hotel rooms, for years, if you were to just show up at a hotel, they might have a room/rooms available, but in your case it would be risky.Best bet is to stay in a regular hotel in the area that does not have a casino and use the area for dinners and entertainment.We are going next weekend, we will call first but if there is nothing available, we will go anyway and just ask at the desk..it works! Away from the boardwalk is always easier...good luck~

Todd

ann's message from today at 12:13 pm clearly states that she has been to AC and her hometown is in NJ.

i happen to enjoy going to AC, and i think it's cheesiness is part of the fun. some of the comments made on this post are insulting to me and to anyone else who enjoys going there. please, just because you don't happen to like a destination, don't bad mouth those of us who do, or those who might.

Fodorite

from above: "just because you don't happen to like a destination, don't bad mouth those of us who do, or those who might".


Well, Todd, I don't think your version of a travel message board would be too useful. Many times I find the negative opinions as helpful as the positive ones.
The big problem with most of the travel books available in the bookstores is that there is no objectivity...no negative comments due to the self-serving mutually intertwined interests of the publishers and proprietors.

xxx

Did not read the thread and I don't mean to knock destination but if you have not been I would not go to Atlantic City. Sorry it is crime ridden, poverty stricken and just plain tacky.If you have gone and enjoy it. Best deal on rooms is mid weed at the Hilton about $70.

xxx

PS people are bused in not just for NYC but Pittsburgh, Ohio and any place someone is willing to get on a bus. It is very sad watching all of this poor people trying to win some cash. You can't not see that here you rarely see someone that is even middle class. I find this depressing. All but for the grace go I so I won't judge just don't want to go there on vacation and be innudated with this.