Revel, France, France | (855) 348-0500
Great boardwalk location, steps from the beach
All rooms feature ocean views and high-tech amenities
Smoke-free casino is pristine
Ovation Hall brings in impressive acts such as Kanye West, Beyonce, and Aerosmith
Main indoor/outdoor pool is heated and boasts ocean views; 3 private pools are surrounded by sexy cabanas
Top-notch spa affiliated with Exhale, a high-end wellness chain
14 on-site restaurants, some helmed by celebrity chefs such as Jose Garces and Marc Forgione (both Iron Chefs)
Long lines to get into the popular HQ nightclub, which is open three nights a week
Most restaurants are overpriced
The newest hotel on Atlantic City's boardwalk, Revel is a pristine luxury property with a smoke-free policy that helps keep its casino fresh and airy. The spacious rooms are top-notch: All feature ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows, sexy bathrooms with double vanities and large showers, and tech-friendly amenities such as massive flat-screen TVs, remote-controlled lights and shades, free Wi-Fi, and even door sensors that let staff know when room service carts have been pushed into the hallway. The resort has everything that other luxury properties in Atlantic City offer, such as numerous celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, several nightclubs, a theater, a pool, and a beautiful spa, but Revel offers a more serene vibe. Like at other resorts, however, the restaurants are overpriced and there are long lines at the nightclubs, but fist-pumping locals and visiting bachelor and bachelorette parties would argue that it's worth the wait.
Scene
The newest -- and one of the nicest -- hotels in AC, Revel exudes a surprisingly (and refreshingly) tranquil vibe.
The newest hotel on Atlantic City's boardwalk, Revel has been the talk of the town since its official opening over Memorial Day weekend in 2012, when Beyonce made her post-baby comeback by performing four shows at the resort's Ovation Hall. In some ways, Revel is like other luxury resorts in AC: It features a large casino, a tranquil spa, numerous celebrity chef-helmed restaurants, and two nightclubs (as well as a beach club opening this summertag:revisit 5/15/2013). But as an upscale property -- and the only Atlantic City casino-hotel that is completely smoke-free -- it helps fill a more sophisticated niche in Atlantic City; only the Borgata and The Water Club at the Borgata are in the same category of luxury. This shows in the decor (rooms feature attractive artwork, modern furniture, and leather accents), the layout (large open spaces keep the hotel from feeling packed), and the attention to detail (small sitting areas designed to create a more intimate feel, and high-tech additions such as door sensors that alert staff when room service carts have been pushed into hallways). Sure, there are the requisite bachelor and bachelorette parties playing loud music down the hall and fist-pumping in the nightclubs, but the overall vibe is high-end and elegant, with a bit of fun thrown in.
Most visitors come to Revel to gamble, but there's plenty of entertainment aside from that. Fourteen restaurants offer a range of cuisines and atmospheres, and several bars and two nightclubs offer solid nightlife options, as does Ovation Hall, where the likes of Beyonce, Kanye West, and Aerosmith have performed. In attendance at Beyonce's shows were celebs such as Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, and even First Lady Michelle Obama. The spa, which offers numerous fitness classes, is a nice spot for a girls' trip, as are the few shops. However, many retail shops are yet to open. tag:revisit 5/15/2013
Location
Located on Atlantic City's Boardwalk and steps from the beach
Atlantic City is the gambling capital of the East Coast, and Revel is the newest (and perhaps the nicest -- only the Borgata can compare) hotel on the boardwalk. The hotel is on the north side of the four-mile boardwalk, near Steel Pier, which now operates as an amusement park. Within walking distance are a number of casino-hotels such as Trump Taj Mahal, Bally’s, Caesar’s Palace, Trump Plaza and Tropicana -- all of which contain shopping and dining choices as well.
Rooms
All 1,898 rooms have ocean views.
Rooms at Revel are top-notch, with all featuring ocean views from floor-to-ceiling windows. Decor is sleek and simple, with neutral tones highlighted by pops of color in the throw pillows and artwork. High-tech amenities include large flat-screen TVs; remote-controlled shades, temperature, and lights; and free Wi-Fi. Guests can book the standard Ocean Rooms, Ocean Suites with sitting areas, one-bedroom View Suites, or one of the two two-bedroom Sky Suites on the 44th floor (where Beyonce stayed during her visit).
Casino
The only smoke-free casino in Atlantic City
The casino at Revel may be similar in size (at 130,000 square feet) to other casinos in the area, but as the only smoke-free casino in AC, it lacks the lingering layer of smoke that is so often associated with casino floors. On a Saturday night, guests and locals crowd around slot machines and tables, and cocktail waitresses are readily available to take your order. Numerous restaurants and the hotel's two nightclubs surround the casino floor, and dancers perform on a catwalk.
Ocean Room
Ocean Suite
Sky Suite
View Suite
Revel, France, France
(855) 348-0500