Whenever the subject of casino gambling in New York has
cropped up in the past, critics have used Atlantic City as an
example of everything that could go wrong with this type of
venture. They would cite the lack of development in the community
surrounding the casinos and the high crime statistics. Well, that
was then and this is now, and New York needs to take a second
look at what's happening in southern New Jersey.
The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa's entry into the Eastern casino
world set off competitive developments by the other major
casinos, and these improvements are attracting visitors who used
to look down on Atlantic City as a place for senior citizens to
throw away their Social Security checks.
The luxurious Borgata was the first casino to open in more than
13 years, and it's been no. 1 in the gaming business since it
opened, according to its marketing director, Michael Facenda.
When the Borgata announced the project in Atlantic City, more
than $650 million in capital announcements quickly followed, he
said. Today, a total of $1.1 billion in capital projects is
planned, and Borgata, only two years after opening, represents
about one-third of that.
Mr. Facenda said the decision to expand Borgata was made only
four months after it opened, because it couldn't accommodate all
the bettors who want to be there. After staying there this week,
I found it easy to understand why there's such a demand.
I've been visiting Atlantic City once a year for more than 15
years because I think it's fun. I do not have a gambling problem,
but I love looking out on the ocean. I soak up the honky-tonk
atmosphere of the boardwalk, and I even enjoy the bus, which I've
had to travel on in the past because my husband once loathed the
place. He has changed his mind in recent months because Atlantic
City has come a long way from the seedy town depicted in the Burt
Lancaster film "Atlantic City."
I was given a Mother's Day gift of a paid stay at the Tropicana
Hotel's new Havana Tower, and, for the first time, my hubby had
as great a time as I did. He's not a gambler either, but he
enjoyed the comfortable rooms, the fine restaurants, and the free
lounge entertainment available for casino customers. The shops
are open late, and a 24-hour deli/grocery offers reasonable
prices for guests with after-hours appetites.
Last week we decided to treat our son and his family to their
first vacation since the birth of his daughter, and we wanted to
splurge a bit on the best Atlantic City had to offer. We were
quite surprised that the best was not only affordable but also
compared very favorably with anything our city has to offer.
The Borgata hotel manages to offer the upscale ambience of
Manhattan without its outlandish prices. All the rooms are
appointed with top-of-the-line furnishings, and fine art is
abundant throughout the hotel and casino. The Borgata offers all
the accommodations of a first-class resort/spa, so that guests
who fear losing money in the casino can enjoy the luxurious
indoor heated pool, which opens onto an outdoor veranda where
they can loll in the warm rays of the sun after their swim. The
Jacuzzi here is one of the best I've enjoyed anywhere.
I want to assure everyone that I have received no discounts or
compensation from the Borgata in exchange for any favorable
comments about the hotel. Indeed, I travel under my married name
to avoid any conflict of interest. I am sharing this experience
with my readers because summer's here and gas prices are still
high, so why not stay close to home? Let's face it: Europeans
aren't crazy about us, so why spend our hard-earned money on
those who hate our guts?
I'd love to be able to tout something like the Borgata even
closer to home in New York City. The actor Danny Aiello and
Stapleton Studios had a perfect plan to develop the former naval
base here at Staten Island until the mayor and the city's
Economic Development Corporation quashed their idea to build a
movie studio, hotel, marina, restaurants, and theater on that
property. Two years later, what is regarded as prime real estate
remains in limbo. We have tons of beachfront property ripe for
private investment, but until our politicians can figure out how
to spur development without taxing businesses and residents to
death, I'll be crossing that bridge to Jersey - and having a
great time.