Atlantic City Podcast Tour
Some people walk the 'Walk (the Atlantic City Boardwalk, that is), some people talk the talk…and now you can listen to the talk as you walk. The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority (ACCVA) has turned the popular Boardwalk Walking Tour into a downloadable podcast for visitors to listen to as they stroll the famous wooden way. A video version is also available for those who prefer to watch from their favorite Boardwalk bench or the comfort of their own home.
The podcast, produced by Dynamic Advertising and Design of Galloway Township, is the first in a series of four scheduled to go online this year at the ACCVA's Web site, www.atlanticcitynj.com.
The tour starts at the North end of Atlantic City and points out current sites as well as sites of historical significance as you travel south. The narration also provides interesting facts about some of the "firsts" that made Atlantic City famous.
"Atlantic City has a history that has touched many people, such as memories of the diving horse and the World War II days when the military used Atlantic City's hotels and facilities for training," said Jeff Vasser, executive director of the ACCVA. "Baby boomers remember it from their childhood, and many of our parents or grandparents met, married or honeymooned here. This tour helps keep that heritage alive."
The Boardwalk Walking Tour has been available online as a printable guide since last spring. "Now, it's even easier to follow the tour when you download the podcast and listen while you walk," said Vasser. Vasser notes that use of the technology is designed to enhance the experience for Atlantic City's visitors. "We continually strive for new ways to promote Atlantic City, and the use of social media such as this allows us to engage our visitors in innovate and interactive ways," he said.
The printable version, the video version accompanied by audio and the downloadable podcast format are all available by clicking on the Boardwalk Walking Tour button on the home page of the ACCVA's Web site, www.atlanticcitynj.com.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
'Lifestyle' change on front burner at Caesars
In the new Atlantic City, no longer is it sufficient to have merely a yen to roll some dice, eat some good grub and watch a name singer warble a dozen tunes. If Caesars vice president of marketing Erin Hansen has her way, visitors to Atlantic City will have a "lifestyle," too.
"Tony Bennett has played here a long time and he will continue to come, which is wonderful," said Hansen. "But we want to attract people who never came to Atlantic City, people who never thought to come to Caesars before. We're looking for new things all the time."
So Caesars created its Lifestyle Series, entertainment with a twist, especially during the warmer months. It begins on Sunday with a visit from Mario Batali, one of four TV chef types who will come to Caesars Circus Maximus Theater through October.
Batali will be in the refurbished 1,600-seat theater at 1 p.m. on Sunday, basically doing his TV gig. He will prepare several dishes on stage for the better part of an hour, taking questions from the audience, both about the food and his own nonfood life, as he rambles around the kitchen set.
"These people aren't just chefs any more," said Hansen. "They are celebrities, and people seem to be interested in what they have to say. They are good at telling stories, and whether it is about cooking techniques or their personal lives, it is something people want now."
While the Batali stage show is $25, there is also what Hansen called a "VIP Opportunity" to eat what Batali cooks. Caesars is closing its Mia restaurant at 4 p.m. for Batali to prepare and cook a four-course meal - or, more precisely, to cook a bit in the center of the restaurant while the Mia staff prepares the meal for about 100 ticket buyers. He will sign books and chat one-on-one during the dinner, which will cost $150 for one and $250 for a couple.
Caesars will have three other celebrity chefs doing similar shows and dinners over the next several months: Paula Deen on July 27, Tom Colicchio on Sept. 7 and Anthony Bourdain on Oct. 12. Buy tickets for the whole series and you'll get a discount - $80 for all four chefs.
In between all this food, the Lifestyle Series will also have somewhat homey chats with Carol Burnett and author Jackie Collins.
Burnett's "Laughter and Reflection" (9 p.m., June 21) will not be a traditional stand-up comedy show, said Hansen, "but an up close and personal." Burnett will show clips from her old TV shows and chat about them, answering audience questions as she goes, but mostly looking back on her career and the friends she has met along the way.
"Dine and Dish," the Collins show (noon, June 14), will be a lunch with Collins, as she talks to about 200 people in a Caesars ballroom about the writing process. Collins will stop and chat with every table, autographing books and giving writing tips.
"With the success of the shops at the Piers and restaurants like Mia, the profile of the Caesars customer has broadened," said Hansen. "We're looking to provide them different things to keep them coming." *
Caesars Atlantic City, 2100 Pacific Ave., "Up Close and Personal Caesars Chef Series," $25 (all four, $80), VIP Interactive Experience, $150 a person, $250 a couple, 1-800-736-1420 or ticketmaster.com, for groups of 10 or more, call 609-340-2802, www.harrahs.com.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
Attention Poker Players!
For the uninitiated traveler, this time of year at gaming resort towns there's a buzz in the air that can mean only one thing: WSOP. In otherwords, The World Series of Poker. The WSOP this year is the 39th annual poker tournament of all poker tournaments, and all levels of players are having their daydreams of winning 'the big one'. How big? Well in 2006 the winner, Jamie Gold, out-lasted 8773 other players to win a $12 million prize. Not bad for playing poker. Every year in May, and this year's no exception, the big push gets underway for hopeful players to make it onto the final table. This year's big day for the WSOP is a little different than in years past. This year the WSOP of poker is actually taking a four month break right before the final table play, which will be held on November 9th and 10th. From May to July there are a whole host of different poker games players can join, and if they make it to a certain level, land a seat in the main event which runs from July 3rd to July 14th. For the full schedule of events check here. Also different this year is a very large charity poker event to benefit the Darfur region in Sudan, Africa. While charity poker games have long since been a way to raise big money for worthy events, this year's event, Ante Up For Africa, is looking to be the biggest poker charity event of all time. For more information on Ante Up For Africa check here. So if you ever had the daydream of being the big winner of the largest poker tournament of the planet, or just like to play some slot machines and watch high-rollers bet tens of thousands of dollars a hand at poker, May through July is the time to hit such gambling meccas as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
Airlines Start New Fees
By Rob Lovitt
Travel writer
MSNBC contributor
updated 11:50 a.m. ET, Mon., May. 5, 2008
Memo from the airlines: Lighten your load or we’ll lighten your wallet.
As of today (Monday, May 5), five of the six major U.S. airlines now charge an extra $25 to check a second bag. The last holdout, American Airlines, will join the club next week, with several other carriers (Alaska Airlines and Air Canada, among them) expected to follow suit in the coming months.
To some, it’s an outrage; to others, it’s only fair. Either way, it’s only the beginning. From snacks to seat selection, we’re about to enter the next great age of unbundled airfares.
Have a snack, pick a seat, talk to a human being (fees may apply)
Not surprisingly, the new baggage fees have been dominating the blogs and discussion boards lately. (In most cases, the fees apply to domestic coach passengers purchasing lower-cost nonrefundable fares while exempting elite-level mileage plan members and travelers purchasing full-fare tickets.)
But while we’ve all been busy whittling down our travel gear (or overstuffing our carry-on bags), it seems the airlines have slipped in a few other add-on charges. Among the newest additions to the “things you’ll pay for that you used to get for free” list:
$3 for snacks on Frontier Airlines
An extra $5–$30 to reserve a “Choice Seat,” i.e., a window or aisle seat in the first few rows in coach on US Airways (starting May 7)
$25–$35 to get phone access to “specially trained customer service agents” during delays and other disruptions on Air Canada
The US Airways program, by the way, simply gets you closer to the exit; it doesn’t buy you any extra legroom. For that, you can fly JetBlue, which has just begun offering seats with 38 inches of seat pitch (vs. a standard 34 inches) for an extra $10–$20 per flight.
Is so-called à la carte pricing a way for travelers to avoid paying for services they don’t use? You bet. Is it a means for airlines to generate revenue when across-the-board fare hikes send potential passengers fleeing? Absolutely. Is it going to offset sky-high fuel prices, restore struggling airlines to profitability and make for a pleasant flying experience for travelers facing a Rubik’s Cube of choices and surcharges? Don’t hold your breath.
Pack light or pay the freight
And it’s only going to get worse when the reality of the new baggage fees hits home. That’s because the widely publicized $25 fee ($20 on JetBlue) is merely a starting point — it applies to one normal-sized bag on a one-way flight. Factor in round-trip travel, extra fees for overweight bags and additional surcharges for third and fourth bags, and you may need to break out the scale and the calculator before heading to the airport.
Maybe you’re a golfer or skier or planning an extended cruise-tour. Check a third bag and you’ll pay another $200 round-trip on most major carriers. Maybe you’re a home-bound college student with a big box of books and other gear. If it’s your third piece of checked luggage and over 50 pounds, you’ll get dinged for both offenses — as much as $160 each way. If it’s oversized (more than 62 linear inches), as well, then congratulations, you’ve just won — or is that lost? — the extra-fee trifecta.
And it’s not just leisure travelers, either. Business travelers from sales reps to trade-show exhibitors often have no choice but to check extra pieces of luggage. Unless they qualify under each airline’s specific exemptions, they’ll find their travel costs hitting new heights.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that those who check extra and/or overweight luggage shouldn’t pay for the privilege or that à la carte pricing for baggage is a bad thing. What I’m suggesting is that there’s more to these new fees than meets the eye and that we haven’t even begun to do a true accounting of the costs and consequences.
Even light packers will feel the pain
That said, some consequences seem all but certain:
Those who can’t escape the surcharges will pay them, blaming the airlines for penalizing them (instead of raising fares across the board).
Those who can squeeze 49.5 pounds of gear into a standard bag will do so, blaming the airlines when their clothes hit the baggage belt in a broken-zippered heap.
Those who can’t get their gear into one bag will haul ever-larger carry-on bags, blaming the airlines for their aching muscles, disappearing legroom and the angry glares of their fellow passengers.
And, finally, those who assumed they were immune from the problem because they travel light will find the overhead bins filled to capacity, blaming the airlines for letting those other fellow passengers onboard with too much stuff.
Notice a trend? For their part, the airlines hope to earn hundreds of millions of dollars through their new baggage fees and whatever else they can unbundle from the price of a standard ticket. Maybe they will, but I’m pretty sure they’re also going to reap a whirlwind of even angrier customers along the way.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
Travel Tips for Families
AIRPORTS & AIRPLANES
Select seats ASAP
Get seat assignments for everyone in your family the moment you purchase tickets. (Some airline Web sites allow you a peek at seat availability before you book, which is helpful.) If you don't reserve seats, everyone in your party might be stuck with middle seats in separate rows. Likewise, remember to make sure that your seats are together if you're booking through a travel agent or buying a package that includes airfare. If the seating arrangement isn't what you'd like, reserve the best available situation, then call the airline and inquire about any alternative options. Ask again when checking in and at the gate.
Re-create the bedtime routine
Sleeping in a strange new place — on a red-eye flight, for example — can be unsettling. To assure your kids that all is normal, stick to your regular routine as much as possible and include familiar objects from home. Leave room in your carry-on for a favorite blanket, stuffed animal, pillowcase, or nighttime storyÂbook: Every bit of comfort will help.
You're never too young to sign up as a frequent flyer
Register your kids with the airline's loyalty program when you pay for their first airfare. Many mileage programs will erase your miles if the account isn't active for 18 months; before that happens, donate the miles to a charity at miledonor.com.
Skip the car seat for the plane ride
The FAA recommends that children be secured in car seats, but using them is problematic: They aren't made to fit in airplanes, and fastening them in those narrow rows is awkward. Also, most kids flying in car seats have their legs crammed against the seat in front of them, all but ensuring they'll kick it. There's an FAA-approved alternative: a safety harness (available for $75 at kidsflysafe.com).
Use the strap
Camping stores sell nylon compression straps (with a quick-release buckle) that'll help you bundle your stuff together. You can use them to attach your car seat to the back of a rolling bag and to strap your umbrella stroller closed so it won't pop open when handlers load it onto the plane.
The best car seat is your own; here's how to check it
Some families swear by the car seats they get with a rental, but not all car rental locations have car seats available (you should always call ahead to verify that); what's more, a seat costs $10 or so per day. It's worth the hassle to check your own seat because you'll be sure of its quality and know how it works. Few duffels will hold a car seat, so buy a special bag made to hold one; some of these bags even have wheels. Car-seat manufacturers sometimes sell travel bags, but you can find more options by looking online at Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Babies"R"Us.
Change diapers before boarding
And make kids use the airport restroom. Plane lavatories are tiny, and there's often a wait (and we all know how kids feel about waiting). Before booking, try to find out if the plane has diaper-changing tables, which help enormously. (Most large aircraft now have them, but JetBlue is one of the few carriers to offer them on all of its planes.) If there's no changing table, place an infant changing pad on the toilet cover. For bigger kids, try sitting down and using your knees as a table.
Divide and conquer
Split responsibilities at the airport: One parent should be in charge of checking in, including holding IDs and dealing with luggage. The other should care for the kids. Likewise, after arrival, there's no need for the whole clan to wait around at baggage claim. One parent can grab a cart and watch for the luggage. The other can take the kids to the bathroom and let them stretch their legs.
Organize items by parent
Assign one parent the essentials (diapers, wipes, snacks), and let the other carry the fun stuff (crayons, toys, books). You'll know which bag to scrounge through for the Uno cards or the Goldfish crackers.
Never preboard
Yes, you read that right. Here's why: Your goal is to minimize the time your child spends on the plane, right? Then you're much better off using that extra half hour to run kids around the airport and tire them out so there's a chance they'll sleep or at least be mellow on board. One parent may want to board early, to get carry-on bags stashed in the overhead bin and toys and books in the seat-back pocket.
Be tactical about any carry-on items
Toys should be reasonably small and likely to hold a child's attention for more than 10 minutes. Ideally, any books will be ones that your kids enjoy reading over and over. If you have an infant, you might want to bring a few pairs of earplugs to hand out to passengers seated nearby in case the baby starts wailing. Also, don't bother bringing a book for yourself. Chances are you won't have much of an opportunity to read it, and it'll just take up valuable space.
Easy ways that kids can pop their ears
The change in air pressure during takeoffs and landings can cause pain and even injuries to kids' ears. During ascent and descent, give babies a bottle or pacifier, and hand older kids gum, a lollipop, or some raisins. The key is to make them chew and swallow to alleviate any pressure.
One word: velcro
Even children are required to remove their shoes at airport security these days, so everyone should wear shoes that are easy to get on and off — especially kids who are unable tie their own. (Slip-on shoes or sandals are best for the beach, too.) Warn your youngsters in advance that they'll have to briefly part with their shoes, so no one freaks out in line.
Tour the cockpit
You can still get a peek inside the cockpit these days, provided the plane is on the ground and attached to the jetway (access is at the pilot's discretion, of course). Kids find airplanes fascinating, and they might be more willing to put up with the tight quarters once they have a better idea what's going on behind those closed doors.
Assume there will be no food
If the airline does serve food, consider it a bonus, but chances are your kids won't like it anyway.
Carry a few empty eight-ounce water bottles
Once you're through security, refill them for the flight. The small bottles are easier for kids to handle and to tuck into the seat pocket than a large one. And if they're lost, no big deal.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
Packing Tips For Travelers
Everyone has their their own little Do's and Don'ts when it comes to packing and traveling. We are A&C Transport, car service and airport transportation, have compiled the ones we most often hear expressed. Some might seem good, some bad, but there's always a chance to learn something new. When it comes to traveling it's best to learn something new before you ever leave home.
Don't pack your entire beauty routine
If you use eight different products to tame your wild curls or have an elaborate face-washing regimen down to a science, let loose a bit when you travel instead of carrying an army of beauty products with you across the globe. Trust us — you won't look like a cave woman in your vacation pictures if you use a shampoo/conditioner combo for a few nights. If you're adventurous enough to leave home and explore an exotic destination, we bet you can also handle leaving behind a few hair products.
Top tips:
If you are staying at a major chain hotel that will offer complimentary toiletries — use them! Don't bring your own 24-ounce shampoo and conditioner bottles to the hotel and then stuff the hotel ones in your suitcase to take home. If you don't use them on the road, you'll probably never use them at home.
There are lots of products that have multiple uses. Opt for a shampoo/conditioner combo. Find a moisturizer with SPF. Let your moisturizing body wash double as a shaving cream. Share your shampoo, soap or toothpaste with your traveling partner.
Lose the bulky containers. Instead, try zip-top bags. We stuff everything we can into them, including hair products, lotions, cotton balls and even sunscreen. (If you're paranoid that a bag will puncture and deposit its messy contents onto your black silk dress, put all of your liquid-filled baggies in a large plastic grocery bag -- and be sure not to pack it next to any fishing rods or freshly sharpened pencils.)
Don't pack your jewelry and valuables
Rule of thumb — if you can't imagine living without your grandmother's wedding ring or your expensive Movado watch, it's best not to cart it overseas, where tourists are common targets for thieves and luggage often gets lost in transit. You may think you look like an icon of style, but to criminals and con-artists you appear as an icon of opportunity. It's also wise not to look like a million bucks if you're trying to bargain with the locals, and sparkly jewelry may set you apart from the natives when you're trying to fit in.
Top tips:
If you must bring your fancy jewelry, keep it in the hotel safe except for special occasions such as dinner in a nice restaurant — and be sure it's covered by appropriate insurance. Most homeowners' policies will not cover jewelry if it's lost or stolen while traveling, so you may need to purchase a separate policy.
Pack any valuables you buy while on your trip (and any of your own that you decide to bring) in your carry-on. Checked bags can sometimes disappear into the black hole of lost airline luggage.
Don't pack more than one guidebook
Some of us are practically addicted to these little gems of information, but we don't need to remind you how heavy a stack of books can be. One good, comprehensive guidebook should do the trick.
Top tips:
If you are convinced that each of your 11 guidebooks offers unique and vital information about your destination, cart them to your office or the library and photocopy your favorite sections.
Lonely Planet recently introduced mix-and-match guidebook chapters that can be downloaded a la carte on its Web site — so you only have to pay for (and pack!) the sections you need.
Research the location of an Internet cafe or two at your destination before you leave. If you are afraid of not having access to travel information during your trip, you can always find it on the Web.
Don't pack more clothes than you need
We know ... this one's a no-brainer. But deciding which clothes to bring is sometimes one of the most difficult parts of packing. Clothes tend to make up the bulk of most travelers' suitcases — and reducing the number of outfits you bring can lighten your load significantly. No one wants to run out of clean underwear in the middle of the Brazilian rain forest, but we think that travelers can find a comfortable balance between wearing the same stinky jeans and T-shirt the whole trip and changing their outfit three times each day like a celebrity.
Top tips:
If you're going on, say, a seven-day trip, spend a week before you leave keeping track of everything you wear. Make a list, or if you learn better with visual aids, keep these items together in a laundry basket. Then figure out which items you can do without.
Bring clothes in neutral colors that you can mix and match, and only pack shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits.
Check the weather at your destination before you leave and pack accordingly. If the weather deviates significantly from the forecast, you can always buy a sweater or rain poncho and keep it as a souvenir.
Many travel supply companies sell small packets of laundry detergent (you can also find these at a laundromat). It only takes a few minutes to wash your clothes in your hotel sink and hang them on a hanger to dry. When you wake up the next morning ... freshly washed clothes!
Don't pack unnecessary gadgets
This section applies to you if you have ever packed items such as nightlights, shoe horns, portable DVD players, book lights, coffee makers, fire-safety smoke hoods, hotel-door alarm systems, toothbrush sanitizers or electronic language translators, never to actually use them on your trip. The definition of "necessary" varies from one traveler to the next, so it's important to ask yourself if you will really need your ocean-sound machine to get to sleep each night before you stuff it in your bursting suitcase.
Top tips:
If you are a travel gadget addict, pick one or two that you just have to have and save the others for a future trip.
Keep in mind that some gadgets may call for more room in your luggage than you'd expect; to keep them running, you may need to pack things like spare batteries, chargers, or electrical adapters and converters (for overseas travel).
Don't pack things you can buy there
Yes, things you can buy at home are often more expensive overseas. This is especially the case in Europe, so a traveler who's flying across the pond may want to pack extra everything in the interest of saving money. But again — think of the luggage weight fees. Simple items that you may need but can probably live without, like aspirin, nail polish remover, extra razors or additional reading material for the plane ride back, can usually be purchased at drug and convenience stores in many destinations.
Top tips:
Remember that if you decide to buy a lot of your items abroad, you will have to create room in your suitcase to cart them back home. Buy sample-sized items if you can to save space and money.
Instead of bringing a virtual library of reading material with you, buy magazines and newspapers at the airport. Picking out what you want to read will give you something to do as you wait, and you can recycle the items so you don't have to lug them back with you.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
Philadelphia International Airport Provides Travel
Before Coming to the Airport:
Check the status of your flight by contacting your airline, or calling 1-800-PHL-GATE, or logging onto the Airport’s website, www.phl.org and clicking on Flight Information. Have your flight number handy.
Make sure you have all necessary travel documents, including a government-issued photo ID such as a valid driver’s license, passport, military ID, or a county, state or federal government employee ID. Photo ID is required for passengers age 18 and older.
It is generally suggested that passengers arrive at the Airport at least one hour prior to a domestic departure and two hours prior to an international departure. However, during the holiday period, you should allow extra time for checking in and passing through security screening.
Wheelchair and electric cart services are provided by the airlines, not the Airport. When making an airline reservation, travelers should advise their airline if they require these services and confirm the request prior to the day of departure. Airline personnel at the ticket counter will facilitate this service.
Carry-on baggage is generally limited to one piece of luggage and one personal item such as a purse or briefcase. The personal item must fit under your seat and the luggage must fit into the overhead bin or it will not be permitted on board. Passengers should check with their airline for specific carry-on baggage allowances.
If you are not checking baggage, it may not be necessary to wait in line at the ticket counter to obtain a boarding pass. Most airlines allow passengers to check in and print boarding passes from their websites, and some airlines have check-in kiosks at the Airport. Check with your airline prior to arriving at the Airport. Please confirm gate information upon arriving at the Airport, before proceeding to the security checkpoint.
At the Airport:
Checked baggage is subject to hand inspection. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends using locks that TSA screeners can open and re-lock to inspect baggage instead of breaking the lock. The TSA lists some “accepted and recognized locks” on its website, www.tsa.gov.
Consider eating at the Airport or picking up a carry-on meal and bottle of water for your flight once you have passed through the security checkpoint. Drinks are not permitted to be carried through the checkpoint. Most airlines charge for in-flight meals; some flights offer no food at all.
Security Screening:
Passengers must obtain boarding passes prior to entering the security checkpoint. Before entering the checkpoint, have boarding passes and photo ID ready for inspection by TSA personnel and keep these documents available until you exit the checkpoint.
To expedite your passage through the checkpoint, place cell phones, pagers, keys, PDAs (personal digital assistants), loose change, money clips, metal hair decorations, and metal jewelry in your carry-on baggage or in a plastic bag and place the bags on the X-ray machine conveyor belt.
PHL provides plastic bags in which to place small items that need to be passed through the X-ray machine. The bags are available at Information Counters or from Information representatives who will distribute bags to passengers prior to entering the checkpoint.
At the checkpoint, the TSA provides bins in which to place personal items and outerwear such as shoes, coats, jackets, suit jackets, sport coats, blazers and belts with metal buckles that must be removed and passed through the X-ray machine.
Remove laptops and video cameras with cassettes from their cases and place them in the bin to be X-rayed.
Equipment used to screen checked baggage damages undeveloped film. Pack undeveloped film in a carry-on bag. High speed and specialty film should be hand inspected at the security checkpoint. To facilitate hand-inspection, remove undeveloped film from the canister and pack in a clear plastic bag. Screening equipment will not affect digital cameras and electronic image storage cards.
Do not wrap gifts. They may have to be opened for inspection. This applies to both checked and carry-on items.
Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications are permitted. Medication, including diabetes-related supplies and equipment, must be properly marked with a professionally printed pharmaceutical label. Make sure all medications are placed in carry-ons. It is recommended that you check the TSA website for additional information.
The TSA has new regulations regarding liquids in carry-on baggage. Small amounts of liquids in containers of 3 oz. or less are permitted. The liquid containers must be placed in a clear, zip-lock, quart-size plastic bag, which must be removed from your carry-on bag.
For additional information on permitted and prohibited items, consult the TSA website www.tsa.gov, e-mail the TSA at TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov or call the TSA Consumer Response Center toll-free at 1-866-289-9673.It is recommended that you check the TSA website often, since regulations can change at anytime.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
MGM Mirage's New Mega Resort in Atlantic City, New
MGM Mirage Inc. plans to build a mega-casino resort worth up to $5 billion that will dwarf anything Atlantic City has seen before, the company said Wednesday.
The move is part of an ongoing gamble by casino operators to polish Atlantic City's image and attract upscale customers who want to do more than just bet money.
The project, which will be called MGM Grand Atlantic City, will cost between $4.5 billion and $5 billion, not including the land value and associated expenses, the company said in a statement.
It will be built on a 72-acre site at Renaissance Pointe that MGM owns, next to the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, which the company co-owns with Boyd Gaming Corp.
"We ... hope to re-energize the city's resort offerings and attract a new market of affluent East Coast customers," said Terry Lanni, MGM's chairman and CEO of the casino operator. "We believe the success at Borgata demonstrates the eagerness for further evolution of the nation's second-largest gaming market."
The project will consist of three hotel towers with more than 3,000 rooms and suites.
It will feature the largest casino floor in Atlantic City, with 5,000 slot machines, 200 table games and a large poker room, a 1,500-seat theater, as well as restaurants, nightclubs, a spa, 500,000 square feet of retail space, and a convention center.
The city's 11 casinos have invested billions of dollars to attract more upscale visitors who are drawn by entertainment, dining and shopping options, as opposed to day-trip gamblers who ride a bus into the city, play for a few hours, then go home.
"It's a very exciting project that is another step in Atlantic City's evolution to a full-scale destination resort, which is critical given the competition we currently face," said Joe Corbo, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey.
Atlantic City's casinos are being hurt this year by slots parlors in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York which are siphoning off gamblers that were once Atlantic City's exclusive customers.
Atlantic City's gambling revenue fell 4 percent from the start of the year through August, compared with the same period last year. It may mark the first annual revenue decline in the city's 29-year history of gambling.
MGM plans to build on about 60 acres of the site, setting 12 aside for future development, which may include a residential component. That is the same model the Borgata used when it opened in 2003. It is currently building a second hotel tower called The Water Club, which is expected to open before next summer.
Ground breaking is expected next year, with an anticipated opening in 2012.
MGM's stock dipped 68 cents to $99.07 in early trading, but the drop follows a recent run-up in the shares from $84 at the beginning of September.
Analysts were pleased with the news.
"It is a bet on what Atlantic City can become, not on what it is right now," said Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Robert LaFleur. "We are long-term believers that the market can transition from a predominantly day tripper market to more of a Las Vegas overnight destination."
Several analysts speculated MGM Mirage might take on a joint venture partner such as Dubai World, which recently announced it would take a 4.9 percent stake in the company and invest billions in joint ventures in MGM Mirage projects on the Las Vegas Strip.
Associated Press Writers Ryan Nakashima in Las Vegas and Michelle Chapman in New York contributed to this report.
Brought to you by A&C Transport Car Service and Airport Transportation.
The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata, Now
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming and MGM MIRAGE , began accepting hotel reservations today. The $400 million boutique-lifestyle hotel, which will open this June, will feature 800 guestrooms and suites. Guests can reserve a variety of rooms or packages at The Water Club by calling (800) 800.8817, or visiting www.thewaterclubatborgata.com for stays, starting July 1st.
"We're excited to announce this key milestone for The Water Club, bringing this unique hotel experience one step closer for guests," says Larry Mullin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. "The debut of The Water Club will allow more guests than ever before to experience Borgata through a distinctly cosmopolitan hotel experience."
The debut of The Water Club will complete Borgata's $600 million master plan development and bring the total investment into the resort destination to $1.7 billion.
About The Water Club
On schedule for a June 2008 opening, The Water Club, a Signature Hotel by Borgata, will introduce a unique brand of hospitality to Atlantic City, combining elements of Borgata, while delivering a personality of its own. The $400 million hotel will feature 800 guestrooms and suites; Immersion, a two-story spa located on the 32nd Floor; 18,000 square feet of meeting space; three Residences modeled after chic, urban lofts; five heated indoor and outdoor pools; and six retail shops. Located adjacent to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, The Water Club will be just steps away from Borgata's world-class entertainment, shopping, dining, nightlife, and gaming options.
About Borgata
Borgata is a joint venture of Boyd Gaming Corporation and MGM MIRAGE . Located at Renaissance Pointe in Atlantic City, it features 2,000 guest rooms and suites, 161,000 square feet of gaming, 200 gaming tables, 4,100 slot machines, 10 destination restaurants, 12 retail boutiques, a 54,000 square foot spa, 70,000 square feet of event space, and parking for 7,100 cars. For more information on Borgata or to obtain a copy of this press release, please visit www.theborgata.com or use AOL keyword: borgata. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com; additional information on MGM MIRAGE can be found at www.mgmmirage.com.
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The New Water Club Hotel: Retailer Partners
Six Retail Boutiques Set To Offer Chic Choices for Shoppers
Atlantic City, NJ –The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata, todayannounced the major brands that will comprise the hotel’s impressive collection of upscale retail stores. The Shoppes at The Water Club will include signature La Perla, Just Cavalli, Hearts On Fire, Hugo Boss, and Fixation boutiques.
“The Shoppes at The Water Club will complement the cosmopolitan experience the hotel will offer and the luxe lifestyle that defines the property,” says Jordan Covell, Executive Director of Retail for The Water Club. “We are pleased to welcome designer brands such as La Perla and Just Cavalli, who will open their first area boutiques in Atlantic City; the signature Hugo Boss BOSS collection for men; and the very first Hearts On Fire store in North America. Together, these shoppes will offer guests Fifth Avenue at their fingertips.”
The debut of The Water Club, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming (NYSE: BYD) and MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM), will complete Borgata's $600 million master plan development and bring the total investment into the resort destination to $1.7 billion, allowing more guests than ever before to experience the Borgata resort destination.
THE SHOPS
LA PERLA
La Perla, a collection of luxurious intimate apparel, swimwear and ready-to-wear is a natural fit for The Water Club audience. La Perla is a company built on the deep knowledge of the feminine body, attention to detail and fit of every garment, the fusion of tradition and innovation, Italian identity and quality ethics. The company’s philosophy wants to communicate emotions even before selling the product. The collections that you will find at La Perla are made with the utmost in luxury and fashion, all while having an incredible fit.
LaPerla.com
JUST CAVALLI
Just Cavalli at The Water Club joins the brand’s flagship store on Fifth Avenue. Roberto Cavalli’s ready-to-wear collection has a sensual, party infused flair similar to The Water Club, making it a perfect fit. “The Water Club is a great partner for Just Cavalli,” says Enrico Di Muccio, Chief Executive Officer of IT Holding USA. “The Water Club Just Cavalli location will be the first in Atlantic City. It is an untapped market for us but we are confident it will be very successful. With the opening of Borgata, Atlantic City is gaining the energy and vibe of Las Vegas, and the Just Cavalli product excels in this setting. The project combines the right mix of high-end retail and luxe lifestyle.”
HEARTS ON FIRE
Known for creating a new industry standard for diamond cutting perfection, The Hearts On Fire Company is opening its first store in North America at The Water Club. The Water Club store is operated in partnership with Harvey Rovinsky, owner of Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers, as part of Hearts On Fire expansion strategy to build a consumer brand experience. Housed in an elegant retail space filled with glass and sparkle, Hearts On Fire will capture the eye of Water Club guests with top-notch selections of diamonds known for their brilliance. As the fastest growing diamond brand Hearts On Fire continues to redefine the industry through its extraordinary diamonds and unique retail relationships. Hearts On Fire is carried in 31 countries, including 600 U.S. retail locations, as well as locations throughout the U.K., Asia, and the Caribbean.
HeartsOnFire.com
BOSS
Just for men, The Water Club's BOSS store will offer BOSS Black with
Elegant business wear, BOSS Orange providing up-to-date casual wear and the BOSS Green collection offering performance sportswear. Those who demand exceptional materials, craftsmanship and exclusivity will appreciate the luxurious tailored fashions of BOSS Selection.
HugoBoss.com.
FIXATION
Exclusive to The Water Club, Fixation offers designer items from the latest Salvatore Ferragamo and Prada styles to high-end handbags and footwear.
CAMEO
Offering up many of life’s simple pleasures, Cameo will offer customers a one-stop shop for all of their basic needs. Filled with a wide variety of specialty products, including a series of signature Water Club gift items, sundries, and more, Cameo will offer the must-have staples a luxury guests needs for an overnight stay.
For more information or to access a sneak peak of the virtual tour of The Water Club, A Signature Hotel By Borgata, please visit thewaterclubatborgata.com.
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