Four months after my last visit with my good buddy Ben, I returned to Atlantic City primarily to attend a travel industry conference although I intended to have some fun as well. Since I tend to enjoy casinos not so much for the main attraction of gambling as their other amenities, I knew that it could be a challenge to find many non-gaming options to keep me entertained during a midweek autumn stay. I also struggled a bit against an unexpected illness but managed to make the best of my stay.
I traveled from DC to Atlantic City on the rails via Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, changing trains at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station. It was admittedly not the most scenic ride but it was mostly uneventful, save some guy obliviously wailing away off-key to whatever was playing on his MP3 player for about half of the NJ Transit ride. Upon arriving at the train terminal, conveniently connected to the Convention Center, I caught the free train shuttle bus to Caesars Atlantic City.
As you may recall from the blogs on my previous trip, the mid-level “Luxury” room that Ben and I had reserved was unexpectedly downgraded to a standard “Deluxe” room (with an appropriate rate change). As I was taking advantage of a flyer I received that "comped" or gave me room rate credit for two of my three nights, I expected to get the same standard room. Imagine my surprise when I was given the Luxury room instead! From the moment that I walked onto my floor of the Centurion Tower, I could immediately sense the difference in every way from the Temple Tower. Much of the room actually seemed fairly similar to the standard room with two important changes. For one, I appreciate the upgraded bathroom with its sit-down shower and separate water closet. I also appreciated the view featuring the “Caesars” sign on a top of another tower which would look great later once lit up in the night. If I pressed my face along the left corner of the window, I could even see a bit of ocean! This was definitely an improvement over admiring a frosted window that hid a wall. (See: Temple Tower.)
The Temple and Centurion Towers each have their advantages, depending on what's more important to you. The Temple Tower is closer to the front desk and bell desk, the upscale restaurants Mia and Morton's Steakhouse as well as the valet parking and taxis on the Pacific Avenue (mainland) side of the hotel. The Centurion Tower is more convenient to most other restaurants including the La Piazza buffet and Cafe Roma coffee shop as well as the overpass to the Pier at Caesars retail and entertainment complex. The Ocean Tower, while set back further than the other two, offers the most upgraded rooms and more opportunities for scenic views as its name implies.
Once I unpacked my things, I went down to the casino to try my luck at my favorite slot game.
Next: A $20 "Party" and $1 Blackjack? Game On!
No comments:
Post a Comment