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How do you end the month of July? By going to Atlantic City—not to gamble, but to see Shakira. But if gambling is your thing, go for it. In my case, I took a gamble on Ocean Casino Resort, and it’s a bet I’d make and book every time I go to New Jersey. July also happens to be my loved one’s birthday month, and like me, she has a lovely habit of celebrating all month long. Anywhere there’s a beach and a pool, her Cancer self has to be a part of it. So going to Atlantic City was an easy yes for her. I honestly didn’t have to twist her arm because it’s one of her favorite places.
It was a weekend we both needed, a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the final U.S. show of Shakira’s Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. We hopped on a bus from Port Authority and made the three-hour journey to the Garden State. It was a short trip, but a memorable one, and by the time we were heading back to New York, I was already thinking about what else I could get into at Ocean Casino Resort during my next trip to New Jersey.
I’m a passenger princess, and while some may say getting on a bus rather than driving is a wild journey, I don’t mind it because I get to take in the scenery, read all of the billboards, and get excited for what’s to come. Ocean Casino Resort’s hotel tower is the tallest structure in Atlantic City and one of the tallest in New Jersey at 710 feet high, which can’t help but make you feel like you’re on top of the world during your stay.
First impressions
Before checking in, we had to go up, up, and up the escalators, which led to a multitude of activities to take on, like a walk in their garden area, a drink at the bar, a snack at the cafe, or being mesmerized by the fish tank in the middle, in front of check-in. We got to go through VIP check-in, avoid long lines, and go straight to my room, which is always great for me.
The best part
I have stayed in multiple hotels and Airbnbs in Atlantic City for birthdays, anniversaries, just-because trips, and Ocean Casino Resort takes the top spot. With the views, the delicious meals, and the helpful staff, it felt like a vacation home I wouldn’t want to leave every summer. I got to eat at Amada, my late grandmother’s middle name, whom I never got to meet, and maybe she was there with us in spirit because every single meal was divine. I have yet to visit Spain, but it felt like I was being transported there with the flavors of the Spanish cuisine. My Favorite dish was the arroz temporado, which is wild mushroom rice with asparagus and Manchego. Combining my love for cheese and rice, you could never go wrong with that.
Also, I got to see Shakira again, which you could never get enough of. The Colombian superstar is the queen of FIFA, and hearing her song with Burna Boy, “Dai Dai,” live after listening to it nonstop during fútbol’s biggest moment this year was epic and made it feel like I was back at a match. The incredible hospitality Visit Atlantic City provided has me wondering if they wouldn’t mind sponsoring us again when the next big Latino or Latina hits the Boardwalk Hall stage.
The daybeds were everything, had us feeling like royalty and on cloud nine, getting whatever we wanted while lounging around, living our best lives, almost forgetting that we had to make our way back to New York that day.
The Not-So-Best Part
The elevators could’ve been better because they either weren’t working or wouldn’t stop at certain floors, but it wasn’t the end of the world for me because the escalators were there; it’s something to consider for folks who actually need the elevators. I love palomas, which is why I was so excited to have one during brunch, and it wasn’t the best, opting for me to stick to the Tequila Sunrise Mimosa. Despite the not-so-tasty paloma, Sunny’s delicious tomato soup with the grilled cheese cleansed my palate and made it all better.
Another fault: not enough time, because at a place like Ocean Resort Casino, I feel like you need at least a week to explore, dine in all the restaurants, gamble, and go to HQ2 Beachclub & Nightclub, which I didn’t get to visit. It was also a bit confusing to navigate from the pools and cabanas at first, but in the end we got the hang of it and enjoyed both.
Final Thoughts
Can’t believe it’s about to be two months since the summer getaway, and I have yet to be back at Ocean Casino Resort, but no worries; a spontaneous maybe fall or winter trip will be on the horizon. Of course, no beach time, but it’s a good thing that the hotel has an indoor pool. With more time, I’m sure I’ll get to enjoy more restaurants they have to offer, play mini golf, and maybe even squeeze in a spa day.
Book a room at Ocean Casino Resort so you too can live your best life, get to know Atlantic City more, and enjoy everything New Jersey has to offer.
Accommodations and concert tickets were provided to the author by Ocean Casino Resort and VisitAC for the purpose of writing this story.