Water Club, Atlantic City...The Hydrated Casino
Written: Nov 11 '08 (Updated May 03 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Stylish rooms, swimming pool and spa on the 31st floor- great views
Cons: The extra expense of staying here may not be worth it. On-site dining options limited.
The Bottom Line: The Water Club wants to be more than it is, but it's trying very hard. Points for chutzpah.
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| tombarnes's Full Review: The Water Club, NJ |
Atlantic City is making a break for the new breed of traveler who demands more than bed and baccarat. The Water Club brings the cool elegance of New York and Miami to Atlantic City, or so goes the line of thinking. The reality falls a bit short of what might have been something really special.
The management of the Borgata has decided that the Water Club should be exclusive. To wit, its prices are usually higher than those at the Borgata next door. Recently, the Borgata has begun doling out rooms in the Water Club to its best clients. As I am not among them, I had to make do with a rate of $265.00- high for a weekday in these times.
Lobby
The lobby is only accessible through the gaping maw of the casino, so any sense of separation from the main hotel is diminished somewhat. The lobby itself is sleek and pleasant, but the seating groups don't encourage lingering. Black and striated gray marble is offset by flat white walls with visual interest only in the marble itself and the counterpoint of the modish chandeliers. It looks handsome, but one could be forgiven for mistaking the lobby for that of a bank.
I arrived very early and was unsurprised to find that my room was unavailable. I told them I would wait. After wandering around for a couple of hours, my room was ready at 11:30 AM. Do not expect this to happen on a busy weekend. The staffers at the desk were efficient and crisp, if not exactly gushing.
Room
Unlike the Borgata, which has many different room and suite types, there are really only two sorts of rooms to be had here, with the notable exception of the penthouses. The "Club" rooms and the "Vista" rooms are similar in appearance, but the latter are on the corners of the building and have more light and slightly more square footage than their regular counterparts. The difference of about $40.00 over the regular rooms may be worth it to you.
I liked the spaciousness of the room and the general feeling of airiness. While the furniture may not make an immediate impression, it shows favorably inder close inspection. Yes, the hinges on the cabinets are plated in nickel and so forth. Expense has not been spared here. Small details have been worked out admirably in everything from the glasses to the room safe. Others who have stayed here have mentioned the turndown service. Perhaps this has been discontinued, or maybe they simply missed my room. The bed was turned down and slippers were put out on the bed. Beyond this, there was no further pampering. Turndown service is overrated anyway.
While the difference may not be readily apparent, there is a vast difference in quality between the rooms here and those at the Borgata.
Bath
Like the room, the bath was thoughtfully planned. White marble and gleaming chrome are muted with the judicious application of softer wood tones to make the bathrooms feel human. Great attention has been paid to the details here too. Even the bath soap and shampoo is from L'Occitane. The shower may take you a few minutes to figure out, with its multiple heads and fixtures. Once I figured it out, it was invigorating. There was no tub, so if this is important to you, the Borgata may serve your purposes.
Sunroom
In lieu of another restaurant, the Water Club has a loungy approximation of a cafe called the Sunroom. In October, its outdoor patios were closed and the green marble fireplace was aglow even with shafts of the aforementioned sun shining upon it. Enjoy the room, because the food is expensive for what one receives. When the buffet costs $17.00, why pay $15.00 for a plate of scrambled eggs? I had coffee and a bagel here and it was nearly as much as the buffet would have cost. I suppose the positive side of it all is that you are not at a trough. In any event, this is one more reminder that the Water Club is trying desperately to be exclusive. I asked why they had not included more restaurants in the new hotel and was told that they did not wish to siphon business from the existing restaurants in the Borgata. Fair enough, but they might have included something exceptional here. The restaurants across the way mostly have big names, but do not always live up to the promise of culinary distinction.
Room service (stupidly expensive room service) is available 24 hours and is also available in the Immersion Spa.
Pools
This place is all about water, so the pools were worth inspection. Smaller in reality than in the wide-angle glory of the website, the pools are nonetheless striking. A bit less so in the height of the season when every chair is filled, but they have gone to some trouble to make the pools inviting and different. There are three indoor pools and two outside. A current remake of the outdoor terraces is in progress which will triple the number of chairs.
Immersion Spa
I chose to visit the Immersion Spa on the 31st floor. The $50.00 fee to use the place for the day is offensive, but they do this to keep it from being overrun. The rooms have been fitted out in enough marble and distinctive wood to kill a rainforest. The pool is another sleek, shallow strip of water, but the difference here is the smashing view of the sea and the skyline beyond. Rows of chairs held teal towels and fresh orchids.
The men's spa area was again finished off in smart looking wood trim and attended by soft-footed attendants. Hot and cold plunge pools augmented the steam and sauna. A relaxation room had large televisions, books and magazines as well as water, tea and juices available. I didn't bother with spa treatments, but they have an extensive list- all of them punishingly expensive- in the hundreds. On the whole though, the spa was exceptionally well done.
Shops
There are a couple of overpriced clothing stores in the hallway to the Borgata and a sort of gift shop in the Water Club. Unless you are dying to have cookie tins in the shape of the building or bathrobes for $135.00, I'd spend the money in the casino instead. At least you have the faint chance of winning something there.
Meetings
The Water Club is also making an effort to cater to the meeting trade. Don't expect to see many name tags, but the hotel is well equipped for meetings. There is also a fully staffed business center.
Cost
The rates here are considerably higher than those at the Borgata, but on a busy weekend, the difference may not be apparent. I paid $265.00 for a corner "Vista" room, while the standard rooms were going for about $235.00. I have seen rates as low as $149.00 for the standard rooms on Travelzoo, but such specials are sporadic. Rates can go as high as $700.00 on the weekends. The three penthouse suites on the top floors may be had upon application only.
Overall
An admirable stab at luxury which brings Atlantic City up several notches, the hotel still falls short in certain respects. Considered as an adjunct to the main property, its reason for being is clearer. Make no mistake...the rooms here are much better than their counterparts next door. There are those who prefer the rooms at the Borgata, but the level of finish and attention to detail is superior in the rooms at the Water Club. If you are considering bringing children, I would caution that this environment is oriented more specifically to adults.
Water Cclub at the Borgata
1 Renaissance Way
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Toll free- 800-800-8817
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tombarnes
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 - Top 200 |
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Member: Thomas Barnes
Location: Fort Lauderdale & Washington, DC
Reviews written: 688
Trusted by: 444 members
About Me:
With Barbara in Miami, 2004
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