Is Borgata worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Borgata is worth it for travelers who want a large Atlantic City casino resort with many dining, nightlife and meeting options under one roof. It’s less suitable if you want a beachfront, family-focused resort or guaranteed kid-friendly pool access, since many pools and casino areas are 21+.
In this guide
Quick facts at a glance
Name: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa — Address: 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 08401, US.
Size and style: roughly 1,970 guest rooms across multiple towers, a 161,000-square-foot casino floor, Spa Toccare, indoor and seasonal outdoor pools, and a large selection of restaurants and bars.
- Mandatory resort fee (approx. $34.09 per night) — includes fitness center access, internet and phone calls.
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out is 11:00 AM. Front desk open 24 hours; minimum check-in age is 21.
- Casino: about 2,500 slot machines and roughly 200 table games; you must be 21+ to play.
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spa | Spa Toccare — facility hours and age rules apply (see spa section) |
| Pools | Indoor pool (family access with restrictions); outdoor pools are 21+ and seasonal |
| Parking | Self-parking and valet available for fees; electric vehicle charging on site |
Rooms and what to expect
Room types include Classic King, Classic Queen, Fiore Room, Standard Room (Lower Floor), Restore Classic Room and Standard Room. All rooms list a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a desk and private bathroom.
Stock and size vary by room type and tower; the property totals roughly 1,970 rooms over 43 floors, so expect variation in layout and views depending on the booking.
- Classic King — 1 King Bed (refer to property listings for photos and exact layout).
- Classic Queen — 2 Queen Beds.
- Fiore Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds.
- Standard Room (Lower Floor), Restore Classic Room and Standard Room — bed types listed per room category.
| Room type (exact name) | Beds |
|---|---|
| Classic King | 1 King Bed |
| Classic Queen | 2 Queen Beds |
| Fiore Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds |
Pools, spa and fitness: who can use them
Spa Toccare is a large, full-service spa on the property with treatment rooms, a salon and wet facilities; spa facility hours and treatment hours are published and reservations are required for services. Spa wet facilities and most treatment areas are restricted to guests 18 and older; salon services allow minors when accompanied by an adult.
Borgata has an indoor pool on the spa floor (it runs an adults-only swim for two hours each morning, then opens to all ages at 9:00 AM) and a seasonal outdoor pool. The outdoor pools and Water Club/MGM Tower pool areas are restricted to guests 21+.
- Spa Toccare — facility hours Mon–Sun 7:00 AM–5:00 PM; service hours vary by day.
- Indoor pool — children allowed when accompanied by an adult except during the morning adults-only swim.
- Outdoor pool and most MGM Tower pools — 21+ only; outdoor pool is seasonal (typically open May–Sept/Oct).
- Fitness center (the “Pump Room”) — complimentary for hotel guests and included in the resort fee.
| Facility | Age policy / note |
|---|---|
| Spa Toccare wet facilities | 18+ only |
| Indoor pool (spa floor) | Open to children when accompanied by an adult after morning adults-only swim |
| Outdoor pools (main pool / MGM Tower) | 21+ only |
Casino, nightlife and entertainment
Borgata’s casino floor is large (reported at roughly 161,000 sq ft) with about 2,500 slot machines and 200 table games including poker; all gambling areas require guests to be 21 or older. The property also contains a sportsbook and multiple bars oriented around watching and wagering.
Nightlife options include Premier Nightclub and a range of bars and lounges such as Long Bar, B Bar, Level One Cocktail Bar & Lounge and Gypsy Bar. The Borgata Event Center and Music Box Amphitheatre host concerts and comedy shows.
- Casino: slots, table games, poker room and a dedicated sportsbook.
- Nightlife: Premier Nightclub, Gypsy Bar, and several lobby and cocktail bars.
- Event venues: Borgata Event Center, Music Box Amphitheatre, Festival Park and large ballrooms for concerts and conferences.
| Venue | Typical use / capacity |
|---|---|
| Borgata Event Center / Borgata Ballroom | Large concerts, configurable ballroom space (capacities vary) |
| Music Box Amphitheatre | Tiered-seating venue (~1,000 capacity) |
| Premier Nightclub | Dance club with DJs and VIP areas |
Dining: range and practical notes
Borgata lists about 17 restaurants and numerous bars covering fine dining, casual spots, coffee bars and grab-and-go outlets. Notable on-site restaurants include Angeline by Michael Symon, Old Homestead Steak House, B-Prime Steakhouse and Borgata Buffet.
Hours and dress codes vary by venue; several fine-dining rooms require Smart Casual. Bread + Butter and Borgata Baking Company offer 24-hour or late-night options for many guests.
- Fine dining: Angeline by Michael Symon (Italian), Old Homestead Steak House, B-Prime Steakhouse.
- Casual and quick: Borgata Buffet, Burgers & Fries, Casa Taco Express, The Food Hall Eatery, Bread + Butter (24 hours).
- Sports and bars: BetMGM Sportsbook & Bar (kitchen hours listed), Borgata Beer Garden (outdoor bar hours 10:00 AM–10:00 PM).
- Reservations: For fine dining, call 609-317-1000 or check the resort site.
| Restaurant | Type / note |
|---|---|
| Angeline by Michael Symon | Italian — Smart Casual; reservations recommended |
| Old Homestead Steak House | Steakhouse — Smart Casual |
| Bread + Butter / Borgata Baking Company | Casual / 24-hour coffee and pastries |
Location, transport and nearby attractions
Borgata sits in Atlantic City’s Marina District on the bay side, not directly on the beach or Boardwalk. The Boardwalk and central beachfront areas are roughly 1–2 miles away depending on the source; guests often take a short taxi, ride-share or local jitney to reach the Boardwalk.
The nearest airport is Atlantic City International Airport (ACY); property listings note there is no hotel airport shuttle. NJ Transit trains and buses connect Atlantic City with Philadelphia and New York; a local bus (jitney/NJ Transit line 501) links the Marina area to downtown.
- Not beachfront — located in Marina District on the bay side.
- Nearest airport: Atlantic City International Airport (ACY); Borgata does not provide an airport shuttle per current listings.
- Local transport: jitney/NJ Transit, taxis and ride-share commonly used to reach Boardwalk (about 5–15 minutes by car).
| Trip | Typical note |
|---|---|
| Walk to Boardwalk | About 1.9–2.2 miles (roughly 30–40 minutes on foot) |
| Taxi to downtown/Boardwalk | About 4–10 minutes depending on destination |
| Airport (ACY) to Borgata | Various listings show roughly 9–13 miles; no hotel shuttle |
Value, fees and who should choose Borgata
Borgata packages a large casino, many restaurants, a prominent spa and event space — that concentration is the main value for travelers wanting an all-in-one Atlantic City stay. Expect a mandatory resort fee (the property’s published figure is approximately $34.09 per night) and separate charges for parking, cabanas and some spa services.
Borgata is best for adult travelers, gamblers, concert and conference attendees, and guests who prioritize dining and nightlife. Families can stay, but pool and spa age rules and the casino environment mean it’s not a dedicated kid-focused resort.
- Pros: wide dining variety, large casino, extensive event space, full-service spa, complimentary fitness center for guests.
- Cons: not beachfront, mandatory resort fee, many pools and gaming areas restricted to 21+, spa wet areas 18+ only, parking and some extras carry additional fees.
- Good for: adults, couples, groups attending events or conferences, casino and dining-focused stays.
- Less good for: travelers who need beachfront rooms, families wanting unrestricted kid pool access, or those avoiding resort fees.
| Cost item | Typical status |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Mandatory (~$34.09/night) |
| Parking | Self and valet available for fees |
| Pool cabanas / daybeds | Available for extra charge, minimum spend may apply |
