The Casino File
By Chuck Darrow
Last Wednesday while the region was experiencing its coldest weather in years, my brother and his wife left for a seven-day getaway to Puerto Rico, where the high temperatures were consistently in the low-80s. I only mention it because circumstances (financial and otherwise) prohibited me from making a similar trip. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t spend at least a little time being pampered and indulged and, best of all, lazing away an afternoon in the 82-degree warmth of a place that is as close-by as close-by gets.
That would be Harrah’s Casino Resort Atlantic City, specifically The Pool At Harrah’s, the one-of-a-kind (literal) pleasure dome that is the perfect spot in which to chase away the mid-winter blues.
The Pool sits below a soaring, 90-foot-high glass dome beneath which sits a variety of tropical flora as well as a large pool, a sizeable hot tub, a full-service bar and, of course, numerous chaise lounges. As noted above the (slightly humid) air temperature is a constant 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
There’s no doubt that for me, last Thursday will go down as the best weekday afternoon of the winter of ’25. I arrived at The Pool around 1 p.m. and immediately headed into the hot tub where I spent most of the ensuing three hours (I am one of those folks who could spend three days in one if that were physically and logistically feasible). The temperature was a Goldilocksian (as in just-right) 103 degrees—warm enough to provide true therapeutic relief, but not so hot that it was impossible to stay in for more than 10 or 15 minutes without feeling woozy or sick.
Reveling in the decent-pressured jets of water against the various knots in my back, shoulders, legs and feet while gazing at the sharply angled glass hotel towers that stand on the other side of the dome took me light years away from the stress and hassles of everyday life. A bonus was the pair of extended conversations I had with two very nice younger couples.
For those not inclined to soak their lives away, lying/snoozing on a chaise lounge certainly works as well, as does a Pina Colada (or more) from the bar which, to these taste buds, seemed as good as any to be found north of Key West.
As was my entire 43-hour stay, my time at The Pool—which incidentally, is restricted to hotel guests over 21 and carries an $11.25 (including tax)-per-day fee–was enhanced by the lack of visitors. Winter-weekday hotel stays in Atlantic City are, of course, hardly in high demand. But if you can swing it, Monday through Thursday is a wonderful time to visit: Harrah’s isn’t crowded as it and the other casinos can be on weekends this time of year, which means no not-enough chairs at The Pool, no lines at restaurants and, best of all, an absence of the usual casino-hotel hustle-and-bustle that creates a relaxing, laid-back feel across the sprawling Harrah’s complex.
It’s not that there weren’t people there; there were enough that the complex never seemed deserted, but few enough to give everything a most-pleasant, chill vibe (in what may be a first, I didn’t share an elevator ride the entire time I was there).
The only (minor) drawback was that some food outlets (including the excellent LaStrada at The Shore Italian eatery) weren’t open. But the threat of starvation was not a concern (see below).
The reason why I left The Pool an hour before closing was that I figured if you’re going to indulge in hedonism, why stop halfway? Thus, I had to split for a 50-minute Swedish massage at The Spa at Harrah’s (the sacrifices I make for my readers!).
Under the expert ministrations of my therapist, Maria, the knots the hot tub couldn’t banish were soon memories as (minor) lingering issues were disposed of, and my sense of relaxation and escape advanced several levels. Suffice it to say that the only part of the massage I hated was when my 50 minutes on the table had been exhausted.
This kind of self-indulgence makes a man work up a powerful appetite. My two dinners—at Gordon Ramsay Steak and the local outpost of the venerable McCormick & Schmick—were both exceptional, but the former was particularly noteworthy.
The very-high-end dining room on the mezzanine level overlooking the Eden Lounge is a luxe space with sexy lighting decorated in a contemporary steakhouse-chic style.
My rack-of-lamb entrée–which purposely arrived unaccompanied by any side dish—was absolute perfection: A melt-in-your-mouth, four-chop rack cooked exactly as I had requested (medium) rocking a superb, but not-overpowering port-wine reduction. The only reason I ordered it was that Alex (of the dynamic server duo Alex and Ed) waxed rhapsodic about it with such passion and enthusiasm that I had no choice. But my hesitation was due to a special happy-hour dish in the lounge that alone is worth hitting up the restaurant.
I had no idea going in what “lobster hash” was, but I figured I’d be adventurous and order it. That was definitely the move, as the “hash” appeared as a mini-casserole built of a generous supply of lobster chunks and crispy potato in a chive crème fraiche (a sour cream-ish concoction) nestled under a blanket of exquisite melted brie.
That the dish costs but $11 and is a meal in itself makes this one of the best (and best-tasting) culinary deals in town.
As for accommodations, rooms in the complex’s five hotel towers start (for weekday stays) at around $50-$55 (plus taxes and the dreaded “resort fees”). The more upscale units are found in the Waterfront Tower where the standard-room “rack” rate begins at $77. For those looking to really splurge, there are stylishly decorated Waterfront Tower suites boasting 1,255 square feet spread across four rooms (including a full dining room with wet bar, a spacious bathroom and to-die-for views of the back bay area).
Per the casino’s website, all rates qualify for a 10-percent discount with a minimum two-night stay if they are booked directly at caesars.com/harrahs-ac/hotel.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
