[Poshua]

Personally, I like to stay at the Sheraton in AC; it's a high-quality, recently updated hotel, and it's generally cheaper than all but the crappiest casino hotel rooms (sometimes you can get a cheaper rate in the Claridge tower at Bally's or the oldest part of the Trop). A cab between there and the Borg is about $9 or $10; you can walk or take a short cab to the Boardwalk casinos.

When I went there at Christmas two years ago, I got a really cheap rate Trump Marina ($99 on December 25, I think). The hotel is tacky but decent; there's is no high-speed internet (wired or wireless), which I care about, but you may not. Hotel rates in AC are up over the last two years, so YMMV.

There have been previous threads about poker rates in AC; I'd look there for guidance, or call the poker rooms (not the casino front desks) and ask. You definitely can't get a poker rate at the Borg without a lot of previous play.