Any suggestions for good room rates this winter?

[godofgamblers]

I'd like to stay at a semi decent place, pretty much one of the major hotels with a casino, for about a week during this winter break. I've searched for some poker room rates but most seem outdated, and I assume there won't be rates near Christmas/New Year's. I'm fine to go pretty much anytime between Christmas-January 20th or so, and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions or inside info to leak. I'll probably be playing 2/5NL and pretty much first time playing poker in a casino.

[*TT*]

WHERE do you want to go?

[godofgamblers]

I'm an asshat, sorry. Atlantic City.

[Poshua]

The rates vary and you'd be best off calling the poker rooms directly. The only rooms that consistently spread 2/5 are the Taj Mahal and the Borgata. You definitely won't get a poker rate at the Borg without prior play at a higher limit. I'm not sure about the midweek rate situation at the Taj. You might succeed in getting a poker rate elsewhere (I've heard the Hilton is relatively liberal, if you talk to the right manager) but you won't be happy having to meet an hourly play requirement in any of the other rooms if you want to play 2/5 all week.

If you're not wedded to staying where you play, my personal recommendation is the Sheraton at the AC convention center. It's a nice, well-appointed hotel. You can walk from there to the central Boardwalk resorts (Trump Plaza, Bally's and Caesar's) and it's a short cab to any other casino in AC.

If you want to be walking distance to the Taj, you may find it's cheaper to book at Showboat or Resorts (adjacent on either side) than at the Taj itself. Nothing is really walking distance to the Borg, but Harrah's and Trump Marina make for very short cab/jitney rides; Trump Marina can be a good deal, though the decor is cringe-worthy.

[Mr. AtlanticCity]

If looking to stay in Atlantic City, mostly all the casinos (except Borgata) offer "hot rates" at which you can usually find rooms from $49-$69. Best time to find these rates are about a month before you plan to visit.

If looking for something cheaper, your best bet would be to stay in Absecon, about 10 miles out of Atlantic City. I usually recommend the Howard Johnson. I reserved 2 weeks before I went and got a nice room for $35. The hotels are on Route 30, which will take you by the Marina District (Borgata) and directly into Atlantic City.