The long awaited ACES train link (Atlantic City Express Service) from New York City to AC is at last a reality. Once, when I was designing 32 Degrees at the Tropicana, I was forced to take a bus down. I was the first to board, and a Chinese man was next in line. When we boarded -- with the whole bus empty -- he sat down right next to me, which seemed very strange. But the reason soon became clear as the crowd that boarded after us was a surly bunch. Everybody was eating fast food, and most of the garbage ended up on the floor. I try not to be snobby, but it was a very unpleasant ride, which I didn’t repeat after that. That was the old AC -- the ACES train will turn that nightmare into a dream. For now, it only runs twice a day and only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, but at $39 one way, it’s a great opportunity for New Yorkers to enjoy not only the gaming, food, and hotels, but also the newly restored AC beach.

Vegas has its many charms, but AC has that beach, and now finally it's convenient to the many New Yorkers who don't drive much. the Borgata is beautiful; it's fun and sophisticated, and they constantly book world-class entertainment. I also enjoy The Chelsea Hotel, which offers a true New York City downtown experience. I caught up with Noel Stevenson, the Borgata’s PR manager, and got the skinny.

The Borgata has led the way since it opened. The marina location obviously worked out as it is the premier property in AC. What's new? When we opened Borgata, we sought to create a trade-up destination experience from what had existed in the market and focused on those non-gaming amenities that had made Las Vegas a hot spot -- A-list entertainment and bringing in acts such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Gwen Stefani, Eric Clapton, The Black Eyed Peas, David Bowie. Plus nightlife experiences that draw inspiration from hot spots around the country with the best DJs, including everyone from Tiesto and Paul Van Dyk to Vice and Sam Ronson. Plus two world-class spas and acclaimed chefs and restaurants by Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, Bobby Flay, Michael Schulson, and more. It’s a destination where from the moment you arrive, you never have to leave throughout your stay -- you're in the center of it all.

Last summer we opened the first non-gaming hotel in AC - The Water Club, which is an 800-room hotel experience with a cosmopolitan sensibility. It offers a different guest experience from that of Borgata, while still affording guests the option of tapping into the energy and excitement of Borgata's entertainment and gaming. The Water Club offers four unique pool scenes; this summer we’re expanding the outdoor pool and adding more space, plus a bar. We're also opening a unique Italian dining concept this summer (more to come) by a celebrated chef, which will offer guests a perfect spot to socialize with friends over wine, cheese, and delicious cuisine in a warm and rustic setting.

What do you have scheduled for the summer season? Borgata is also planning some great events that merge entertainment with nightlife this summer, which kicked off with the No Doubt performance on May 2 -- their first show before they embark on their world tour. Other highlights include Mary J. Blige, Depeche Mode, and more. For Memorial Day weekend, we have Carl Cox and Wyclef Jean at our nightclubs, and Paris Hilton is hosting her first party in AC at mur.mur on June 13. Something new this year -- we are hosting a talent search for dancers this month to find the best talent in the tri-state area to be a part of our very first B-Luscious Dance Team. We've always had dancers at both MIXX and mur.mur; however we are looking to incorporate more choreography and performance elements at our venues all summer long with a team of really strong talent. The economic downturn has hit gaming hard. Vegas especially has been hurt. What is Borgata doing to address the concerns of a far more cautious customer? Both hotels -- Borgata and The Water Club -- remain popular destinations, especially on weekends. We're noticing that guests are more mindful of value and quality right now, but they don't mind spending on the memorable experience -- going away for the weekend and having a little fun -- as long as they feel they are getting their money's worth. To that end, we are introducing some additional incentives to our customers midweek. At our restaurant Izakaya, we are offering our version of the happy hour with sushi specials, beer specials. and a great pre-mur.mur scene on Monday nights. We are also launching our first-ever Spa Toccare and Immersion Spa Week May 17-22, when both our spas will offer special events, $85 massages, and package offerings all week long. And at MIXX, we've introduced cocktailing, available on Fridays, which offers guests an alternative to bottle service while still receiving the same exclusive service and premier table seating for a minimum cocktail purchase. This is designed to be more party-friendly -- especially for bachelorette groups. The long fight for a train linking NYC to AC is now a reality. Tell me about the impact and what Borgata is doing to tell the New Yorker that it’s time to see what we got just a gambler's minute away? The ACES train is a joint venture between Borgata, Caesars, and Harrah's. While I cannot speak for the other casino partners, New York has always been a primary market for Borgata. When we crafted the Borgata experience pre-2003, we did extensive research on the Atlantic City Rejector -- a term we coined to describe those customers who simply weren't coming to Atlantic City ... who didn't have AC on their radar because they felt it didn't speak to them or have the amenities that appealed to them ... i.e. the destination restaurants, the award-winning spas, the nightlife experiences that would find their place in NY scene. Since the opening of Borgata, these experiences now do exist in AC, and with the trend of staycations, it’s easier than ever before to get to the AC. ACES is comfortable and a very convenient way to experience a weekend getaway without dealing with air travel or driving out of the city. Its debut could not have come at a better time. Do you feel the economic downturn, weak dollar, and fears of pandemic disease will keep Americans closer to home this season and indeed attract more Europeans? How does the Borgata go after the South American and European crowd? With the current economy, Americans tend to be more selective in where they choose to spend their money. Borgata & The Water Club offer a Vegas experience without having to travel across the country. In addition to the new ACES Train, there are direct flights from Florida, Atlanta, and now Boston. It’s easier now than ever before to visit. Borgata has worked hard to establish and maintain itself as the destination, and within our six years, we have done that with both domestic and international travelers with the lineup of entertainment and DJs and the diversity we offer.
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