The Boardwalk is abuzz with speculation that Ocean Resort Casino will open on the same day as Hard Rock Atlantic City, June 28.
According to the Press of Atlantic City, multiple employees called into the newsroom with details of their employment contract. The contract states a June 11 start date and a potential June 28 opening date.
The casino, on the other hand, neither confirmed nor denied the opening date via an email to The Press.
“The Ocean Resort Casino Team is committed to opening this summer and looks forward to announcing its highly anticipated opening date soon,” the company’s CEO, Frank Leone, stated in the email.
Either way, Ocean Resort Casino keeps making plans and moving forward, heightening the anticipation for its opening along the way.
It’s shaping up to be a ‘grand’ grand opening
Hard Rock Atlantic City has made every step of the construction and renovation project public. Transitioning the former Trump Taj Mahal into a property that reflects Hard Rock’s brand was not an easy feat.
Ocean Resort Casino has kept its plans closer to the vest. As announcements start to emerge about the plans for the property, excitement is beginning to grow.
Leone said as much to The Press in a recent interview:
“The grand opening of Ocean Resort Casino represents much more than an opening of a casino, but instead is a sign of the continued positive trend in tourism and gaming in Atlantic City. Given that there is much to accomplish in a condensed timeline, we are keenly focused on the initiatives that directly impact our guests.”
Two months until The Boardwalk collectively pops the champagne
The activity on both the Ocean Resort Casino and Hard Rock Atlantic City properties has gone into overdrive. There are only two months until the party of the year. Even so, there is still plenty of work to be done to ready the properties to receive guests.
For instance, each property is still moving through the licensing process. David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, said in February the DGE is committed to making sure both casinos are in possession of the proper licenses before their opening date.
If indeed Ocean Resort Casino is opening on June 28, they have some ground to make up.
Hard Rock Atlantic City is already accepting reservations. Ocean Resort is not and probably won’t until it confirms its official opening date.
Hard Rock Atlantic City has announced its entertainment lineup and other plans for the big weekend. Ocean Resort has not.
In any case, two grand openings on the same weekend are bound to be a revenue boon for Atlantic City. Expect Ocean Resort Casino to announce an official grand opening date soon.
Get your virtual golf fix at Ocean Resort Casino
While we wait for the official grand opening of Ocean Resort Casino, they did make another announcement this week.
It seems Ocean Resort Casino will be swinging into summer with the help of Topgolf. Topgolf is all the rage these days and is known for its trendy golf-themed entertainment venues.
On Monday, Ocean Resort shared plans to open the world’s largest Topgolf Swing Suite complex right on The Boardwalk.
According to Topgolf, a “Swing Suite is an immersive social experience offering guests a comfy lounge to play and enjoy fantastic food and beverage service. With a massive screen and a selection of exciting virtual games, the Topgolf Swing Suite delivers a one-of-a-kind simulation that’s fun for golfers and non-golfers alike.”
The first Topgolf Swing Suite opened this past January in Houston, Texas, with two suites. Ocean Resort Casino plans to open 11. The Topgolf Swing Suites are available to rent for viewing parties, celebrations, and corporate events.
“With 11 bays and 26,000 square feet, the size, scale and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Topgolf Swing Suite at Ocean Resort Casino will be unlike anything the entertainment industry has seen before,” said Topgolf Swing Suite President Ron Powers in a press release.
“No detail was overlooked in the development of Ocean Resort Casino,” said Bruce Deifik, chairman of AC Ocean Walk to the Press.
“We’re aligning with companies and brands that are the best at what they do to optimize the overall guest experience, and Topgolf is one of the best in terms of delivering cutting-edge entertainment and memorable social experiences that capture the spirit of competition and fun.”
Ocean Resort focusing on strategic partnerships
The former Revel Casino Hotel required less structural changes than the former Trump Taj Mahal.
Hard Rock Atlantic City practically had to build a brand new casino. Ocean Resort, on the other hand, is focusing on renovations and partnerships. Specifically, they are looking to provide customer experiences that exceed all expectations.
Earlier this month, Ocean Resort announced it is joining The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. The Unbound Collection is a group of boutique hotels that focus on providing unique guest experiences.
Ocean Resort Casino will be the first Hyatt property in Atlantic City. Guests can look forward to:
- 1,399 newly-renovated hotel rooms
- Five swimming pools
- A concert hall
- Indoor and outdoor event spaces
If NJ sports betting gets the go-ahead from the Supreme Court this summer, Ocean Resort also plans to open a state-of-the-art sportsbook as part of the 138,000 square feet of gaming space.
All of that is on top of the Topgolf Swing Suite.
Forging new partnerships with Hyatt and Topgolf is a smart play. It certainly shows AC residents the casino is working behind the scenes to create some headlines of its own.
Every detail has been designed to attract new customers to the luxury destination. Going into the highly-anticipated summer season with a focus on providing unique guest experiences is undoubtedly a winning strategy for Ocean Resort Casino.