New and Improved in Atlantic City

It’s called Ocean Casino-Resort, but “Phoenix” might be a better name for what opened in 2012 as Revel. That’s because from the ashes of that disaster (Revel closed in 2014) has risen a great Atlantic City success story.

Obviously learning the painful lessons of the original operation (Revel’s management seemed to do everything it could to ensure failure), Ocean, which debuted in June, 2018, has become a consistent market revenue leader. A recent weekend stay left little doubt as to the reasons for the property’s rags-to-riches turnaround.

Primarily, current management—backed by the deep-pocketed hedge fund that owns Ocean--realized it made more sense to go after mid-level gamblers from all the traditional “feeder” markets rather than follow Revel’s failed marketing strategy of targeting the ultra-affluent New Yorkers who supposedly craved an insanely pricey Boardwalk playpen.

The cavernous casino containing almost 2,000 slot machines, 100 tables and an eight-table poker section is but one place to pass the hours.

The 33,000-square-foot Exhale Spa + Bathhouse is an excellent mini-retreat. There are a full-service salon and spa offering all manner of treatments, but what really sets Exhale apart is the co-ed Bathhouse, a hot tub area whose design makes it seem like it was transported from Caesar’s palace (not the iconic Vegas casino, but a real Caesar’s palace in ancient Rome). The individual men’s and women’s Zen Lounges boast smaller hot tubs, steam rooms and dry-heat chambers dubbed “Himalyan salt grottos.”

Nightlife options include the 1927 Lounge + Speakeasy and, for the younger set, HQ, one of the East Coast’s hottest dance clubs.

Headliners perform at Ovation Hall, a spectacular, 5,000-seat performance space built in traditional opera-house style. Upcoming headliners include Rascal Flatts (March 6) and Jay Leno (April 3) and Melissa Etheridge (April 4).

While the casino’s business philosophy is radically different than it was under the Revel banner, the upscale dining offerings are similar, the one difference being that Dolce Mare, which features an Italian menu, now sits where the French bistro Azure by Allegretti once did business.

Nonetheless, Ocean’s true culinary star is the sleek, sexy Amada, Philadelphia-based uber-chef Jose Garces’ venerable Spanish-based dining salon whose tapas-emphasizing kitchen provides a dizzying palette of unique flavors. While it is typically pricey, the portions are unexpectedly large, adding to Amada’s status as one of Atlantic City’s best dining experiences.

More moderately priced dining is available at a variety of outlets including Wahlburgers (the burger chain owned by actor Mark Wahlburg and his family); the Asian-focused Bang Zhen Sushi + Noodles; Villain + Saint, a gastropub-type operation featuring live music; Garces’ street-foody Distrito and the 500 Café, where what is arguably the city’s best clam chowder can be found.