Recession Hits Atlantic City’s Water Club

The luxurious Water Club boutique hotel at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is taking most of its 800 rooms out of service during midweek in response to declining business.

A spokesman for Borgata's parent company, Boyd Gaming, says rooms will be closed on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through April. Guests previously booked for midweek stays will be switched to the Borgata's main hotel tower.

Spokesman Rob Stillwell says Borgata hopes to resume full bookings at the Water Club for the summer tourism season and that the Water Club will remain open for guests staying in suites and for special events.

“It’s not closed,” Stillwell emphasized to the Press of Atlantic City. “It’s an adjustment to our guest-room availability.”

The $400 million hotel tower opened in June, offering luxury accommodations and amenities. (see video). Travel Agent’s Joe Pike was there for the grand opening, and was impressed with the luxury and amenities available, noting that it brought a new level of accommodation to Atlantic City. The hotel was also recently named one of Travel Agent's Hot New Hotels.

But Atlantic City's casinos have been hit hard by the recession, as well as competition from slots parlors in neighboring states.