Marriot, Taj Mahal, or Skyline for first timers in May?

We have a timeshare package for 2 nights that we need to use this month or we lose it. Marriott Courtyard is the package hotel, Wyndham Skyline is the upgrade for about $60, and Trump Taj Mahal is another upgrade for $80. Seems like TTM is the only one right on the boardwalk? I know W.S. is the only one with a full kitchen, but we%26#39;re kidless this trip (and how much does a couple really want to spend time cooking on a mini-vacay anyway?).

We are early 30%26#39;s couple, touristy activity type vacationers who have never been to AC. I love Vegas and beach locations (VA Beach, Bahamas, Jamaica, etc) so I%26#39;m thinking AC will be a good combo. Oh, I should probably include that I%26#39;m pretty ....frugal let%26#39;s say. :) I am comparison shopper/bargain hunter/planner extraordinaire and the same goes for vacation planning. I will want to explore the area and see as much as possible and drag my poor DH along for the ride (he doesn%26#39;t appreciate travel...yet ;)

So...the question is, which hotel do you think would be best for the true AC first timer experience and why? Thanks in advance for all your help!

Oh, and please don%26#39;t jump all over the timeshare piece. We ';play the game'; when they approach us with these packages and politely, then forcefully if need be decline. We already own and would definitely go the resale market route anyway.

Marriot, Taj Mahal, or Skyline for first timers in May?

jenn117,

It really depends on if you want to spend time in a casino on the boardwalk....at least at Taj you can walk down for meals and get a good variety.

You can sign up for a Trump One Card and have $50.00 each to spend in the casino and then another $50 for a return trip.

The rooms may not be as nice as Wyndhan or Marriott but the casino atmosphere is there.

Good Luck!

Marriot, Taj Mahal, or Skyline for first timers in May?

%26gt;%26gt;I%26#39;m pretty ....frugal%26lt;%26lt; I do know that Marriott charges $14 a day parking and it%26#39;s mandatory. when my sis stayed there and tried to debate it, in person and on the phone, as she didn%26#39;t have a car, they suddenly no longer spoke American. marriott.com/hotels/… u may want to consider this when deciding on an upgrade

Also, they charged over $10pp for the continental breakfast, but she said it was worth it

Skyline also charges a parking fee per day. I think it was $15?

Skyline is very nice, but I would pick the Taj Mahal. I haven%26#39;t stayed at the Marriott.

Skyline is very close to Resorts and Taj Mahal. It%26#39;s not technically on the boardwalk, but it%26#39;s only one block away from it.

If you want to walk out of your hotel and onto the boardwalk or beach then Taj is the choice. If you don%26#39;t care about a one long block walk to the boardwalk or beach and you don%26#39;t care about gambling or the choice of several restuarants inside your hotel forget the Taj and go with the Marriott.

this will only make the decision more difficult, BUT skyline tower has an indoor pool skylinetowerresort.com/resort-amenities.php ';Water worshippers will delight in the glass-enclosed indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool which features a retractable roof for warm-weather fun';

BTW, some friends w/timeshare THOUGHT they were staying at Skyline Tower a few yrs back, but actually were booked at %26#39;Fairfield Inn by Marriott Atlantic City North%26#39;. the name has changed now [%26#39;Wyndham Skyline Tower%26#39; used to be called %26#39;Fairfield Skyline Tower%26#39;].

I hope this is for %26#39;Wyndham Skyline Tower%26#39; as this is the info in OP %26amp; do not mean to be misleading in my posts

%26#39;Fairfield Inn by Marriott Atlantic City North%26#39; is in Absecon

If it were a choice for my frugal first-timer friends I would also choose the Taj. It’s on the boardwalk and beach, is connected to two other casinos, plus what’s left of the famous Steel Pier is in front. A short walk “north” takes you to the Garden Pier with a great free small historical museum, and an art center. A short walk inland from there takes you to the 3rd tallest lighthouse in the USA. “South” along the boardwalk will take you through some ticky-tacky, (sometimes with great bargains), of the famous AC boardwalk, and to other casinos; and then to both “high end” shopping at the Pier, and outlet shopping just inland at the Walk. Of course, there%26#39;s ';gaming,'; [or is it gambling?], in all the Boardwalk casinos! If you need more details about any of this, just ask. Many great posters here with loads of information.

Parking at the Taj should be free for guests. Have a great time.

also consider if you use your car and want to park somewhere, you will have to pay for parking.. if you are staying on the boardwalk, you can leave the car at Taj and walk most places... or get a recepit for parking at other casinos..

Thanks for all the replies! That%26#39;s why I love these forums - I can research my brains out before a trip and still not get the same info or as accurate info as if I just asked here. Like the parking thing (I have to get myself into the mindset of paying for parking...to used to Vegas I guess), research said Marriott and Skyline were both $10 and Taj was $5. Sounds like $14, $15, and possibly free at the Taj? It%26#39;s not like I%26#39;ve never paid for parking or anything but $15 a day seems kind steep to me - especially when I%26#39;m already paying to stay at your hotel.

Marriott charges for a continental breakfast? I%26#39;m thinking this is an optional thing though? I knew about the awesome pool at the Skyline, but honestly I think I%26#39;d rather have a nice hot tub. Oh, it%26#39;s definitely the Wyndham Skyline a block from the boardwalk - I confirmed.

About that block, is this a ';questionable'; block or a ';no worries'; kind of block? I realize we are in a city and all, but again to compare to Vegas, there are blocks there I would walk in the middle of the night comfortably and others (like downtown or near the Strat) that I wouldn%26#39;t even think of doing that. Better safe than sorry I figure - that%26#39;s why I was leaning toward the Taj (location, location, location :)

Well, if I have to pay an extra $30+ in parking for the Marriott anyway, I might as well pay the extra to be in the middle of the action and for the convenience that that brings at the Taj. I see they have daily poker tourneys there as well.

This should probably be a separate post but I%26#39;ll throw it out here as well - what%26#39;s with the separate ';cost'; and then ';fees'; for these tourneys(ACpoker site)? Why state it as a $50 cost and then a $15 fee instead of just saying it costs $65 to play? That may be a totally stupid question but I%26#39;ve just never seen it that way before. No rebuys either I see - all no limit? I think most of my gambling dollars will be on tournaments where I (hopefully anyway) can play for a while instead of dropping that same $50 on a couple hands maybe. Are table min. bets similar to Vegas? I know I%26#39;m a low roller and definitely on a budget this trip especially, but $10 min per bet is too much for me right about now. But I do love to play poker :) My poor husband will have to bring his laptop and get some work in after all I guess - speaking of which, is there free Wi-Fi anywhere or everywhere?

Sorry, I know this is getting to be a book length post I have going here but one more question...

we are going to be there Monday May 11th through Wed. May 13th. I know casinos will be open 24/7 to bring in the money, but I%26#39;m guessing some restaurants and attractions will be closed during slower times with the decline in tourism going on everywhere. Should I be prepared for a ghost town and if so does anyone have any suggestions/sure bets for what will be available other than the casinos?

Again thanks so much!