A friend and I got comp rooms to Revel after we did their "Match Your Tier" promotion using our CZR diamond cards. We went with another friend on June 27.
Revel is over the top with luxury, at least as far as Atlantic City is concerned. It really helps that the facility is 100% smoke-free. In addition to being a healthful atmosphere, it will help keep the place in good condition for longer.
One caveat - a visit to Revel means a LOT of walking, so it may not be suited for people with disabilities unless they have a motorized wheelchair.
There are plenty of sitting areas all over the property, each with its own decor. So as you're getting oriented, feel free to take a moment to relax.
The rooms are about the same level as those at the Borgata, but they all come with an ocean view and a 46-inch, flat-screen TV. The phone and clock are controlled by a tablet, and my friend had to show me how to use it. Standard rooms come with a large shower stall, but no tub.
The pool is one of the nicest amenities. It's on an eleventh-floor outdoor deck, with plenty of lounge chairs, a hot tub, and views of the ocean. It's for hotel guests only, and they do check room keys at the entrance. The pool is circular, and a door allows you to swim to the connecting indoor pool. There are beach balls of various sizes for the young and young at heart, and the indoor section also has a pool table, a small putting green, and other games. Fluffy brown towels are provided, so you don't have to bring them down from the room.
There's also an outdoor garden on the eleventh floor, with fire pits and ocean views. Servers come around and offer drinks.
We didn't eat at Revel during this visit, but made the short walk to Showboat to use up the Diamond renewal coupons that were about to expire. I've eaten there at other times, and the food is mostly awesome. Plan on spending at least $100 per couple, plus drinks, at the gourmet joints. But if you can afford it, it's worth the splurge. I later ate at the taco truck in the center of the casino floor, and for $10, had the best nachos of my life. Local chef Luke Palladino also opened a casual eatery recently, with reasonable prices.
The gambling floor can get loud, especially at night, when there's pulsing club music and half-naked women dancing on catwalks. The slots are the latest games available in New Jersey, but some people say they're set kind of tight. The only full-pay video poker is dollar 9/6 Jacks or Better, found in about a dozen machines scattered throughout the casino. They do have a couple promotions running through the summer that award free slot play. Table games are $10 minimum, except for electronic blackjack, which is $5. The poker room is a level above the casino floor, and doesn't seem to be getting much traffic. Parking is free all summer for players card holders.
There are plenty of clubs on the property for dancing and drinking. A lot of top-name artists are coming to Ovation Hall, the state-of-the-art theater. Just be careful if you've had too much to drink or ladies in high heels. The many escalators are steep, and there have already been reports of injuries.
But if you're in Atlantic City, a visit to Revel is a must, even if only to gawk.