Revel Puts Finishing Touches on Atlantic City's Newest, Poshest Casino-Hotel
By David Madden and Robin Rieger
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- It is the second tallest building in New Jersey according to revel officials who welcomed media tours of the nearly finished Atlantic City property, Tuesday afternoon, prior to a soft opening on April 2nd.
"The design of the space of the entire property is to convey joy excitement, entertainment," says architect Michael Prifti from Blt architects. He coordinated over 60 designers.
They start accepting guests here next month, although the formal grand opening for the 6½-million-square-foot property is slated for Memorial Day weekend.
Revel has almost 1,900 hotel rooms, which are sleek and elegant with ocean views. 14 restaurants, retail space and a spa, all spread over 6.3 million square feet.
But with competition from neighboring states consistently dropping casino revenues in Atlantic City, is another casino a safe bet?
"We're not focused on gaming," says Revel's public relations director Maureen Simon.
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Even so, Simon (below right) says one other thing separates this place from the rest of Atlantic City's gambling palaces.
"We built it, really, to embrace the ocean and the beach," she says. "That's reflected in the architecture of the building, it's reflected by the resort itself and the amenities that are here."
But opulence comes at a price: $239 a night for a standard room. And the largest suite, well... as one staffer put it, if you have to ask the rate you probably can't afford it.
Instead investors made a $2.4 billion dollar gamble on the Revel as a lifestyle destination.
"People that are really into music, really into food and wine or really just into great spa or resort experience, then this is the kind of a resort that you'll want to visit," says Simon.
"Atlantic City is really now in the post-casino era," says Dr. Israel Posner. He's executive Director of the Lloyd D. Levinson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. He says it's a calculated decision
"It attracts leisure traveler, group business, those folks have not been here," says Posner. "I think it has very good prospects for success".
Beyoncé is the headliner for the grand opening Memorial Day weekend in a theatre built for over 5,000 guests. The Revel will be fully operational, all rooms restaurants and retail by July 4th.
