The sky is the limit for a couple of Atlantic City casinos when courting high rollers. The Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort Atlantic City are upping the ante by flying big spenders into town via helicopter at the drop of the dice.
Ocean, which recently partnered with the helicopter company Blade, is transporting high rollers from Manhattan.
“Our customers have enjoyed privately chartered trips since we built our helipad last year,” says Ocean general manager Bill Callahan. However, adding a scheduled best-in-class travel experience provides yet another fantastic amenity to our award-winning, beachfront resort.”
Hard Rock Atlantic City is flying in top players from Manhattan, Philadelphia, the Hamptons and Stamford, Connecticut.
“We purchased a brand-new helicopter in March this year,” says Hard Rock Atlantic City president George Goldhoff. “We avoid all of that traffic coming from Northern New Jersey and Philadelphia. You fly in comfort at 170 knots and you’re here in no time.”
Hard Rock Atlantic City bought a new helicopter this year. Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Atlantic City
The flight from the 30th Street helipad in Manhattan to Atlantic City is a mere 26-minute journey. High rollers can decide to visit Atlantic City on a whim.
“We can pick them up and have them here within two hours,” Goldhoff says. “It’s about convenience and return on investment.”
Eight high rollers were transported to the Hard Rock a week ahead of Memorial Day weekend. “I’m sure that number will increase during the summer,” Goldhoff says. “We’re always trying to find new and innovative ways for a better guest experience.”
High rollers have plenty to experience after taking the elevator from the parking garage to the casino.
The Hard Rock is taking it to another level with its nine new penthouse suites as spacious as 4,000 square feet with living and dining rooms and majestic ocean views.
There are 72 new slots in the High Limit Room at the Hard Rock. The high-limit slot area features 258 total high-limit machines, the most in Atlantic City.
The high-roller zone is a long way from penny slot play. “It’s a niche market,” Goldhoff says. “But it’s a very important niche market and we’re doing our best with that market.”
Ocean is doubling down with high-limit rooms as well.
The Cove is a 7,450-square-foot high-limit slot area with over 140 slot machines, featuring a combination of new and classic games.
The aptly dubbed Loft is on the 44th floor of Ocean with floor to ceiling views of the Atlantic Ocean. Such is the life of the high roller perched above Atlantic City.
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