Golden Nugget is one of the less talked about casino resorts in Atlantic City and is located away from the Boardwalk in the Marina District. It’s one of eight Golden Nugget properties spread across the United States.

Being familiar with Golden Nugget resorts in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Laughlin, and always impressed with the understated luxury and retro styling associated with the brand, I headed to the Atlantic City version with interest to see how it stacked up.  

Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the property.

Hilton Hotels began building the Atlantic City Hilton in the early 1980’s at a cost of $275million, although when it was close to completion their gambling licence was rejected by the State of New Jersey due to alleged links to organised crime.

Donald Trump stepped in to purchase the property and it opened as Trump’s Castle (later slightly renamed Trump Castle) in 1985. However, in the early 1990’s financial difficulties followed with Trump agreeing to relinquish 50% ownership to bondholders in return for a reduced interest rate and a debt write off of $25million. 

Trump regained full ownership in a refinancing deal in late 1993, and in June 1997 the property was eventually renamed Trump Marina after he had said he never liked the castle theme.

A deal to sell the property to Coastal Developments was agreed in May 2008, who planned to rebrand it as Margaritaville in partnership with singer Jimmy Buffet, but this fell through in June 2009 due to lack of financing.

Landry’s Inc. purchased the property for $38million in May 2011 and spent $150million more on renovations which completed in 2012. Landry’s renamed the property Golden Nugget Atlantic City in line with the branding for their other US casino resorts.   

Location

Golden Nugget is one of three casino resorts in Atlantic City’s Marina District, which is a 10-minute taxi ride from the main Boardwalk area. The others are Borgata and Harrah’s.

Whilst the Boardwalk is certainly where all the action is, there is a lot to be said for stepping back and enjoying a more relaxed experience in the Marina District.

Nearby is the Atlantic City Aquarium which is perfect for a family afternoon out, and you are able to walk between the three casino resorts via the Waterfront Sculpture Walk, although this does take some time. 

The 1.1-mile trail that connects the three properties is a miniature version of the Boardwalk, with superb ocean views and nicely manicured gardens. It can even be good for a spot of bird watching. A word of caution though: whilst the trail is great for a sunny afternoon stroll, personally I would opt for a taxi should you want to casino hop between the neighbouring properties at night. 

Overall, having spent time in both locations, I think I would still recommend a resort on the Boardwalk over the Marina District. There are more properties to explore, all of which are within a reasonable distance of each other and easily accessible, and therefore far more choice in terms of restaurants, bars and entertainment. You are also a few minutes from the beach which is a must, certainly in the summer months. 

That said, it doesn’t have to be an either-or situation and the Marina District is totally worth a visit.    

Golden Nugget Atlantic City boasts 80,000 square feet of casino space, including 1,300 slot and video poker machines and 78 table games. Theres is also a sportsbook with seating for over 100 people.

Table Games Selection

Table games at Golden Nugget can be found in the centre of the casino floor and also in high limit. In total there are 78 table games, with a number of variants on offer. Sadly, though, the nine-table poker room is closed at the time of writing until further notice.

Classic table games:

• Blackjack
• Roulette
• Craps
• Poker
• Baccarat

Variants:

• Single Deck Blackjack
• Six Deck Blackjack
• Eight Deck Blackjack
• Single Zero Roulette
• Double Zero Roulette
• Craps 5x Odds
• Craps 10x Odds
• Three Card Poker
• Four Card Poker
• Let It Ride
• Pai Gow Poker
• Mississippi Stud
• Spanish 21
• Ultimate Texas Hold’em

As a rough guide though, here is what you can expect at Golden Nugget in terms of table minimums and maximums. 

Slots

Whilst not the largest slot selection in Atlantic City at 1,300 machines, there is more than enough choice at Golden Nugget to satisfy the keenest player. 

I visited Golden Nugget on a Sunday night and played slots for a few hours on the main casino floor, as well as in high limit. All the modern games are featured, including Cash Falls, Journey To The Planet Moolah, Ultra Rush, Huff N More Puff, Buffalo Gold Max Power as well as all the Link games you would expect. There is also a good selection of old school three-reel games.

In terms of Video Poker, Golden Nugget offers a wide selection, with the best being 9/7/5 Double Bonus Poker. Other variants include 9/6 Double Double Bonus Poker, 8/6 Double Joker Wild and 15/9 Deuces Wild.

Golden Nugget is also the only casino in Atlantic City to offer 16x Multi-Strike Video Poker machines, which include Double Down Stud and Big Split Poker.  

Overall, I enjoyed my time gambling at Golden Nugget. The casino floor wasn’t as busy as some of the more popular resorts on the Boardwalk. Sadly I wasn’t a winner, but it contained all the slots I would expect to find and the casino space was nicely maintained and an enjoyable place to play.  

Waitress Service

One of the perks of gambling in person rather than at the best online casinos, even during a losing session, is the opportunity to enjoy your favourite drink free of charge while you play. However, as we all know this is sometimes easier said than done, with waitress service notoriously volatile, sometimes more so than the games you are playing!

During my visit to Golden Nugget I found the service to be pretty regular and an initial tip of $5 ensured I was looked after for the whole of my slots session.

Being a big fan of the automated drinks service at the Caesars resorts in Atlantic City, going back to traditional waitress service seemed like a bit of a backward step, but I was not left thirsty at Golden Nugget. 

Bar-Top Gaming

As with all Atlantic City casinos, bar-top gaming is available at Golden Nugget and if this is your jam then head to either the Rush Lounge, where you can sit and listen to live music while playing, or to Bar 46 which has over 30 bar-top machines.

Bar-top games are limited to Video Poker, Blackjack, and some older slots, but it can be a fun experience, particularly if you enjoy social interaction with the bar staff and other players that is often the norm. It is also an easy way to take advantage of the complimentary drinks on offer and less of a lottery than relying on traditional waitress service.

Sportsbook

The sportsbook at Golden Nugget is located just off the main atrium, and whilst it’s not the largest in town it still has seating for over 100 people, with over 50 screens spread over five video walls.

It is open 24/7 with dedicated sportsbook representatives available Monday to Friday from 3pm until 11pm, Saturday from 11am until 11pm, and Sunday from 10am until 11pm.   

High Limit Gaming

Golden Nugget offers separate high limit rooms for slots and table games. 

The high limit slot room features 117 games, from $1 denomination right up to $100, and you’ll find all the modern games you love playing including Dragon Cash, Lock It Link, Huff N’ More Puff and Prosperity Link. Three-reel players are also well catered for with many games on offer including Double Five Times Pay, Triple Double Diamond and Triple Red White & Blue.

As for high limit table games, Blackjack, Craps 10x Odds, Single Zero Roulette and Baccarat can be found in the high limit table room. 

Cash and Payment Options

When it comes to gambling at Golden Nugget, unless you have a pre-arranged credit facility, cash is king. It is therefore imperative that you bring sufficient cash to gamble at the level you plan to, plus a little extra for emergencies.

As with all casinos, ATM facilities are available throughout the property but do attract a withdrawal fee. In addition, amounts above your daily ATM limit are available via the Cashier Cage, although fees for large cash withdrawals are significant and can run to $100 or more.

Payment at the various bars, restaurants and shops can be made by cash, debit/credit card or room charge, although you will need to authorise the ability to charge back to your room at the time of check in.  

Golden Nugget has one hotel tower which houses 717 rooms and is midway through a renovation project which started in February 2024.

Renovated rooms start at a Premier King, with or without a bay view, which features a Simmons Beautyrest Westbury Plush mattress, Sobel Westex bedding, integrated USB ports, a 55” LG flatscreen TV, a large walk-in shower, plus refrigerator, safe, iron and ironing board.

Renovated suites are also available, from a Premier Junior Suite up to a Premier Marina Suite, which features oversized windows overlooking the Marina, a separate bedroom and separate sitting and dining areas.

Non renovated rooms are termed “Luxury” and start from a Luxury King right up to a one-bedroom suite. For non-renovated do not confuse this with run-down as these rooms are far from it. They are maintained very nicely so you shouldn’t be put off just because they aren’t the newest in the hotel.  

Overall, my recommendation would be for a Renovated Premier Bay View King on the highest floor available. The renovated rooms really are very well done and the views of the Marina and pool will certainly enhance your enjoyment during your stay.

Bars

There are three main bar options when visiting Golden Nugget Atlantic City. The first is Bar 46, which is in the centre of the casino floor and the perfect spot to enjoy a drink while gambling on one of 30 Video Poker machines. 

If live music is your thing, then the Rush Lounge is a must visit as it offers a nightly roster of live entertainment, as well as live Blackjack and Roulette and bar-top Video Poker. 

During the summer months, starting from mid-June, the Deck Bayfront Bar & Restaurant is a great outside option which offers food, drinks and live entertainment, including weekly theme nights such as Country Wednesdays and Born In The USA Thursdays.

Restaurants

For one of Atlantic City’s boutique resorts, Golden Nugget offers a surprisingly wide selection of restaurants:

• Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse: Beef, seafood and fine wines
• Lillie’s Asian Cuisine: Far East favourites
• Chart House: Seafood restaurant with great views of the Marina
• Michael Patrick’s Brasserie: European style brasserie
• Dos Caminos: Authentic Mexican cuisine
• Bill’s Burger Bar: New York Burger restaurant

During my visit I decided to try out Bill’s Burger Bar and was not left disappointed. I ate at the bar while enjoying a beer and found the service to be exceptional, the food absolutely delicious, and the price very reasonable. 

Shows and Entertainment

Golden Nugget offers two entertainment venues in the 500-seat Showroom and the 2,000-seat Grand Ballroom and attracts a number of high profile acts. 

Historically Golden Nugget has hosted Prince, Frank Sinatra and The Beach Boys amongst others, and acts scheduled to appear over Summer 2024 include 70’s glam rockers Sweet as well as rock bands Blue Oyster Cult and 38 Special.  

Golden Nugget Atlantic City Pool

Golden Nugget offers the seasonal H20 Pool Deck which is located on the rooftop of the sixth floor and consists of a shallow pool, with hot tubs and over 300 loungers. 

The H20 Pool complex is open daily between 11am and 7pm and is complimentary for hotel guests, with no reservation necessary. Marina guests receive complimentary access for up to four people daily and non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass for $25 per person. 

Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and all pool guests must be over 16 after 2pm.

In my opinion, this pool deck is one of the better rooftop set ups in Atlantic City and is very well maintained. It also features the H20 Bar & Grille which is a relaxing spot for some refreshments and light food during your stay.   

Spa

There is a Spa and Salon at Golden Nugget Atlantic City, although it is not the most high-end facility in town by any means. It's perfectly fine, though. 

It offers dozens of packages including Golden Body Scrubs and Couple’s Bath Rituals, facials, manicures, waxing and hair care services.

It's also always worth checking out to see what package deals they are offering at any given time too if you're looking to eek out a little extra value. 

Golden Nugget is the only property in Atlantic City that is owned by Landry’s and offers its own rewards programme called 24K Select.

24K Select offers a number of benefits depending on your tier status, and unsurprisingly the higher the tier the greater the benefits:

• 24 Karat (0 - 3,999 Tier Credits): Exclusive room offers and birthday Free Play
• Premier (4,000 - 9,999 Tier Credits): Personalised service from a Casino Host
• Chairman (10,000 – 49,999 Tier Credits): Access to the private Chairman’s Club*/Free valet and self parking 
• Elite (50,000+ Tier Credits): VIP check in/Priority valet service/Turndown service/Exclusive getaway to any Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino   

* The Chairman’s Club is a private VIP lounge that is open to 24K Select cardholders who have achieved Chairman and Elite status. The lounge features a bar and buffet style food with views overlooking the Marina.

To sign up to 24K Select you need to be at least 21 years of age and have some photographic ID. Simply go along to the Player’s Club desk to register then inset the card into any slot machine before you play, or hand it to a dealer when you play at a table game, so that your play can be tracked.

Should you join 24K Select?

I would always recommend that players sign up to any rewards programme on offer, particularly if you plan on returning to the property in the future. You’re going to gamble anyway, so win or lose why not see if you can earn something extra from it?

It is worth noting that Golden Nugget is currently offering a tier match whereby they will match your tier status at a competitor and immediately upgrade you to the Chairman level with 24K Select.

The Tier Match to a Chairman’s Card offer is open to holders of the following players cards, with the Chairman’s Card status honoured until 28^th February 2025: 

• Bally’s – Superstar/Legend
• Borgata – Gold/Platinum/Noir
• Caesars – Diamond/Seven Stars
• Hard Rock – Icon/X Card
• Ocean – Prime/Reserve
• Resorts – Red Carpet
• Live! – Black/Jade/Chairman’s Club
• Parx – Elite
• Rivers Casino – Black
• Valley Forge – Titanium
• Wind Creek - Fantasy

In addition, you can redeem your 24K Select Tier Credits and Comp Dollars at any of the other Golden Nugget casinos across the US (Biloxi, Las Vegas, Cripple Creek, Lake Tahoe, Laughlin and Lake Charles), as well as at over 600 Landry’s restaurants. 

Ultimately reward programmes are designed to lure you back to a property and 24K Select is no exception. My advice would be to sign up for the card, use it each time you play, avoid chasing tier status (unless you can tier match) and just see what offers come your way. 

Being a fan and frequent visitor to the three Golden Nugget casinos in Nevada, I kind of knew what to expect from the Atlantic City incarnation and overall I liked what I saw.

The property is immaculately presented throughout, with the usual autumnal colour scheme, and is being enhanced further with a multi-million-dollar hotel renovation during the first half of 2024.

The casino, whilst not the largest in town, offers enough variety to keep most players happy, and all rooms are maintained to a high standard regardless of whether you opt for a newly renovated Premier room or a traditional Luxury room. 

The Rush Lounge offers decent nightly entertainment and there are more than enough restaurant choices to keep most people happy. The pool deck is also one of the best rooftop set ups in Atlantic City.

My only slight reservation in recommending Golden Nugget is its location in the Marina District. The property is a taxi ride away from all the action on the Boardwalk, and whilst you can walk to the other two nearby properties via the Waterfront Sculpture Walk, it is too long to use regularly. However, if you are familiar with the Marina area and enjoy it then I would certainly consider Golden Nugget for your next Atlantic City getaway.