The former Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, now known as Ocean Resort Casino — Courtesy: AC OCEAN WALK
By Joshua Burd
The former Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City is slated to open this summer as part of an upscale Hyatt brand, under a new partnership announced by its owner and the hotel chain.
Hyatt Hotels Corp. and AC Ocean Walk said Monday that the casino, now known as Ocean Resort Casino, has entered a franchise agreement with what’s known as The Unbound Collection. The 1,399-room Boardwalk property, which AC Ocean Walk acquired earlier this year, will be the eighth hotel under the two-year-old brand and join other properties in places such as Philadelphia, Nashville and Miami.
“We are excited to be affiliating Ocean Resort Casino with The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand, and to be introducing Hyatt to Atlantic City, one of the nation’s most visited resort and casino destinations,” said David Tarr, senior vice president of development, Americas, with Hyatt. “AC Ocean Walk’s spectacular resort will establish a new standard on Atlantic City’s storied Boardwalk, making it a fitting addition to The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio.”
The news comes nearly three months after AC Ocean Walk paid $200 million to acquire the shuttered Revel property, which closed in 2014 after just two years. The $2.4 billion resort-style casino went through two bankruptcies amid questions about its design and its ability to connect with customers in Atlantic City, which had been struggling with declining gaming revenue.
AC Ocean Walk on Monday reiterated its plans to reopen the 6.4 million-square-foot property this summer.
“It is an honor for us to join forces with one of the world’s most renowned hotel brands: Hyatt. Hyatt has an incredible 60-plus-year legacy in the industry, and its loyal global customer base will have access to an authentic way to experience all that makes Atlantic City attractive and popular,” said Bruce Deifik, chairman of AC Ocean Walk. “We are thrilled and proud to be joining The Unbound Collection by Hyatt portfolio as we prepare for the resort’s opening this summer.”
AC Ocean Walk’s plans include 138,000 square feet of gaming space, featuring 100 table games, 2,200 slot machines and a sports book, according to a news release. Ocean Resort Casino will maintain the 160,000 square feet in meeting and convention space, as well as a 32,000-square-foot, on-site spa known as Exhale, Hyatt’s newly acquired fitness and spa brand.
