Some Atlantic City casinos taking hotel reservations for June

Some Atlantic City gaming resorts are still taking reservations for hotel rooms as early as next week, despite their casino gambling floors remain closed until further notice.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is allowing room reservations starting June 12, while the Tropicana, Caesars and Resorts Casino Hotel starting on June 7, according to their websites. The Ocean canceled all previous reservations up to June 14, but is taking online reservations starting June 15. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is booking for arrivals July 1, according to their website.

A spokeswoman said the Hard Rock never stopped taking hotel reservations, but simply re-evaluates every week whether it can honor those reservations based on the governor’s restrictions, NJ.com reports. It has no plans to reopen the hotel room rentals before the casino can fully reopen, she said.

Atlantic City’s nine casinos have been closed since March 16, when Gov. Phil Murphy ordered them to shut down indefinitely over concerns of the spread of the new coronavirus. Hotels have technically been allowed to remain open under the restrictions set by the governor. The governor has not said when he plans to lift the restrictions, but some hotels have announced plans to reopen and keep customers safe, including contactless check-in and increased cleanings.

Richard Broome, a spokesman for Caesars, said the business will open whenever the governor allows it, and the availability of reservations in the future are “part of our plan to ensure we have business when we are allowed to re-open.” “The date does not indicate that we have any insight into the actual re-opening date,” Broome said.

Murphy reopened beaches and boardwalks starting Friday, the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend, but is requiring people to stay six feet apart and not gather with anyone outside their immediate household or romantic partners.

April was the worst month ever for Atlantic City casinos, with revenue at the city’s nine casinos down nearly 69% in April from the same month a year earlier.