Check-In: So you'd expect that Harrah's would prepare for a night like this, right? Invite enough people to book 960 rooms in the new Waterfront Tower, and well, that is a lot of rooms.

I waited about 30 minutes from the time I arrived on line until I had my room key, and by the time I was checked-in the line had tripled in length (those poor souls in the back of the line!).

Meanwhile, the "Diamond", "Platinum" & "Seven Star" Rewards Card Holders had 4 times the space to wait and only one or two people standing in line. Why couldn't Harrah's reconfigure the lines for one night AND put more people on check-in duty, especially a night when you're attempting to woo and impress new people who are visiting Harrah's for the first time?

But my check-in rep was very polite and extremely nice so that eased my pain. Except instead of encouraging me to shop, & eat at Harrah's, he kept telling me about the great restaurants and shops at The Pier - attached to Caesars (Harrah's sister Casino) a 20-minute drive away. Are you trying to tell me Harrah's is boring?

Room Reaction: I was not disappointed by the room (which had double beds) and the decor, very roomy and airy. The colors were very modern, red and tan, with a HUGE LCD HDTV, but it was obvious there was not an HDTV Signal--the image quality was clearly lacking. Our room was on the 41st floor and well, of course that afforded us great views.

The bathroom was clearly modeled after The Borgata--separate room for the toilet, glass enclosed shower with bench, marble floor, PLENTY of towels, PLENTY of room.

One huge problem though. I think they forgot to insulate the rooms. I felt like I was at a Motel 6. I could hear people walking around upstairs, knocking on the door down the hall, room doors opening and closing, people talking in the hall, cell phones ringing and worst of all--I was woken up at 6AM by hammering. I felt like I was in a college dorm.

Casino: When I go to a casino, I like to feel like I'm out in the open, like I'm not claustrophobic, and like I have room to move around. At Harrah's, except for the casino area when you first walk in, the ceilings couldn't have been higher than 10 feet. I felt like I was in the basement of some old building in some areas. How old is this place?

Restaurants: I really think I've been spoiled by the restaurant selection that other Atlantic City Casinos have (eg: The Borgata, Tropicana). Harrah's has three fine dining restaurants, BluePoint (a Raw Bar), The Steakhouse, and Polistinas Italian Restaurant, plus 3 casual dining restaurants, a buffet and a small food court.

I was in the mood for my taste buds to receive a culinary treat yet nothing looked appealing. If I wanted 24 hour food, I'd go to a diner. And when I initially asked the check-in clerk about what their most unique restaurant was - he told me to go to The Pier.

Taking his suggestion to leave Harrah's for good food - I went to The Borgata, and ended up spending most of the night there until I went back to Harrah's to sleep.

Pool Scene: The Pool at Harrah's was awesome. This is probably the nicest feature of the entire casino/hotel. They should sell pool memberships or something! The pool is under a huge nine story glass dome roof that is kept at a constant 82 degrees.

Cabanas with flat-screen TVs surround the pool and are open to anyone on a first come, first serve basis. Waitress service (both drinks & actual food) is available at your cabana or pool chair - or you can go to the restaurant that overlooks the entire pool area. Only 21 and up allowed here tho. Kids go to the older Harrahs pool called Harbour Tower Pool.

Since I stayed on a Thursday night, the pool was closed at 7PM (why so early?!) but every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday night The Pool opens up again at 10PM and turns into a club with a DJ or special guest.

Bottom Line: I started out with high expectations, but the two major disappointments were the un-insulated room and the fact that the property was just nothing special.

They tried, but the bones of Harrah's decor and interior still reek of the typical old-school Atlantic City Casino. Call me modern, call me fancy, call me young, but I expected a lot more.

I wouldn't stay at Harrah's again, but if I was given a free room, I'd sleep there. Then gamble and spend my money somewhere else.

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