I booked two nights at the NJ Tropicana in July for an Aug visit--through the Tropicana itself. The day I was ready to leave, I called the NJ Trop mid-day to be sure the reservation was secure since I had given my credit card and had a confirmation code. I was assured I had a room. Due to some road problems, I got to the AC area at 9:30pm and called again to say I would be there shortly and wanted to be sure my room was secured. I was assured that it was.
When I got to the casino--at 9:50--and went to check in, I was told there were no more rooms! I told the desk I had just called in and was told everything was fine; the person stated that "the reservation desk doesn't know what's going on down here at the check in area" and that "they--the casino-- overbook as a regular policy". I was then offered a room at the Day's Inn nearby--complimentary of course--and assured I would have a room there the next day.
The hotel policy is that if you cannot keep YOUR reservation and don't notify them within 48 hours, they charge you for the room; Therefore, you may get charged for a room you never would have had in the first place if you had to cancel after that 48 hours!
When I made this observation to the desk, the person agreed and also agreed when I observed that there really was not much point in making reservations there given the hotel policy of not honoring them. I was then told it was better to book through the internet via some travel sites because those sites actually did keep the rooms available. When I asked to speak to management, I was told "they don't care. This happens all the time." And apparently, it does.
When I went to the Days Inn, the desk person took one look at me and said, "Let me guess--Tropicana overbooked." When I asked if this was a regular occurance, he told me yes--that the Trop had a group of rooms set aside for just this reason.
I suggest that anyone going to the NJ Tropicana with a room reserved via credit card through the Tropicana be aware that the chances are good that you may NOT have a room when you arrive--even if you call several times THAT day to confirm.

I have stayed twice, once end of June and early August in the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City. I LOVE this hotel. In June, I stayed with my parents in the Havana Tower and it was beautiful and it was a very good size room. The walk to the hotel from the casino was a long walk since you have to walk thru the Quarter, which is full of restaurants and stores. The Quarter is so beautiful!!! In August, I went with my husband and two kids (11 adn 14), and this time, we stayed in the North Tower. It was all renovated and beutiful!!! my kids and I went to the beach a couple of time and the beach was not crowded at all. The beach was very nice and there was lots of waves for the kids to enjoy. My stay also included 2 tickets to a dancing show. The dancers worked very hard, but overall, it was ok. We also had buffet breakfast in Fiesta Buffet restaurant in the casino. It was alright. We had dinner in the Trump Plaza and it was good. The best part is that the beach!! I would stay again in this casino, in a flash!!

Stayed for 3 nights Mon- wed Booked online at trop web site for $139 night (standard room). Checked in (tipped the girl at the desk $20) and asked for an upgrade and got one to an ocean view in the north tower. Great rooms Friends of our had rooms in the West Tower and the new Havana tower. The havana tower was the nicest because its the newest but the rooms in the north and west were also very nice. For the cheaper price well worth it My room was great, clean and well kept. The Trop has put alot of money into itself and in my opinion is now the nicest hotel on the boardwalk (Borgata is nicest in AC).
The Quarter (Mall/resturaunts) was beautiful - something out of vegas and its possible to stay at the trop and not have to go anywhere else in AC. They have it all- great places to eat, great clubs, bars, and even a comedy club. We ate at Porkys the BBQ place and it was very good, We ate at PF Changs - Excellent, We ate at the Palm Stake house, we ate at Adam's good deli ( I thought it was better then the white house subs shop) All these and More are located an elevator ride from your room. Make reservations because seating for dinner is tough
One night we went to the comedy stop at the trop $23 and one drink min and had a great time.
Also The trop is right on the Beach- We rented beach chairs for $5 each and spent the day at the beach
The trop also has an outdoor pool/ tennis courts in the north tower and an indoor pool in the south tower
If you like to sit on the beach, eat, and drink and bar hop
Its possible to stay here and have fun without ever going to the casino

We went down for a bachelor party. We had done a lot of research in advance on where to stay and had narrowed it down to the Tropicana (for location) and the Borgata (because it is a much more elegant property.)

We chose the Trop because all of us were first time visitors to AC and wanted to be "in the midst of it all." Which for you newbys is a real circus of humanity from crazy and infirmed people, to messed up high and drunk people to rich people and children and very old people all wandering around doing strange things.

The Tropicana is HUGE. There are multiple towers connected by shopping malls and the casino. Remember in Atlantic City that you can smoke and the casino reeks enough that you could smell it long before you could even see it.

Our room was $479.00 for a room the Holiday Inn Express would probably consider adequate. It had two double beds, some cheesy print bedspreads and some very cheap but durable looking chairs and a small desk. Oh and a small TV in a dresser. The bathroom was equally pedestrian. We were in their best and newest guest room in the Havana Tower. I can only imagine how bad rooms are in the other towers.

On the positive side our view was great. We could see the boardwalk, beach, marina, city, The Borgata, the windmills etc.

Also the room was clean and the Quarter has some good places to eat and is nice and new in a Vegas kind of way.

Atlantic City is for gamblers. If you have no gambling history do not expect any courtesy or even to get a table in a busy restaurant linked to a casino.

Also believe everything other reviewers said about the maids at the Tropicana. Even though we had our do-not-disturb sign out, they first awakened us at 7:30 on Sunday. Then again at 8:40 and finally CAME INTO THE ROOM at 9:45 after completely removing our sign from the door (you have to pull it out to put the key in.) It was amazing how aggressive they were and how irritating given check out was noon and we had told them twice already to please come back much later.

The rooftop pool is a dump and has VERY rude lifeguards. We arrived at 5:30 only to find that the pool closed at 6--great timing for an outdoor pool on a roof with ocean views and a bar no? The message is "get back to gambling!" At 5:40 they gave everyone 3 minutes to get out of the pool and at 5:45 a rude little twit came over and said "Guys time to go, now!" No "we will be closing in about 10 minutes so please enjoy your drink because we have to close" or whatever.

In summary, if you are a gambler who wants a beautiful room in a beautiful property, try the Borgata. But realize that you are about 10-15 minutes away by car from the main drag. IF you are a high roller or can get a BIG discount, then this hotel is well located to many casinos, the new pier with high-end shops and the beach.