Is Showboat Hotel worth a stay? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Showboat Hotel is worth a stay for families and anyone who wants direct Boardwalk and beach access plus on-site entertainment (an indoor Island Waterpark and the large Lucky Snake Arcade). It’s a non-gaming, family-focused resort with many room types and large event spaces, but expect resort fees, a deposit, and extra charges for waterpark or adults-only areas.
In this guide
Where it sits: Boardwalk, beach access, and nearby sights
Showboat Hotel is located at 801 Boardwalk in Atlantic City, directly on the Boardwalk with beach access and Boardwalk-facing rooms. The property gives straightforward access to Atlantic City Beach and the Boardwalk attractions.
Nearby points of interest listed by the hotel include Steel Pier (about a five-minute walk), Absecon Lighthouse (roughly an 11-minute walk), and multiple casinos and venues within a short walk.
- Direct Boardwalk/beach location
- Steel Pier: ~5-minute walk
- Absecon Lighthouse: ~11-minute walk
Rooms: types, what to expect, and examples
Showboat Hotel offers 19 room types across two towers, including budget-friendly two-queen rooms and large oceanfront suites. Room names range from Standard Room and Standard 2 Queens up to Ocean Front Super Suite with Balcony and Oceanfront Premium Suite with Balcony.
Rooms vary by view, size, and bed configuration — some options are built for families (Ocean View Family Room, Two Bedroom Family Suite) while others target couples or solo travelers (Standard Room, House of Blues Junior Suite). Confirm specific bedding and views when booking.
- Family-oriented choices: Ocean View Family Room, Two Bedroom Family Suite
- Ocean views and suites: Ocean View Room, Oceanfront Premium Suite with Balcony, Ocean Front Super Suite with Balcony
- Apartment-style options: Studio Apartment with Kitchen, One Bedroom Apartment with Kitchen, Two Bedroom Apartment with Kitchen
| Room name | Typical beds |
|---|---|
| Limited View 2 Queens Room | 2 Queen Beds |
| Standard Room | 1 King Bed |
| Ocean Front Super Suite with Balcony | 1 King Bed |
Island Waterpark, arcade, and family entertainment
A major reason to pick Showboat is the attached Island Waterpark — an indoor waterpark with slides, a lazy river, wave pool and surf simulator. Hotel guests receive a 'Rise 'N Shine' perk giving one hour of early access before the public opening.
The property also hosts the Lucky Snake Arcade & Sports Bar, a very large arcade space with hundreds of games, VR and mini-golf; the arcade and waterpark create a strong family-entertainment focus for the resort.
- Island Waterpark: slides, lazy river, wave pool, surf simulator
- Hotel guest early-access perk (Rise 'N Shine') — one hour before public opening
- The Lucky Snake Arcade: large-format arcade with many games and a sports bar
| Facility | Notes |
|---|---|
| Island Waterpark | Indoor waterpark; hotel guests get early access |
| Paradise Adult Island | 21+ section in the waterpark; usually requires extra fee |
| Lucky Snake Arcade & Sports Bar | Large arcade/sports bar replacing former casino floor |
Dining and bars on-site
Showboat lists several on-site food and drink options: Atlantic City Eatery (ACE) near the Boardwalk entrance, B&B Burger Bar on the Boardwalk, Eclair in the lobby, Blissful Bubbles Cafe, Kelly's Ice Cream, and the 12 Bar adjacent to the arcade.
Menus and hours vary by outlet; ACE serves lunch/dinner and a weekend breakfast buffet on certain days, B&B Burger Bar lists specific opening days, and Eclair has posted daily hours. Costa Pizza is noted as closed for the season on the hotel dining page — check current status if you plan to rely on it.
- ACE: full bar, lunch/dinner, weekend breakfast buffet (Fridays & Saturdays)
- B&B Burger Bar: Boardwalk restaurant with ocean views (limited weekly days)
- Eclair: lobby café with sandwiches, salads and desserts
- 12 Bar: cocktail bar next to the Lucky Snake Arcade (hours vary)
Event space, meetings, and weddings
Showboat offers extensive event space across many venues — examples include the Bourbon Room (large ballroom, several thousand square feet), Carousel Room, Harlem Room, and The Terminal. Published capacities range from a few hundred up to multiple thousands depending on the space.
If you plan a wedding, conference, or large meeting, the property provides an events team and multiple configurable rooms; confirm exact capacity and AV/food-and-beverage details with the hotel when planning.
- Bourbon Room: large ballroom with performance stage (published capacities available)
- Carousel Room, Harlem Room and The Terminal: additional large event spaces
- Total meeting space listed on industry sites exceeds tens of thousands of square feet
| Venue | Typical max capacity (published example) |
|---|---|
| Bourbon Room | ~2,400 (theater style listed) |
| Carousel Room | ~1,800 (reception/standing listed) |
| The Terminal | Large exhibit/event space (published by hotel) |
Practical matters: fees, accessibility, parking and policies
Showboat charges a mandatory resort fee per room, per night (published amounts are listed on industry sources). The hotel also requires a cash or card deposit per room, per stay. Parking options include self-parking and valet for a nightly surcharge; details can vary by platform and may include app fees.
Minimum check-in age is listed as 21 on major sites (with ID and credit card required) though a few third-party aggregators list a lower age — confirm with the property. The hotel welcomes dogs (up to two pets per room, each up to 50 lbs) for a fee; service animals are exempt.
- Mandatory resort fee (amount published on third-party sources)
- Deposit required per room at check-in
- Self-parking and valet available for a surcharge (in/out privileges listed)
- Minimum check-in age: 21 (ID and credit card required); confirm if this affects you
- Pets: dogs allowed (up to two, weight limits and fee apply); service animals exempt
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Resort fee | Mandatory; covers fitness center, housekeeping, in-room safe, internet (published amount on industry sites) |
| Deposit | Cash or card deposit required per room, per stay (published on industry sites) |
| Parking | Self and valet available for nightly fees; in/out privileges offered |
