
Showboat Hotel
Best for families and groups who want on-site kids’ entertainment (Island Waterpark, Lucky Snake Arcade) and beach access.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Showboat Hotel is a family-oriented, non-gaming Boardwalk resort with an indoor waterpark, large arcade, spa and event spaces — good for families, groups and beach-focused stays. Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino is a long-running Boardwalk casino hotel with sizeable meeting space and a central Boardwalk location — read this if you want a familiar casino-hotel near the action.
Updated · about 0.8 km apart

Best for families and groups who want on-site kids’ entertainment (Island Waterpark, Lucky Snake Arcade) and beach access.

Best for travelers who want a classic Atlantic City casino-hotel in a central Boardwalk spot with lots of gaming and meeting space.
When Showboat Hotel wins: Choose Showboat if you’re traveling with children or a multi-generation group and want easy access to an indoor waterpark, a very large arcade, family-oriented dining and beach access without a casino on-site.
When Bally’s wins: Choose Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino if you prefer a familiar, centrally located casino-hotel on the Boardwalk with extensive meeting space and multiple on-site restaurants, bars and a full casino floor.
Bottom line: Pick Showboat for family entertainment and waterpark perks; pick Bally’s for traditional casino action and a central Boardwalk gambling hub. Both are on or steps from the Boardwalk, so location-wise you’ll be close to the same Atlantic City attractions.
| Category | Showboat Hotel | Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Family-focused resort, non-gaming, indoor waterpark and large arcade | Classic Boardwalk casino hotel with active gaming floor and event space |
| Location | 801 Boardwalk — directly on the Boardwalk with beachfront access | 1900 Pacific Avenue — central Boardwalk location, steps from casinos and beach |
| Size (rooms) | 477 guestrooms across two towers | 1,205 guestrooms (supplier listing) |
| Ages / policy | All-ages resort (hotel check-in age 21; children welcome; some waterpark areas 21+) | |
| Pools / water attractions | Connected to Island Waterpark (indoor waterpark with slides, lazy river, wave pool; Rise 'N Shine early access for guests) | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple family-friendly outlets (B&B Burger Bar, Eclair, Blissful Bubbles Cafe, Kelly’s Ice Cream, 12 Bar, ACE, plus others) | Five restaurants, 2 bars/lounges and a coffee shop/cafe; Park Place Prime named as an on-site American restaurant |
| Spa & wellness | Aura Salon and Spa on-site (massages, facials, salon services; hours published) | Health or beauty spa listed as 'nearby' in supplier listing (details not published) |
| Gaming & nightlife | Non-gaming property — arcade and Lucky Snake Sports Bar take former casino space; nightlife geared to families and events | Full casino with 1,481 slot machines, 91 gaming tables, sportsbook and evening entertainment |
| Meeting & event space | Extensive event facilities (multiple ballrooms including Bourbon Room, Carousel Room, The Terminal) — Cvent lists very large total meeting space | Large conference space (80,000 sq ft) and 20 meeting rooms |
| Beach access | Direct Boardwalk/beach access with chairs and loungers available | |
Showboat sits at 801 Boardwalk with direct Boardwalk frontage and beach access.
Choose Showboat for a beachfront Boardwalk stay within walking distance of Atlantic City family attractions.
Bally’s sits centrally on the Boardwalk at 1900 Pacific Avenue, within the main casino corridor.
Choose Bally’s if you want to be in the middle of Atlantic City’s casino and Boardwalk activity.
Showboat offers 477 rooms across two towers, including several ocean-view and family suite types.
Showboat’s room selection is aimed at families and groups needing larger suites or apartment-style options.
Bally’s lists 1,205 guestrooms with a variety of traditional rooms, tower classics and junior suites.
Bally’s has a larger inventory and many standard casino-hotel room categories for travelers seeking simple, central accommodations.
Showboat’s dining skews family-friendly with several quick and casual options plus a full bar and sports bar.
Showboat’s restaurants and bars support families and casual meals right on the Boardwalk.
Bally’s lists five restaurants and multiple bars, including an on-site American restaurant and room service (limited hours).
Bally’s offers the typical casino-hotel mix of sit-down restaurants, bars and late-night options.
Showboat’s headline amenity is its connection to the Island Waterpark and the large Lucky Snake Arcade.
If a waterpark or arcade is central to your trip, Showboat provides those on-site family activities.
Bally’s is primarily a casino hotel; supplier listing highlights the casino and gaming facilities.
Bally’s is the pick for gaming and casino-oriented entertainment rather than family waterpark activities.
Showboat has on-site wellness and fitness plus family-oriented nightlife options.
Showboat covers wellness needs with a named on-site spa and round-the-clock fitness facilities aimed at active guests.
Bally’s lists a health/beauty spa as a featured amenity and offers evening entertainment tied to its casino operations.
Bally’s supports traditional casino nightlife and lists spa services as available nearby, but detailed spa info isn’t published in the supplier listing.

Showboat — on-site Island Waterpark, large arcade and family suites make it the clear family pick.

Bally’s — full casino floor with thousands of slots, dozens of tables and a sportsbook.

Showboat — extensive, varied event spaces (Terminal, Bourbon Room, Carousel) for large conferences and weddings.

Bally’s — a familiar, centrally located casino-hotel on the Boardwalk near major attractions.
Showboat — it has the Island Waterpark, early-access guest perks, a very large arcade and family room options.
Bally’s — it is a traditional casino-hotel with a large gaming floor, sportsbook and bars geared toward that crowd.
Yes — both properties list complimentary wireless internet access in guest rooms; Bally’s notes a 2-device limit for free in-room Wi‑Fi.
Yes — they’re both on the Boardwalk and about 0.8 km (roughly a 10–15 minute walk) apart depending on your route.
Explore how Showboat Hotel stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·