Revel vs Borgata

To describe Revel in a nutshell:
Pretentious

The numbers are in and Revel may be facing bankruptcy even sooner than expected. Morgan Stanley obviously made a wise decision not to sink another billion into Revel's completion. I saw so many flaws in the building's construction when visiting it, making it the perfect set for a disaster movie and most reviews, even favorable ones, continue to have complaints about its management and customer service. The management overall seems totally inexperienced in running a casino or a hotel.
Aesthetically to me if felt like an airport or mall.
Dark, cavernous, and uninviting.
Add to that that the people who love Revel mostly seem to have a condescending attitude online, personally attacking people who do not love the place while being totally blind to Revel's many flaws. These are not the type of people I want to be sitting next to when playing slots, especially after they had too much to drink.

Whoever designed the building was clueless to what a resort, a resort which happens to have a casino, or a gambling resort should offer.
It may have looked good on paper but clearly, it's an architectural nightmare.
Whoever designed their convention facilities was clueless. Attendees usually are late because of the navigation to those rooms while lugging their materials along with them.
Whoever decided not to have a convenient place for smokers to take a smoking break was clueless.
Whoever decided not to have direct access to the boardwalk and beach was clueless.
Whoever decided not to include a racetrack simulcast and therefore, no future sports betting facilities was clueless.  Also whoever decided to hide the poker room was clueless.
Whoever made many business decisions such as no buffet was clueless.
(most fancier restaurants in AC hotels have been closed midweek).
Whoever decided not to have an in room coffee maker and refrigerator was clueless.
Whoever designed their online site was clueless.
Whoever designed their phone reservation system was clueless.
Whoever hired and trained the whole staff were clueless as well.
Whoever was in charge of the marketing and players rewards were clueless.
Bottomline, the CEO who happens to be a part owner of this venture was clueless.

They supposedly fixed the AT&T mobile signal which made the building very inconvenient for AT&T subscribers but it still didn't work for us on our last trip AFTER the reported fix.
There are still many reports of hallway noise from inconsiderate and/or drunk partiers when staying overnight, interfering with sleep, even now when the place is comparatively empty.
Their Player rewards system is totally unreliable even though they have hired a more qualified person, it is too little too late.

The design of the building is unsafe, confusing and demands alot of mobility, making it difficult for both older patrons and younger often drunk patrons. Cannot imagine what it would be like if an immediate evacuation situation were to occur, empty or crowded.  The building does not have safe access for evacuation in case of an emergency if it is hard to navigate when there is no urgency.
Even walking through the empty casino is confusing without adequate signage.
Just finding the larger public bathrooms can be tricky.
Lots of open spaces but very little space for people and traffic flow within the casino and between the floors.

In no way will their business improve enough to avoid bankruptcy. Most people interested in the resort have already checked it out during its first summer and first impressions are lasting impressions.
Even if somebody qualified to run a casino resort took it over, the building design has too many flaws.

Governor Christie is expecting Revel to revitalize AC and is trying to delay slot machines at NJ racetracks for at least 5 years while all neighboring states are striking gold with their racinos.  This in addition to his veto of gay marriage, has made his popularity in NJ decline. I am predicting his political future is about as limited as Palin's.

ETA: After Hurricane Sandy, I am now a Gov Christie fan!!!  LOL
He may have burnt his bridges with the Republican Party but is a true Commander-in-Chief.

Sandy will be an excellent scapegoat for why Revel has failed.
I would blame its failure on not being able to compete with The Borgata from the beginning, being pretentious (smoke and mirrors) while The Borgata delivers all that Revel lacks.
Revel's only advantage is being on the boardwalk with some great views and no smoking.
Now it is rumored there will be smoking on the gambling floor and some guest rooms which hopefully is well contained.  Don't know how this building passed any fire and safety inspections or received any liability insurance coverage.

ETA: NJ Bar convention got smart and switched back to The Borgata instead of trying Revel in May.  Revel never could have handled over 2,000 bodies and bellies.

ETA: Revel ruined the one good thing it had going for it and now has smoking on the casino floor.

ETA on 7/5/2013: The casino floor at Revel still does not get an AT&T signal so even if I liked the place, I wouldn't stay there.