I reserved five rooms for friends who were attending my retirement party in Atlantic City. The cost of the room was $119 so I figured that it was sufficient for my friends. What a disaster! The rooms were dirty and smelled. Totally not acceptable. All of my guests checked out either before or after my party. We ended up squeezing everyone into our small condos on the beach. What a better choice.

It was my first trip to stay in New Jersey. I was very excited, and thought I could relax and enjoy myself in Howard Johnson, after I finished the site visit for my real estate business. But, ...
Cons:-
(1) It was too far for me: According to the online AD through the online reservation company, I thought it was the one close to the Resort Casino near Boardwalk. Unfortunately, it was not! I had either to take the Tropicana free shuttle or the local buses to get there.
(2) Nobody came to fix the problems: I checked everything in the room, and made sure there was no problem, after I checked in. But, I found the security lock was broken, and the sink was stuck. So, I called the front desk right away, and made sure they know. The rep, Bruce, said someone would come over to fix it tomorrow. But, it never happened until I checked out two days later!
(3) The room smelled bad: I could hardly sleep at night, because of the bad smell!
(4) It needed cosmetic touch up: The bathroom needed new paint.
(5) Not sure if the towels were clean or not: I found someone else's hair in the towel.
(6) A new show curtain was needed.
(7) Spider webs in both my bathroom, and the public breakfast area!
The windows were sealed! Only the small window in the bathroom could be opened.
Pros:-
(1) The cable TV channel guide came to me right away: when I called the front desk for a copy. The rep, Bruce, got me a copy right away.
(2) It had almost everything in the room besides the basic furniture: There was a coffee maker, a microwave, a small refrigerator, a radio alarm clock, a hair dryer, an iron, an iron board, and even a small safe box in the room.
(3) Free breakfast: Continental breakfast every morning.
(4) Free newspapers in the front desk.
(5) Vending machines for sodas, snacks, and cigarettes.
(6) Free ice
(7) Nearby bus stop
I suggest those who want to book this one should do their homework, and check other hotels first.

I can honestly say that I've never been in a more horrible and dreadful place, than the Howard Johnson in Atlantic City. I am appalled at the condition and state of the hotel. The pictures shown on the site are a lie. Here are a few of the things we noticed when we go to our room: The rooms are dirty (we found glitter on the carpet), the smoke detector was torn off the wall, the outlets were coming out, there were dead bugs in the bathroom, the towels were dirty (one had a blood speck on it), the place smelled of mildew and there was garbage on the floor a few doors down from us. Also, the following morning we overheard someone complain to the front desk person about being bitten by bed bugs!!! The hotel charged us $250 for one night's stay, and it was the worst hotel experience we've ever had. Never again. Don't bother going to this hotel.

We stayed here, because my boyfriend prefers to stay cheap and believe me--- this is a cheap motel - not hotel. Nothing about this place is up to date, the tv is old, the bed was old, the bathroom was shappy as hell!!! If you are a cheap person you can stomach it, but I prefer to feel comfortable where I lay my head. This place will remind you of a ho-stop, cause you pull right off the highway--- I mean right off the highway!!! And WA-LAH you are there!
All I will say if you can afford better - DO NOT STAY HERE!!!