Enjoy Ascot at Motel in Atlantic City

Let's keep it simple - the aptly named Ascot Motel is a single block off the casinos and guilty pleasures of the Atlantic City Boardwalk. It offers free garage parking, an outdoor pool and a free continental breakfast. And that's about all that's expected from Atlantic City motels.

It works something like this - you come in with your pockets full, park your ride in the garage, check-in and stow your bag, take a shower and then hit the Atlantic City attractions. Late at night, you come out of the casinos, pockets empty, drunk and feeling wretched that they cleaned out your clock. You walk straight to the hell-raising bars lined up alongside one of the most famed New Jersey beaches, drink away the sorrow and head back to your motel, drunk as a skunk.

Take a nice dip in the pool, cool off a bit and go to bed broke and tired. When you wake up, you still got your car and your bag, you eat the free breakfast, and then you hightail it out of AC, a lot wiser, and a lot less richer. That's how Atlantic City makes money, and the best that can be said is that it's an experience. And the Ascot Motel isn't half as bad as some other motels you could have ended up at.

In addition to the aforementioned pool, breakfast and parking, they also offer a 24-hr front desk, free local calls, housekeeping, hair dryers and iron & ironing boards (on request), a microwave and coffee in the lobby, and the 80 guest rooms are kitted out with cable TV, refrigerators and shower/tub combo. Rollaway beds and cribs available on request. You get all this for rates from $70.

The Tropicana Hotel Coffee shop is nearby, and so are restaurants like Cuba Libre and the Baltimore Grill.

Info: 101 N Iowa Ave Atlantic City NJ 08401; (877) 747-8713