The $1.1 billion Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened to great fanfare in July in Atlantic City. It's a shimmering, 43-story golden monolith with 2,002 guest rooms, 70,000 square feet of meeting space, 11 gourmet restaurants, and a 50,000-square-foot spa. Borgata is a Las Vegas — inspired destination resort, a first for Atlantic City.

The largest hotel and tallest building in New Jersey, the Borgata features Dale Chihuly — designed sparkling blown-glass fixtures in vivid colors throughout the property, and shining marble floors, rich wood, impressive artwork, fresh flowers, and video screens everywhere. Borgata's 11 dining destinations offer a world of culinary experiences.

The 50,000-square-foot Spa Toccare features 22 treatments rooms; the Pierre & Carlo Hair Salon; Shaving Grace, the ultimate gentlemen's barbershop, complete with a pool table and old-fashioned barber chairs; and the Pump Room fitness center. The spa overlooks the Borgata's pool area, with an indoor pool that features an underwater sound system and views of formal gardens.

There are 145 gaming tables and 3,600 slot machines on site. Video screens on the roulette tables add a touch of high-tech to an old game.

The Borgata's 70,000 square feet of event space includes 20 meeting rooms for up to 3,700 guests and a ballroom with 30,000 square feet of column-free space. Ten boardrooms feature ocean views and large plasma screen televisions. The Ombra Vintage Room, a unique wine cellar with more than 14,000 bottles of wine, can accommodate 10 to 120 guests.