Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World

The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World sits on the beachfront in Port Elizabeth, in the Nelson Mandela Bay area. It is a land-based casino resort that combines a gaming floor with a hotel, shops, spas, restaurants, bars, family attractions and conference venues. Whether you are living nearby, passing through or planning a holiday, this guide covers what to expect.

Boardwalk Casino Gaming

The casino has smoking and non-smoking areas, with a good few hundred slot machines that use smart cards. Table games are spread between both areas, and there is also a private area called the Salon Prive.

The table games on offer are American Roulette, Blackjack Switch, Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat and AmaDice. Joining the MVG Loyalty Programme lets you earn points that can be used for benefits, sometimes even discounts.

Salon Prive

The Salon Prive is aimed at high rollers who value privacy. It has Blackjack and Roulette tables with high denominations, plus a selection of slot machines, and it is for Gold Card MVG cardholders.

Entertainment

The Lake Spectacular is a light show with thousands of lights and fountains that shoot hundreds of jets of water into the night sky, with a multimedia musical fountain. The shows are weather dependent, so check the current schedule before you plan around them.

The retail area has boutique fashion, jewellery and craft shops, plus holiday necessities and accessories. It also houses an express spa called Hairspray, and a second spa, The Camelot Spa. Events and promotions run throughout the year.

Family Attractions

The Boardwalk is set up as a family destination. For children, the options include:

• Tenpin bowling
• Go-karting
• Adventure golf
• Nu Metro cinema

There is a supervised crèche, and an arcade at the Magic Company. Children can also enjoy rides such as a Victorian-style carousel, shooting stars, pirate boats and jet rides. Parents can try their luck on the casino floor or have a drink at one of the bars while the children are busy.

Restaurants and Pubs

The complex has a range of restaurants covering Italian, Greek, Mediterranean, Asian and South African food. You can pick a family-style restaurant for an evening out with children, or a fine-dining option for a meal for two or for hosting guests. There are also several bars, both on and off the casino floor.

Accommodation

The Boardwalk Hotel is a 5-star hotel set along the Golden Mile in Summerstrand, close to Hobie Beach. All 140 rooms face the sea, and many guests enjoy watching the dolphins in the bay from the private balcony. The hotel has indoor and outdoor pools and a pool deck overlooking the beachfront, and it is close to the casino and Entertainment World.

Conference Facilities

The Boardwalk International Convention Centre (ICC) offers conference venues and meeting rooms for corporate events, banquets, conventions, concerts, conferences, exhibitions and weddings. The banqueting team can put together a package to suit the event.

Planning a Visit

A family can come for a day or a weekend and mix gaming, dining and activities: one parent at the tables, the other at the spa, and the children at the cinema or the attractions. For current opening times, prices and bookings, use the official website: www.suninternational.com/boardwalk/

18+ only. Gamble responsibly: SA Responsible Gambling Foundation counselling line 0800 006 008 (24/7).