AC hotel suggestions, please

We're planning a three day trip to AC toward the end of March. DH has never been, and my only trip there was over 30 years ago. We've pretty much decided to stay at Caesars since its centrally located, and seems to have everything we're looking for as far as room amenties - fridge, coffeemaker, etc. I've been told that the rooms in the Centurion tower are the closest to the casino. Are the deluxe rooms ok, or should we upgrade to the luxury room? When we go to LV we're perfectly happy staying at Fitzgeralds, so I would think Caesars deluxe rooms would at least be on a par with those.
Also, I saw Noahcat mention in another thread that the areas where one can smoke at the Showboat are limited - is this the case at all AC casinos, or are the smoking areas limited everywhere?
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Centurion rooms at Caesars are excellent. Probably some of the best standard rooms in Atlantic City. If possible, ask for the corner king (it's part of a two-room lock-out); it's a bit more spacious.

My ordering of Caesars rooms, from worst to best :

temple tower, temple tower mini-suite, centurion tower corner, centurion or ocean tower rooms, any ocean tower suite (or junior suite)

All rooms at Caesars have been renovated, but the Temple Tower renovation is a 'step below' the other room categories; and you chance getting an 'interior view' room of the casino and/or lobby. The Temple Tower is the original Caesars hotel (originally Howard Johnson's) tower.

I've never had any issue with smoking sections at Caesars or it's neighbor Bally's.

Of special note, are the Diamond Lounges at Caesars and Bally's (amazing views of the ocean and boardwalk),
and my favorite Asian restaurant in Atlantic City (adjacent to the Asian Gaming Pit at Caesars), KWI.

baccarat_guy gave a good rundown of the Caesars rooms. Just set your expectations right if you're staying in the lesser (Temple Tower) rooms there. The remodeling made the rooms look modern, but once inside the rooms are still small and the bathrooms are just plain tiny. The views from many of those rooms are horrible, unless you get on one of the upper floors. There are some rooms with a casino-view, which is pretty rare, so that's fun for the novelty of it. Things will be confortable, but the Temple Tower is a clear step down from the luxury the rest of Caesars offers.

I have pictures of some Caesars rooms posted: http://achotelrooms.blogspot.com/2009/10/atlantic-city-hotel-room-photos.html

Regarding smoking, you will find limited smoking sections in every Atlantic City casino. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding playable machines in smoking sections. I know at Caesars and Bally's most of the places I play seem to be in smoking sections (and Caesars doesn't do a very good job of keeping those machines clean).

At Caesars AC the whole second floor of gaming is non-smoking.
On the main floor, 70 % is non-smoking but they are very mild in reprimanding you.
There are signs above machines and you will get a map upon checking in- there are NO long walks to rooms from casinos like in Vegas.
Ask for Ocean View/Ocean Front

Thanks to all for the info. We don't really care for the strip, and object to the resort fees, so consequently we've never been to any Harrah's casino. I'm thinking there is no chance we'll get to check out the Diamond Lounges anywhere! And thank you rowanb for the pictures. I'm extremely low-maintenance so even the remodeled Temple Tower room looks fine to me, but I could really get used to the Centurion Tower.