Atlantis - Bahamas: Need Thoughts

I'll let others weigh in on the other questions, but I have a little advice regarding transportation.

Check out renting a helicopter. It's a little difficult because they shuttle you to a different terminal once you deplane but it's much faster than the drive. Though that's not really the point. The real fun is that you get to see the whole island and a mini tour as during your flight. They land right next to the hotel so it's very convenient and a great way to start your vacation. A mini excursion before you even get on property. It's not as expensive as you might think.

Have fun

edit - FYI - You can rent just one way. So you can take the heli to and take a shuttle or car back when you leave.

 

been twice. the last was last year for christmas with the whole family. if cleanliness is a must..... don't go. I saw bubble gum on the breezeways. the baseboards were dirty. we did not take our shoes off in the rooms. put towels down everywhere in the bathroom. and that is after we switched rooms because the first one was dirty. and it was the nice section of the resort. I forgot which one but they have like 3 like the coral, something and something. if our family was not there together i would have left. and i am the type that will spend on vacations but way over priced for what you get.

The problem is they have need to do a complete renovations. Maybe they have since last year.


just my 2 cents...

 

Take her to a Caribbean luxury beach resort instead. Check out Eden Rock, Young Island, Bitter End Yacht Club or Little Dix Bay...almost anywhere is better than the Bahamas IMHO...

 

It's been a few years since I've been, but here's my take on what you're asking. I traded a timeshare to stay in the condos at the Harborside Resort, not on the actual Atlantis property itself. However, the property was a very short walking distance and you got to see some really nice yachts on the walk each way. Staying at Harborside did have some benefits as you'll find food is very expensive on the property. Having a full kitchen in the condo allowed you to make at least one meal a day and save there. If food cost is not a concern, based on my trips I still wouldn't go with a meal plan unless you plan on eating a lot. I usually like a light breakfast, maybe a sandwich for lunch and a regular dinner. For this amount, the meal plan really didn't seem worth it. However, now that they have opened some nicer restaurants since I've been there like Nobu, Mesa Grill, etc., it might be worth it.

Transportation to/from Nassau airport to the property on Paradise Island was done in a cab. No reservations and was reasonable. I didn't bother looking into renting a car as most of the activities, even off Paradise Island are cab distance and the fares are reasonable. If you're just looking to go to Nassau, you can take the ferry from Paradise Island too, which was reasonable.

I did dine at a couple of the fine dining restaurants throughout the week I spent there which I made reservations for the day I arrived and had no problems.

If you're planning on just chilling while you're out there, there are plenty of pools, beaches, lagoons to hang out in on the property. I did do one excursion to a remote island by boat where we did some snorkelling, had lunch and fed some iguanas for the day. It wasn't bad, and I don't consider myself a cheapskate, but didn't seem like it was worth what they were charging. Yes, all of the Kalik beer was free on the excursion, but trying to drink on the 30-40 minute boat ride each way where the bathroom is in the front bouncing up and down was very challenging.

I enjoy golf and liked playing at the Ocean Club course on Paradise Island. There is another one on Nassau at Cable Beach, but it wasn't nearly as nice as the Ocean Club.

The casino is small by Vegas standards, but was rather friendly. If blackjack is your thing, counting cards was pretty easy. I'm also a fan of Chihuly glass and they has several nice pieces in the casino.

Now that I've been there twice, I'd have to agree with some of the previous posts about cleanliness. It's not that bad and I'm glad I went to check it out, but if I had to choose between going to Atlantis versus Maui, I'd take Maui everytime. Hope this helps.

 

Ill post a little more info later....but check out this for an excursion: http://powerboatadventures.com/

My girlfriend and I did it this summer, and had an abolute blast.

Taxi's are roughly 40 from the airport to Atlantis, and take roughly 45 minutes. Once you are at Atlantis and want to go back accross to the main island, the Water Ferry is the way to go. It was $3pp round trip, rather than $15 for a taxi service.

 

Went twice, and leaned the ropes after the first trip. Rooms are overpriced, so we stayed the second time at the Comfort Suites directily behind the Atlantis. Half the price, and suite style rooms. It was part of the Atlantis system, and we got arm bands, and got to charge back our Atlantis food and drinks to our room. Also had free breakfast, but a buddy found a great Taco lady working out of her van behind the hotel, and ate there a lot.

The Poop Deck is a fun dive-bar place the kids will like, especially for the T-shirts. Just across the bridge from Atlantis.

 

Show her the web site for Eden Rock..she will change her mind... www.edenrockhotel.com

 

I've done 2 of those 4, and would also suggest Caneel Bay. It's my favorite.

Places like Atlantis don't seem like a vacation to me, just too big and too many people. When I vacation I want to get AWAY from people. I also realize that not everyone is like me, which is why places like Atlantis exist in the first place.

I've heard the food there is outrageous, and you're sort of limited on other options. Too much trouble to go anywhere else, so you eat there. A friend went with his family of 4 for a week, spent over $3000 on food. If they have a food package available, just buy it and be done.

 

Same with me. I prefer a bare boat charter in the BVIs myself

 

Try the new apartments they built (Cove?) they are still pretty fresh and you get a nice private beach.

Otherwise...

OCEAN CLUB. Still belongs to Atlantis, you can go to all the slides etc... but it's a pretty nice small boutique hotel.

 

our biggest issue as well, and waiting forever for an 'adequate' $100 breakfast for the family, with minimal choices without long walks with young kids. $3k is very believable. Glad we did it, once. The two days of flying to get there didn't help any either.

 

Sure, if you want to spend 10x as much money.

 

Man!!! Just saw the website. WOW!!! I just attached it to an email and sent it out to my 4 sister. FAMILY REUNION??????

 

No where near that much, unless you're paying $50-$80 a night at Atlantis? Sure they have some very exclusive-expensive accommodations available, but, you can get a Garden Cottage, Beach Room or Rock Suite in the summer from $500 to $800 per night. And even the Cottages would be called luxury suites at Atlantis and other such amusement park type resorts for the masses. It's really not that bad when you consider what you get. And what you get is a romantic and luxurious Caribbean holiday with French flavor. The island itself is very scenic, both landscape and otherwise, with nice beaches, small beach bars that you can lounge around in, drink and people watch all day. And you never know who you will see when you walk the beaches of St. Barts. And the food is to die for! http://www.edenrockhotel.com/explore/reservations-rates/

 

Dallas, nice writeup.... I'm glad you and your wife had a good time. It seems Atlantis was just what you were looking for.

 

Ok,OK, you convinced me. I have already talked to my family about a get a way with ALL 21 of us. Now we have to figure out WHEN THE HE** we all have time to go!!!!!