The Atlantis Resort, Bahamas

[Alanslegal]

The Atlantis Resort | Paradise Island | Bahamas

I am back!

Thanks to what appears to be a mistake rate which was posted on FT a while back, I managed to sneak into The Bahamas and stay at the over-the-top Atlantis Resort, the largest of its themed resort in the Caribbean. I happened to be there at the right moment when it was suggested that rates were from USD$16 per night. I quickly jumped online, did a few search queries and found rates starting $16 plus taxes and resort fees.

I decided on a quick four night stay and this was perfect for a quick relaxation stop near the final part of my ‘around the world’ journey. I booked four nights in an ocean view room and the total cost came out to be AUD$254.06 (of that the room was $97.18 and $13.32 in taxes and $143.60 in hotel charges)!! This appeared too good to be true, as normal rates generally command at least $250USD per night plus taxes/fees. The credit card was charged, the reservation remained in place, and reports from FT indicated that other members had visited the resort and confirmed that the rate was all OK.

As I already had a flight booked into JFK as part of my around the world ticket, I had to find a quick connecting flight onto Nassau. I thought about finding an AA YUPP type fare and earn some QF SC’s but as I had WP already in sight, I decided to go for the BFOD policy and fly on my favourite domestic airline, JetBlue. Generally they are quite good with a consistent on-board service, a brand new and very spacious T5 terminal at JFK and overall a much friendlier airline than most other North American airlines I have flown with in the past.

Arriving into NAS was interesting. Let me explain, when lining up at the Immigration checkpoints, there is a performer entertaining everybody. He is the local pirate!! With his one handed hook, dancing away, being all pirate-y and taking photos with the travellers. There is also a live band playing away Bahamian tunes, and creating a very friendly vibe and in turn encouraging the pirate to dance even more. This is very welcoming but too bad the lines were taking a little while – really Bahamian time - to move, as all I wanted to do, was get to the Resort ASAP given I had just flown from YVR-JFK red-eye and then the early flight to NAS.

Raaaarrr mighty Mr. Pirate:-

After the regulatory process, I hopped into a taxi and was whisked away to the Atlantis some 30 minutes away. The resort was visible from a long way away, and the closer we got, the more obscene huge this place was getting. We pulled into one of the multiple driveways to this hotel – you see, it all depends on which various hotels, timeshare, owner-occupier properties you are staying at, which will determine which drive way you end up at.

Getting closer to the Resort via taxi:-

Check-in was a breeze however there was a slight hiccup when the agent queried my rate and referred it to her supervisor. The supervisor quickly reviewed the reservation and told me that it was all fine. I had the porters take my luggage and was off to my room when I get pulled over by a timeshare sales person! After a quick three minutes, I was sucked in and booked into a timeshare presentation and for a reward of US$150.00 cash.

My personalised room key w name and date of stay:-

 

[Alanslegal]

We had booked an ocean view room in the Beach Tower, being the oldest building on the resort of six, however this was the only room that was offering this good rate. After a long walk through the various hotel corridors we arrived at our room, and the photos are self explanatory. Prior to arrival I wasn’t expecting much and my actual impressions remained the same. The rooms are of decent size approx. 30sqm, and all the regular and expected hotel items are supplied. The room also appears recently renovated but however not to my tasting. The one thing in its favour is the beautiful views over the resort and towards the ocean.

The room:-

The view:-

The Atlantis Resort, as you can see, is a gigantic resort that occupies the entire Paradise Island. It is based around the mysterious (legend) of the Atlantis City, somewhere lost under the ocean near Greece, Africa or the Bermuda – however to date, nothing has ever been discovered. The whole resort has been designed to replicate the underwater them with the largest open air aquarium in the world that somehow integrates within the main hotel where one could walk past, dine near and see hundreds of fish and sea life such as sharks, rays, and dolphins.

The gorgeous beach a few steps from the hotel:-

The obscenely expensive Royal Towers where that Penthouse Suite in the middle of the arch, is a 10 room suite, costing USD$25K per night (w minimum stay of 4 nights):-

 

[Alanslegal]

In addition, the resort incorporates a humungous water theme park! Great for everyone with activities such as pools, rapid river rides, swim with the dolphins or the sharks and thrill-seeking slides! As guests of the resort, the theme park was complimentary and guests had to wear a daily wrist band. However if you are not staying at the Atlantis, you could purchase a day pass/band for around $80USD per person. This place puts dedicated water parks such as Wet ‘N’ Wild on the Gold Coast to shame!!!

One of a few water slides:-

One of many shark filled aquariums, *notice the clear tube in the middle* where another water slides finishes inside the clear tube and you watch shark, rays, fish swim all around you:-

A high intensity water rapid that is 1.6kms long and takes 25 minutes to go around. However if that is tooooo slow for you, sit in the tube, detour to the automatic moving belt which transports you up high to another water ride:-

After a big day playing in the water or just laying on the beach … the wait for the sunsets were just magically!

 

[Alanslegal]

Dining out – or just eating out – the resort has 19 restaurants and 21 bars to cater for every taste. As reported on various forums, eating on the resort is expensive! However with a bit of planning one could save a few pennies here are there. For example, one could purchase a daily meal plan which starts from around $90 per day per person, which includes breakfast and casual dinner through to around $140 pd pp for the fine dining plan. I opted against this and decided to get off the resort island and into old Nassau town for my meals. It was a quick but scenic ferry ride across the turquoise waters into Nassau and we’d past the many cruise ships that are all docked at the local passenger terminal. At Nassau there was a whole range of foods, shops, markets and local supermarket. Also one has to head to the famous Fish Fry for the best local food.

Ferry ride from Resort to Nassau Town:-

We passed the Yoga Treat Resort each way on the ferry and the boat guides always had a good time teasing the place for being totally deserted. After all, “who would want to go there when it’s forbidden to eat good food, drink alcohol, have a great time or have fun with your partner there!”

Deep fried conch, a local favourite but it was OK, just another battered deep fried sea item for me:-

 

[Alanslegal]

Anyway, apart from meal plans and eating off-the-island, the buffets were immensely popular and often huge queues were always lined up at each dining session. I snuck into the Marketplace for one night and the buffet choice was more than plentiful. This was expected after paying $60 per head plus tax plus 15% tip. Other casual (and cheaper) choices were deli type places, cafes, pizza takeout – but expect to pay at least $20 for nothing substantial. The cheapest food item to eat on the entire island was to buy a burger value meal by the main pool which cost $9 for a burger, fries and a drink.

Marketplace Buffet:-

Later on in my stay, I had to visit to the time share presentation. When the sales person asked me what my hotel rate per night was, she was surprised (or maybe shocked) that I had only paid less than $25 per night! Anyway too much talk and no deal from my end, so the sales person (naturally) was very disappointed but thanks for the $150.00!

After a fun four days, it was sad to leave this unbelievable resort. Surprisingly though, the owner are still developing the place and is only into phase 5 of 8! The next big phase will be a wildlife “Safari” theme park on the other side of island, and I just can’t wait to see it. This place is “really something” and that “really something” will only get better!! I wish I could go back very soon!

PS. If you want more, The Atlantis has a twin resort in Dubai!!!! Which is even better!!

 

[samh004]

Thanks for the excellent TR.

The view is amazing, but the sheer size of the resort reminds me of the Hilton Waikoloa too much, which my family and I were quite keen to get away from not long after we checked in.

PS. If you want more, The Atlantis has a twin resort in Dubai!!!! Which is even better!!

I’m sure that’s the one I’ve heard more about

 

[Princess Fiona]

Great TR, fab photos. A waterslide tunnel through a shark aquarium would have my kiddies amused all day ( and of course I would have to join them)
Thanks

 

[UP4014]

Good stuff, the photos certainly make the difference in a review.