Atlantis Hotel - Bahamas?
Discussion
Anyone been there? I'm going to the Bahamas in a few months to view properties and I let the kids choose the hotel we're gonna stay in. They chose this "monstrosity":
www.atlantis.com/atlantis_layers1024.asp
I'm sure the kids will have a great time, but it looks a bit too "Las Vegas" to me. Has anyone stayed there, if so is it really as garish as it looks or are there some more tasteful quiet areas?
www.atlantis.com/atlantis_layers1024.asp
I'm sure the kids will have a great time, but it looks a bit too "Las Vegas" to me. Has anyone stayed there, if so is it really as garish as it looks or are there some more tasteful quiet areas?
I have been lurking for ages - but I might actually be able to help relating to Bahamian hotels.
Atlantis is the biggest and, as you say, most 'Las Vagas' in style of the hotels in Nassau/Paradise Island. It sits on a fantastic beach. It also has by far the most facilities of any hotel in the Bahamas. It is as garish as you imagine - probably more so. But it is likely to satisfy most of the family most of the time. There are loads of activities for the kids (including day-time and evening kids clubs, free cinema, water slides, aquariums etc) as well as for adults (golf, gambling, Spa, shopping, bars etc). Expect it to be more like a Las Vegas casino hotel than quiet paradise. Most visitors are from the US. Most of the activity in the evening centres on the Casino – which has bars, restaurants and a club attached to it. There is also a lot of construction at the moment as they are building a range of new facilities – but this is, apparently, well concealed. I have heard that the rooms are not that impressive – but this might not be important depending on what you want from a hotel.
A film called ‘After the Sunset’ (Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Woody Harrelson) was filmed almost entirely at Atlantis last year and might be a good way to see what you are getting into before you go – out on DVD soon. You should also dig out a copy of Thunderball to see what the Atlantis site used to look like (Atlantis sits roughly on what was Cafe Martinique in the film).
To benefit from the facilities at Atlantis without actually staying there you can also stay at either the Ocean Club or the Comfort Suites. The Ocean Club is owned and operated by the same company that owns Atlantis (Kerzner) and is the luxury part of the Atlantis site. It is expensive though and might be OTT (and not so great for kids) but offers much more quiet luxury than the more brash Atlantis. Depending how old your kids are they can go to Atlantis to run around the water park and you can relax at Ocean Club being looked after by your personal butler! The Comfort Suites has legacy access to the Atlantis facilities due to a deal signed by former owners and is a practical – if uninspiring - choice. You still have access to all the Atlantis facilities but without the crowds at your 'base'. The rooms are both cheaper and bigger (but not with sea views and not that exciting).
Does it have to be Nassau/Paradise Island? Because whilst there is plenty to do it is not – to me – the best part of the Bahamas. You really need to go to an ‘Out Island’ to experience the ‘real’ Bahamas. There are over 700 islands and it is a shame that so many American visitors come in for one afternoon off a cruise ship onto Bay Street and then slag the place off for being ‘crowded and noisy’! Anyway, the pick of the Out Islands I have seen is Harbour Island. Very small, but with a wealth of good hotels, decent restaurants and a picturesque town that is missing from other parts of the Bahamas. There are not so many structured activities, but still loads to do although mainly related to the sea and the beach. The Coral Sands (family-orientated and on the beach), Pink Sands (expensive – on the beach), Bahama House Inn or The Landing (neither on the beach but on the waterfront with extensive gardens) are all good choices. Have a look at the myharbourisland.com website.
Even if you don’t stay the whole time outside Nassau the Bahamas Fast ferry can whisk you to Harbour Island for a great day trip. Another great day trip is the Bahamas Powerboat Adventure. This takes you down to the Exumas in a '1000 HP' power-boat for a look at the local wildlife (sharks, rays and Iguanas) and then a BBQ on a sand island.
I highly, highly recommend flying direct to Nassau if you can (BA currently as well as Virgin from July) as going via Miami is a pain at the moment as you still have to go through US immigration even though you are in transit. But be warned that Nassau airport is in a right state at the moment!
I really love the Bahamas. It has its fair share of problems – like anywhere – and it is not as picturesque as you might expect away from the fantastic beaches. My Dad lived in Nassau for about 10 years up to the late 1990s and I took my GF there last July on holiday. No, I’m not on commission! Tripadvisor.com has loads of reviews – good and bad – and is useful.
Apologies for the length of this post.
Atlantis is the biggest and, as you say, most 'Las Vagas' in style of the hotels in Nassau/Paradise Island. It sits on a fantastic beach. It also has by far the most facilities of any hotel in the Bahamas. It is as garish as you imagine - probably more so. But it is likely to satisfy most of the family most of the time. There are loads of activities for the kids (including day-time and evening kids clubs, free cinema, water slides, aquariums etc) as well as for adults (golf, gambling, Spa, shopping, bars etc). Expect it to be more like a Las Vegas casino hotel than quiet paradise. Most visitors are from the US. Most of the activity in the evening centres on the Casino – which has bars, restaurants and a club attached to it. There is also a lot of construction at the moment as they are building a range of new facilities – but this is, apparently, well concealed. I have heard that the rooms are not that impressive – but this might not be important depending on what you want from a hotel.
A film called ‘After the Sunset’ (Pierce Brosnan, Salma Hayek, Woody Harrelson) was filmed almost entirely at Atlantis last year and might be a good way to see what you are getting into before you go – out on DVD soon. You should also dig out a copy of Thunderball to see what the Atlantis site used to look like (Atlantis sits roughly on what was Cafe Martinique in the film).
To benefit from the facilities at Atlantis without actually staying there you can also stay at either the Ocean Club or the Comfort Suites. The Ocean Club is owned and operated by the same company that owns Atlantis (Kerzner) and is the luxury part of the Atlantis site. It is expensive though and might be OTT (and not so great for kids) but offers much more quiet luxury than the more brash Atlantis. Depending how old your kids are they can go to Atlantis to run around the water park and you can relax at Ocean Club being looked after by your personal butler! The Comfort Suites has legacy access to the Atlantis facilities due to a deal signed by former owners and is a practical – if uninspiring - choice. You still have access to all the Atlantis facilities but without the crowds at your 'base'. The rooms are both cheaper and bigger (but not with sea views and not that exciting).
Does it have to be Nassau/Paradise Island? Because whilst there is plenty to do it is not – to me – the best part of the Bahamas. You really need to go to an ‘Out Island’ to experience the ‘real’ Bahamas. There are over 700 islands and it is a shame that so many American visitors come in for one afternoon off a cruise ship onto Bay Street and then slag the place off for being ‘crowded and noisy’! Anyway, the pick of the Out Islands I have seen is Harbour Island. Very small, but with a wealth of good hotels, decent restaurants and a picturesque town that is missing from other parts of the Bahamas. There are not so many structured activities, but still loads to do although mainly related to the sea and the beach. The Coral Sands (family-orientated and on the beach), Pink Sands (expensive – on the beach), Bahama House Inn or The Landing (neither on the beach but on the waterfront with extensive gardens) are all good choices. Have a look at the myharbourisland.com website.
Even if you don’t stay the whole time outside Nassau the Bahamas Fast ferry can whisk you to Harbour Island for a great day trip. Another great day trip is the Bahamas Powerboat Adventure. This takes you down to the Exumas in a '1000 HP' power-boat for a look at the local wildlife (sharks, rays and Iguanas) and then a BBQ on a sand island.
I highly, highly recommend flying direct to Nassau if you can (BA currently as well as Virgin from July) as going via Miami is a pain at the moment as you still have to go through US immigration even though you are in transit. But be warned that Nassau airport is in a right state at the moment!
I really love the Bahamas. It has its fair share of problems – like anywhere – and it is not as picturesque as you might expect away from the fantastic beaches. My Dad lived in Nassau for about 10 years up to the late 1990s and I took my GF there last July on holiday. No, I’m not on commission! Tripadvisor.com has loads of reviews – good and bad – and is useful.
Apologies for the length of this post.
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