Atlantis Bahamas - anyone ever been there?

[alkemyst]

Doesn't surprise me.

lolz..."Hey kids let's go camping"

 

[Fern]

There are places down around Conch Key (FL Keys) where you get an apartment and a sailboat for about $1,200-$1,700 a week. Here's one I found on google.

http://www.flakeyscottage.com/rates.html

I did that some years ago. Had a great time. I'm usually out all day on the boat, then over to bars/restaurants at night so I avoid the luxury type places since all I do is sleep there.

You can snorkle at John Pennecamp. It's under water state park with lots of coral etc and it's not deep at all.

Fern

 

[MustISO]

Stayed at the Atlantis a long time ago (8 years). Trip was paid for so the cost wasn't a factor for us. It wasn't a bad place at all but the food was crazy expensive.

 

[alkemyst]

There are places down around Conch Key (FL Keys) where you get an apartment and a sailboat for about $1,200-$1,700 a week. Here's one I found on google.

http://www.flakeyscottage.com/rates.html

I did that some years ago. Had a great time. I'm usually out all day on the boat, then over to bars/restaurants at night so I avoid the luxury type places since all I do is sleep there.

You can snorkle at John Pennecamp. It's under water state park with lots of coral etc and it's not deep at all.

Fern

Warning, site has music that you cannot turn off. It's loud as hell too.

 

[Josh123]

My wife and I toured it when we went to Sandal's Bahamas for our honeymoon. It was pretty neat but I wouldn't have wanted to stay there for our honeymoon. There was a lot of people there when we took the tour.

 

[yuchai]

Recommendations? My wife and I are looking to take a trip as well, but haven't settled on exactly where.

Last went to the Catalonia Royal Bavaro at Punta Cana, DR and really enjoyed the experience. It is by no means top end, but a great value considering the price.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...yal_Bavaro-Punta_Cana_Dominican_Republic.html

No matter what you do (assuming you're not travelling with children), make sure you go for an adult-only resort. Makes a world of difference IMO.

 

[actuarial]

I went to Nassau last year, and stayed 4 nights at Breezes and then 2 nights at Atlantis.

Both were awesome. For Atlantis, don't stay AT Atlantis, stay at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island. It's directly across the road, you get daily passes to the water park just like staying at Atlantis (at least when I went), continental breakfast, and you can still charge stuff back to your room (they're an affiliate). Oh and it's only $250 a night.

It actually seemed closer to get to the water park from the CS than the lower priced hotels ON the resort. You're right next to the marina area with a bunch of restaurants, gifts shops, and street performers at night.

 

[gzervali2006]

stayed there for a few days... pretty nice nice casino there in my opinion had fun been there several times i'm sure its a bit pricey though

 

[dr150]

Last went to the Catalonia Royal Bavaro at Punta Cana, DR and really enjoyed the experience. It is by no means top end, but a great value considering the price.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...yal_Bavaro-Punta_Cana_Dominican_Republic.html

No matter what you do (assuming you're not travelling with children), make sure you go for an adult-only resort. Makes a world of difference IMO.

As a seasoned island tourist, I second the Dominican Republic idea.:thumbsup:

Fantastic value compared to other islands and Punta Cana has all that you would need.

I found out about Punta Cana b/c many celebs have houses there now...starting with Julio Iglesias who more or less put it on the map for Western tourists.

That side of the island has a breeze ala Hawaii which is nice compared to some hot zones of other islands.

I stayed at a top rated all-inclusive adults-only place (lots of honeymooners) with its own HUGE beach which was combed spotless daily! We had no need to leave the compound (water activities, horseback riding on the beach, etc), though you can go to Bavaro if you're into people watching.

We plan on going back...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...Punta_Cana-Punta_Cana_Dominican_Republic.html

 

[SphinxnihpS]

lolz..."Hey kids let's go camping"

LMAO

Yes those are the only choices, vacuous shopping trips or camping...

Your problem is most peoples', imagination.


GET SOME!

 

[purbeast0]

Snorkeling does have it's limitations...but the site we hit off shore (called perriwinkle reef) was only 25' to the bottom and the coral heads started at 10-15'...and the fish there love being fed, took a small bag of corn flakes down with me and I was swarmed...have a couple shots my dive buddy took of it...got some beautiful pictures from there myself as well. There were several other boats there as well that brought out snorkelers too so shouldn't be hard to find...

was just looking at my youtube videos and saw this on there from when I was in Barbados last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZmSuZ3pSUU

that was snorkeling from right off the shore, probably like 100 or so yards out.

 

[Kadarin]

I was at the Atlantis a few years back for a work event. Since I was only there for three days, I didn't get the full impact... Work paid for everything and I won about $300 at the casino, making it a net gain for me, but I would have liked to spend more time relaxing and running the waterslides. I'd love to go back, but I'm between s/o's right now so it'll have to wait I think.

 

[purbeast0]

okay I got another question for those of you who have been on Paradise Island in general...

is there a market or shops close by to the Atlantis hotel around there where you can buy snacks and stuff to make lunch, or buy a bottle of liquor and some soda where is it "normal" priced?

also at Atlantis can you just walk around with alcohol?

 

[bobdole369]

okay I got another question for those of you who have been on Paradise Island in general...

is there a market or shops close by to the Atlantis hotel around there where you can buy snacks and stuff to make lunch, or buy a bottle of liquor and some soda where is it "normal" priced?

also at Atlantis can you just walk around with alcohol?

The "main" island - that is where "normal" people live and work, is New Providence Island. Just google maps it and zoom in, and the city you are most near is Nassau. There are normal stores and everything you can imagine. Just prepare to be assaulted with people trying to braid your hair, sell you stuff, put beads on you, etc. the instant you get off Paradise Island.

https://www.bristol.bs/index.php/

You might want to check out cruise critic forums - as Nassau is a massive cruise destination - and lots of people on cruises might want to do the same sort of thing. You could take a taxi the few blocks down near the wharf or the straw market - and you'll find a liquor store. You could just walk it too. Its not so dangerous that you'll instantly be mugged. My wife and I walked around most of a day - went to the pirate museum, got talked into a horse buggy ride with one of those guys - that was pretty fun.

 

[Regs]

I believe the resorts at Nassau island were better. Less commercialized and down to earth people. Can always take a cab to paradise for 20 bucks. You're also located right on the Beach without hassle to get in the water.

 

[purbeast0]

So there is this travelocity 20% deal and an additional 20% off with an AMEX card being used. on top of that, Atlantis is offering 4th night free, and a $600 voucher to do a bunch of stuff while there (it is specific what you can do but they are things we'd do), as well as a $250 air credit. i could get all of that for about $1100 for the 4 nights I want to go, staying in a water view place in the Royal Towers.

really contemplating doing this...

 

[nitsuj3580]

So there is this travelocity 20% deal and an additional 20% off with an AMEX card being used. on top of that, Atlantis is offering 4th night free, and a $600 voucher to do a bunch of stuff while there (it is specific what you can do but they are things we'd do), as well as a $250 air credit. i could get all of that for about $1100 for the 4 nights I want to go, staying in a water view place in the Royal Towers.

really contemplating doing this...

Wife and I went last year for a 'babymoon' before our daughter was born. While that sounds like a good deal, we did it cheaper by finding a deal through AMEX Travel where we stayed at the Comfort Inns and Suites literally across the street from Atlantis (trying to find the price but I think it was like $700-800 for both of us for flight/3 or 4 nights hotel). The Comfort Inn has an arrangement with Atlantis where guests have full access to all the amenities at the Atlantis. We'd spend the whole day at Atlantis and just go back to the Comfort Inn to sleep. Just an FYI.

 

[Wreckem]

It seems like you have found a pretty decent deal for actually staying on site.

That said, I will stress to you the cost of food and drink which is not a part of that deal.

It is extremely expensive to eat or drink on site. Its like Vegas pricing, except there aren't any cheap places. It is all more or less high-end prices. Eating and moderately drinking on site can easily cost two people $1200-$1500 for 4 days.

 

[purbeast0]

It seems like you have found a pretty decent deal for actually staying on site.

That said, I will stress to you the cost of food and drink which is not a part of that deal.

It is extremely expensive to eat or drink on site. Its like Vegas pricing, except there aren't any cheap places. It is all more or less high-end prices. Eating and moderately drinking on site can easily cost two people $1200-$1500 for 4 days.

yea that is what i have heard as well that the food and drinks are just ridiculous.

for those of you that have been there ... can you just make your own drinks and walk around the place with them in hand? like is there anything from stopping you from doing that?

like when i was in vegas last week, i know you couldn't just bring your own drinks into the pool because they had one way in/out and had people htere to tell you that. but atlantis is obviously different than that in that it is huge.

and nitsuj I know it can be done cheaper by staying elsewhere, but if i go there, i'm going to go and stay at paradise island. im one of those people that will gladly pay $200 more for an ocean view room. and i do know that when i go there, i will have to spend $$ out the ass on food and drink heh. when i was in vegas for 4 days my wife and i spent probably $2k, not on hotel/flight. that was just on entertainment and what not, nothing that we can take home with us. but when on vacation, we don't go places and then stress about what we can/cant do because of funds, we try to save MORE than enough prior for that reason.

like i said though, i KNOW it is expensive there. but i'm just wondering for those that did go (when i made this thread initially) just how much they enjoyed the place.

 

[isekii]

My friends went there for their honeymoon. They loved it. However, they were afraid to venture outside of the compound.

If you want some sort of adventure type vacation (somewhat rustic), you can try these guys; http://www.slickrock.com/, somewhat expensive as well, but they will show you a great time.

Venture out of which compound ? Atlantis ?

I went there this past April and Around Atlantis it's very nice.
Even if you go over to the other Islands it's pretty much all touristy so you won't have to worry. I rented a scooter and covered most of the island.

You will see a lot of shitty cars with ginormous rims.
I have a picture of an Impala with huge ass rims that was parked in a Muni spot that said " reserve judge "

 

[Scarpozzi]

It's one of those resorts that nickels and dimes you for every little thing....so even if you get a cheap room, you're forced to buy food in their restaurants, etc...until they get most of your money. 😛

If you're wanting to do the Carribean thing, consider a cruise to be cheap. If you want the land experience, check some of the all inclusive deals in the Dominican Republic or Mexico. Sometimes the initial airfare to DR can be steep. Some of the resorts there are very nice and affordable....quite a few timeshares around too.

 

[yuchai]

It's one of those resorts that nickels and dimes you for every little thing....so even if you get a cheap room, you're forced to buy food in their restaurants, etc...until they get most of your money. 😛

If you're wanting to do the Carribean thing, consider a cruise to be cheap. If you want the land experience, check some of the all inclusive deals in the Dominican Republic or Mexico. Sometimes the initial airfare to DR can be steep. Some of the resorts there are very nice and affordable....quite a few timeshares around too.

Agreed. Even with all the discounts you will end up paying a lot more without necessarily getting more. In particular, I did not like the service that I received at the Atlantis and felt like I was treated better at some of the all-inclusives.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

It sounds like a cruise ship on an island, I can only imagine all the screaming children with overweight parents.

I agree with the manufactured comment. But there have to be more "low key" places to go in the Bahamas where you can plan your won excursions and such. Although I hear the locals on the islands are a pretty unfriendly bunch so the whole place doesn't sound like my cup of tea.

That being said, go to Thailand.

 

[Stifko]

Paradise Island was a lot nicer before Atlantis overdeveloped on it. It had more charm and character. There was a long road lined with old trees that I could no longer find. You would go down by where Club Med used to be and then hang a right and go down that road towards another hotel, I think it was a Holiday Inn. All of that is gone now and it is all part of Atlantis. I was there for a month back in the mid 90s when there was only one bridge to and from Nassau. Downtown Nassau is even more depressed than it was then. Almost all the storefronts are closed from where the ships dock to where the bridges are to PI. I remember some old hotels and bars on the Nassau side of the bridge, going towards the left off of the bridge from PI. One bar had a lot of pictures of Ernest Hemingway on the walls. He fished those waters and liked to drink too. I try to imagine what that place was like when he went there. It must have been much nicer. It was much nicer 15 years ago too. I would go back but not stay at Atlantis. I'd find some hotel on Cable beach and take a water taxi to PI if I wanted to go there. Hurricane Hole isn't the same either. The marina in Atlantis must have taken over their business too.

 

[alkemyst]

It sounds like a cruise ship on an island, I can only imagine all the screaming children with overweight parents.

I agree with the manufactured comment. But there have to be more "low key" places to go in the Bahamas where you can plan your won excursions and such. Although I hear the locals on the islands are a pretty unfriendly bunch so the whole place doesn't sound like my cup of tea.

That being said, go to Thailand.

Most people that go on cruises aren't going on 'real' cruises anymore than having a 'real steak' dinner at a Sizzler or Ponderosa...the ghetto kid content goes WAY down as price of admission goes up. Despite public opinion, the children of higher class tend to know their manners.

There are a lot better places to go than Thailand.