Tamsentm

My family spent Feb vacation 2007 at Harborside Resort. This was going to be our one "Disney-like" vacation for the kids as we knew we'd never go to Disney (not our thing . . . to contrived and kids' hate rides) So with kids that love marine life and swimming, we choice Atlantis.
Normally we rent a villa on a quite Island or near an interesting Nat'l Park (last year was Sedona, AZ) but we wanted to see if this kind of vaca could be fun. We choice Harborside over the hotels at Atlantis to have more space and privacy, which was a smart move (spent the last night at Beach Towers . . . . very average, small room with crying baby on one side and screaming teenagers on the other!)
Our condo was immaculate, nicely decorated and offered all we needed (Bldg 1, room 2720) The bathroom was huge, actually three rooms, which came in handy after pools/beach for showering, stowing wet bathing suits, etc.
We didn't find the walking (through Marina Village) to Atlantis to be that far and the shuttle service was efficient and convienent.
As for the actual resort (Atlantis) it is done very well with great attention to detail. The marine pools and DIg were amazing and slides fun. I just would have been happy with maybe two days here then the rest at a less developed area in the Bahamas. I was surprised to find every inch of Paradise island either covered w/ hotels, shopping malls, or condominium buildings. I felt like I could have as easily been in Florida. There were so many ostentatious McMansions going up at the end of the Island . . . not alot of charm.
We were also not impressed with the food. Granted, we didn't eat at the gourmet restaurants, but the menus at those weren't that appealing either. A lot of heavy fried foods and meats. I crave fresh grilled seafoods when on an island, not hamburgers and deep fried fish fingers!
The best meals we had were off resort at COlumbus Tavern and Poop deck. Not amazing meals but passable fresh fish NOT FRIED. Also great meal on PowerBoat adventure trip. Grouper they filleted in front of you made into a simple fish stew with dill and veggies...tasted like the Bahamas!
Everyone we met, on resort and off, was very pleasant and helpful. Of course we met everyone wth a smile and were courteous. I saw a lot of rude, guests treating the staff flippantly . . . acting entitled doesn't make you look classy, just rude!
We probably will never return here because our idea of vacation is a deserted beach and local food and culture, not a pool ringed 8 deep with lounge chairs. BUT I will say the resort architecture is beautiful to see at least once and the marine life is amazing (and staff wonderful)

Robert59

Amen; I wish it was still "Hog Island" with little cement and acres of palm, Caribbean pine, frangipani and sea grapes. There were no bridges and a small boat took everyone over and back. Robert59

eileen

Twenty years ago we spent our honeymoon on Paradise Island, we haven't been back because I think we would be sad to see what it has become. I think they tore down our honeymoon hotel to build Atlantis.

LvSun

Agree with you Tam. I really liked the Atlantis - lots of fun things to do and it is a class act - but we too prefer less developed places.

One thing we did to help - we took a couple of excursions to small outer islands. They were a lot of fun and not much crowd there.

I think the Atlantis is doing an injustice to its guests by letting non-guests pay to use the pool facilities.

Scubagirl

Eileen,
The hotel you stayed in years ago is probably now part of Atlantis. They didn't tear them down, just gave them a new coat of paint.. YUCK..
the Britannia Towers and Loews still lurk under the facade.

girlonthego

Hey Eileen, we were there in august of 88 for our honeymoon at the Paradise Island Hotel and Casino. We stayed in the Brittanina Towers and it was all owned by Merv Griffin. We went back two years ago for my 40th birthday. We stayed in the Royal Towers at the Atlantis. We had a great time. My family came and surprised me. The property was huge and it has changed quite a lot from what little I remembered. It is like Vegas on a beach. We enjoyed our time there though. Some of the restaurants are still the same. The Bahamaian Club was still there and we really liked the meal we had. Villa D Este was also still there and good as well.
Would I go back? I don't know. I think it is a great long weekend break. I don' t particularly like such a crowded place, but like I said before, we did have a good time. I agree with Tamsentm that we also encountered many rude and obnoxious people there. It seems being demanding is a trait that is just bred in some. I can say that because I am from NJ/NY area orginally where I grew up and worked for many years and I am not like that.
Eileen: You should go back. It is an eye opening experience.

rungirl2002

Thanks for the report!

I have tried to figure out and maybe you can help me...how close are the pool and the beach to Harborside? Feet? Yards? Miles?

Thanks again!

Tamsentm

Rungirl, the walk from Bldg 1 through marina village to the towers was about 1/4 mile. It's a nice walk...well lit and with lots of shops/kiosks along the way.

Then, depending on which pool you want to go to, it's just 5 or 10 minutes more through the buildings, out to the pools. We walked through the DIg every time to get my son's "shark fix"

The beach is just beyond the pools. We often took the shuttle in the morning to Royal Tower then walked home in the afternoon.

rungirl2002

Thank you for the info! I guess that is one downside to Harborside is the distance to the pool and beach. Thanks!