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Trip Report of Nassau/Paradise Island

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Trip Report of Nassau/Paradise Island

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Old Jun 1st, 2007, 01:53 PM
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Trip Report of Nassau/Paradise Island

First off...
All i can think about now that I am home is why..why..did I go there?
Oh yes, I went there because I was bringing a friend of our sons and wanted somewhere in the Carib with alot to do...those were my reasons..
We have traveled to Jamaica staying at Halfmoon, Crystal Cove in Barbados, La Sammanna in St. Martin. Each place had it's pros and cons.One thing I found in each place was a pride of their island and people. I personally found none of that that In Nassau/Paradise Island.I have never felt so raped for the all mighty dollar in my life and blatant about it too.
Atlantis was IMO just gross.It is owned by a South African tyrant that cares nothing about the bahamian people and is trying to destroy Bahamas with his mega resort and looks as if he will with his mega 'Tony Soprano wanna be tacky resort' with beyond outrageous prices for sub par accomidations and food and drink.
The best night we had out was to Graycliff. It is a charming and lovely with wonderful history in the hotel/ resturant that should not be missed on a trip to Nassau.
Other than that...don't waste a dime on this island. I went home feeling dirty and used.
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Old Jun 1st, 2007, 02:07 PM
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sorry you had such a bad time lauri. i see you are a first time poster. perhaps you will come here for advice before your next trip.
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Old Jun 1st, 2007, 06:14 PM
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wow! you may have finally killed any interest I ever had of going to Atlantis, I have been to Bahamas many years ago and have thought about taking the kids to Atlantis but I have heard very mixed reviews about it and was having trouble convincing my wife as she prefers a laid back type vacation and really wants to go to Anguilla or Provo T&C to relax and enjoy the incredible beaches.
Can you comment on the food & the beach quality at Atlantis as these are main priorities for us.
I think you should try Aruba next time, it really is one happy island.
sorry to see you had such a bad experience.
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Old Jun 1st, 2007, 08:07 PM
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The beaches were rough at Atlantis. A woman was caught in a rip tide and had to be rescued while we were laying on the beach.
We ate at Nobu. It wasn't outstanding, just alot of 'show'. Graycliff will go down as one of the best I have eaten in the Carib.Along with The Cliff in Barbados.
We did do the powerboat ride to the Exumas. Which was amazing for the kids and ourselves. Flawless cays where you can feed igunas 'grapes' on a stick and have wild boars swim out to your boat looking for 'cocktails'( the boars are drunks)
Graycliff and the Exumas were the highlights.
My husband and I had dinner at 'Dune' at The One and Only Ocean Club.The food was not good, nor was the surly service and again the Tony Soprano type Euro trash. I wasn't thrilled with that either....But then again that is owned by the same South African Tyrant that owns Atlantis. It isn't about quality..it is about the buck.
The Bahamain's are not happy right now, in speaking with some locals- the goverment has gone through a big change and the people in the counrty are feeling pretty low about their future and you feel it.
If you want good food and beaches. Try St. Martin or Barbados.
If you want a great family holiday with everything you could possibly want. Look into HalfMoon in Jamaica.Check out what people have to say about Halfmoon on www.tripadvisor.com That is a sure bet on having a good family vacation.

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Old Jun 1st, 2007, 08:50 PM
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<i>Tony Soprano type Euro trash</i>
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Old Jun 2nd, 2007, 06:56 AM
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Why couldn't Paradise Island be like it was in the 70's, when it was called by its real name: &quot;Hog Island&quot;? No cement or bridges to it; just groves of sea grapes, coconut palms, coppice forests, and remote beaches. Robert59
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Old Jun 2nd, 2007, 09:19 AM
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Atlantis et al has ruined Paradise Island. Every where you turn you are surrounded by Sol Kernzer's properties and terrible service. Cable Beach has been pretty much given up to spring breakers, budget seekers and time shares. There are still some nice pockets in Nassau and great restaurants. Compass Point has a totally different feel.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2007, 04:43 PM
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Well, Sol Kerzner with his mega developments proves that big isn't better. He's spread too thin and can't properly manage his empire. Of course, he's distracted by the many investigations for corruption filed against him as well. Some say he's a nice person; others say he's ruthless with a bad temper. Regardless, the Atlantis manscape on PI is not my idea of progress, and &quot;Hog Island&quot; was much better with the natural landscape. I would never return to Atlantis. Robert59
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Old Jun 7th, 2007, 03:07 PM
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Wow ~ I think I am with patsfan1! You've killed my interest.

We saw (but didn't go to) Atlantis while we were in Nassau on our cruise last spring. It definitely intrigued us. Then we saw a show on the Travel Channel just now that listed Atlantis as the #3 Caribbean resort to go to and it looked awesome for kids. I was all set to start checking flights, costs, etc! Not so excited about it now.
Thanks for the info. Sorry it wasn't a better experience for you. Vacations should always be wonderful!
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Old Jun 7th, 2007, 03:11 PM
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People seem to either love or hate Atlantis. It's huge and we had great fun every time we've been there. It's no more expensive than any other mega resort.
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Old Jun 7th, 2007, 03:39 PM
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Sorry that you had such an unfortunate experience at Atlantis.

I do however, take issue with some of your sweeping generalizations that could be offensive to many here. Not all Italian Americans are like Tony Soprano and certainly South African people are not all tyrants. &quot;Rape&quot; is another word that should not be used to describe a vacation experience.

You've used some very strong and offensive language.

Just something to think about before you hit the send button the next time.

Marion



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Old Jun 7th, 2007, 04:10 PM
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Strange but true, but these words describe perfectly the experience at Atlantis and it's management.

You feel raped, pillages and deceived. What other words would you use.

If you have any inside knowledge of this place you would applaud the poster for his comments.

You're right.. not all italians are &quot;tony sopranos&quot; .. just those that strut around the &quot;kingdom&quot;.
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Old Jun 8th, 2007, 06:38 AM
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It's good to see you posting again Marion! I have been to Paradise island too- but to the One and Only Ocean Club. There is no better experience than the one you will find at the O&amp;O. I will agree that Atlantis is definately not for everyone.
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Old Jun 9th, 2007, 01:03 PM
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bankbabe and others; is the Ocean Club where a few scenes from the new James Bond &quot;Casino Royale&quot; was filmed? I just bought a DVD and it looks like the OC. Please advise and thank you. Robert59
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Old Jun 9th, 2007, 01:35 PM
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lauricoto, I'm sorry youhad such a lousy experience in Nassau. Perhaps you could write again here and tell us what you did enjoy about Jamaica, Barbados, and St. Martin? I'm sure many of us would be interested in reading more of your travel experiences, especially if you enjoyed the others.
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Old Jun 9th, 2007, 03:28 PM
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Robert,
Yes, I read awhile ago that scenes from Casino Royale were from the Ocean Club.
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Old Jun 9th, 2007, 10:00 PM
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Thanks lovethecape; I thought it looked familiar. Although I've never stayed at OC, I've walked up the driveway and met actor Robert Wagner years ago, by accident. I did snorkel off the beach and the backyard setting looked familiar. Robert59
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Old Jun 26th, 2007, 07:27 PM
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WOW..
I just read Marion's post....WOW..
I am stunned!
I like using Fodors before I travel somewhere. I can get an idea if it would be a place I would enjoy or not from others experiences.That was my experience.I know many have had wonderful experiences...I and my pocket book WISH I had been them!
However,
I never said ALL South Africians are tyrants. I never would.Nor, did I say anything about Italians?...As far as using the word 'rape' it was to describe being used and hit hard for money at outrageous prices.
I was using words to give IMO.That is all.
If you took offense to anything I said.I am very sorry.It was not my intent to insult anyone... by any means.
With that said...maybe leaving the house or possibly traveling isn't a good idea
Happy travels!I am hitting the button now
Lauri

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Old Jul 7th, 2007, 07:49 AM
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Do you not research your trip before you go away? We all know that Atlantis is expensive. Read varied reviews on tripadvisor and decide if this is the place for you.
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Old Jul 7th, 2007, 08:15 PM
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Atlantis is no more expensive than any other large luxury resort. That being said, not all of it is that luxurious. It depends on where you are staying. We went, we enjoyed, we had some good meals, we had some so-so meals. We had a good time. I am not sure if we would go back or not. There are too many other places we want to go to. My kids had a great time and so did their cousins. (There was a group of us that met there. That is how I know some rooms were nicer than others.)
The Atlantic is rough to swim in. The red flag was up all the days of our trip. The city of Nassau was not very desirable looking. I remember it being nicer 20 years ago on my honeymoon. PI has changed quite a bit.
I agree with schmerl. There seems to be a love it or hate it motto for Atlantis.
I enjoyed my vacation there. I didn't love it or hate it.
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