What? I must have gone to a different place

Posted by JudySocal from Los Angeles, California on 5/4/08

We went to Atlantis in June. Right from the start we had wonderful service at Harborside Villas. Then we went over to Atlantis to get food. I will agree I had a hard time believing that it was more expensive then Hawaii. Well it is! We then ate breakfast in villa light lunch then dinner. I wanted to try all the resturants I felt the more upscale resturants were a disappoint. The pools, waterrides-- everything was great I couldn't get my kids out of the water. Tip to those staying at Harborside get your band and towels at the pool. I will say that it was beautiful and planned well. It wasn't really crowded when we went so this might have help the enjoyment more. I will say the saving the seat thing is really a problem at most resorts in the east. What is with that??? Everyone needs to go knowing that you might have to wait for things but what are you rushing off too. The wait is worth it. Relax enjoy and be nice first we got alot of good service that way. We just booked our next visit.

Neat place externally - service is disgraceful

Posted by gopokes85 from Dallas, TX on 6/25/07

Stayed three nights in the Royal towers at Atlantis. Service was non existant, and my expectations were minimal to start with - it is a pervasive attitude throughout the country - upon leaving the country waited 4 hours in the security line at the airport - completely understaffed infrastructure - hundreds of people missed flights due to the security line causing a domino effect for all the flights out as most people missed their scheduled flights and were bumped to later flights - we waited an additional 10 hours to get rebooked and find a flight, unfortunately the waiting area had limited very air conditioning... I will not be returning to the Bahamas. BTW, the new water park at the Atlantis is pretty cool.

The best vacation ever

Posted by CaraR from Gainesville, FL on 4/4/07

I felt compelled to write this review after reading others on this site and elsewhere that deride Atlantis. Simply put, this was the best vacation I've ever experienced. The property is nothing short of spectacular. We stayed in the Beach Tower and our room, while not at The Four Seasons level of opulence, was clean, nicely appointed, and well-kept during our stay. Every person employed by Atlantis was courteous and most went out of their way to provide exceptional service. After traveling the globe with my military husband, I can honestly say that I have never been treated better. Staff went out of their way to make my family comfortable and their kindness went continually above and beyond normal customer service. As for the food, I'm not gonna lie to you--it'll blow your mind how much you can spend on a continental breakfast for four. Bring packaged muffins and buy some fruit and water at a nearby market to save money. You can find good deals on lunch by going to walk-up eateries near the pools--you can feed 4 with burgers, fries, and drinks for $22. This is the best meal deal on the island. Enough about the food--you're considering a trip to Atlantis for the amenities and you will NOT be disappointed. The pools and slides are amazing. The new Aquaventure is incredible. I have a 7 and 4 year old and we could have spent a week there and not been bored. The whole property was beautiful. What amazed me was that there was hardly a garbage can to be found and everyone was drinking out of water bottles and plastic cups yet I did not see ONE (and I am not exaggerating, I mean not one) piece of garbage laying around on the ground. All in all, I highly recommend this resort to everyone--there is something for every age to do and no one will be bored!

Pricey and Risky

Posted by 123456asdf from Pennsylvania on 1/4/07

We were there July 05. Nice facilities, service somwhat mixed, plan on problems and delays at registration. Overpriced, so if you're on a budget, choose another destination. Food poisoning seems to be a serious concern here. We stayed on the compound, and ate only at Atlantis. All 4 of us experienced bouts of nausea, severe vomiting, and one had diarrhea for 3 days. People in the room next to us also had a bout of poisoning. While at the casino, someone sat down next to me and told me her husband was up in their room with food poisoning. My wife saw someone vomiting in the lobby bathroom. Customer service people were of no help, saying that they were unaware of any food poisoning complaints. I filled out a complaint, they failed to investigate it. Unfortunately you have no recourse. This type of thing would not have been tolerated in a US hotel. It really marred what would have been a wonderful vacation. Most healthy adults can tolerate a day or so of vomiting and diarrhea (my wife had 3-4 four days of persistent nausea). I would NOT go with infants, young children, older (60 or older) adults, or anyone with underlying health problems - food poisoning may have more serious consequences with them. However, if you feel lucky, the facilities are nice. I personally will never return. Why they seem so blase about the food poisoning puzzles me - perhaps the 2005 hurricane season had a serious impact on their earnings, and they trying to cut corners.

Atlantis is far from Paradise

Posted by FoghornPeach from San Antonio on 11/26/06

We have taken many family vacations over the years and have never felt compelled to write a negative review until now. Our problems included: Check-in took over 3 hours  despite being promised a room in 15 minutes&then 30 more minutes (I am a supervisor, I guarantee your room will be ready in 30 minutes&) When we called the Prompt Response line we listened to a recording for over 10 minutes. The people positioned in the two key locations in the lobby to help the guests find their way around (at least thats what the front desk personnel told us) are actually TIMESHARE SALESPEOPLE. Guest Services is hidden away in a location that we never found. The manager promised $50 credit for our inconvenience, but did not give the credit. Other events include: - Seeing an employee run pedestrians off a walking path while driving his cart forward then backward to chase an attractive guest who refused to talk to him. - Walking 20 minutes to get to the fitness center to find other guests waiting at the golf cart used to shuttle people to the basketball court (they had already informed the fitness center employees of their need for transportation)&10 more minutes we went inside to remind the employees that there were now 7 of us in need of transportation& In 10 more minutes we see the cart driver (who had been inside the shop the entire time) emerge with a family of 4 to tell the 7 of us to get off the golf cart so he could take the family to play tennis& He then took that family on the cart and left 3 seats empty WHILE TAKING THEM TO THE BASKETBALL COURT AREA. - The beach and pools are closed at 5 PM so that (as an employee informed us) people will spend more money in the casino. - As the temperatures were somewhat marginal for swimming (approx 70 F) the only hot tub on the property was not working. - Finding ants crawling in the bathroom and in toiletry bags on the last day

SERVICE GREATLY IMPROVED

Posted by Lesley from USA on 10/25/06

Having read a lot of negative reviews of the Atlantis on this site I was concerned about our trip. However, we had a truly great time. Yes, it is expensive but we found it to be worth the splurge! The service was greatly improved from our last visit there a few years ago, and the new restaurants have really upgraded the dining experience, more what you would expect from a pricey hotel. We didn't encounter anyone who was unfriendly and the new service with a smile campaign seems to be working.

Fantastic

Posted by Diane from Somerville, MA on 10/23/06

We stayed at the Atlantis Hotel during the week of October 16, 2006. Everything was fantastic; service was great; the wait staff are very accommodating (and they are working on their smile and eye contact which was a vast improvement from 4 years ago)(so the eye contact campaign and the smile campaign are working - good job, Atlantis staff!)and the restaurants have improved tremendously. Restaurants to have dinner: NoBu; Dunes (at the One and Only Ocean Club); Cafe Martinique; Yes, the Atlantis is very expensive, but save all year and splurge for that one week out of 52. The pools are clean and the water slides are fun; and for entertainment at night - you have the casino. It is so expensive that you won't be doing a trip like this every year, but for that one time that you want to splurge, I would say go to the Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas with friends and have a fun time.

LOU PINELLA, BLOOD and SEAN CONNERY

Posted by Solo from New Tampa, Florida on 6/22/06

My BLOG **DAY 1** We catch our flight in Tampa, Florida -- sitting across from us is Lou Pinella heading over to Atlantis as well. Lou is engaging & strikes up a conversation with us on the way down. We fly into an airport & the runway is reminiscent of a dirt country road -- weeds everywhere. As we enter the terminal Mr. 007 himself is walking past. Lous wife screams at the site of him. I thought she was going to throw him to the ground. We enter the main terminal and the steel drum player is asleep at his station. I expected someone to say "Welcome to the Bahamas". No such luck. The airport is filthy on the inside as well as the out. Outside I feel like I'm in the middle of a market place of some 3rd world cntry. My wife gives me this look like  this better be good. **DAY 2**We wake up to breakfast at the tune of $130. We hit the beach & walk the hotel over & over again. Meal bill $475. **DAY 3**Unwrapd the sheets from the rollAway & discvrd a HUGE dried blood pattern. We tried to make out who it looked like but realized the seriousness of sleeping in someone's dried bodily fluids. Front desk apologized profusely & told me it would be taken care of by the manager of housekeeping. I distinctly told them to speak directly to me but they call the room & speak to my teenager daughter. Naturally, nothing is done. Food bill "a not so bad $425.00". **DAY 4**More dried blood discovered on the sheets. We did discover a cigar store. Hector earned his 15% tip that night rolling me a personal cubano-at least hes working. Food bill around $450.00 **DAY 5**Comp'd at the MrktPlace for the bloodstains. Walked the hotel some more. The only entertainment I really enjoyed was the free gambling course offered by the hotel. I had about 200K in dummy chips. **DAY 6 &7**Walked the hotel. Discovered Carmines. Back on the Mystic tour van to the airport. The van look as if it doubled as a goat transport. Back to Tampa we fly. Home at last.

Great for the Kids, Fantastic water features, crap rooms

Posted by Keith from Scotland on 6/22/06

I have read the comments rating this a '1' and that a '1' and this does the hotel a disservice. It is uniquely designed and although it may lack that authentic Bahamian atmosphere that if I may say is kinda the point!! It's meant to be a reincarnation of the lost city and not an upgarded chattel house and some of the commentators seem to have missed the point in their rush to 'entertain' the reader. Atlantis has a great setting, the aquariums have to be seen to be believed. Quite awsome. The facilities are second-to-none but the food is expensive if you choose to eat in the 'proper' restaurants rather than the pool bars. The rooms were clean but uninspiring and the views over the rooftops were terrible. In summary, I wouldn't rush back BUT...my kids would go again tomorrow and the next day and the next day....Ignore the dissenters. These sites that invite comment seem to attract the perennial whinger. I would love to see some of their houses!! This place is NOT an intimate, authentic Caribbean hideaway but the kids will LOVE it and that usually keeps the adults happy too.

Fun if you are a masochist!

Posted by Sarah from Texas on 5/5/06

I travel on business to the lovliest hotels around the world 75% of the year, and I have NEVER seen so many unhappy, arrogant, rude service industry employees in my life - all in one place! We never left the property for 5 days (primarily due to 2 cases of food poisoning - many others in our party suffered the same). During the 5 days, we encountered dozens of hotel employees and honestly... not ONE person was helpful, pleasant or half-way nice. They were mean, abrupt and rude - from the pool to the restaurants to casinos, to housekeeping to room service! The prices were really hilarious - 1 burger, onion rings and a milk shake cost $25! The hotel (rooms Royal Towers) were shabby and over-priced. The bathroom ceiling had holes in it. The maid service never adequately cleaned the rooms (left dirty glasses on the floor daily). I can only imagine the few people who enjoyed Atlantis have never traveled anywhere or been anywhere really nice.

This is hell, not paradise!

Posted by Marley from San Diego, California on 4/16/06

I just returned from Spring break at Atlantis and this was one of the worst vacations I've ever had with my family. It was a combination of Grand Central Station, Las Vegas and Disneyland on New Years Eve. Crowds & lines everywhere plus rude guests who smoke cigars & talk on cell phones anywhere they want. At the pools and beach, the chairs were not adequate which left the guests angry and hostile. We waited in lines for towels only to find out they were out! At the spa, it was the same... out of towels with only 2 showers for everyone that was in the spa. The beach "guys" were nice but there was nothing they could do about the rude guests who "saved" chairs for themselves all day long. This place is NOT worth any money. Even if they offered anohter free week to my family, I wouldn't go. If you must see the place, visit for an afternoon & stay somewhere else.

Money can't buy a heart and soul

Posted by Phil from NYC on 4/3/06

This is the proverbial "let's spend a billion dollars and that equals a nice resort" mentality. I can't say anything here that hasn't been said already---I'm surprised there aren't pay toilets. EVERYTHING will cost you. Our first day, my wife and I split a sandwich, one coke and a bag of chips---$18. EVERYTHING takes a hell of long time, whether it's change of a twenty at the front desk, getting someone on the phone to answer a question, waiting for a towel at the pool, to eating at the restaurants. Also, it's crowded with assholes with cellphones glued to their ears who will literally knock you over on their way to the beach if you don't get out of the way. We shall not return, and we hope this place goes under so no one will get the bright idea of duplicating it somewhere else. My advice for a nice Nassau vacation? ANYWHERE but Atlantis!!!!!!!

Don't believe the hype!!!!

Posted by Jesse from Boston on 1/9/06

Just got back from 4 days/3 nights at Atlantis. The place has a great aquarium with exotic fish. The casino was pretty good, as well. We were unlucky with average weather, but regardless of the weather, the place was too busy. There are lots of kids running around and if you want a quiet carribean vacation...think again. I also echo the sentiments of others in saying this place is very overpriced!!!! The food isn't very good and certainly not worth the price. Try going into town for food and accomadations. If I didn't win back half of the price in the casino, I would be extremely bitter. Definitely would not come back. If you want a quiet vacation in the bahamas, try Exuma. The four seasons will likely cost the same.

Best Vacation Ever!!!

Posted by Mary from Ohio on 9/27/05

My husband and I went to Atlantis on our honeymoon- had the best time ever! I find it hard to believe that there are so many low ratings on this site...nothing but the best service when were were there in May! We cant wait to go back! They were actually buidling on to the resort when we were there. The casino was a lot of fun ( we were up $600 when we left), shopping was fun too! The place is beautiful, service was wonderful, and the food was good- Fathoms was the best. Marketplace was good too. I would like to mention that there were some things that I feel that could have been better, such as the airport, that was probably the worst part of the whole trip- very unorganized and just poorly staffed, but that holds true for any resort- its all about a matter of opinion and individual expectations. It is indeed an extremely pricey resort- and that is obvious at the time of booking-however I did think that a few things were outragiously priced- such as food and drinks- but then you have to remember that they have to have most of that stuff imported in so the price is going to be higher. I would recommend the Comfort Inn Suites. If you are unsure about spending that lavash amount of money on a resort, check it out on a cruise first- that way you can see a few different places on one trip, then decide on future vactaions if it would be worth it to you. We didn't have to lift a finger while we were there- they even got our lounge chairs set up for us and would move them for us if we wanted! If your looking for a fun afternoon- take the Booze & Cruise- the cost is $55 per person- its a nice time. We felt that the resort was clean considering how many people were actually are there at one time. I feel bad after reading postings on this site that a few people have had bad experiences- especially at a place like at atlantis. It was everything we expected and a fantastic trip! If your planning on a vacation to the Bahamas- go to Atlantis- it is really worth the trip!

Impressive, but not the real Caribbean

Posted by Marie from New York on 8/28/05

If you are looking for a real Caribbean vacation go elsewhere. This is as one other reviewer put it "like being in Las Vegas". It was very crowded at the beach, in the pool, in the restaurants, practically everywhere. There were even ladies fighting over lounge chairs on the beach. Unbelievable! The staff was very nice, but the service at the restaurants for dinner was extremely slow and the wait for a table was excruciating. This is not the place to be for a quiet, relaxing vacation. It was more like a stress making factory especially at the end of the day when one just wants to have dinner at a decent time. Maybe at other times of year the crowds would be much less and staying here would be more pleasurable. The abundance of jellyfish in the beach was also unexpected. The surroundings are absolutely beautiful and are worth seeing once in your lifetime. The lazy river was a lot of fun as well as trying to see as many different kinds of fish in the aquarium as possible. After a few days, however, it gets to be quite boring. The trips to Harbour Island or to do snorkeling definitely help to keep you sane while staying at this place. The pool at Royal Towers was unimpressive, dirty, and crowded. I thought that the nicer pools were at the Beach and Coral Towers. The water at the beach was awesome. Do yourself a favor and stay elsewhere and just come for a day visit to see the fish in the aquarium.