MT

Please help. Best friend is getting married at the end of September at Atlantis. As I don't consider myself a beach person and would never go on my own, please offer any advice regarding accomidations and flight. <BR> <BR>Specifically, when should I buy my ticket and would it be better in the end to get a package deal?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance!

Melissa

You have my sympathy. I went to a wedding at Atlantis last year and I still have nightmares. In my opinion (and I'm aware that many will disagree) Atlantis is extremely overpriced and overrated. <BR>I would go to a TA and ask for advice on the least expensive way to do this trip. As a wedding guest are you required to stay at the resort? Or could you stay at another nearby hotel? That would be much more advatageous financially and you'd get a better feel for the Bahamas than you will at the very plastic, Disneyesque Atlantis

Mary

Oh, I couldn't agree more with Melissa.<BR>A wedding at Atlantis?<BR>Just like getting married at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.<BR>OK for some. Not my idea of class, or style, or fun.<BR>Especially since Atlantis is a kid's haven. Why would someone want to get married there (unless they already had kids)??<BR>Yuck. Taaaccckkkyy.

Robert

MT: you can stay at the Comfort Suites, across Casino Blvd. from Atlantis. Much less expensive, with a free continental breakfast that has coffe, roles, cereal, eggs and bacon, etc. You also have free access to all Atlantis' escapades by staying at the Comfort Suites. It's a one minute walk to the Atlantis from the CS's. It has a private pool with a swim up bar, and very friendly staff. you can order Domino's Pizza's to your room as well, and you are a short walking distance to Hurricane Plaza, by the Paradise Island Bridge, for inexpensive but good food. U.S. airlines fly into Nassau airport, so tap into Expedia.com for cheap flights. Watch out at the Nassau Airport, and stay with the porters, who will steer you to a registered cab. Haitians operate their own "cabs" and you can get ripped off badly, pricewise. I don't know if Comfort Suites has a shuttle to the airport, but I think they might. Call them...a toll free number. Robert

Tina

Doug seems a little ocnfused about 'package deals'. Package deals mean hotel, and airfare included. Meals only included if you choose all-inclusive options. You will most often get a MUCH better rate by buying a package as opposed to buying air and hotel separately.

tweedy

MT,<BR><BR>I would check with a local travel agent on any package deals that are available. September is off season so you should get good prices on both hotel and airfare.<BR><BR>Atlantis is a beautiful resort, so the wedding should be very nice. It is what the bride and groom chose, so just enjoy, the resort is huge and there is so much to see and do.<BR><BR>The earlier post about Comfort Suites is a good idea, maybe you can share a room with someone else going and keep the cost even lower. You also get a free breakfast with your room there and have full access to everything at the Atlantis.<BR><BR>Another option would be Orange Hill resort which is about a 20 minute bus ride from downtown Nassau and feels more like an outisland location, very laid back, nice pool area and there is a beach right across the street. The price there is also good.<BR><BR>If you need any other info, please let me know.<BR><BR>tweedy

KIM

Check out the Sheraton next door with priveledges at Atlantis, Though I agree wiht most that I wou;dn't want my wedding there, its fun to go to and check out, not my idea of a dream vacation, but we had a good time, the Sheraton just re-opened up next door and is very nice and reasonable.

MT

Thanks everyone for your reply. <BR>Kim, please tell me more about the Sheraton next door. I hadn't heard that it also had privelages to Atlantis. I would also appreciate info on the Orange Hill, Tweedy. Although, I think that we were able to get a group rate at the Coral Towers for $120/night.<BR><BR>When should I start looking for airfare or package deals?

tweedy

$120 a night is a good rate. I would suggest checking with Liberty Travel on package deals it might be even better.<BR><BR>If you got that good a deal on the Atlantis, I would stay there. Orange Hill is very cute, small and away from the madding crowds, and takes a bit of time to get to the Atlantis, figure an hour, by bus and half hour by cab.<BR><BR>I think there is a website for Orange Hill and will post the address if I come across it. You might also try www.where2stay.com for more info on all the hotels on Nassau and of course Liberty Travel at www.libertytravel.com<BR><BR>Have a great time.<BR><BR>tweedy

kim

for 120.00 a night, stay at the Atlantis, thats a great rate, we are going to a wedding in October at the Radisson Cable beach and its 170 a night!!! But the Sheraton was just renovated and is next door on the water, they were hit very hard by a hurricane in November and closed for several months, go to sheraton.com or starwood.com and take a look, good luck.

tom

I agree - $120 rate for the Atlantis Coral Towers is very good. I would check Orbitz, Expedia, etc. for flights. Then follow up on the airlines own websites to see if there is anything better being offered. I would check frequently as prices fluctuate frequently.