Hi,

I have never traveled to the carribean and I have a few questions concerning my trip.
I am staying at the Atlantis and I heard that it is expensive. Granted, I know I will be paying for food; however, are any of the attractions extra? In particular, is the snorkeling on-site and free except for renting equipment? Also, are the shuttles to town an additional charge? Thanks!

There is a lagoon area that rents out floats and stuff. I did not snorkel there, but I am sure you can rent the equipment.The pools and slides are free.
Everything is expensive. The food is very expensive. You will find that everywhere in the Caribbean is expensive though. We did the meal plan and of course over ate as a result. But, prepaying it made it easier to just order whatever we wanted! Have fun there. It is a fun place.

Awsome place you will have a super time...

We just visited for a few hours because we were on a crusieline, but the place is spectacular. The aquarium is breath taking, which is right within the hotel. Never saw anything like it before! The artwork around the hotel was fabulous. There is a scupture of a sunset in the casino that is beautiful and worth taking lots of picture of. The grounds at the Atlantis were awesome with water slides, private beaches and gardens. Your in for a real treat! I heard that there is a suite there that goes for $2,500 a night with a minimum of a 10 night stay. The guide that we were with also said that Opra and Michael Jackson frequent the place. Enjoy! Your gonna love it!

There are many places in downtown Nassau, across the PI bridge, which are less expensive and offer traditional Bahamian meals. Try snorkeling off the beach area, too. Robert

I heard, the suite you are referring to that connects the Royal towers rents for 25,000 dollars a night and rents with a four night minimum. What a waste. I don't care how much money you have, it is not worth it!!!!!
Just moving the gossip along.....

If Mr. Jackson is a frequent guest I suggest you leave your small sons at home.

Curt; I think Michael Jackson stayed at the Royal Towers. I was walking around Atlantis a month ago and noticed a half dozen Big Wheels parked outside the Royal Towers. Robert

Michael Jackson has only been to Atlantis once,he performed at the grand opening of the resort 7yrs ago.
Oprah only stays at The Ocean Club and doesn't tend to roam around.
Michael Jordan is a somewhat frequent visitor as are many sports and movie people.

If you are staying at Atlantis, you will not have to pay extra for The Dig aquarium, water slides, beach chairs. You will pay extra to use the gym, putting green, snorkel equipment, transportation.

I suggest you buy inexpensive snorkel equipment and bring your own. It's cleaner, and you won't have to pay if you choose to go again.

If you are not renting a room at Atlantis, Ocean Club, or Comfort Suites, you cannot use the pool, slides, beach chairs. You can buy a ticket to tour The Dig Aquarium. You can stroll the lobbies, Casino, shops, restaurants freely.

When we checked in, the valet gave us a mini-tour as he brought our bags to the room. Once he described all the amenities, my son exclaimed, "Wow! Is that all free?" His reply: "There is nothing 'free' at Atlantis."

Hope this helps.

If you are staying at Atlantis the Dig, slides, chairs, etc are free. Food is expensive, they do have a family special for lunch it's like 20$ for 4 burgers, fries and drinks out by the pool-not a bad deal for Atlantis. There are some less expensive restaraunts in the area, try Anthony's Caribbean grill or the restaraunt over at Harborside-it's a ton cheaper then the restaraunts at Atlantis and they have HAPPY HOUR! I got the surf and turf for around 38$ cheap by Atlantis standards. Have fun!!!! Atantis is AWESOME you will LOVE it!!

I was at Atlantis last month. What a letdown. It was EXTREMELY crowded and dirty. The beach was filthy and so crowded I couldn't believe it. Food was terrible and VERY expensive. I travel A LOT. It's one place I will never go back to.

I'm leaving for Atlantis this coming Friday (May 27th) and we are staying in the Royal Tower(s) for 4 nights.

I have long been intrigued by the "responses" and "reviews" of this place both here and on sites such as TripAdvisor.

People seem to love it or hate it; everyone seems to agree it is "expensive" (however one defines that term) although I suspect many who go there and complain weren't smart enough to do some research about this aspect of the place before they booked.

I'm tempted to do some sort of trip report when we return but I am sure if it is positive it would be of no help to those who had a less than positive experience at the place.

I hope yours is/was wonderful.

Intrepid1: We went in Oct and had a great time. The grounds were immaculate and the food was very good. I did not have the same experience as the other poster. The Five Twins was a dissappointing meal. Since this was tooted as their best, I found the food to be edible, nothing more. The best meal was the Bahamian Club.
Everything here is expensive, but then again everywhere in the caribbean that is nice, is expensive.
I will most likely never go back. It was a nice place to visit, but it is a resort. The island of the Bahamas is not my favorite place.
The Royal towers is the nicest place to stay so you should not be disappointed in your accomodations. When you pull up in your cab, it is very over the top looking. It is gaudy, but that makes it what it is. It is a fun place. Have a good trip.

Let me jump in here as a person who has been going to Paradise Island off and on before they built Atlantis. Tyr dropping by the Poop Deck (Sunsets), Conch Fritters (pick they stlye of conch, if they still open) and the Blue Marlin (book for the show, again if still open) for dinner. The Caribbean is said to be expensive but I tend to diagree with this. If you have traveled to other locations you will find resort/tourist area are usually costly in some form because they are exactly that; resort/tourist areas.

Part of the reason that food is a bit more expensive in the Bahamas, and I find it not overly expensive, is that ALL food is imported, pretty much other than locally caught seafood. There are few farms in the Bahamas to grow veggies, so most food is imported from the US and Europe.

For some reason, there are people who just enjoy bashing the Atlantis. I sometimes wonder if they've even been there. I have trouble believing that the beach was "filthy". I have been there several times and the grounds were immaculate. We never had a problem finding chairs on the beach.

I have stayed at Atlantis and the Ocean Club. Ocean Club was by far my favorite because it is more private, quiet, and ultra luxurious. Cindy Crawford was married there. Most celebs that don't want to be seen stay there. Atlantis is more of the Vegas type hotel. The food wasn't as good as the Ocean Club, but if you have kids, it is a great place to take them. The casino is fun if you enjoy gambling. I just wasn't wild about all the crowds and "loudness" at the place. The Ocean Club is more my speed when I am 'taking a break'. Have fun on your trip. Like I said, if you enjoy the loud- vegas type hotels, you will have a good time.

Mellyz...you are right we stayed at the Ocean Club and went to Atlantis for the afternoon and it was packed, dirty and busy. It's just nasty. Can't believe anyone could ever relax there.
Even the casino has tons of children running around..even playing the slots. That's just unexceptable.

Can't believe that Oprah stays as the Ocean Club. Maybe when she visits they clean out the adult pool. When we were there at the beginning of June the pool was just flithy. I also think OC is was overrated and completely over priced. I mean for the rates they charge it should be alot more than what it is. The staff was great..I will say that much. But the room we had was nothing special and at those rates the bathrooms should be spectacular.
Luisa

Oprah doesn't stay at Ocean Club. She has a beautiful oceanfront home PAST the Ocean Club.
Yes, I did stay at Atlantis, and would never bash a hotel unless it deserved it. After spending the previous days on Harbour Island at Coral Sands, Atlantis was nothing short of a major disappointment.