Atlantis? Fun or cheesy?
 

My husband and I are in our early 30's - planning to go to the boutique Landing Hotel on Harbour Island for a few days, but wanted to do something fun/more resorty first. Is Atlantis fun or a total headache?

It's cheezy fun. Take 2 slices of bread add some Vegas, slap on some Disneyworld and spread caribbean lite on it and squish it together.

It's fun for a long weekend, we enjoy it every now and then, but 3-4 days is definately enough. It's not a headache, it's not that bad....I think it has gotten better recently. My second visit was much much better than my first, they were about 1 1/2 years apart. You will have lots of fun - Enjoy!

Think Vegasy with a carribean accent. It's HUGE, lots of beautiful beach, several big pools, some good restaurants, the dig, lazy river, and then head on over to Harbour Island, which will feel a world away!!.

The Landing is right at the end of the dock, so when you arrive just grab your gear and walk to the hotel, it is just to your right on Bay St, right behind the "Welcome to Harbour Island" sign.

The food at The Landing is very good, and the whole island goes there and to the Harbour Lounge just a couple of doors away at sunset for a drink and to enjoy the beauty.

If you have any other questions about the island, please let me know.

I would have to agree. Four days absolute max. We went to the Bahamas and stayed at the Marriott in December 2000...so its been a while. If I went back, I would stay would be at the Atlantis. We went there to play for a day and it was fun. Very Vegas like, but fun all the same. Water slides. Tube slides. Shark Tanks. Aquarium. Decent Beach. Great Pools. Go and Enjoy.

Thanks for the feedback! Any suggestion on which building in Atlantis we should try to reserve a room? And how is the hotel beach?

The Royal Tower is the newest and most expensive. The Coral Tower is in the middle both geographically and price wise. The Beach Tower is the least expensive and the furthest from the casino. The hotel beach is very nice. The resort is VERY big, so there's a long beach. They have chairs with canopies you can use for shade or just slide them back for sun. We love the aquariums, slides, and the Dig.

Cheesy? Fun? Perhaps both along with a little disapointing. What's that term called where new generations don't realize how things used to be, and their perceptions of things in the "here and now" don't take into account the transformations made from the past? I used to enjoy Paradise Island in the late 60's, when it was called "Hog Island." We stayed at a hotel in downtown Nassau, and since neither of the two bridges were built, took a small ferry over. Of course, we were college students, and jumped off the ferry and swam to Hog Island before the ferry docked, to the frustration of the ferry boat driver. There was no cement on Hog Island, only two hotels. The rest was groves of coconut palms, sea grapes, palmetto and endless, uncluttered beach. The native Bahamians mingled with us, and we dove for spiny lobsters and had plenty of beach parties, eating boiled lobster and chugging beer. Plenty of sand and coral roads, quite bumpy, few cars, no commercialism or urban sprawl, few restaurants except in the two small hotels, and a closer connection between locals and outsiders (tourists). Now, a social transition is underway, and the Bahamian culture is changing in the face of modern tourism. I wish "Hog Island" would return, but that's just my opinion. Excuse me whilst I duck. Robert

Robert,
I know what you mean, but as they say, "You can't go home again." We just have to accept that times are changing!

If you had kids I know they would love Atlantis,wether or not you will I couldn't say. If you go & the budget allows stay in Royal towers,the other lodging does not compare favorably.

There's only 2 negatives that I remember from our visit there. One was it was incredibly expensive to eat there, but you'll have that at a lot of places. The other was the constant harassment from peddlers on the beach. Otherwise, it's gorgeous and there's a ton to do and see.

Oh Robert.

That sounds like absolute heaven.

We've only been traveling in the Caribbean for about 13 years, but every time we go back to an island we've not been to for several years, we are dismayed by the degree and types of changes there have been.

The Bahamas are particularly susceptible to American "excess" due to their proximity to the States, but I'm sure you know about all of the little out-island gems still relatively unscathed by the "more is better" philosophy. We'll just keep our off-the-beaten-path travel preferences, thank you.

It's all up to an individual's tastes and what they want out of their vacation. Obviously, many people love resorts like Sandals and Atlantis, and they have their own (sizeable) niche in the travel market - just as cruises do. (Of course, I'd never take a cruise either.)

No cheese for me please!

Most people who go to places like Atlantis do it for the kids,not because they think it's a romantic getaway for 2.I would never have gone if it weren't for my children,however seeing how happy it made them gave me joy.

I am so confused. I want to go to the atlantis because I thought it would be fun for the kids. Again, there is so much bashing going on I would like ANYONE to clear things up.
Firstly, everyone keeps saying that the food is EXPENSIVE for breakfast and dinner. Can ANYONE tell me what that means $25/entree for dinner and $10/kid for breakfast. Just give me a hint on what it costs. Also, I wanted to go there for a week but will I absolutely get bored? My kids are 8,10, and 13. Please someone help me. If I stay in the coral towers i can save alot of money. MUST i stay at the royal towers. what is SO different. I personally like a more centrally located spot.
nina

The towers difference is like the diff. between a Hilton and an old Holiday inn.As for the food it's always expensive in the islands.You can eat in some of the restaurants for the money you suggested.

Hi linzb -
I'll be heading to Atlantis for a week on October 23rd. This is a trip that my husband's company has organized for a number of their business development employees (and spouses) who have achieved their stretch targets. I have read a ton of reviews out on tripadvisor and epinions. This is not where I would choose to spend a vacation but since it's on the company dime I'm going to go with an open mind.

I'll post a trip report when we get back. We are two professionals in our early to mid-30's who enjoy good food and wine - we work hard and enjoy our breaks from the daily grind. Atlantis is the opposite of what we look for and I personally think it looks terribly cheesy but I'll save judgement until we go.

It's Uber-cheesy/Myrtle Beach on steroids. And you'll pay for every little thing at every turn. Even 'being a kid again' has a pricetag limit...

I will be in Atlantis a week from today. I am looking forward to the getaway. I went there last 16 years ago on my honeymoon. It was Merv Griffin's place back then. I know it will be cheesy. But a little cheesy can be great fun too. The food is supposed to be very good. I am staying in the Royal Towers. I have also gotten the Gourmet meal plan. I prepaid so I don't have to think about too much when I get there..I will let you know when I get back how it is...

girlonthego: I was there when it was Merv Griffin's place too.....that was 12 years ago now. My first Caribbean experience.

On another note: We went to the 5 star restaurant in Nassau, Greycliffs I believe. It was very pricey.....but so worth it. It was absolutely wonderful. Chateaubriand for two, a wine list that is just amazing to look at (trust me - some of the wines you would need to take a loan out for). It's just a nice, special occasion, expensive treat.

It was so long ago now....I hope it's still there.

Atlantis is an awsome resort, beautiful grounds and the inside of the resort is breath taking. The kids would have a super time , our kids are grown and we loved this resort. Have fun where ever
you choose.

I am one of the people who enjoy the Atlantis. It is not a calm little island resort. It is HUGE. The grounds are beautiful. The beach is great. The aquariums and The Dig are WONDERFUL. Their casino is the largest in the Caribbean. Yes, the food is expensive. I've never been to an island resort where is is not expensive! If you are looking for a quiet little get away, then the Atlantis is not for you. IF you are looking for fun and beautiful surroundings, then GO!

The last word I'd use to describe Atlantis is "cheesy." IMHO, it is absolutley gorgeous. Now, it's not that undeveloped island natural beauty, but it is an incredible, man-made, themed resort.

The Coral Towers are most central, and the Beach Towers furthest away. The Royal Towers have slightly larger rooms, and the grandest lobby architecture.

Your kids will have a blast, and adults can find the slides fun too! However, do you think your kids would get bored being at a "water park" for 5 days? My son, who was around 11, got a little restless after 3. He loves "touring" and cannot sit in the sun or play in a pool all day. My 13 year-old daughter could have stayed another week! The Dig aquarium is really cool, and my son loved exploring the various aquarium displays through-out the property.

The breakfast was very expensive. About $12 for continental, and $20 for buffet. Lunch poolside was about $10-$15 per person. Murray's Deli was always a better deal for any meal! The dinners ran about what you'd expect for a resort: $20-$35 per adult entree.

If you can afford it, I think it's a fantastic family trip.

Hi, i stayed at the atlantis twice on my husband's company's dime. The first year, we stayed in the royal towers in a room overlooking the beach/pools. All meals in the cheap or moderate restaurants were paid for, though 2 of the more inexpensive restaurants ( one chinese and an italian) were pretty terrible. Overall, had a nice experience, though definitely more disney than private caribbean villa. The second year, i guess the company wasn't doing as well, so we were put up in the coral towers, in a room overlooking a construction site out front (not overlooking beach), and meals for spouses were not included. Since we had to pay for my meals, i noticed the quality of the food and it was not worth paying money for. The deli was a reasonable option, as were the poolside snack bars. There was a very nice restaurant at the sister resort up the beach - on the other side of the sheraton. It was called the Ocean Club (not Beach Club, which is even worse than the coral towers) and was much more upscale and serene than the main property at atlantis. The Ocean club had a country club feel (expensive!), had its own pool and beach, however guests could either walk to the atlantis beach and pools (LONG) or take a shuttlebus. I would definitely go to the Ocean Club for a 5 night stay, and would probably get one of the meal plans (though note that the cheaper meal plans do not cover meals at the better restaurants) so i did not have to worry about the cost of meals once i got there - takes the fun out of it. karen

Just like schmerl, we loved Atlantis and would go back, without our teenage son. Yes, the food is expensive, but we brought water and snacks and found places that were more reasonable than others (like the deli or walking into town and eating). Atlantis is not cheesey (and I've been to Vegas 7 times, Atlantic City once, and Niaraga Falls 3 times) - more like the better parts of Vegas. There are lots to do - but I wouldn't stay for a week unless swimming/beaches are your thing. We are such an active family when we travel (love history), that 4 days is plenty. We took a snorkel trip (booked through Atlantis's sports desk) that was fabulous. So, go and enjoy yourselves!

Tina, do you remember the name of the company that you booked with for the fabulous snorkel trip that you wrote about? Also, does anyone know how far in advance you can book the restaurants? We aill be going in April?

I dont think Atlantis is cheesy at all. In fact that was the best resort I've EVER been to, and believe me, I've been to A LOT. I thought the whole thing was just incredible, and a thousand times better than..pfft..Las Vegas Hotels.

Like Robert, we were in the Bahamas for our honeymoon in the 70s. At the time Atlantis was the Britannia Beach and very exclusive. It had one of the few 5 star restaurants in the world on site. One of the James Bond movies was filmed on location in the restaurant area and the lagoon.
Disneyfication has changed many people's ideas of travel, what to expect and what to see.

Yes, travel and expectations have changed drastically over the past 30 years. Just for kicks I did a google search to see how many times the words Atlantis and tacky or cheesy came up together (with Bahamas included to weed out some of the unrelated material). Quite a few people have chosen those descriptors when detailing their opinions about Atlantis.

There's no right or wrong. Some people detest Domino's pizza, some love it.
Some people buy Pontiac Azteks.
Look up opinions about Olive Garden. Or WalMart. Some topics really divide people. Atlantis seems to be one of them.
(But while Atlantis does not fit the dictionary definition of cheesy (meaning cheap or shoddy) I don't think many people would call it classy or elegant either).