atlantis resort
 

my family and i are planing a trip to atalntis in july. from what i read the food is over priced and the service is uneven,,i was looking forward to this trip. what do you all think?.....thanks...dean

I went to the Atlantis with my family about 2 years ago. It was the best vacation of our lives. The beach was great and the place was accomodating. The pools are gorgeous and so is the Aquarium. Be careful of the Natives though.<BR>Go and enjoy!

I went to Atlantis with my family in 1999 and it sucked. We would never go back there again. The food was terrible, the service was awful. The weather was beautiful and laying around by the pools was fantastic. But not being able to eat a decent meal at any of the restaurants and paying all the money that we did for non-existent service, we would not return.

I was there a few months ago - really enjoyed it- it's not perfect but has a lot of positives. I thought the food and service were quite good (except for a disappointing meal at Fathoms).

To further confuse Dean, we had our best meal at Fathoms! Here's the scoop, it's not fabulous luxury and service, but it is fun family entertainment. <BR>Yes, the meals are super expensive, but there are many less expensive places to visit listed all over this site. If you love buffets, the cheaper meal plan is probably not a bad deal. Otherwise, go a la carte. I wouldn't spend money at the big bucks places: Five Twins or Ocean Club, as they are just like the others (slightly above average) for TWICE the price ($100 per adult rather than $50 - not including alcohol).<BR>If your gang will enjoy lazing about the pool all day, going down three fun water slides repeatedly, exploring huge aquariums, munching burgers and sipping virgin pina coladas in their bathing suits... Go for it!<BR>We had a blast last week!

Hi,<BR>We went to Atlantis in Sept '00 and Jun '01. Great pools, great beach, great casino, and great ambiance.<BR>The food was "C" at best. Service was ok at the restaurants. <BR>As mentioned, you can get off the resort to eat.<BR>Other than that, I loved the place. <BR>We stayed in the Beach Tower and saved over $ 1000 vs staying in the Royal Tower. You can use any facility no matter where you stay. <BR>I'd go back, despite the food.<BR>Frank

We were just there in March and I think everyone should see Atlantis once. Sure the food is expensive and the service is slow but if you expect this you know what your in for. I took one suitcase full of snacks. There's a convenience store in the plaza across the street where we bought pop and booze. All I can say is the kids ( 11 and 7) are still talking about the resort.

Beth - i think part of the reason I was disappointed was that it was not what i expected. I found it very loud (did you notice voices echo like crazy down there) and much more casual than I expected. Also - didn't like the bread with seaweed baked on top and my entree was not good at all. I did like the conch fritters, however. I would definitely not recommend the Salmon Wellington (admittedly, an odd choice) to anyone who goes.

Food is good but very expensive. It isn't that easy to get off of the resort and eat. You will have to take a taxi a good distance. There is at least one small restaurant that is walking distance in a strip mall near the marina. Yes, it is a beautiful place and fun. It is also very expensive.

Be prepared to spend! Atlantis in not cheap. The food was mediocre but I will say that the variety of restaurants is incredible, everything from diner fare to fine french cuisine.<BR>Have fun!

Everyone always talks about how expensive the food is. We have been to Atlantis several times and find the prices comparable to any other resort. As for service, you are in the Bahamas--things move at a slower pace. There are several restaurants off the Atlantis property within walking distance. It is a beautiful place. Go and enjoy!!

I also stayed in July '01, and loved it. The place was great. Food was good everywhere on property and off, better than just mediocre everywhere we ate. It is more expensive on property, but I wasn't dissappointed in the food at all.<BR><BR>I have a tri preport detailing all the places we ate, e-mail me if you would like to read...

My wife and I stayed at Atlantis and thought the food was the worst we have ever had ANYWHERE. The only thing worse than the food was the service. Can people be more arrogant and rude?<BR>The pool and beach were nice but we were ready to leave that place and you can bet we'll never spend another dime in the Bahamas.

TKEarl:<BR>Can you elaborate on your experience at Atlantis and the Bahamas a bit more?<BR>Surely you can back up the comment about never returning.<BR>I'm considering Atlantis for my family of 4, but since it would be a costly vacation for us, we must give this decision some very serious consideration. I would hate to spend all that $ and be disappointed!<BR>Do you have any other suggestions for an active family Caribbean experience?<BR>Thank you for any further info you can provide.

arrogant and rude? I actually found the Bahamians at the Atlantis to be very friendly. Can you give us some examples?

I too found the people there very rude. Couldn't get my luggage brought up to my room for over 4 hours after arrival and when I called about it was told in a very mean way that they would get to it when they could. The service in the restaurants was pitiful. Waiter was taking our orders and just looks away to talk to a friend who is passing by. We sat and waited for them to finish their converstaion about where they would be going later and then we were able to order. People behind the main desk had an attitude that we were bothering them with our questions about local activities, etc. The quality I saw in the people was a " I could care less about you and what you want" attitude. Not the way to get people to return to your property. The grounds were very lovely but with that kind of service and attitude I won't be going back either.

We just got back yesterday and found the service to be great! No waiting for luggage to be delivered, people smiling and friendly, waiters introducing themselves and bringing water and bread over immediately, front desk staff attentive and helpful. The food took awhile to come sometimes, but not that much longer then in any crowded restarant we've eaten at. But I expected it to be slow so I wasn't surprised. We stayed at the Coral Towers, so I wonder if those complaining stayed in the Royal towers which is bigger and therefore more crowded?? <BR><BR>Food was OK - just OK. Some things were better then others - it just depends on your taste. We were on the Gourmet food plan and made reservations a month before we left and we were always seated within a few minutes of arriving at the restaurant (usually around 7:00).

Dean,<BR><BR>We were at Atlantis in February and had a great time. We had zero problems with service - every staff member was quite friendly. With four kids, we limited outselves to the buffet restaurants for efficiency. The number of choices were plentiful, particularly for the picky eaters. It wasn't fancy and wasn't cheap but it got the job done. The pools, slides, acquarium and water activities made it well worth the trip. If your family lvoes the water, you'll have a great time

Just returned this week from 6 days in the Royal Tower. We had the gourmet meal plan & made reservations about two months in advance. Everyone in the group commented on how good the service was, we didn't have a problem at any meal or with the pool service staff. We also thought the food was excellent at Five Twins and the Bahamian Club, good at Fathoms, OK at Ocean Club (way too overpriced) and not good at Villa D'Este. The breakfast buffet was plentiful and again had fast service. I'm surprised to see so many negative comments. <BR><BR>Overall we had a great time, but I agree that it is very $$ and can be shocking if you aren't ready for it. We knew ahead of time what to expect and so it wasn't a problem. The resort is really something to see.<BR><BR>

Try staying at the Comfort Suites next door. You get full Atlantis privileges, but the rates at this hotel are less pricey. They have a free continental breakfast every day, and there are fridges in the room for lunch supplies if you want to lighten up your food expense. It's just a walk across the street. We were closer to some of the Atlantis property than our friends who stayed in the Coral Towers.

Went to Atlantis in February 2002, if you want a place thats overrun with people, screaming kids and locals hawking every item on Earth to you, then Atlantis is your place. This place is awful, you might as well be in Vegas. Stay away, save yourself and your kids from this disaster of a place.

Atlantis is the worst. Service is awful, the beach is mediocre. There are so many people there you will be lucky to find a minute of peace and quiet. Its expensive, spend your money elsewhere. Screaming kids, people smoking in the pool! I felt herded like cattle. Cheesy place. Etc...

This is the worst resort I have ever been to. Crowded, the service is awful and watch out for those tacky cruise ship tours of the hotel. Take your kids someplace quiet where they can make there own fun without spending their college savings.

It's a Caribbean Walt Disney World and that's not a compliment.

Please I beg of you stay away from this place, its the pits. Expensive and so not worth it. CROWDED! If you like Walt Disney World and Vegas mixed in with a good helping of trashiness this is your spot.

Okay - are all these Friday afternoon posts from the same person? Where did all these Atlantis-haters come from?<BR>An awful lot of people must disagree with these posts, since as the say, the place is hopping. <BR>If you like very extravagant man-made attractions, don't mind a hustle-bustle family atmosphere, and have the money to spend without being stressed - go for it! It's a fun vacation with lovely pools in a tropical atmosphere. The execution of the Atlantian theme is amazing!<BR>

Exactly--seems like one person with a poor attitude. I'm planning to go this Fall and I've read literally hundreds of good reports on Atlantis. True, they say it's expensive, but I'm doing my research now, so I already know what to expect when I get there. Some people must not do any research before booking a trip.

I went and found the place just awful. Poor service, absolutely terrible food, go to hell attitude from the employees and other than a nice pool area I thought it was just the worst place we had ever been to. I will never spend another penny in the Bahamas or at the Atlantis. My wife liked it less than I did.

After reading the comments on Atlantis and after staying there 3 years ago I have come to the following conclusion. I think it is great for families that are there for a family trip. The restaurants are crowded and a pain to get a reservation -- you have to get up at the crack of dawn to secure a chair at the pool and you will be an arm's lenth next to a stranger. We had mice in our room to which the hotel was very unconcerned about. But yes, it has great slides and pools, etc. It just depends how particular you are -- about mice, hard to get into restaurants -- hard to obtain pool chairs, etc. If you can go with the flow -- along with the prices -- you'll love it.

People that think this place is the pits must salivate over stays at Motel 6's!!! This is probably one of the finest family resorts in the Carribean. We went there last July, and would go back in a heartbeat. If you don't like people, stay at home!! There will be lots there, but its a real fun place. I don't know where these people were staying, but I never saw ANYONE hawking anything on property other than the jetski and parasailing rides. That's what I liked about the beach area, no vendors hawking things. The pace is laid back there, so don't expect the locals to jump when you snap your fingers!! I had a really great time, and if anyone would like to read my trip report, please e-mail me for a copy...<BR><BR>John

My husband, toddler son and I stayed at the Atlantis Coral Towers about a month ago and had a good time although I'm not sure we'd go back any time soon. We primarily stuck to the buffet restaurants and thought the food was mediocre/poor which wouldn't have been so bad if we weren't paying astronomical prices for it. Service was pretty good in some places and awful in others. All food services automatically have a 15% gratuity added on (even takeout!) no matter what kind of service you receive. The front desk service was ok although I couldn't believe it when my husband asked for the day's weather forecast and the concierge dialed the local weather line and just handed the phone to my husband! They are also constantly hawking their new timeshare development in Harbourside and I thought that was a bit tacky and annoying after the second overture. Also on the Tuesday we were there they bussed in guests from the Disney Cruise ship which made the crowds unbearable but the next day the resort seemd practically empty. On a positive note our room was very nice and kept clean throughout our stay. And there is tons of stuff to do during the day which made the trip worth it in the end.

We went to Atlantis in 9/2000 and 10/2001. First trip without the kids; place was absolutely gorgeous but staff was surly. Very expensive, but worth it. Food was delicious. Loved Five Twins and the other upscale restaurants.<BR><BR>We laughed about the attitude change we found after 9/11. A month without American visitors seemed to make a big difference. 2nd trip was wonderful. The kids (10 & 14) have joined us for some pretty posh vacations, and this was the one they keep talking about. We especially liked taking a day boat trip to Rose Island to snorkel, boat, swim, lay in the hammocks on the beach. This small island had not much more than a few huts, drinks and recreation equipment, but the remote island experience was just the relaxation I wanted. The kids snorkeled with their Dad while I kyaked (sp?) around the island. Great trip. Spend the $ and enjoy.

My family recently went to Atlantis and thought it was terrible. The food was over priced and tasteless, the service in the restaurants was crude (to put it mildly). The pool was very nice but every thing else was a disappointment!

When spending a ton of money and at the Atlantis its possible, I want the best. To John: this place is the pits because you end up spending all this money and you have to fight through crowds to get to the beach, the restaurants and even the pool. The people who dislike Atlantis don't salivate over Motel 6's, in fact when you spend a ton of money you expect the best and Atlantis isn't it. To all, beware, spend your hard earned money elsewhere. Spare you and your kids the disapppointment.

Sue<BR>I don't agree. I would certainly recommend Atlantis to families. The Dig is incredible, as are all of the aquariums and lagoons at Atlantis. The pools are very enjoyable and the beach is fine.The families I saw while there seemed to be enjoying themselves very much. I would also recommend Atlantis to couples, depending upon what they are looking for. I do not think that anyone's children would be disappointed.<BR><BR>You say that when you are spending "a ton of money" you want the best. Well, Atlantis has the best aquarium displays I have seen, and I have seen alot. Atlantis is not a Four Seasons or a Ritz Carlton, but anyone who has done any research beforehand would already know that. You should not go to Atlantis to be pampered, but to have fun and to enjoy the Atlantean theme. I am sure that it is less fun during holiday periods, due to the crowds, but so is every other resort that attracts lots of families. And, if you don't want to fight the crowds at the restaurants, make reservations well in advance.<BR><BR>I have been to the "best" hotels and have been catered to at these resorts, but I did not go to Atlantis expecting this, which is probably why I was not disappointed. On the contrary, I was amazed at how well maintained the property was, and was very pleasantly surprised at the good service and good food. I had expected less considering what I had read while researching the resort.<BR><BR>All in all, I would love to go back to Atlantis again! And I would certainly recommend it to others! <BR>

I went there for the first time and thought the hotel was very overpriced and the beach a little messy and very crowded. However, kids will love it as it offers a lot of attractions and intersting stuff. I have been to over 20 Caribbean islands, and while this is not the Caribbean, I expected it to feel more island-like. If you like big, glitzy hotels with an American feel, this is the place for you.

I stayed at Atlantis Aug 2000 for our honeymoon, I thought it was a very nice. Yes the food was OverPriced but that is because they import everything from the USA. Oh my camcorder got stolen from my room ( yep I said from my room)

RRR:<BR><BR>Was your camcorder in a room safe? Just curious. Or is that something else I should worry about--valuables not even being protected in a locked safe.