amy

We are going in Novemeber for 4 nights and 5 days and have some questions. Any help is greatly appreciated. <BR>- Has anyone done the meal plan recently? They now have 2 options, can anyone speak from experience about which is the better deal? <BR>- Anyone been there in November? We are a little concerned about the weather with hurricanes (spent 4 days in the Caymans at this time last year and almost had to build an Ark due to the heavy rains.) <BR>- Anybody take a cab from the airport - how much did it cost and was it convenient? <BR>- What is the attire for most of the resort and restaurants - is it pretty casual? <BR>I know there have been posts on this resort but I would appreciate something a little more recent. I am planning a trip with my mom and sisters and am trying to make things go as smoothly as possible or I will never hear the end of it. Many thanks in advance.

Melissa

Oh my. <BR> <BR>If you like Las Vegas or Orlando you'll love Atlantis. We didn't. As for eats, greatly overpriced for the quality, regardless of the restaurant or meal plan. <BR> <BR>If you're looking for a crowded resort with noise, kids, bright lights & mediocre rooms, you'll love it. We didn't. <BR> <BR>We stayed at Compass Point awhile back on PI & had a much nicer experience. Not much true Caribbean on Nassau anymore (sadly) but we felt we got our money's worth there as opposed to Atlantis. Lots of people love it tho, so to each his own. <BR> <BR>The water will probably be a little chilly in November, but swimmable. You'll need a light wrap at night.

Tom

I will also be going to Atlantis for four nights in October and have many of the same questions as Amy. I would greatly appreciate some constructive information from other posters who have stayed there. Since I have already decided to go there, posts like Melissa's won't help me much. Thanks.

Vince

http://www.sunint.com/atlantis/ <BR> <BR>go to their website and you can have most of your questions answered. find their list for restaurants and they give you location, type of food & dress code. we opted for the high end meal plan and it was well worth it. Vince

Jonathan

Went this spring. We had the meal plan. We were there on a company sponsored trip so I have no idea what the cost of the plan was. Food was average. Casual attire was pretty much the norm, tho you'd really want casual elegant for the nicer restaurants in the evening (slacks, collared shirts for men & sundresses or casual resort wear for the ladies) <BR> <BR>Our transfers were also provided, so I have no idea what the cab fare would be. <BR> <BR>As far as weather goes, I can tell you from experience that it's strictly the luck of the draw. I've been in the upper Caribbean (Little Cayman, Cancun, Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Turk Virgins, & Puerto Rico) in October, November & December (vacations, not cruises). We always travel in one of those months. It might rain tremendously or it might be dry as a bone. It's just a chance you take when doing the region that time of year. <BR> <BR>Melissa's advice about the water being chilly in Nov. was accurate. I have to say that her description of noise & a lot of action is accurate too. Didn't bother us so much, as we spent most of our time away from the resort, but if we had gone with expectations of just hanging around Atlantis, it sure might have. <BR> <BR>It is a beautiful place, make no bones about it. The aquariums are a sight to behold. <BR> <BR>If you're not locked into Atlantis you should consider Melissa's thoughts. If I was picking up my own bill, I'd chose somewhere else. But as Melissa said, to each his own. It might be exactly what you're looking for & suit your need for a high intensity, highly populated place to stay. <BR> <BR>Overall, I'd say we had an "ok" time. And no, we weren't in meetings or doing business. <BR> <BR>J. Moore <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Robert

There's shuttles you can take from the airport. Call Atlantis and find out if they have one, much cheaper than a taxi. Cannot predict the hurricanes, sorry, but their occurence is on the upsweep. The aquarium is fabulous, and as a diver who visits Nassau with Bahama Divers, the fish species are impressive. We stay at the Comfort Suites to avoid the elbow=to=elbow people, and it is only a one minute walk across Casino Drive to get to the Atlantis grounds. You have all the recreational options at Atlantis, even though you stay at the Comfort suites. Plus, they offer a free, continental breakfast each morning, a lovely pool with swim-up bar, comfortable rooms, etc. Personally, I don't like the Atlantis because of the social changes it created for New Providence Island. You may also want to look into the British Colonial hotel, which has soul, and is located on Bay Street in downtown Nassau, a one minute walk from the straw market. There are plenty of moderately=priced restaurants close to the old "BC" as the islanders call her. The "BC" has been completely renovated and is a showplace, with 9 acres of beautiful tropical landscaping behind her, and a nice private beach as well. Have a great time. I have so much info if you have any more questions. My family always stopped over in Nassau before departing to the outer islands to do reef surveys. Robert

Gail

I just returned from six nights at the Atlantis. This was my second stay there and I will go back again. We just love it. The place is magnificent. Last year we got the gourmet meal plan (the less expensive one didn't offer enough dinner choices). This year we chose not to get the meal plan and it turned out to be a LOT LESS expensive this way. If you ALWAYS eat an appetizer,entree,and dessert with your dinner then get the meal plan. We normally do not, but ate it all last year to get our "money's worth" on the plan. We found we were REALLY over eating . This year we ate what we wanted and paid as we went and spent a LOT LESS money on food. Some people "dress up" for dinner, others don't. Wear whatever you want. They say not to wear shorts in the nicer restaurants for dinner, but people do and they are not asked to leave. <BR>The staff could not have been nicer. Service was wonderful in every way. The scenery at the Atlantis is just incredible. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. <BR>Have a great time.

Amy

Thanks Gail, it is nice to hear that you enjoyed Atlantis. I do have a couple more questions that I figured I would post on here so others could get the benefit of your travels as well. <BR>The second time you went did you eat mostly at Atlantis? If so what restaurants did you think were worth it? What towers did you stay in? We are in the Royal Towers? Do you know if they have a separate adult pool? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Robert

Amy; If you decide not to get the Atlantis' meal plan, here's some restaurants to consider. The "Poop Deck" is fabulous, just walk over the Paradise Island Bridge, turn left when you hit Bay Street, and it's about a quarter mile down on the left hand side, above Bahama Divers dive op. Great view of the waters and PI from the Nassau side. Also, when you walk to the PI bridge from Atlantis, bear to the left just before the bridge. There's a neat little shopping center called Hurricane Hole. In it is a neat deli that serves great soups, sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, etc. for inexpensive and filling meals. In addition, when you bear to the right of the PI Bridge, walking from Atlantis, you'll discover a neat little ferry boat that will take you to the downtown Nassau docks, by the Straw Market. Local Bahamians run the ferry and give you a humorous tour, weaving between the docked cruise ships. The ferry costs only several bucks per person(RT) and there's plenty of moderately priced places to eat. Across from the old British Colonial Hotel in downtown Nassau on Bay Street are various restaurants. Visit the Winn Dixie grocery store and buy some snacks and food items to take back to the Atlantis. These trips are short little excursions from the Atlantis, and you'll discover more of Nassau. Finally, you can order a pizza to your room from Dominics or other pizza places...even a Conch Pizza, which tastes great, for moderate prices. Have a good time, and enjoy the huge aquariums at Atlantis...well-maintained and awesome. Robert

julie

I'm turning 40 this month and we,(me, my husband, 2 boys-2 1/2 and 9) are kicking around an impromptu getaway to Atlantis. ( 4 days max) This is very out of character for us since we live in a beautiful New England seaside town. Under normal circumstances, wild horses couldn't drag us away during the summer,but it's been raining for 40 days and 40 nights and the Bahamas are looking really good right now. Our other choice is Bermuda. Looks like Atlantis would be more fun for the kids, and if they're happy we're happy. Does anyone know a family friendly place on Bermuda?

Gail

Hi Amy, <BR> This year we ate at the Atlantis three nights and away from the Atlantis three nights. At the Atlantis we just LOVE Villa D'Este. Wonderful food and fabulous service. We also love Fathoms which also has great food and service and a view of the wonderful aquariums. I recommend both of these reataurants highly. They are NOT cheap. We ate at the Blue Marlin at the Hurrican Hole shopping center (5 minute walk from the hotel). Food was good-service was SLOW! <BR>We also ate at Anthony's Grille right across the street from the hotel. Caual place, good food, reasonable prices. <BR>People talk about walking across the PI bridge like it's no big deal. It's quite a hike. These other restaurants are within 5 or 10 minutes of the hotel. <BR> We stayed at the Coral Towers. As far as I know there is no separate adult pool. Kids are everywhere, but the place is so big that it's never a problem. Plus, you're going in November and the kids will be in school. <BR>Have a great time. The place is wonderful. <BR> Gail

Robert

Amy; A set meal plan at Atlantis is nice, but you will be some what shackled from experiencing the real Bahamas. You can shop at the straw market and the neat places along Bay Street, and eat elsewhere, and not be hurried to return just to eat. The "Poop Deck" is a must eating place, shown on public tv several times. You can munch into a grouper that was swimming the deep reefs off Nassau the same day. Many restaurants serve Bahamian dishes such as grouper, snapper, shark, conch, shrimp, peas and rice, chicken and mutton souses...the list goes on. Before you depart, you must taste the "Luthra" or pineapple for the outer island of Eleuthera. The mailboats bring in tons of the pineapples along with other ocean catches from the outer islands to Potter's Cay, which is underneath the Paradise Island Bridge(another great place to venture with your family. Bahamians will cut up a conch in front of you, dice it with peppers and vegetables, and vinegar, and serve you a conch salad right before your eyes). There are two Bahamas, and although the Atlantis is nice, you won't "feel" the total Bahamian feeling if you spend the time just there. I'd spend most of the day at the Atlantis grounds, but definately make daily excursions to explore elsewhere. You'll have a ball. Robert