Tra_Tra2005

Hi

I read some posts on another web site that said that the Hilton in Nassau is full of cockroaches and that there is sewage draining out into the waterfront. My husband and I are spending 2 days there in July and I am concerned. More concerning is that the posts I have read about the Atlantis are not so great either - that the place is cheesy and expensive. We are spending 2 days at the Hilton then heading over to the Atlantis for 6 days (in Royal Towers) - am I crazy or are we heading for disaster?

Any insight into either property would be great. Someone set my mind at ease

Thanks

ejcrowe

Well, look at it this way...you're now going on vacation armed with this foreknowledge. Now that you have an idea of what to expect perhaps you can instead focus on the pleasant things that happen instead of dwell on the negatives.

I would personally never be happy at the Atlantis, but there are lots of folks who like it. If you're feeling discouraged enough, try changing your reservations. If it's too late, try to make the best of it. No doubt you already knew that the Atlantis was expensive--that can't be a surprise to you if you've already booked the room. And with its sheer size and loads of theme park-like attractions, it couldn't have been much of a surprise to you that it's cheesy.

Most people who complain about their stay at Atlantis either didn't do any research before they booked their trip, or they were upset with paying 4-5 star prices for food and accommodations commensurate with an Econolodge.

Can't say anything about the Hilton. You may wish to cancel your Nassau reservations altogether and go elsewhere in the Bahamas. Harbour Island, for example. What do you want to get out of your vacation? It could be that what you have planned may suit you--it's hard to say unless you give us more details.

tamara

Spent 3 nites at the Hilton in February and didn't see as much as an ant. I spend about 25 nites a year at this property and have never had a problem with bugs. As for the sewage, there is none. There is a pipe coming out of the property next door (west) which trickles into the harbour. It's for run off from the street drains. (not sewage).
Folk will complain about anything these days. I love this property. It's quiet, low keyed and professionally staffed. This is NOT a resort, just a lovely business hotel in the middle of town.

girlonthego

I stayed at the Royal Towers in Oct. The Atlantis is a very expansive property. We had a large family gathering there for my birthday! (I didn't know all the relatives were showing up!) We all had a great time. There are pools with slides and beaches, lagoons, and the food was good. It is a relaxing vacation. I thought Nassau was dumpy looking. (no offense to those who love it). The Atlantis Royal Towers is dramatic as you pull up to it. It is almost too dramatic and yes a little tacky, but we enjoyed the whole vacation!!!!It is just a very extravagent looking place. We had a suite room which was very nice! The regular rooms are nice also, but pricey. The Royal towers(in my opinion) is the only place to stay while there. The gourmet restaurants are the best.The Bahamian Club, The Villa De Este were two favorites of ours. I would make reservations before I went for the restaurants I really wanted to dine in. The Five Twins was overrated and we did not enjoy our meal there. The best breakfast was the buffet at the Marketplace in the Royal Towers. You eat till you drop. We did the gourmet meal plan and over-ate!! But if you are big eaters, you get your money's worth. You just may not want to eat so much for 6 days! You will have fun and don't worry about what others say. The Atlantis has rave reviews and the worst reviews. We went with open minds and had a fun time. You are staying in the nicest section by the way! Sorry I have not stayed at the Hilton. It looked nice from the outside.

aks

There are far nicer islands that Nassau - in fact, that's one of the worst islands to go to if you want a nice "island" experience. Also beautiful resorts abound elsewhere - definitely do some research. A good research site is www.caribbean.com.

PFG

Don't know if it's too late for you, but my wife and I just returned from 4 night stay at BC Hilton.

Everything was terrific: clean, well run, nice attentive staff, great room.

Beach, pool, and gardens are very nice, but certainly small (when compared to Atlantis). We spent hours on the private beach at the Hilton. Beach and water were clean and delightful. Lunch and patio bar were great.

The "pipe" next door is just a storm drain, and is not really that close and looked clean to me.

The cruise ships dock almost next door, we watched them come and go, and they are not close enough to be annoying.

It is not a "resort" hotel, but it is elegant, city, old world hotel - we enjoyed it a great deal.

It is very convenient to shopping and restaurants in Nassau, which a couple of days would be plenty.

We ate dinner at Graycliff up the hill which was great, but expensive, also dinner at the Poop deck down at the marina - very good.

When you go out to Paradise Island and Atlantis, it's another world - big, newer than downtown Nassau, more resort feel.

I think you will have 2 very different experiences in these 2 hotels - but both good!

wantsomesun

The old British Colonial known by locals as the BC, underwent a HUGE rennovation just a few years ago, and it is a lovely hotel now. All the rooms were completely rennovated. The grounds and pool beach area were also rennovated and are beautiful.

Staying at the BC you are very close to lots of great shopping on Nassau, some lovely gift shops, jewelry, clothing, liquor and of course the straw market. You can bargin for just about anything in most of the shops.

The liquor store on Bay St, has a nice selection of wines and liquors. We found a favorite white chocolate Belgian liquor there called Godet, and we can't get it here in NYC (go figure).

Atlantis is huge and a beautiful resort. Food can be expensive, but not overly so, and there are lots of options on PI and Nassau for nice dinners.

Have a great time and if you have any other questions, please let us know.

Luisa

Hello everyone,

We are thinking of booking 5 nights at the BC. The bad reviews are scarry but the recent reviews seem positive so we shall take our chances. Just a couple of questions. Is the BC in walking distance from nice restaurants and casino's or would we have to cab it?
Also, did anyone stay in the executive rooms? Did you stay in a suite? any information and pictures would be great. If you don't post here you can email me direct at
[email protected]
thanks guys
Luisa

Curt

Tripadvisor reviews (which must be taken with a grain of salt) are good to gain an overview of what people thought of a place. Check it out too. www.tripadvisor.com

eroberts_1

I returned yesterday from a five day trip to Nassau - staying at the BC Hilton. It was great! The people who complain obviously don't know what they're getting when they stay there. If you want a huge, all-inclusive, over-priced, crowded, Disney-like resort, do not go to the BC. However, if you want a low-key, quite, relatively kid-free, relaxing place in the middle of town (close to shops and restaurants), then do stay at the BC. There are many business people who stay there and the beach, restaurants/bars, and rooms are nice and clean. The staff at the desk and door are very nice. The restaurant staff was not always as nice, but it didn’t both us. We also visited the spa on the grounds and it was great. We actually reserved a spa package (room, breakfast, and spa services). We stayed on the 5th floor in a king room; I heard the standard rooms are small but ours was perfect. The bathroom was huge! I recommend staying at the BC because of its location. Then rent scooters to visit the other beaches and Paradise Island – or take the ferry there. Hope this helps.

otto

it looks like you can't walk out the door and onto the beach at the british colonial? which hotel can you do that in nassau? it's either nassau, st. lucia, or aruba i'm looking into. i don't know what to make of the cable beach reconstruction post on here...

massachusetts_mom

Have not stayed at the BC so I can't comment on the hotel itself. However, downtown Nassau has a very different feel than Paradise Island. We have been to the Atlantis twice....we stayed in the Coral Towers the first time and the Harborside Villas (timeshares) the 2nd time....both were nice but we preferred the timeshares because we had a kitchen and washer/dryer. The resort, although big, is beautiful. I would not call it cheesy....a bit overdone in areas but to each his own. The pools are fabulous. Some of the restaurants can be very pricey...others like Murray's Deli are more reasonable. Other choices outside of the resort and within walking distance are Anthony's Caribbean Grille and the Green Parrott. The Newstand and a newer Italian restaurant in Hurricane Hole Shopping Center are also good bets. Have fun!