How many nights/days is a good amount of time to stay at Atlantis? I know that there is lots to do and I do not want to feel like I'm missing out on anything because I have to leave before I,ve seen it all. I was originally thinking about 4 nights/5 days. What do you think? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help.

Four nights and five days is enough time for Atlantis. I was just there in Feb, and the notion that there is so much to see is a bit overstated. It's an interesting place, kind of the "Las Vegas of the Carribean". The Dig can take you an hour or it can take you 15 minutes to walk through. Other than that, the grounds are really the main attraction there. The pools and slides are great, the spa treatments were wonderful, the fitness center is really good and the restaurants are way overpriced and just OK. The "night club" is nothing more than a bar on the casino floor, roped off, with a very tiny dance floor -- a big disappointment for me. I'm glad that I went and experienced it, but wouldn't go back. Others have loved it and go back every year. Have a good time.

Five days is enough time at Atlantis. The notion that there is so much to see is a bit overstated. I just went in Feb. It's an intersting place to visit, kind of the "Las Vegas of the Caribbean". The Dig can take you an hour to walk through, or it can take you 15 minutes. Other than that, the grounds are really the main attraction as far as things to see. The pools and slides are really great, the spa treatments were wonderful, the fitness center is really good, but the restaurants were overpriced and only just OK. The so called "night club" is nothing more than a bar on the casino floor roped off with a teeny tiny dance floor; I was very disappointed in that. I'm glad I went to see it, but wouldn't go back. Others have loved it and go back year after year. Have a good time.

We have been there for five days, and have been for a week. I prefer a weeks because the first and last day are partly lost in travel time. I like to lay back and relax on vacation and not rush anything.

Hi Lex! <BR> <BR>Thanks for the reply. You mentioned that the spa treatments were great. Are there any specific treatments that you would recommend? How far in advance did you make your reservations for the spa? <BR> <BR>Thanks again!

Gail <BR> <BR>Thanks for the info. What did you do during the day at Atlantis other than relax by the pool and beach? What would you recommend? And did you take any excursions? <BR> <BR>Also, what did you do for night life? <BR> <BR>I'd love to hear any and all of your suggestions and tips. <BR> <BR>Thank you.

used to go there annually about 6-10 years ago before it became so massive and commercial. Was there just after the newest renovation and really has lost all it's charm. It's like hanging out with a crowd form the Bronx in a pseudo-classy environment. I suggest you find an alternative vacation place, unless of course you are from the Bronx and thus may like the crowd.

Hi Beth- <BR> <BR>Four nights and five days is an adequate amount of time. The resort is very enjoyable, and you will just want to spend much of your time exploring the property. My husband, daughter, and I went for a week last Summer, and did not leave the property once. Each day was enjoyable with all of the activities that abound there. We scuba dive, so we did work that into the schedule. We also have heard that the excursion to the dolphin encounter is very enjoyable. Have a wonderful time. It is a great vacation spot, one we would love to return to.

I made my massage reservations about 2 weeks in advance and was told on the phone that I could have waited until I arrived. When I showed up for my massage, there was a woman there trying to get an appt. and she was told that she should have called a couple weeks in advance! I loved the upper body massage. Anyway, ditto on what Mark said.

Mark <BR> <BR>Thanks for getting back to me with the spa info. What do you agree with Mark about regarding Atlantis-that it has lost its charm, or that it is like visiting the Bronx. Atlantis is pretty expensive if the atmosphere is as Mark described it. <BR> <BR>

I have been to the Bronx and trust me--Atlantis is NOTHING like the Bronx. Yes, it is VERY commercial, but I also find it to be visually amazing. The grounds are great and the architecture and aquariums are a sight to behold. <BR> We are beach bums and really just spend the day at the beach, enjoying the water slides and the lazy river rides. At night we go for a late dinner at one of the nicer restaurants. We don't gamble, but do "people watch" in the casino, and then explore the grounds. The last time we were there the NBA was having a convention and there were HUGE basketball players all over the place. People watching was great.

Gail <BR> <BR>Thanks for getting back to me. It is funny how people either seem to love Atlantis or not really like it at all. Some people say that it is too commercial for them. Some people say it is too busy. I don't love huge crowds and commercialism, but I am looking for fun, fun, fun! I have been to Sandals and went a little stir crazy after a couple of days. It seems like it would be hard to get bored at Atlantis with the variety of pools, sea life, spa casino, water slides, and optional excursions. If I just wanted quiet, I wouldn't choose Atlantis, and with all the postings and information available on Atlantis, I don't know why anyone who is looking for solitude would choose it either. The one thing everyone does seem to agree on is that it is very expensive, although some think it is worth every penny and some do not. And some think the food and service are great and some do not. I think a large part of the difference in opinion is attitude and expectation. <BR> <BR>Oh, and I love Disney World, which a lot of people have compared Atlantis to. The people who hate Disney apparently are the same ones that do not like Atlantis. I guess fun is in the eyes of the beholder. <BR> <BR>The one thing that I am concerned about is the number of children at the resort. I am hoping that there won't be too many because I will not be going during a vacation period. I don't feel this way because I don't like chilren, but because I am going to feel guilty that I didn't bring my own. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, if you have any other info or tips that you would like to share, I would love it. <BR> <BR>Thanks again.

Hi Beth, <BR> <BR>I'm from NYC, and Atlantis is not like hanging out in the Bronx. I guess Mark was just trying to describe the tackiness of it all, no offense to the people of the Bronx. I don't want to bash Atlantis because I don't feel it deserves bashing. I didn't go for peace and quiet, I went for a good, fun time and didn't quite get it. I know there are many islands that are great for quiet beach living, but I wanted great dining, dancing and live entertainment, and Atlantis, to me, fell short on all acounts. The restaurants were only so-so, and not to sound uppity, but as I said, I'm from New York and am used to a higher standard of dining out. I'm not talking price-wise, just quality in general. Sure, some restaurants are pretty to look at with beautiful aquariums all around, but for the money and the quality, it just wasn't worth it. I already told you about the dance club, which was a joke, and the only other live entertainment was a comdedy club. I guess I just thought there would be so much more. As far as the grounds go, yeah, they're nice to look at and impressive for a while, but are you going away to the islands to look at pretty grounds for 5 days? I, too, went without my kids hoping to have alot of fun at night, but there was just not too much to do if you don't enjoy gambling. There were plenty of kids there, but not to the point where we felt like we were in a preschool, so that was not a problem. Bottom line, yes, there are the pools which are great fun, some nice beaches (but I've seen better), the grounds and all, but for me, Atlantis was "all sizzle and no steak".

Beth, <BR> <BR>Oops! Almost forgot something very important. If you plan on dining at any of the gourmet restaurants, make sure you call and make your reservations a good week before you go.

Lex, thanks for clarifying your earlier message. I can see how Atlantis can be both beautiful and a bit tacky at the same time because everything is done beautifully but it isn't natural. <BR> <BR>I am glad that you did not feel swamped by children. I do like nightlife but I am not a real late-night person. I feel like I can go to the comedy club one night, play the slots another, go to the new musical created by Don Henley another, and who knows what on the last night. <BR> <BR>I am really looking forward to just relaxing by the beautiful pools, enjoying the slides, enjoying the spa, and going on the dolophin excursion. Oh, and being able to just have a relaxing conversation with my husband. <BR>If I can do this, I will be happy. <BR>Although, I upgraded all the way from a Coral Towers oceanview room to a Royal Towers Club room, so every time I think about what I am paying for this place, I wonder if I am doing the right thing, based on many of the posts I have read. I almost wish I had booked the Ocean Club and visited Atlantis. That seems to be the best of both worlds. <BR> <BR>I have to say though that I visited Atlantis for an hour or so 5 years ago as part of a one day stop on a cruise. That was before they added the Royal Towers but we were intrigued by the place then and have always thought about staying at Atlantis since that visit. <BR> <BR>I have been thinking about adding an additional day so that we can feel that we really had a vacation rather than it seeming like it is over before it even starts. But between the room, food, and gratuities, it would probably cost about another $700. For one night! To put it into perspective, I am going to Spain for 11 days for $1500 this summer. <BR> <BR>I also enjoy good food and do not mind paying a hefty price for it. It is disappointing though when you pay the price and the food isn't that great. Would you mind letting me know which restaurants you went to and why you liked or did not like them? <BR> <BR>Again, I appreciate your input. Thanks. <BR>

Gail<BR><BR>Thanks for the input. It seems like you travel a lot. I just recently saw a post from you on Aruba. Where else have you traveled. I also love to travel so I love to hear about others' travel experiences.

BETH,<BR> I've been on eight Caribbean cruises, so I've "visited" a lot of the islands for just a day. Then I've also gone and stayed on some of the islands. One of my favorite cruises was Alaska--incredible scenery. Long ago, I traveled all around Europe. I still love Disney World, and this summer am going to Universal/Islands of Adventure. I guess, that's why I like the Atlantis so much--It's kind of enchanted, just like Disney!

Hi Gail<BR><BR>I agree that Alaska is beautiful! My family and I cruised to Alaska last summer. And I also love Disney. I have been to Disney World 8 or 9 times and have always loved it. My favorite hotel on the property is the Wilderness Lodge.<BR><BR>Have fun at Universal this summer. My sister lives in Florida and has already visited the new Universal theme park and said it was fabulous -lots and lots of fun!