Is it just me or does Atlantis S- - K??
 

Returned from Atlantis 2 months ago and I just dont get it. We travel often and to different places ie; Biras Creek, Cap Juluca, Captiva Island, as well as trips to Vermont and Lancaster PA. We were very disappointed in the food, service, and class of people it attracts. Very loud rude and boorish and their children to match. The grounds are ok (we stayed in the Coral Towers)the rooms were a bit shoddy, like theres lots of people staying but not any maintence ex: shabby looking bedspread somewhat moldy bath tub missing remote for tv, poorly patched up holes in walls and doors. Was not the kind of room I was expecting since it is very pricy for what you're getting. The staff was a bit rude as well, baaartenders making lude comments about young girls in bathing suits, very loudly. Not what I expected. Anyone else??

You're late to the party Randi.<BR>Atlantis is often bashed here.<BR>I think the simplest summary is that Atlantis is a slice of Las Vegas in the Caribbean. Las Vegas attracts people looking for cheap glitz, flash without substance, lots of noise and activity, and who care much less about quality of service, class, good food, nice accommodations, and value.<BR>Many people detest LV. Many detest Atlantis. They have a lot in common.<BR>But LV is the #1 tourist destination in the world, so there is a big demand to be filled for this style of resort.

(First of all "lost at sea" IS lost. The Bahamas is in the Atlantic, always have been and probably not likely to float off anytime soon)<BR><BR>Randi, you are not alone in your assessment of the Atlantis.We were there some time back with several other couples and stayed in the Coral Tower.<BR>It rained heavily one night--one of our friends had to be moved due to water--another had some wallpaper come loose. She complained as the "repairman" was fixing it--his reply was "well lady,sh-t<BR>happens.I personally saw a room service tray sit outside a door for 3 days.<BR>In a way I'm glad I went but I would never go back.I personally think it is overrated, over-hyped and certainly over priced for what you get.<BR>(Now we can wait for the flack to come pouring up at us)

Randi, I concur as well. Just be patient and wait for the new Four Seasons on Great Exuma to open as I'm sure this will fulfill all of your expectations as well!!

Randi- We stayed there and I agree!! IT was horrible. The food was inedible, the service was terrible, All the screaming kids ... We stayed in the Royal Towers which is not all that it is cracked up to be. The only good thing was the weather which was not controlled by Atlantis. We would never go back and never recommend this place to anyone.

Doesn't this hotel have hugh amount of rooms! Randi, its a carnival and I never would want to go there! Its a high rise cruise ship! Thats for the reassurance of a place I will never stay at! Now the Ocean Club might have suited you better!

For every post about Atlantis like the ones above, there is one that raves about this resort. I just don't get it! How can people have such dramatically differing views about the same place???? And you see it all the time on these boards regarding other resorts like Beaches, Moon Palace, La Cabana, Sandals, etc...We are going to Atlantis with our 2 children in July (we are not loud, rude, or boorish!). Atlantis would not have been my first choice for a vacation without the kids but young children (at least mine) need a place with lots of activity and eye candy...otherwise they would be bored out of their minds. Yes, it appears to be very Disneyland-ish but my kids adore Disneyland! It doesn't make sense that someone would be surprised that many families with kids would be attracted to a setting like this. Perhaps Ocean Club would have been the better choice! The rooms may not be elegantly appointed at Atlantis and the food may be on the expensive side...however, we do not travel to luxurious hotels or eat in high-end restaurants with 2 young boys even in the States. We are bringing snacks, etc....with us to cut down on expenses (I do that when we do an overnight somewhere near home so this isn't an issue....all part of being a parent). And, I'm sure the room will serve it's purpose!

Dear Traveler,<BR>In my opinion, children are trained to "need a place with lots of activity and eye candy...otherwise they would be bored out of their minds". That's quite an amazing statement and does not speak well of you as a parent. <BR>

I also had a bad experience at Atlantis. Rude service, poor food, high prices. I'll never go back again. The pool area was nice, that's the only good thing I can say about Atlantis.

I think you're all ridiculous! You should realize (if you read articles and research the Atlantis proeprty) that this is a grand, huge, over-the-top resort that caters to people of all ages. If you want to stay in a secluded, ritzy hotel, then Atlantis is not for you (however it has its ritzy side).<BR>When I went to Atlantis, everyone had a blast! The pools and waterscape were awesome, casino and dancing at night was great, spa and sports center were more than I could have asked for. The food is pricey, and I must admit that I have had better, but has anyone ever been to Our Lucaya . . . now that's bad food!<BR>Atlantis has a lot to offer visitors, especially in the Caribbean . . . an area where ther's usually not that much to do. And, if you want seclusion at Atlantis, it's there, you just have to find it. Go to Cove Beach, at the end of the Atlantis beach, which is extremely quiet. Or walk through the Maarine Habitat and become entranced by the millions of living creatures floating around the lagoons. Do I have to go on?

Regarding the post above, I'm sure you are not rude and boorish, I just cannot understand the hordes of people at Atlantis-with or without children. For example, my husband and I love Disneyworld and go every year and stay at the Grand Floridian for the same cost per room as Atlantis. I would say that Disney definately gets more people traffic than Atlantis. The differences end there. The GF is always clean, beautiful, kind and helpful staff a high level is always maintained. I was appaled at the level of service, accommodations and food and quite frankly the pool areas were a bit dingy (people smoking everywhere cigs hanging out of their mouths and ashes and cigs in pool - very nice) The pool was more like a big Dirty Ass Soup and we were very grossed out(you just know theres a lot of pee in that pool).I also did not appreciate the fact that guests from other hotels were allowed to buy passes for the day - very six flag-ish because lounge space is quite limited Another great source of entertainment is watching people duke it out over pool chairs - very classy. We travel to all different places with different levels of expectations when travelling to Amish Country do not expect lavish rooms but we are not charged lavish prices. For the amount of money Atlantis charges FOR EVERYTHING we had a different level of expectation other than what was delivered. How many people have to complain before they get it???

To Chris- There is nothing Ritzy about Atlantis at all!

Chris,<BR>Get yourself a map, genius. Atlantis and the Bahamas are not in the Caribbean. That body of water is called the Atlantic Ocean. You are exactly the caliber of people that that place attracts.

Another Mom.......<BR><BR>Perhaps I phrased my thoughts incorrectly because I am an excellent mother. I actually resent the fact that you would judge me without knowing me or anything about my children. Enough said about that!<BR><BR>Our family DOES appreciate the simple things in life and are not all about "eye candy". However, my point is that 6 and 10 year old boys are generally active and do not enjoy sitting on a quiet beach ALL DAY for a week. We, as a family, have enjoyed many walks on quiet beaches collecting shells and building sandcastles but you can't be blind to the fact that the water slides, aquariums, etc...would hold a huge attraction to children as a means to break up the day. <BR><BR>Randi...I hear what you are saying. Perhaps we are in a different league...we have been to Disney World two times with our boys. The first time we stayed at the Boardwalk Villas and the 2nd time we stayed off-site at the Family Suites Holiday Inn in Orlando. We were very happy with both places. While I agree that the GF is beautiful, a family with young children tends to gravitate to a resort that is what I consider a more relaxed and family-oriented atmosphere. <BR><BR><BR>

I half-way agree with you. We stayed in the Royal Tower 2 bedroom suite , which was very nice. The facilties were the best you could ask for. My kids loved watching Mary Kate and Ashley Olseen being filmed for a movie there. However, when we checked in it took the bell men over an hour to bring our luggage up. The food was way too pricey and nasty . That is a horrible combination. There were rude people staying there, and it was way over crowded. The service was terrible. I guess the place is too large! I prefer Kauai and Maui and Grand Cayman over this place. We have three kids. Two are in the early teens, and one is an eight year old, and I prefer to stay at a place that might have a waterslide. If you stay at a place that has six, like the Atlantis, then it is disneyworld. I really do not think crowds make a good desinatation. That is why I agree with you!!!!!

I will return to the Atlantis for a second time this July. This place is incredible. The food seemed just fine to me and the service is the same anywhere in the Bahamas.Thats just the way it is and has been since the begining of time for the Bahamas.The service will never change.

Chris and Alfred, I'm with you. Have been to the Atlantis three times and would go back any time. We never encountered rude people or bad service. You are in the Bahamas, they move at a slower pace. Perhaps if you show some patience and understanding, you would receive better service. Our rooms were always in good condition and clean. To the poster who said the pools were shoddy--are you sure you were at the Atlantis???

Are you sure you were there?

The people that probably like the place, and many other resorts that get mostly bad reviews, must be European. They have much lower standards than Americans and Canadians in both the aesthetics of the structures and in food. I don't mean to be critical but that's just how it is. Period!

Ummmm....I don't know if you're being facetious or just trying to stir up controversy, anon.<BR>But I think you'll draw a heap of criticism and dissension from any unbiased group of people who are well travelled if you try to defend the statement that Europeans have lower standards when it comes to appreciating food.<BR>Sure, the Brits, Irish and Scots are not known for their culinary contributions to world gastronomy.<BR>But you're also lumping in with them the French and Italians. Have you ever sampled good, not even great, restaurants in most of France and Italy?<BR>Food is one of the highlights of visiting these countries.<BR>But then again if you, like my father in law, are the typical American eater, anything which stretches beyond the selections available at a typical Las Vegas buffet is considered a waste of time. Some who 'live in Mayberry' all their lives believe that there's no reason to look any further because everything worthwhile is right there in front of them.<BR>You need a cultural education before you go making sweeping statements like that anon.<BR>The fact that you made that comment in the first place tells me you have no world travelling experience (or that you are a cruise lizard, which is almost the equivalent).<BR><BR>