We (both in our late 20's) are considering staying at Atlantis next April for a week and have a few questions: <BR> <BR>1. Is it better to stay in the Coral Towers or the Royal Towers? And how much is it to use the safe in the room for a week? <BR> <BR>2. Do you have to rent snorkeling equipment? If so how much is it? Also do you have to rent the tubes for the lazy river ride? <BR> <BR>3. Everyone says the food is sooo expensive, but how expensive is it? e.g. how much for a hamburger, fries and a coke? how much would it be for a steak dinner? and how much would a breakfast buffet set you back? (approximately) <BR> <BR>4. Do you have to get up really early to reserve a lounge by the pool? And do they lend guests beach towels or do you have bring your own from home? <BR> <BR>5. Is it always crowded at the resort or would April be an OK time to go? <BR> <BR>Sorry for all the questions (we normally go to all inclusive resorts), but its either Atlantis or the Radisson in Aruba. Thanks.

I visited the Atlantis for a day last April when I vacationed on Nassau. be prepared for lots of kids and families. Everything is expensive, kind of like vacationing at Disneyworld, your a captive audience

To answer a few of your questions-- <BR>1). The safe in the room is free of charge; the Royal Tower is the newest, and hence most expensive. <BR>2). Cannot comment on the snorkeling equipment (always bring our own); tubes for the lazy river do not cost a thing... just hop on; <BR>3). A nice dinner on the property will run you about $100 (for two entrees and one or two appetizers) and nothing more; cocktails are $6 - $7 apiece; the breakfast buffet will cost $40-$45 for two; <BR>4). You do not need to bring beach towels,they provide them if you are staying at the resort...but just make sure you return them prior to departing the pool area or you will be assessed a charge; <BR> <BR>Atlantis is a wonderful place. <BR>I have also heard very good things about the Radisson in Aruba (it has just completely been remodeled). Check out the aruba-bb.com site for trip reports. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps! <BR>

We have been to the Atlantis three times and have stayed in the Coral Towers each time. It's in between the other two towers and convenient to everything. The Royal Tower is more elaborate and more expensive. <BR>A burger at the Cave (outside by the poos) is $6.50. Same for a chicken sandwich. You can get really nice,big, salads there for about $7.00. <BR>Dinners aren't cheap, but are around the same you'd pay at any nice resort. Most entrees are in the $20-$30 range. We love it there and feel it is worth the price. The grounds are magnificent and there is so much to see and do. WE've been there when the place is full, but it's so big it never seems crowded. Some of the pool chairs go early, but there always seem to be chairs on the beach. Go and enjoy it. It's a sight to behold.

Cheryl: <BR> <BR>Others have already responded to most of your questions, but I thought I'd add some of my own thoughts and opinions. We have stayed at both the Royal Towers and the Coral Towers within the last 1-1/2 years. The Royal Towers rooms are much nicer -- but make sure you get a waterview -- not a harborview, as the harbor side of the resort is under complete construction. The Coral Towers has perfectly fine accommodations, it's just older and more dated. I thought the Coral Towers was more centrally located to many of the restaurants, the casino, etc. But be aware that wherever you stay, you will do ALOT of walking. <BR> <BR>I believe the snorkling equipment rental fee was $20/day. It's available at the lagoon. <BR> <BR>Yes, food is expensive and they have some great restaurants. But there are also very good and less expensive restaurants. For example, we often had breakfast at Murry's -- a New York style delicatessan at the Marina. Good food, fast service, and breakfast for two in the $15-20 range (tips are included on all bills). For lunch or dinner they serve the usual huge deli style sandwiches (easily enough for two) as well as hamburgers, salads, etc. (They have carry-out too.) <BR> <BR>We had GREAT steak dinners at the Bahamian Club -- one of the more expensive restaurants. If I remember correctly, a filet was in the $30-34 range. And that's ONLY the filet. Baked potatoes were around $8, salads around $11-12. House wine by the glass is $8 (plus the 15% tip). <BR> <BR>We also ate several times at restaurants at the Sheraton next door. There is a nice and very reasonably priced Italian restaurant called Julie's, and a really nice restaurant with picture windows overlooking the beach called the Rotisserie. Food at both was very good and the restaurants were relaxing and quiet -- a nice change from many of the restaurants in Atlantis. <BR> <BR>Regarding crowding -- the resort is usually sold out and they have over 2000 rooms, so yes, there are a lot of people there. But, we were there in early May and it didn't seem crowded at all. Then we went in late June after the schools were out and it was a completely different story. I think in the future I'd stay away during summer vacation time. <BR> <BR>All in all, it's a magnificant place. <BR> <BR>