tarrowood

My husband and I are traveling the first week in October to the Atlantis Resort with a group (a client trip) so we have our accomodations chosen for us -- at Atlantis. I've been reading reviews about the resort and it sounds like a very expensive (and not too service-friendly) place to visit.

Any suggestons about what to do at the resort? Better still... what are some standouts on other parts of the island? We'd be glad to rent a car if it's worth traveling around to find historic places, etc. Any advice will be appreciated.

KVR

Go to the Ardasta Zoo & Gardens. Check their web-site for the time of the Marching Flamingos show. There is a craft market and a shopping area in the main downtown area. Take a guided tour of the historical sites. Take a catamaran snorkel trip. We went on the Flying Cloud. Try this site for other things to see and do; http://bestonbahamas.com/

The Atlantis has tours of the Aquarium and Digs. I don't think there is a charge for guests. We did a day trip and yes, we found everything to be very expensive and the staff down right mean especially since we were not guests. If they don't want non-guests at the hotel then they shouldn't offer for pay tours and a public casino. Hope you have a good trip.

tarrowood

Thanks much! Those sound just like the sort of things we love to do -- especially the flamingos and historical sites. Thanks also for the website tip. I'm looking forward to it; we've not been there before.

kellybeaches

You could do a day trip to Harbour Island too via fast ferry, or take a puddle jumper to any of the other out islands (all a short flight away -they run back and forth like taxis basically). You could do lunch at Compass Point one day -a very cute colorful hotel near the airport. A MUST DO is dinner at Graycliff one night, especially if you love wine. This is our favorite restaurant we've ever been to.
http://www.graycliff.com/
Have fun!

TPAYT

We have had very good luck with Atlantis. Enjoyed all of our visits. There is so much to see & do there. We have always received good service.

We did go to the Ardasta flamingo show. They chose MDH out of the audience and put a HUGE snake around his neck.

I agree to definitely take a boat, snorkel trip but that may be included with the business trip.

We liked Columbus Tavern for dinner---out near the airport on Paradise Island, take a taxi. And agree on Greycliff for dinner.

Also enjoyed going over to Cable Beach and taking a run through their casinos and look at the beach---very pretty water if a bit busy. That really isn't historical, but we didn't find too much in that department other than "The Cloisters" on Paradise Island and a few buildings in downtown Nassau.

We took the jitney way out on the other end of Nassau past Cable Beach area to a beach restaurant that was great. Can't recall the name, but if Ithink of it I'll repost.

steve

Don't bite the hand that feeds you. If a client / vendor is paying your way, don't rush to leave so quickly on your own as they may feel you are using them.

Have customers I will not take on trips again as they abused the generosity I showed them.

Atlantis is nice but going off-site was a pleasure for us. In the end you are in a group / work related trip and may have to suck it up for the greater good. Maybe the client wants you or your husband around to discuss whatever since they paid for the trip.

tarrowood

Thanks all for your suggestions and advice!

Luckily, this trip is designed as a pretty much on-your-own kind of thing -- at least during the days. It's a thank you trip for radio advertising, so not TOO business oriented; cocktails in the evenings - and that's certainly not a bad thing.

But I agree w/ steve -- never bite the hand that brings you. We'll participate in all the group stuff, but I was looking for some other things to do since we've not been to Nassau et al before -- trying to get in as much as we can. And you all have given great fodder for consideration.

Thanks for the reminder about Graycliff; I'd heard it was great -- nice to have real testimonials. And since I've rarely met a glass of wine I didn't like or couldn't find some redemption in, it sounds like my kind of place.

And thanks, TPAYT, for the good report on Atlantis. It occurred to me that most folks take the time to complain, but not to praise, in cases like this... so I knew there had to be good things too.

Best to all.

kellybeaches

Ask for the wine cellar tour when you go to Graycliff. It's pretty cool. They have the largest wine cellar in the Western Hemisphere, and the oldest bottle of wine in the world (supposedly)

beachykeen

I would have to second the Columbus Tavern, although I like Graycliff too. And at the foot of the bridge from Paradise I to Nassau, there is a good very casual restaurant, the Poop Deck