Fodor's Expert Review The Atlantis Hotel

One of the first hotels on the island’s east coast—and still one of the very few—The Atlantis Hotel has been welcoming guests for well over a century. Current owners completely refurbished the property in 2009, making this historic hotel at the edge of the sea, just south of Bathsheba Soup Bowl, one of the most stylish boutique hotels on the island. History and modernity blend beautifully here.

The Atlantis and Little Good Harbour, on the northwestern side of the island, share the same ownership; an “East Meets West” package includes a few days at each hotel. Both hotels close for the month of September.

room

All rooms and a separate two-bedroom cottage are luxuriously furnished with a combination of antique and “beach chic” furnishings—along with the latest technology; for example, guests can stream films from the hotel’s movie library directly to their room TV. Ocean view rooms have a four-poster, king-size bed, a “Juliet” balcony with a direct view of the pounding surf, and large windows that open to brisk sea breezes. Coastal view rooms don’t have direct ocean views, but they do have a large sitting area with a pullout sofa bed—great for young children.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Light sleepers may prefer a coastal view room. In the ocean view rooms, the constantly smashing waves can be noisy at night if you leave the windows open.

bathroom

All bathrooms are oversize, with modern fixtures, huge mirrors, vanities with double sinks and granite countertops, large walk-in showers, large closets with built-in drawers, and separate dressing areas.

lobby

Entering the hotel is akin to entering a chic island home, with an antique settee, colorful pillows, period photographs on the wall, and an impressive staircase up to second-floor guestrooms.

pool

The freeform pool has plenty of sun loungers and an adjacent palm-shaded sitting area that overlooks the spectacular ocean view; in fact, nearly everything here has a spectacular ocean view.

dining

The Atlantis Restaurant serves breakfast (included in the room rate), lunch, and dinner, except for Sunday nights from mid-November through March. In the daytime, the dining room view is of crashing waves and the vast ocean beyond; in the evening, dining by candlelight—hearing the pounding surf but seeing only twinkling stars in an ebony sky—becomes downright romantic. The menu combines Bajan specialties with regional cuisine, focusing on fresh, local ingredients; but the menu is varied, so you’re sure to find a lot that’s appealing. On Wednesday and Sunday, guests, locals, and tourists alike are drawn to the bountiful Bajan buffet luncheons at The Atlantis—a tradition that has gone on for more than 50 years.

YOU SHOULD KNOW Lunch at the restaurant is a main attraction for folks touring the east coast, so reservations are advised—especially for the Bajan buffets.

drinking

There’s a bar and lounge adjacent to its oceanfront dining room, where you can enjoy a tropical cocktail or other beverage before your meal—or anytime. You can also have a drink on the porch or by the pool.

beach

There is direct access to a small beach. Swimming at east-coast beaches is not advised due to high surf and dangerous undercurrents; however, it is safe to walk along the beach and wade in the natural tide pools. Bathsheba Soup Bowl is nearby, so it’s fun to take a walk there and watch the surfers. If you’re interested, the hotel can arrange surfing lessons.

You can also take a nature walk along an old railway right-of-way, which follows the coast near the hotel.