Atlantis Specials

[JanaDee]

Funny thing is it isn't OUR spring break. And I'm almost positive it isn't peak spring break time either. There will be 6 of us. We CAN go in February BUT I'd rather have my tax refund in time (my husband makes a large chunk in commission and a buttload gets withheld) AND we're going to the Super Bowl the week before and I'd rather not take two weeks off in a row either.

I'm finding that two rooms is cheaper than one 2 bedroom at the Harborside. It would make sense if it were 3 couples but not for us. We'd split the cost with my SIL and MIL (us half) and it just wouldn't make sense even with the lower cost of food.

March is peak Spring Break time for colleges and April is mostly K-12 schools, because of Easter.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

I often describe Atlantis as Vegas meets Disney on the beach. That concept makes some people cringe (umm...like my in-laws). For me, its an awesome mix.

There's no place else that matches the scale of Atlantis. Its kind of like Disney in that the individual elements are not record breaking, but the whole thing (beach, casino, restaurants, aquarium, entertainment, and location) put together under a great theme and in one place makes its uniquely world-class. There are some awesome smaller resorts in the Caribbean, but I don't know of any that have all those elements, and most usually just have one or two.

I wrote this a few years ago on this thread about how I like that Atlantis can be a lot more relaxing compared to Disney, especially at night, but still an active theme park like vacation:

I like your description and I agree! I went with my husband in December of 2012 I believe and just had the best time ever. We golfed, went to the spa, played around in the pools/slides/lazy river like a bunch of kids, ate plenty, took a stroll on the beach, gambled (and won a little here and there!) and just enjoyed every aspect and sight. We never got bored and felt we could have stayed a couple more nights if it weren't for wanting to go back to our babies.

I really do want to do Disney World again, and we will, but all that planning makes my head hurt sometimes We have Disneyland about 10 miles away to hold us over and there is never any planning with that. My husband would like to do a cruise (I couldn't care less either way) but there isn't one during the dates that we want or that look appealing to me.

Thank you for all of your feedback. You're making me want to book now! Comfort Suite AAA rate is $207 a night right now-wondering if it will be any less expensive than that? I'm thinking unless anything drastic in price happens with Atlantis than we'll go to CS. I can't find any negatives about it. Some reviews even mention that it's just as close to some of the activities/pools than some of the Atlantis hotel towers. And free breakfast? I'm in.

 

[rdevine10]

We actually just returned from the Atlantis via comfort suites late last night. Our thoughts: While we thought the comfort suites was convenient, the free breakfast was a huge plus, as was the wifi, we have decided if we ever return it will be to one of the Atlantis hotels. The grounds were just so pretty, we would of preferred to be a part of them.

We brought a suitcase of food with us for lunches, and it would be very easy to do that for breakfast too- if you want something more economical. I will add our free wifi was very spotty- housekeeping hadnt cleaned our room by 3 pm one day- annoying- (especially when you pay mandatory fees) and we got a couple cold showers during the peak evening times that everyone was rinsing off from the beach.

As for the park itself- it was very fun. Be prepared to walk A LOT. While we had a very fun vacation, I will say it was not relaxing- it reminded me to Disney to a degree. We much prefer cruises and will likely forgo another trip there for a few more years. Also- be prepared to spend big $ on food. We budgeted $100 a day and only had to pay for dinner- we didnt drink alcohol- or eat in any 5 star restaurants- I felt the food was pricier than even Disney!

Overall it was a great trip and a much needed distraction from the crummy year we are having. I was glad we waited until my kids could go on all of the rides as well- I saw many kids get turned away from the slides and they were sad!

 

[rdevine10]

Forgot to add we paid about $1300 for the 6 nights at Comfort Suites- fees included. We used Southwest points for one way tickets- and flew home Jet Blue- the whole trip with food included was about 2900 total. Not too bad!

 

[PRaffen]

Baha Mar (Cable Beach) is supposed to open in December. When we were at the Atlantis this past October, many said the competition will bring more discounts from the Atlantis. Keep an eye on the prices once Baha Mar opens.

We've stayed at Coral and Royal Towers, Comfort Suites, and our last visit had a super discount at the Cove which has spoiled me for any future visits

We started going to Paradise Island before the Atlantis was even built and it is one of our favorite vacation locations.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Baha Mar (Cable Beach) is supposed to open in December. When we were at the Atlantis this past October, many said the competition will bring more discounts from the Atlantis. Keep an eye on the prices once Baha Mar opens.

We've stayed at Coral and Royal Towers, Comfort Suites, and our last visit had a super discount at the Cove which has spoiled me for any future visits

We started going to Paradise Island before the Atlantis was even built and it is one of our favorite vacation locations.

Excellent point! It was still in the beginning stages when we went in December of 2012. I hope they open bookings up sooner rather than later so people will go there instead

But, do you think Baha Mar is more geared towards adults rather than families?

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Comfort Suite AAA rate is $207 a night right now-wondering if it will be any less expensive than that?

That sounds pretty good. And if something better comes out, its pretty easy to cancel and rebook at a lower rate as long as airfare is not tied to your package.

Some reviews even mention that it's just as close to some of the activities/pools than some of the Atlantis hotel towers. And free breakfast? I'm in.

Free wifi too...that's $20 a day or so, though a poster above complained about the reliability...I've had slow days with the $20 a day service, so could be something that impacted the entire island/country.

Excellent point! It was still in the beginning stages when we went in December of 2012. I hope they open bookings up sooner rather than later so people will go there instead

But, do you think Baha Mar is more geared towards adults rather than families?

Bahamar is definitely geared more toward adults or the swank-a-luxe vibe of the newer resorts in Vegas (City Center, Cosmo, Wynn/Encore). They will have a few water features, but not a water park.

When I was in Nassau in April, taxi drivers said no-way would it be open in December. The way it looked to me (non-expert), I agree. and they've alerady conceded publicly that it won't be December, but possibly later spring, so well after March 7.

ROBERT “Sandy” Sands, Baha Mar’s Senior Vice President of Administration and External Affairs, said yesterday that the $3.5 billion resort is currently experiencing “no setbacks at all” with its new “late spring 2015” opening date.

Speaking with reporters after the graduation of 160 students from Baha Mar’s Leadership Development Institute, Mr Sands said “everything remains normal” at Baha Mar despite having to delay its heavily anticipated December 2014 grand opening.

“We’re continuing to work with our brand partners, and (as you see) the jewels are going in the crown at Baha Mar on a daily basis,” he said.

“We’re certainly excited about that day when we will all put to work the assets of all these beautiful people here at Baha Mar.”

Last month, Baha Mar officials confirmed that its heavily promoted December 2014 “grand opening” had been postponed to “late spring 2015,” with the resort’s development to open in stages from December onwards.

Source

 

[rdevine10]

Excellent point! It was still in the beginning stages when we went in December of 2012. I hope they open bookings up sooner rather than later so people will go there instead

But, do you think Baha Mar is more geared towards adults rather than families?

Yesterday our airport transfer (Cheryl's taxi- excellent btw) told us the new projected date for Baha Mar is Dec 2015)- it is NO where near completion at this point.

 

[CalDisneyMomof2]

Not a big deal. We're taking a vacation regardless of if they're open or not