Atlantis - Trip Report

[DOOGIERUNNER]

We spent 9 days at WDW then went to Atlantis June 17 - 24th through exchange. It cost us 435 points for the week but two words sum it up... absolutely stunning. I would guess the whole resort area is a bit larger than Epcot. I'm a fast walker and it would take me 15 mintes to get from one side of the resort to the other. We had an oceanview room in the beach towers. Not a large room, but nice. Staff was excellent. We've cruised several times on the Magic...;on our first day (separate occasions) my kids said to me, "this is just like Castaway Cay but with a resort!" IMHO, if you combine Vegas, Disney and the Carribean = Atlantis. The pools/slides are incredible and the marine exhibits are everywhere. It's typical caribeean service... no hurry, but extremely friendly. I really didn't care, I was on VACATION. The beach is beautiful. We went into the straw market one day while the Wonder was in port. One word of warning... resort food is VERY expensive and on the whole island there's an automatic 15% gratuity on everything. Atlantis dining is easily double the price of Disney and the food isn't any better. We ate "off resort" several times.

Despite the prices we decided we'll definitely be going back. We loved it so much we bought into the Atlantis timeshare at Harborside. We took the tour and the rooms were incredible! A two bedroom lockoff had nearly 1,400 sq feet, 3 flat screen TVs., granite, washer/dryer, solid cooktop, stainless appliances and full sized fridge. Our tour guide said this is the only year they are allowing DVC to exchange in. I have been unable to confirm that statement. Atlantis is currently building Phase 3 of 7 and are doubling the size of the property. There's currently a large lazy river, the next phase will have a lazy river that's a mile long. If you go and like the timeshare, I highly recommend Russel Kanner with GMAC RussellK@internationalgmac.com.

 

[KelNottAt]

Thanks for the report. Atlantis has been on my "one day" list for while. You just gave me reasons to keep it there.

 

[mommyceratops]

Thanks! If you don't mind me asking what is they time share cost? What do you get with it (how long average stay etc)

TIA!

 

[funhouse8]

Wow, It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation. This is one resort I wanted to go too. I guess we will have to rent our points then go to the atlantis if what you say is true. bummer. Please do share the timeshare information with us if you don't mind. Thanks for the info.

 

[Oreo Cookie]

Thanks for the TR on Atlantis. It has been on our radar to go there also! I think your post convinced us to give it a go.

Would you recommend any of the places you ate off-site? Did you have a car rental?

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Thanks for the report! When we saw it on our Wonder cruise, we automatically agreed that we wanted to vacation there some day. When we heard about the DVC exchange, we thought it would be perfect. I hope they keep the exchange for more than this year or else we will have to rent out our points which I dread doing.

 

[mikeybowers]

Sorry but I doubt the validity of this post. Atlantis is terrible and shouldn't be part of the DVC program. Go to ANY site like tripadvisor and read the reviews there. The place is horrible. How is it that you like the place? What next you like SSR too?

Sorry but I'm not buying what you are selling. I wouldn't use a single point there.


Mike

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

As far as off-site dining options, there's plenty within walking distance. We packed two carryons full of poptarts, powerbars, and snack items for the kids which saved us a bundle of $$. A medium bag of chips at the resort store is $8. A two liter bottle of coke at the nearby supermarket was $3. They do have counter service restaurants near the pools during the day. They had a family combo, 4 large burgers, 2 huge fries and 4 drinks for $22+ tip. It was the best value on the island. The cokes were also refillable at a fountain. None of the restaurants provided free refills on or off-site.

I did a lot of research on tripadvisor.com. Just search on atlantis paradise island. There's trip reports and forums.

The timeshare is a joint venture between Starwood and Atlantis. If you want info visit http://www.starwoodvo.com/index.jsp . You might want to check to see if there's any resales through the timeshare store on this site.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[wintergreen]

Thanks for the report!

 

[TeensMom]

Where were the eating places within walking distance? We were there first week of June. My daughter and I ran every morning around the property and eventually over one bridge and back over the other. Other than the Outback at the end of the bridge back to Nassau, I didn't see any places I'd want to eat. We did visit a little convenience store and bought soda and water rather than pay Atlantis' prices but just ate on premises on in the Harbor area.

 

[DOOGIERUNNER]

Yes, there were several restaurants at the Hurricane Hole walking mall just off property. We ate at Anthonys, Quiznoes, had Dominoes delivered, The Point and Johnny Rockets.

Can't wait to go back.

 

[Patty3]

We just got back from a weeks stay at Harborside last night. We did take the timeshare tour. For a 1 bedroom, gold plan, we were quoted $20,000.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I thought that Atlantis was open to DVC in 2005. That would make this the 2nd year open to DVCers. Can anyone verify if Atlantis is going away from DVC?

We have an interest in going next year.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Just sharing some Atlantis gossip and I remembered this thread.

My BF just returned last night. It was a last minute trip and all of Atlantis and Harborside were completely booked, so they stayed at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island so they could still use Atlantis Amenities.

They purchased Harborside!!! They did get the 1 bdr Gold and she said she kept wishing she could have called me, because she had so many questions but they knew they loved it and they wanted to return so they purchased it. She visited us at SSR last month and I think that's when she really realized that her family could enjoy really nice accomodations too! She kept saying how nice it was and how they could never afford it, but her priorities were just in the wrong place! LOL!

Here's the gossip and possible reason that DVC will not trade into Atlantis next year. (But you didnt hear this from me

They are combining the Beach (the cheapest tower) and Coral Towers (mid priced) and building a convention center in that area and those towers will service the conventioneers. That should keep those towers pretty full throughout the year.

The only tower left, is the Royal Tower and that is very high end so if a week in the Beach Tower thru DVC was over 400 points and took half the year to negotiate, I dont see a point chart for Atlantis in our future.

I looked on Tug for resales for Harborside and they are listed for 20K really no deals to be had.

The Comfort Inn is also owned by Atlantis. They plan on tearing it down next year and putting up condo's.

No more day trips from the cruise and the end of any cheap options to gain access to Atlantis amenities. Your choices will be the Royal Tower or Harborside or convention surplus.

Anyone else hear anything like this?

Oh! They are also adding a Dolphin Encounter.

 

[Uncleromulus]

An important question (for me anyaway)--was the room relatively quiet? Could you sleep w/o noise from rooms above, below, or around you??

 

[CPTJAK]

Did you buy resale or direct from developer? If direct do you know the prices? How many starpoints etc.. more info.....

sorry

 

[mmouse37]

Thanks for the trip report. I have wanted to stay at the Atlantis for years....we have cruised DCL 15 times and once did the Atlantis beach excursion, but always wanted to stay at the resort.

Well, due to a great price through Travel Zoo (see link) we booked a 4 night stay for the end of the month.

I am really looking forward to staying there with hubby but my one concern was the construction....where is it located and did it have any impact on your stay. We are booked in the Coral Towers....if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any input or suggestions....we did take the MAP dining plan as I hear the restaurants are very high priced.

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/resorts-spas/250633