Atlantis - using the Comfort Suites "trick" - it works! :)

[crowls]

I know there was alot of discussion on here about this so I thought I would share our experience last week.

It works!

I booked a room at the Comfort Suites in Nassau about 6 months ahead of our cruise. It was $219+taxes US$. I did this not for the room (we were only docked in Nassau 9:30-5:15) but for full access to Atlantis.

Our experience was seamless (and a whole lot cheaper than booking an excursion to Atlantis!). We took a taxi to the Comfort Suites, checked in (and out - they know the gig) and got our "cards" to go get wristbands at Atlantis.

We walked across the street, to the correct Atlantis building (this was our one error, we went to the wrong building at first), picked up our wristbands and that was it! Full access to the entire resort for the day. (Waterpark, all pools, all areas)

One note: make sure you have the credit card the room was booked with and your picture ID (needed to "check-in" and to get the wristband). Towels are provided at Atlantis. And of important note to any other Starbucks addicts like myself - Starbucks is right by the Mayan waterslides

 

[Oregongram]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
How many adults/children were in your party?
How did you book the room? Through which site, etc.
Am seriously considering using same strategy.

 

[crowls]

There were 4 of us (2 adults, 2 kids) although I had called the hotel and inquired about a 5th person. When I called they said it was no problem I could just register and pay for another guest. That said I have read on the boards of others who weren't successful doing this.

Depending on the size of the party you could maybe do 2 rooms? At one point I thought we would have my extended family with us and I had contemplated booking 2 rooms (still a huge cost savings).

I booked right on the Comfort Suites website.

 

[F1reEng1neRed]

I know there was alot of discussion on here about this so I thought I would share our experience last week.

It works!

I booked a room at the Comfort Suites in Nassau about 6 months ahead of our cruise. It was $219+taxes US$. I did this not for the room (we were only docked in Nassau 9:30-5:15) but for full access to Atlantis.

Our experience was seamless (and a whole lot cheaper than booking an excursion to Atlantis!). We took a taxi to the Comfort Suites, checked in (and out - they know the gig) and got our "cards" to go get wristbands at Atlantis.

We walked across the street, to the correct Atlantis building (this was our one error, we went to the wrong building at first), picked up our wristbands and that was it! Full access to the entire resort for the day. (Waterpark, all pools, all areas)

One note: make sure you have the credit card the room was booked with and your picture ID (needed to "check-in" and to get the wristband). Towels are provided at Atlantis. And of important note to any other Starbucks addicts like myself - Starbucks is right by the Mayan waterslides

When you made the reservation, what was your check-in day?...the day prior? According to the hotel website, check-in isn't until 3:00 P.M.

 

[crowls]

I booked for the night of our port day.....so we arrived around 10am I think, checked in - was told the room wasn't ready (that was ok and then stated we wanted to be automatically checked out the next day. She knew instantly and then started asking about what ship we were on...ha ha! There were actually 2 other families there in line doing the exact same thing. We never actually entered the hotel room

 

[DCSWO]

It’s definitely a money saver for cruisers (i’ve done it) and I would bet the hotel double books plenty of those rooms.

 

[SIN Cruiser]

I've done it too -- one room for 2A and 2C.

 

[hanscarlet]

Good to know! I've always wanted to try this...

 

[bumbershoot]

When you made the reservation, what was your check-in day?...the day prior? According to the hotel website, check-in isn't until 3:00 P.M.

Just like most hotels (Dh traveled internationally for half the year from 2009 to 2016 and encountered only 2 or 3 hotels that were different and they were in NYC) they let you do the checkin process and become guests of the resort with all the perks before 3pm.

They know exactly what people are doing and are obviously fine with it. And why wouldn’t they be? Money but no wear and tear on rooms?

 

[kerrianne]

Thanks for the information!
What is the right building?!

 

[bgula]

Taxes and fees kill the deal - Disney is cheaper, plus you'd have to pay for a taxi to get there.

 

[Oregongram]

Used this website to check prices: https://www.choicehotels.com/bahamas/nassau/comfort-suites-hotels/bs003

For the date we will be in Nassau, 2 adults at Comfort Suites Paradise Island cost $367.62 USD (price includes taxes and fees). Not sure what the cost of taxi is.

DCL Atlantis Adventure for 2 adults is $390.00 (195 each) and includes transportation. For us (as 2 adults) booking a room at the Comfort Suites is not a value.

I changed booking to 2 adults and 2 children and the room price stayed at $367.62 Maximum 4 occupancy per room. 2 adults and 2 children is a savings.

4 adults the room jumped to $506.52 USD which is a savings.

YMMV

 

[crowls]

Taxi is $4 per person - they are vans (or were for us) and we shared with 1 other family. Just checked my bill, fees are high but our total bill of $260 + $12 cab fare + $12 return cab fare still saved us a few hundred $$. I have played around with the website and the sooner you book the cheaper the rate (although that depends on season somewhat). We were there the end of Jan and booked 6 months prior.

I apologize I can't remember the right tower to get the wristbands but I do know it is the one to the right when you walk from Comfort Suites to Atlantis (we took a left....wrong way!)

 

[DCSWO]

My notes from last time I did this is to walk out the BACK door of Comfort Suites and across the street into the Atlantis Casino, thru the casino to the main lobby (by the Dig) downstairs to get armbands.

 

[Ruth B]

What a great idea. Did you feel it was worth doing? Very tempted to book the hotel option now as for a family of four works out much cheaper

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a great idea. Did you feel it was worth doing? Very tempted to book the hotel option now as for a family of four works out much cheaper

I think it would be a wonderful experience. We have done the experience with DCL and the Atlantis water slides, pools, river are extraordinary!

 

[Shanti]

I think it would be a wonderful experience. We have done the experience with DCL and the Atlantis water slides, pools, river are extraordinary!

Glad to hear that! I've read some reports that it's great, and other reports that it's too crowded to enjoy. My son loves waterslides & we'll probably go during our Dream cruise in December. What were the crowds like, in your experience?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Glad to hear that! I've read some reports that it's great, and other reports that it's too crowded to enjoy. My son loves waterslides & we'll probably go during our Dream cruise in December. What were the crowds like, in your experience?

I really do not remember, I am sorry. We had our grandchildren and other family members with us, we did it twice. A great time was had by all...that’s my impression. We are talking about 2012, 2013. We all split up, doing our own things. Once, our DGS, (7) got tired before the rest of his family, we took him back to the ship. He lingered watching and enjoying the aquarium creatures for a long time as we were leaving.

 

[Bridget522]

We really want to do this but have a family of 5. Has anyone else able to get one room with 5 people? 2 adults, 3 kids

 

[wilyum]

We really want to do this but have a family of 5. Has anyone else able to get one room with 5 people? 2 adults, 3 kids

Has anyone tried adding a 3rd child for a family of five? Im thinking if its not possible I could always buy a seperate child day pass and would still come out $300-$400 ahead.