Comfort Suites Paradise Island

[brymolmom]

Through a thread on the DIS recently, I found out about this hotel - and the ability to 'use' the Atlantis' pools when you stay there. I have been doing more research since then and am now actively planning a trip there next year. The reviews on tripadvisor that I've been reading just don't get specific enough for my planning obsession. If you have been there, can you please answer some/all of these questions? TIA!
1) Is there a store of any sort in Nassau or PI to buy water, pop, juice, snacks to put in the room?
2) I know you can use Atlantis' pool - but what about other amenities? Can you use the beach? Can you go into the aquariums? Can the kids go into the kids' club? Are all of these things free when staying at Comfort Suites?
3) I read in a travel book that Atlantis guests can get a free island tour that happens each day...I'm wondering if Comfort Suites guests qualify for this too?
4) Any recommendations on restaurants that are decently priced? Based on my research I'm guessing that we need to go outside of Atlantis for this.
5) Any kid-type activities that you would recommend? My kids will be ds6 and dd5. I read about some Pirate museum type thing - have you done this?
6) Any tricks or tips that you learned that you would like to share?

Thanks so much! I can't believe I'm actually planning a trip somewhere other than WDW!

 

[DVCJEN]

You can use the pools and beach for free but not the childcare, etc. Atlantis is a great place to spend a long weekend. As far as groceries I can't really say as we never really left the resort. Nassau, like most Carribbean towns has some seedy and poor elements but the resort areas tend to be nice.

Not sure how long you are staying but personally, I think a week would be way to long--not really enough to do unless your family is a "hang out at the pool all day" people.
Its a great place for a 3 or 4 day get away though.

 

[brymolmom]

Thanks DVCJEN.

Bumping for more...

 

[fan_of_small_world]

We stayed at Atlantis a few years ago, so I don't have the most up-to-date information. However, I can try to answer a few things...

1 - There was a little shopping center very close to the Comfort Suites which had a very small convenience store. DH bought milk there, although I think a half-gallon cost the same as a whole gallon did back home.
2 - Pool, beach, and aquariums, I believe, were accessible to CS guests. I doubt that the kids club would be open to them, though.
3 - not sure
4 - Well, there isn't much of anything down there that would be considered "reasonably priced," lol! Actually, there was a great little restaurant just outside of the Atalntis property and near a marina. I'll have to ask DH if he remembers the name. Some private fishermen had a good day and "paid" for their meal by giving the restaurant a good portion of their catch. It was one of the best meals we had there.
5 - Mine love the dolphin excursion where they got to get in the water with a dolphin.
6 - When we went, the buffets were absolutely awful.

Also, don't expect anything even close to the kind of customer service you get at WDW. The staff at Atlantis bordered on rude, but honestly it wasn't so terrible that I wouldn't go back. As long as you know this ahead of time, you can deal with it. Just be persistant if you need something at the desk or from room service and they don't handle it right away.

We really loved it there, and would go back in a heartbeat. If we do, we'll probably stay at CS, given how expensive Atlantis is. (We were there with DH's work, so the room was paid for by the company. We were soooo spoiled there - ocean front room overlooking the lagoon - gorgeous!!!)

Finally - you HAVE to try Goombay Punch! It's like a soda, but tropical flavored. Amazing - and the kids loved it too. You can't get it here in the US. And, if you want to make it more grown-up, order a Goombay Smash!

ETA: I have to respectfully disagree with DVCJEN - we were there for 8 days and loved it. We only did the beach once or twice, and I was on my own with the kids for half of the trip. With all of the aquariums and other things there to do and see, though, we never got bored. When DH was in meetings we explored, did the kids craft (don't know if they still do this) and had a ball.

 

[brymolmom]

Thanks so much for the replies Cari. We are planning to spend 5 nights. We are going with at least one other family - so that should be good - 2 of us each night will likely head to the casino while the kids are in bed with the other parents watching them.

I've been watching prices and it's difficult to tell for sure this far out - but I'm hoping for it to be about $3500 for the 4 of us for 5 nights.

Anyone else with experience? TIA!

 

[a1tinkfans]

WAY OVERPRICED vacation, though beautiful!

Bring TONS of cash, if you forget your sunscreen they'll charge you $35.00 at the stand by the pool.
Food is VERY VERY overpriced on property and the quality is NOT what you're paying for.
It is not Disney, the WORKERS are not cm's and it is a lovely time IF YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!