OT: Atlantis Trip, WWYD?

[lovinpoohbear]

Totally OT, but DH and I are going to Nassau this July for 4 days. Alone. This is our 1st trip ever without the kids! We are celebrating our 12th anniversary. I am currently booked at the RUI Paradise Island which is all inclusive and looks nice. Now that I am reading reviews, it seems like there isn't too much nightlife there. And there is only 1 pool. No waterpark.
Now Atlantis is pricing less, of course, it is not all inclusive. However, if we did the casual dining plan, (one full breakfast and one dinner) it comes out to being only about $100 more than my RUI package.
Atlantis appeals to me more because of all of the amenities it has. I am just bummed that it is not all inclusive and that drinks and such will add to the cost.
Has anyone been at both and can compare the 2 resorts?
Atlantis reviews wanted.....Thanks.
I just cannot make up my mind!!!

 

[Eeyore's the Best]

If I were you I would stay at Riu, you can go to Atlantis any time to enjoy the Casino and the night clubs but I think the value of the all inclusive at Riu would be better. Last time we went we stayed at Breezes (not even on the island) and spent a whole day at Atlantis shopping and enjoying the casino for free. Things at Atlantis are VERY expensive, drinks, water bottles etc super over priced.

 

[a1tinkfans]

ATLANTIS will cost you so much more for EVERYTHING, like water at 7.00 and suntan lotion you forgot at the room, 20. it is just so overpriced.....and the unfortunately does not MATCH that cost....Drinks...NUTS!!

I say, go visit it, use the casino for free and most of all HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

 

[Kelblum]

We loved Atlantis and even if you don't stay there you should go. It is so much fun! That being said, we went when we were on the Disney Cruise, so we didn't have to stay anywhere. Everything was VERY expensive. We bought lunch at one of the outside places by the pool and for 2 french fries, 4 drinks, a hamburger and a grilled chicken sandwich is was over $50!

 

[mjkacmom]

See how much it costs to get a room at the comfort suites next to Atlantis - you might be able to get the best of both worlds! We did the DCL, and booked a room at the CS for a night, just to use the facilities, and it was around $200. We never saw the room, but enjoyed Atlantis, and brought lunch from DLC, plus water (which we brought on the cruise).

 

[cann1214]

I say stay at Atllants. We went for our honeymoon and again last summer for our 5 year anniversary. There is no place like it. Yes, it is expensive, but with the meal plan you will be plenty full. We packed snacks from home to keep in our room. We also walked across the street to the store and bought a case of water and a case of beer. We kept it on ice in the room. If you are not staying onsite, they will not let you use the waterpark. You must show your room key to gain entrance and get a braclet to use the facilities. They are very strict with this. To me, it is so worth the extra expense. There is no reason to leave the resort--so you save on taxi fare.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We LOVE Atlantis!...However we DO NOT stay there. We stay at comfort Suites next door. You have complete signing privileges and can use all the facilities. They also have a free continental breakfast, so that is one meal taken care of. The rooms have always been very clean with a little fridge and microwave. There is a nice (usually quiet) pool with swim up bar.
On the way from the airport you can ask the driver (if you take a cab) to stop at the grocery store at Harbor Bay (it is just after the bridge going over to Paradise Island) you can get snack and lunch foods and water/drinks. There is also a liquor store there so you can make your own to bring with you walking around if you indulge (hey, one less you have to buy)...or just bring a bottle or 2 with you from home. There's also a KFC and Subway. Now remember prices are higher in the Bahamas because all the items include tax and frieght.
On PI there is also a Quizno's in walking distance and another liquor store if you don't stop before. And Domino's does deliver.
The resturants in Atlantis can be very expensive, but some are not too bad...Murrays Deli has some good entrees (more than just sandwiches) with generous portions that could be shared and Johnny Rockets (in the marina) has burgers and such. Bimini Road (marina) is a little more, but was pretty good. The Lagoon Bar and Grill (by the shark tunnel) is good but a little pricey for lunch foods. Marketplace has a good breakfast buffet...pricey, but if you have it as a brunch it is worth it. There is also a pizza place at the Marina.
It is usually pretty busy in July...long lines for the slides and a lot of kids (don't know how the economy has effected it this year)...but still a lot of fun.
Of course there is the casino. There is also a comedy club (check the board at the hotel for performers), movie theater (free--i think it is the ONLY thing at Atlantis that is free!!!), pottery place (paint your own), night clubs, spa, library, and gym.
Our favorite thing to do at night (with or without the kids) is to walk the pools/tanks. It is just beautiful (especially with a clear night) and give opportunity for some photo ops. Sometimes staff will ask for your room key to go out to the pools at night, sometimes they don't, so no guarantee you can go out if you don't have priviledges.
You can use the casino, comedy club, etc without priviledges, but take into consideration that cabs are not cheap, so factor that into your budget if you are heading to Atlantis every night.
If you have any other ?'s please ask. HTH

 

[Jules123]

I went to Atlantis in April on a girls only trip and had a an AWESOME trip. The resort is so beautiful. We never left the property. We stayed at The Cove (very expensive) but it was so nice as they have an adults only pool. Food is outrageous there. We paid $4.00 for a canned Coke. Crazy! Love, love love Atlantis!

 

[GISELLEROL]

I have been to the cove also but I had the dining plan. Everything was well worth it.

 

[CLR4321]

I would stay at Atlantis honestly. The resort is awesome and has tons to do. I used to be a travel agent and knew everything there was to do there just from selling it, but I never did get the chance to stay. All inclusive is nice, however I'd take all of the amenities Atlantis has over it. Food in the Bahamas is not too terribly expensive. If you do plan to drink a lot, it can add up though.
One word of warning, if you rent a car, don't forget they drive on the left side of the road! When me and my mom went to Nassau, we got a car, and she ended up in the wrong lane a few times, luckily no one was around though.

 

[Darcy03231]

I have friend that took his 3 kids to Atlantis for a week. This guy has a very successful business so money is not an issue for him. He came back and said he thought it was expensive for what you got. He ended up spending about $10k for the week for the four of them. For that he thought he could have had a much nicer vacation somewhere else.

We did walk through it on our way to the beach when we stopped in the Bahamas for a cruise one day. While it looked really nice, it was also really crowded.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Atlantis is nice, but I think you could get day passes and stay at the other place. All inclusive will be worth a lot as others said. Food & Drinks are outrageously expensive...like laughable.

We got a little bag of grapes for a snack at the pool = $7 Dinner was always over $100.00 not even counting drinks..and it was 2 adults and a kids meal.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Atlantis is nice, but I think you could get day passes and stay at the other place. All inclusive will be worth a lot as others said. Food & Drinks are outrageously expensive...like laughable.

We got a little bag of grapes for a snack at the pool = $7 Dinner was always over $100.00 not even counting drinks..and it was 2 adults and a kids meal.

Day passes are rather expensive and you would still have to bring or buy your food and drinks for the day.

Where did you eat...or is it what did you eat (lol)? We are 2 adults and 2 children and have never had a bill that much in the moderately priced places. Sometimes the fish can up the bill and lobster definately will!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I have friend that took his 3 kids to Atlantis for a week. This guy has a very successful business so money is not an issue for him. He came back and said he thought it was expensive for what you got. He ended up spending about $10k for the week for the four of them. For that he thought he could have had a much nicer vacation somewhere else.
We did walk through it on our way to the beach when we stopped in the Bahamas for a cruise one day. While it looked really nice, it was also really crowded.

Yep, the Ministry of Tourism says "Its Better in the Bahamas" (and having lived there I can attest that it is not!)...it should be "Its More Expensive in the Bahamas!"

Atlantis is expensive (especiall when you include you travel expenses too)...you are paying for the priviledge of staying at ATLANTIS! I am sure he could have gone to Disney for a longer stay at a Delux resort with park hoppers, water parks, and the DxDP for less. But for the Bahamas, Atlantis offers so much in one place for the entire family that it often makes sense as a travel destination. Guess he'll know for next time.

 

[avahoneybee]

I saw this and had to post. Atlantis is gorgeous but they literally nickle and dime you to death. If you go with a budget in mind, you'll be fine but even the small items like soda and water cost a fortune (like $10.00 for 1 bottle of water).

 

[avahoneybee]

I have friend that took his 3 kids to Atlantis for a week. This guy has a very successful business so money is not an issue for him. He came back and said he thought it was expensive for what you got. He ended up spending about $10k for the week for the four of them. For that he thought he could have had a much nicer vacation somewhere else.

We did walk through it on our way to the beach when we stopped in the Bahamas for a cruise one day. While it looked really nice, it was also really crowded.

This is very accurate.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Day passes are rather expensive and you would still have to bring or buy your food and drinks for the day.

Where did you eat...or is it what did you eat (lol)? We are 2 adults and 2 children and have never had a bill that much in the moderately priced places. Sometimes the fish can up the bill and lobster definately will!

We ate either across the street at the little village or we ate in resort itself. The bill was always over 100. We don't order appetizers and dessert this was just for the meals themselves.. I don't remember specifically what we ate as it was three years ago but typically seafood, chicken?? I do remember our dinner at the Italian place in the Village..I think its a chain from NYC..but it was family dinning..We just got Pasta and Chicken Parm and that was a very expensive dinner.

Its a common complaint ... maybe its just localized to Atlantis and surrounding area.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

This is very accurate.

It can be. We don't know what room they had (tower/view) and if this includes souviners (this is where they really get you).

We ate either across the street at the little village or we ate in resort itself. The bill was always over 100. We don't order appetizers and dessert this was just for the meals themselves.. I don't remember specifically what we ate as it was three years ago but typically seafood, chicken?? I do remember our dinner at the Italian place in the Village..I think its a chain from NYC..but it was family dinning..We just got Pasta and Chicken Parm and that was a very expensive dinner.

Its a common complaint ... maybe its just localized to Atlantis and surrounding area.

The Bahamas is very expensive EVERYWHERE (we lived on a different island) even if you are local and know where to go to avoid tourist prices. It is one of the reasons we moved back to the US...our grocery bill was no less than $500/mo WITHOUT meats, fresh veggies, cleaning supplies, and very few snack foods.

Many of the places in the Marina are expensive. Bimini Road and Johnny Rockets are about the only 2 that are budget friendly...and Murray's Deli that faces the Marina, but is not really in the Marina Village. Most of the resturants inside Atlantis are very pricey too...but hey, it's vacation right!

The only thing that really burned me (not trying to start a debate) is that they include tip onto everything and we have had some servers with an attitude that just didn't cut what was down on paper.

 

[avahoneybee]

It can be. We don't know what room they had (tower/view) and if this includes souviners (this is where they really get you).



The Bahamas is very expensive EVERYWHERE (we lived on a different island) even if you are local and know where to go to avoid tourist prices. It is one of the reasons we moved back to the US...our grocery bill was no less than $500/mo WITHOUT meats, fresh veggies, cleaning supplies, and very few snack foods.

Many of the places in the Marina are expensive. Bimini Road and Johnny Rockets are about the only 2 that are budget friendly...and Murray's Deli that faces the Marina, but is not really in the Marina Village. Most of the resturants inside Atlantis are very pricey too...but hey, it's vacation right!

The only thing that really burned me (not trying to start a debate) is that they include tip onto everything and we have had some servers with an attitude that just didn't cut what was down on paper.

It is accurate.

$6000 for family of 4 (with dining plan)
$1800 for Airfare
$2000 for spending (including dolphin encounter)

Atlantis is very expensive.