OT: has anyone stayed at the Atlantis Harborside?

[Taratink]

I am thinking about booking a stay at the Atlantis thru II. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on how to get into this resort?
TIA
Tara

 

[Taratink]

bump!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I am going there for the 4th time in May. It is an INCREDIBLE resort!!! I actually own Starwood timeshare, so it is easier for me to get an internal trade than it will be for you to get it through II. When do you plan to travel? This resort gets booked pretty quickly...

 

[Taratink]

I have no idea when to visit. It needs to be warm. Maybe March or April? Any suggestions you have on restaurants, airfare or activities would be great. II says that I can get on a waiting list 1 year ahead of time and pick 3 different weeks that I might have a chance. I can pick 6 different weeks if I can get in. Do you know what weeks are slower? I will be visiting with my DS7, DD6, DH and Mother. We need a large 2 bedroom or 3 if available. Is this a good place to bring kids? I know I have a lot of questions. I am planning this vacation for 2007.
TIA,
Tara

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Your kids will ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT there!!!! It is such an amazing resort!! There are TONS of restaurants on property. Just go to Atlantis.com and check out the DINING section. BEWARE....it is pretty expensive to eat there!!!! This year, I am doing the Modified American Meal Plan, which gives me breakfast and lunch at sit down places. But tax and tip are extra.

Hmmmm....which weeks would I suggest? Any time where kids are still in school! Otherwise, it's PACKED. It also might be easier in September-November, but that is Hurricane season so not sure if I would go then. I went last Jan 28-Feb 5 and it was nice. A bit cooler at night and the beach was closed because the water was so rough (usually is that time of the year). But otherwise, it was GREAT. This year, we are going in May (leaving on Mother's Day). This is our 3rd time going that week. We really love it that time.

If you have 6 weeks to put into II system for next year and you want to go in early 2007, try March, April and May. It might be harder to get the trade during March and April due to Spring Break week. All schools are different!

 

[Taratink]

How were the harborside villas? Could 5 people comfortably stay in a 2 br unit? My husband and Mother will need some space from each other. Maybe a lock off? I think that those are really hard to get. Did you cook while you were there. I would think that the grocery stores are much more limited than ours. I will have a lot of questios so I will probably ask you more later if that is okay with you.

 

[klfrech]

What is II? I've seen availability through a site called myresortnetwork.com.

Also, is there enough to do at the resort for a week? Our usual vacations revolve around running from park to park and I'm wondering if we'll get bored. How about things to do at night with the kids?

 

[Taratink]

II is Intervale International. It is a timeshare company.
Tara

 

[In Luv with Disney]

How were the harborside villas? The villas are GORGEOUS. Phase II is the newest section. That is the only area that offers regular 2 bedrooms and 3 bedroom villas. Phase I offers 2 BR Lockoffs.

Could 5 people comfortably stay in a 2 br unit? Yes, 5 people could comfortably stay in a 2BR...whether it is a lockoff OR a regular 2 BR!!! They are VERY nice sized villas. 2 BR Lockoffs are harder to get.

Did you cook while you were there. Nah, we didn't cook much. We had a nice breakfast one day that DH made, but other than that, we ate out. We got a lot of snacks, water, soda, beer, etc. for the room.

I would think that the grocery stores are much more limited than ours. There is a supermarket down the block from the Atlantis...DON'T GO THERE!!!! I have been there each year during my trip and it always looks like it is going out of business. Not only that, it's EXPENSIVE and DIRTY!!! Harborside offers a shuttle service that is $7 per person round trip that takes you into NASSAU, into a big supermarket where the locals shop. DEFINITELY more affordable than anything on Paradise Island!!! And there is a beer distributor across the parking lot from the supermarket. So you can get everything you need in 1 trip. SOOOO WORTH IT!!!

I will have a lot of questios so I will probably ask you more later if that is okay with you. ASK AWAY!!!!! It is by far my most FAVORITE vacation spot so far!!!!!!! I can't wait to get back!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

What is II? I've seen availability through a site called myresortnetwork.com.

Also, is there enough to do at the resort for a week? Our usual vacations revolve around running from park to park and I'm wondering if we'll get bored. How about things to do at night with the kids?

II is a timeshare exchange company called INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL. If you own timeshare and that resort participates in II,then you would be able to exchange into Harborside, based on availability of course. It is a VERY hard exchange to get, which is why I would take what I could get if exchanging through an External Exchange Company!!!

As for things to do....there is A LOT to do there. However, it is MUCH different than our regular Disney World vacations. Everything is at a MUCH slower pace. Days are spent deciding which pools to go to (there are like 13 pools there!!!! ) and what restaurants to eat at. There are water slides, a lazy river, kiddie pools, water sports on the beach, paid for excursions (dolphin encounters, booze cruises, snorkel adventures, etc). The kids will have a BALL looking at the amazing fish in their marine habitat, second to NONE. The Dig is wonderful!!! There's a casino for the adults, a movie theater for the whole family! A comedy club for those 17 and older.

Any more questions, don't hesitate to ask!!!

Kim

 

[Taratink]

Thanks Kim. Maybe I'll ask for a 2 br. just to get better my odds. How many beds are in the second bedroom? Are there 2 bathrooms? I will have my Mom and DH read your info. it might help me sell Harborside to them. My DH is not too excited about traveling with my Mom (even though he likes her). I thought that there would be enough for all of us to do there together and seperately. Balance is key.
Tara

 

[In Luv with Disney]

Thanks Kim. Maybe I'll ask for a 2 br. just to get better my odds. How many beds are in the second bedroom? Are there 2 bathrooms? I will have my Mom and DH read your info. it might help me sell Harborside to them. My DH is not too excited about traveling with my Mom (even though he likes her). I thought that there would be enough for all of us to do there together and seperately. Balance is key.
Tara

If you get a standard two bedroom, I think in the master bedroom there is a queen or a king size bed and in the 2nd bedroom there are two double beds. Plus, in the living room, there is a Queen size sleeper sofa. Definitely enough room for your mom!

If you get a 2 bedroom lockoff, both bedrooms have queen or king size beds. There will be two living rooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 dining areas, 2 kitchens (full kitchen in larger portion of lockoff, kitchenette in smaller portion), etc.

Harborside is an AMAZING place to travel with families. In fact, Atlantis was ranked #1 in all of the Caribbean for Family vacations (my mom read me the article in the Daily News yesterday).

My mom travels with us, too...but I always get the 2 bedroom lockoff for us. Me, DH and DS always get the larger portion (when we go in May we will have our 11 month old with us!) and my mom, step father and little brother (he's 18 now!) get the smaller portion. It ALWAYS works out for us!! You can keep the connecting door open or leave it closed, so it's actually two separate villas. That might work out better for your DH!

Hey, also put it this way...tell him if your mom goes with you guys on vacation, there is someone to watch the kids when you want to go to the Casino or comedy club, or even the nightclub!!!

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

OK, I was a little "off" when describing the 2 bedroom villas. So here is the description, right from the Atlantis website"

Two Bedroom Deluxe Villa
918 sq feet accommodates up to six persons
• Fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, dishwasher, four-burner stovetop, microwave-convection oven, coffee maker, toaster and blender
• The living room features a queen-size sleeper sofa and an entertainment center with cable TV and DVD/VCR
• A master bedroom includes a king bed, cable TV, jetted tub and walk-in shower
• A second bedroom has a queen bed, cable TV and private bathroom
• Other standard amenities include a jetted bathtub, washer/dryer, in-room safes and a private terrace with table and chairs

Two Bedroom Premium Villa (2 Bedroom Lockoff)
1389 sq feet accommodates up to nine persons with existing bedding and one rollaway
• One kitchen and one kitchenette each equipped with refrigerators, dishwashers, stovetop burners, microwave-convection ovens
• Two living areas, feature entertainment centers with cable TV and DVD/VCR
• The premium living room features a queen sleeper sofa; the deluxe living room includes a full sleeper sofa
• Two luxurious bedrooms include king beds and cable TV
• Other standard amenities include two jetted bathtubs, two washers/dryers, in-room safes and a private terrace with table and chairs

Three Bedroom Deluxe Villa (Two Bedroom Deluxe Villa + One Bedroom Deluxe Villa combined)
1486 sq feet accommodates up to ten persons
• One kitchen and one kitchenette with refrigerators, dishwashers, stovetop burners, microwave-convection ovens
• Two living rooms include entertainment centers with cable TV and DVD/VCR
• The two-bedroom deluxe living room features a queen sleeper sofa; the one-bedroom deluxe unit includes a full sleeper sofa
• The master bedroom features a king bed, cable TV, jetted tub and walk-in shower
• A second bedroom features a queen bed, cable TV and private bathroom
• A third bedroom includes a king bed, cable TV and jetted bathtub
• Other standard amenities include two washers/dryers, in-room safes and two private terraces with table and chair

 

[Taratink]

That sounds soooo nice. This will be through my Mom's timeshare so DH really needs to zip it or he will get left home. Wow, I am really tough when he is not around. I am going to try for a 2br or 2br with lock off during April or begining of May. I checked out Jetblue and they have some really cheap flights out of Boston starting at $79 one way. This may turn out to be a cheap vacation for us.
Tara