Atlantis- Bahamas- thoughts?

[SixD9R]

Hey everyone, wifey is hitting me up to take the family to Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. Did a couple of quick search’s on there website and my credit card started to smolder before I even booked anything. The trip would be for my wife, 13 y/o daughter and I. I also searched on RDP and it seems to have decent feedback from the inmates.
Any additional thoughts?
What are the Covid protocols these days for traveling abroad?
Thanks for the help!

 

[SJP]

We would go to Atlantis for a day or two bookending trip to Exumas. It was more than enough time there. Like you said pricey but adults at pool Vegas style and kids riding the slides can be done in a day. I enjoyed the water park. Pre Covid so I do not know what the deal is now. The boys and I liked boating and snorkeling in more remote areas. When you go to Atlantis it is like Disneyland in Bahamas.

 

[King295]

I've been once, stayed at the timeshares outside of the hotel which was nice. Overall we had a good time (wife sat by the pool while I hit up the slides with the younger individuals in our group) but overall it feels like you are lighting $100's on fine every 10 minutes. The gambling was not a great experience, but that could have just been me.... @SJP pretty well summed it up above and my experience was also pre-covid.

 

[cxr]

The above guys hit all the points.......

We stayed a week had a great time. (SUPER TIME that is )
food, drinks are expensive because everything is shipped in.
lots of different pools, the rapid (lazy) river is super fun to do lots of times.
Beautiful property. lots of marine wildlife




added:
if your on a budget the timeshare rooms rentals can sometimes be found. its on property on the marina side , beautiful and has a bus system around the rest of the property
i dont know how big your party is but the comfort inn i understand is directly across the street and you get access to the property and waterpark and supposedly cost savings

 

[SixD9R]

Thanks for the info guys! We are still thinking about it.
Question- are there any all- inclusive resorts anywhere in the Bahamas that you can recommend other than Sandals?

 

[cxr]

Thanks for the info guys! We are still thinking about it.
Question- are there any all- inclusive resorts anywhere in the Bahamas that you can recommend other than Sandals?

goto Atlantis LOL

i have priced BAHA MAR and Margaritaville recently trying to plan a summer trip 2x-3x price of the Atlantis

 

[Icky]

We went in September as one of our stops for our honeymoon as we had "free " rooms there. A total of 4 nights between the two of us. It's was one of our stops on a cruise a few years back, so we always wanted to check it put more in depth.

Not sure what the requirements are now, but we had to take a PCR test to get there, and another to leave(antigen). If we wanted to leave the resort, we needed a current test to be on file. They also required masks everywhere at the time.

Not everything was open when we were there but they had plenty of restaurants and places to eat in the resort. As other have said, everything is pricey, they add the island tax and gratuity to everything. We picked up a case of water on the way in at a grocery store, wish we would've bought soda and some other items. I complain about it, but my gambling bill was higher.

The water park was fun, I'm like a big kid so I went on almost everything that was open. I really liked the lazy river as it has rapid sections. There are lots of pools to hang out at. I believe one of the hotels has their own private pool area. Lots of walking to see everything.

The aquarium in the main lobby was cool, they have a guided tour where you can snorkel in the aquarium. They also have a marine habit.

Supposedly another resort on the island built their own water park as well since all their guest were going to Atlantis for the water park.

 

[Backlash]

I'm of a different opinion when it comes to the Bahamas. Don't go to Atlantis. Why not? Because everything they offer there, are things that you can find in Las Vegas or any other metropolitan area. It's cool, expensive, crowded and makes you feel like you're at Disney.

My recommendation for the Bahamas is to go and visit the "Out Islands." The smaller less populated islands east of Nassau where you get a true taste of the Bahamian culture. Amazing food, empty beaches, friendly locals, etc.

Anywhere you go, food and daily necessities are going to be expensive. That's just the way it is. The further away from civilization you are, the more expensive it will be. The price is worth it to truly experience paradise.

Many Floridians have homes in the Bahamas that are listed on VRBO and Airbnb. I would recommend that versus an all inclusive resort. Just my .02.

 

[Jim]

FYI
my daughter just booked their Honeymoon (June) she checked out Atlantis. Tho fabulous, your kids will love it. Be aware, theres no "All inclusive" anything. ANYTHING. Expect to be charge for each square of TP you use !!
Really, her friends say, they've been there, the meal and alcohol bill will be greater than your hotel stay.
the prices are astronomical. they're making up for a year of covid losses.
Just an FYI for your accounting before you book. they decided elsewhere.....

 

[C-Ya]

I'm of a different opinion when it comes to the Bahamas. Don't go to Atlantis. Why not? Because everything they offer there, are things that you can find in Las Vegas or any other metropolitan area. It's cool, expensive, crowded and makes you feel like you're at Disney.

My recommendation for the Bahamas is to go and visit the "Out Islands." The smaller less populated islands east of Nassau where you get a true taste of the Bahamian culture. Amazing food, empty beaches, friendly locals, etc.

Anywhere you go, food and daily necessities are going to be expensive. That's just the way it is. The further away from civilization you are, the more expensive it will be. The price is worth it to truly experience paradise.

Many Floridians have homes in the Bahamas that are listed on VRBO and Airbnb. I would recommend that versus an all inclusive resort. Just my .02.

Backlash has excellent advice!

Research The Abacos.

If you decide to go to Abacos……. Rent both a boat and golf cart for your entire stay. Islands to consider: Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Elbow Cay. I’d recommend Treasure Cay, but it has yet to be rebuilt after Dorian.

Some of the best times I’ve ever had were in The Abacos. Just saying

 

[Motor Boater]

My old boss was telling me about being at Atlantis and having to get up at 5am to secure lounge chairs for the day. One day someone stole their chairs and tossed all their shit in the sand when they went swimming and they almost got in a fight over it. I was thinking that doesn’t sound like fun to me at all.

 

[DaytonaBabe]

No input for you regarding Atlantis. We've been through there, but never stayed. What I will say is that Nassau is kindof a shithole unless you are on a resort. Not particularly safe.

I'd recommend Exuma or the Abacos, as mentioned above.

 

[mobldj]

we stayed in the time share condos on other side of marina.those yatchs make dcbs look like bayliners.lol.get the meal plan and save bucks.if you go off island to town be prepared for pure ghetto.

 

[Backlash]

Backlash has excellent advice!

Research The Abacos.

If you decide to go to Abacos……. Rent both a boat and golf cart for your entire stay. Islands to consider: Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Elbow Cay. I’d recommend Treasure Cay, but it has yet to be rebuilt after Dorian.

Some of the best times I’ve ever had were in The Abacos. Just saying

My Grandmother is from Green Turtle Cay and it's one of my favorite places in the Abacos. My wife and I spent a couple weeks in Treasure Cay pre Hurricane Dorian, and it was one of the most beautiful places you can imagine. Bahama Beach Club would be my recommendation once the community fully recovers.

As C-ya said, you can rent a golf cart and boat, and island hop to the surrounding cays, but it will be costly. There are plenty of local tour operators who can take you wherever you'd like to go for a reasonable fee if you forego the boat rental.

 

[cxr]

Also there are Bareboat Charters in the Bahamas also.

i have researched these, and they are on m y list ... but just costly . Son is finishing up training now and im gonna talk him into paying for it

 

[C-Ya]

Also there are Bareboat Charters in the Bahamas also.

i have researched these, and they are on m y list ... but just costly . Son is finishing up training now and im gonna talk him into paying for it

It’s actually not a great place for bareboat charters. Basically because you become very restricted, due to draft of boat. There are a lot of places you won’t be going on that boat. However, the alternative is much better anyways. Rent 4 bedroom home for 4 couples on any island I previously mentioned. Make sure it has pool and dock. Rent boat and 2 golf carts for your entire stay. It will be half the price of the bareboat charter and twice the fun! Don’t forget to go to Nippers on Sundays for the Pig Roast. It’s on Great Guana Cay. It’s a fun get together!

 

[C-Ya]

My Grandmother is from Green Turtle Cay and it's one of my favorite places in the Abacos. My wife and I spent a couple weeks in Treasure Cay pre Hurricane Dorian, and it was one of the most beautiful places you can imagine. Bahama Beach Club would be my recommendation once the community fully recovers.

View attachment 1110005

As C-ya said, you can rent a golf cart and boat, and island hop to the surrounding cays, but it will be costly. There are plenty of local tour operators who can take you wherever you'd like to go for a reasonable fee if you forego the boat rental.

The cheapest boats I have rented worldwide have been in the Abacos. What cost $700 a day in SoFlo is $250/$300 day. They can get as cheap as $175 per day, but those boats are to short for my taste.

Having your own boat is the way to go in my opinion….. It’s too fun just exploring. I lost count of the number of private sandy beaches with turquoise water. And the bay between Scotland Cay and Great Guana Cay is absolutely my most favorite spot in the Bahamas! Not sure I’ve ever seen a tour boat there.

 

[Tamalewagon]

If you are on the West coast, getting there is a pain in the rump and an all day affair (most likely red eye flight involved). Save some dough and go to an all inclusive resort in Cabo. Everyone thinks of Cabo as just go to the beach and layout type of place. You can off road race in dune buggies just up the west coast about 1/2 hour (did this for my BIL's bachelor party weekend one of the days...unreal!), booze cruise on the Pez Gato, unbelievable golf courses, great restaurants if you know where to go and second to none offshore fishing. If you're dead set on an island resort, try the BVI's or AVI's, St. Kitts or Nevis. All better deals imho and not the rat hole that Nassau is.

 

[SixD9R]

Thanks again for all the feedback!
We are still thinking about all of this.
We would love to see some of the nicer places in the Bahamas you all mentioned and maybe we will do a split trip- part Atlantis and the other Abacos or Exuma. We have seen many videos of Exuma and Abacos so we have an idea of how beautiful it is.
Would love to rent a small boat but I’m a little nervous about that not knowing anything about the area.

If we go to Atlantis we would definitely do their meal plan. We have been to all-inclusive resorts and love that arrangement because it’s just so dam easy and relaxing. Only thing you have to do is make a dinner reservation and show up for it. I love being able to lock my wallet in the room safe and eat, drink as much as I want, wherever and whenever I want. We were thinking if we do the meal plan at Atlantis it’s similar to an all-inclusive but I’m sure it doesn’t include alcohol the other thing is we are just interested in Atlantis because it just seems like an interesting, cool and fun place to see.

 

[C-Ya]

Thanks again for all the feedback!
We are still thinking about all of this.
We would love to see some of the nicer places in the Bahamas you all mentioned and maybe we will do a split trip- part Atlantis and the other Abacos or Exuma. We have seen many videos of Exuma and Abacos so we have an idea of how beautiful it is.
Would love to rent a small boat but I’m a little nervous about that not knowing anything about the area.

If we go to Atlantis we would definitely do their meal plan. We have been to all-inclusive resorts and love that arrangement because it’s just so dam easy and relaxing. Only thing you have to do is make a dinner reservation and show up for it. I love being able to lock my wallet in the room safe and eat, drink as much as I want, wherever and whenever I want. We were thinking if we do the meal plan at Atlantis it’s similar to an all-inclusive but I’m sure it doesn’t include alcohol the other thing is we are just interested in Atlantis because it just seems like an interesting, cool and fun place to see.

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