More Traveller Reviews of Atlantis Hotel
Give Me A Break!!
from Sandy0919
Okay, we save our pennies to take the 4 kids on a great vacation. We had to get 2 rooms - so we booked a room in the Beach Tower. Our first huge mistake!!! Our rooms were the awful. I've stayed in nicer Eco-Lodges! (And how much were we paying???) Next, we were there for 5 nights. Every single night, the high school and college kids on Spring Break were running up and down the halls drunk until 5:00 A.M.! We called security constantly - but our calls were ignored. One night the kids destroyed ceiling tiles in the halls and broke all the Exit lights. We observed young kids drinking in the lobbys every night. The staff seem comfortable serving minors alcohol. Minors were in the casino every night. The grounds, pools, slides, fish tanks, etc. are unbelievable - it truly is lovely. However, it is discouraging to see such a beautiful property run in such a low class way. Atlantis, you are hurting yourself.
Here's the truth folks
from A TripAdvisor Member
I have been there twice. The only way to eat there without going completely broke (and I make a mid six-figure income) is the meal plan. The reviews which mention a $25 sandwich are true. The service is indifferent and at times rude. The casino is just ok. Not like Vegas. Very few winners but they don't care... it's the only game in town and they know it. The premises and facilities are massive and beautiful. VERY spread out - lots of walking. It is paradise for the kids with slides, pools, aquariums, etc., The Discovery Kids Camp (run in conjunction with The Discovery Channel) is expensive but quite good. I found the room in the Coral Tower to be fine but not great. The Beach Tower was like a time-warp back to 1975. For a great experience try Chalks Airline (Grumman Mallard seaplanes) out of Ft. Laud or Miami and directly to the resort which avoids the airport and 45 minute jitney drive. Overall, once the beauty of the resort wears off you realize that there are many many other choices available. I wouldn't say that I would never go back but I'm certainly in no rush to do so. Its simply a very pretty place with lots to do but very very pricey (to the point where you feel gouged) and frankly, with the money that the resort brings to the Bahamian economy you would think that the staff would be at least pleasant. They mostly (a few exceptions) are not and for that I blame the resort management.
Overrated and not for the rich and famous anymore
from A TripAdvisor Member
We recently returned from a four day trip to the Atlantis... and will probably never return again unless the trip is given to us. We stayed in the Royal Towers, the newest of the hotels, and while the accomodations were ok they were not worth the $1,080 per night we spent. (we needed two rooms to accomodate 4 kids). Don't even open the door to the mini bar or you will certainly get charged for something that you did not take. Everything is placed on a sensor so even if you take something and put it back... it's your's. We chose the gourmet meal plan but since we did not ever get a clear explanation of how it works... we did not get our money's worth. The American meal plan is fine for a family with young children and is worth it as long as you understand how it works. The food was ok but we felt rushed at dinner even at the elegant restaurants. The kids had alot of fun at the pools and beaches... although we often felt like we were sitting at a slightly upgraded Sesame Place or water park. The worst part of our trip (which the kids were oblivious to) was the generally foul attitude of the staff. They were not very friendly (except for some of those seeking tips) or helpful. They did not seem to know anything about any service that they were not directly responsible for. Also there's ALOT of walking so don't forget anything in your room when you set out for the day and you must bring a stroller with toddlers.
Atlantis No fantasy
from JoRO2004
Ah what can I say about the biggest rip-off in the caribbean. I hope you read this review before you book your family trip to this "hot spot". Having visited many islands in the last ten years I had always heard very bad things about the bahamas. However, being a veteran traveller( I have traveled around the world 3 times and travel about 3 months a year for work) I needed to find out for myself the truth. A logical starting point was the grand resort Atlantis it's advertised as a magical place and believe me it is! The magic begins when they charge you an outrageous amount of $ for a room that looks like the Dayton Holiday Inn (no offense Dayton) then proceed to suck you dry at every corner. The trip I took was a package deal and I must say the website made the place look stunning and it was to a certian degree. The place is like a plastic replica of a normal caribben island only it is overcrowded with kids and their parents trying to make the most of the few free amenities in the resort. First off, the gym costs $20 per day to use, that right PER DAY! Second, the crappy food costs more ex. a turkey sandwich is $26 fries are extra and the bills are padded 15% for tips. The drinks are all measured shots(tiny) and average about $9. All in all, it would cost about $190.00 a day to feed one person with a couple of drinks per day. The meal plan was an option but then your stuck with the crappy food. As for the location, the taxi ride into town is about 25 minutes and after negotiating with the rude drivers you pay about $30 each way. That's right the resort does not have a free shuttle into town. In fact on the day I left my plane was scheduled to depart at 4:30pm and the hotel only has two buses to the airport a 6am and a 12noon. Obviously, this is so you clear out of the room and resort, what do they care if I had to wait in the airport all afternoon! In the end, I would not reccomend this place to my worst enemy. It is truly one of the major travel rip-offs of all time.
Horrible overated
from A TripAdvisor Member
This is absolutely the worst vacation that I have ever been on. The prices here were outrageous and I have traveled extensively all over the world. If you want to go to a crowded hotel, stand in line for a towel at the pool, have your neighbors with their 5 kids next door to you, spend $25.00 for a drink and a BLT sandwich then this is the resort for you. Oh and if you like to workout make sure you are willing to fork over another $20.00 a day to take a run on the treadmill. Make sure you bring your glamour magazine with you too becuase if you want to purchase that it is around $7.00. I guess the bottom line is you always feel like your being ripped off. Additionally, the rooms were nothing special no better than a Holiday inn(i.e, 2 beds and a TV) My advise is if you really really feel you must go to Atlantis(God knows why), stay across the street at the comfort suites which look quite nice, you get full use of the atlantis gounds waterslides, etc. but at half the price
Atlantis sunk
from A TripAdvisor Member
Atlantis (Coral Tower) is musty, run down and waaaaaaay overpriced. Come here and be prepared to drop a pile... if you're a shareholder in a company that books a conference here... sell the stock. If you're a corporate booker, don't fall for Atlantis' siren song. If you're my conference team, you got some explaining to do. Ugly and Artificial and miles from nowhere is what comes to mind after just a night here. Room service food is barely ok... restaurant food is just ok. I'll take a $16 taxi and eat at Da Fish Fry (a great local place) for the rest of my stay. This conference lasts three more days. I'm trying to move the conference, if not I'll move myself to a beter hotel... the rest can suffer... I'll gladly pay for better digs out of my own pocket.
Not What We Expected
from A TripAdvisor Member
03/11/03. We recently returned from a vacation at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. We were very disappointed in the quality of the rooms we stayed at in the Beach Towers. They smelled of mildew. Bathrooms were dirty. Safe was broken and also the bathroom sink. Looking out our balcony, there looked like a rusty broken down air conditioning unit and there was debris on the roof. These rooms were not at all what we had expected. There were five in our family (two rooms). Terrible. We requested to be moved. We moved to different rooms, but were still in the Beach Towers. These were not any better. Finally, on our third day of our vacation, we demanded different rooms and requested rooms in the Royal Towers. We were moved, and these rooms were much better. They were bigger, clean and did not smell. I would suggest to anyone planning a vacation to Atlantis, spend the extra money and stay in the Royal Towers. Do not stay in the Beach or Coral Towers and take lots and lots of money. Everything is very expensive. Our first night there our dinner bill was almost $400.00 for the five of us. Also, purchase the gourmet meal plan. But be aware, you still are responsible for tax and the tip. Automatically added to your bill. Do alot of research because our Travel Agent did not prepare us at all. Kids loved the slides and all the pools. Area around the pools were kept clean and the food was also very good. It is a beautiful place but after our experience, I'm not to sure I would ever go back.
The Atlantis is Awesome!
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just returned from our second trip to the Atlantis and it was awesome! The beauty is unmatched - including the beaches, resort grounds, facilities, and accommodations. It's so beautiful and enjoyable that my fiancee' and I are actually planning our wedding at the Atlantis and will return in May. I would like to comment about "attitudes" that I've seen some people write about. We stayed at the Sheraton, Cable Beach last year and I would agree that the attitudes of the staff was not great - but I would also say that the staff at the Atlantis makes every effort to be helpful, positive, and friendly throughout the resort. I would recommend this facility for couples and families!
One of the Best
from A TripAdvisor Member
Another of our favorites. The atmosphere and ambience-outstanding. Accomadations very good to excellent. Food on the gourmet plan-greeeaaaat. Especially enjoyed the courtyard dining at the Ocean Club. We have been there three times and have yet to be disappointed. Only complaint was the distance from our room at the Royal Towers to the pool area. Actually enjoyed the atmosphere at Coral Towers and Beach Towers than newer Royal Towers--much more shade. You just have to be impressed with the sea life, the dig,and architecture-down to the very last detail-a very impressive world class resort.
Beautiful... but with attitude
from Jilliantraveler
I am in complete agreement that this resort is a jaw dropper. Wonderfully landscaped, lots of nooks and cranies. As far as resorts go.. it can't be beat. There is lots to do, or if you choose there are many options to just relax. The casino is fun, and not too smoky. They do a great job with keeping it enjoyable for the non-smoker. The resort is very clean and we were never once at a loss of things to do. Pools, lazy river, shopping... on and on. That being said, surprisingly, I don't think I will ever return. I am a frequent Mexico traveler and I have become accustomed to the polite culture and great service we receive in Cancun. I was appauled at the services and rudeness we received from the Atlantis employees. I had read bad reviews and honestly thought it was just the reviewer. Not true. Service was really bad. When we checked in, the person behind the counter never once looked up at us. When we got to the room, we had lights burned out and a missing remote control. On our way to dinner that night we quickly stopped at the desk and was given close to a shrug and a half promise to look into it. The 15% gratuity built into everything kind of irked me. I would be more than happy to pay this or 20% if the service was good.. but it wasn't. You waited 20 minutes at a counter for a margaita with a splash or tequila and paid $8.75 plus 15% gratuity! For what!!!!??? In addition, the food was not very good. It was ok to somewhat good.I had a massage at the spa one day. At least they "called" it a massage. Not very good. Of course.. the 15% tip was already built in. I usually tip 20-30 percent for a massage... but in this case I didn't add a penny more. Also, after the message he took me to a counter to see all the products he used and was visibly upset I didn't buy any. He didn't say goodbye to me.. just turned and walked away. Come on... I just dropped $140.00 on 45 minutes and I had to catch this attitude??? Overall... we did have a good vacation. Nassau is better than Minnesota in February.. come on! I do not want to stress the negative. The sun, sea and beauty of the resort made up for any frustration we had with the service. No I will not return.
More hotel photos
Our family has traveled extensively and we found that most of the hotel employees to be rude. There was an emergency and we needed a guest to be paged. They put us on hold for 45 min and never returned to the line after we repeated called the fron desk. They said they had... more