Google “Atlantis Bahamas review” and you will undoubtedly find a wealth of blog write-ups with a wide array of opinions ranging from very good to very bad.
My overall review of Atlantis can be summarized in six words: good if you do it right.
Here are my recommendations on how to “do it right,” as well as some of the highlights of our experiences at the resort.
Must Do #1: Choose the right accommodations.
People who complain about their stay at Atlantis are often disappointed with their rooms. They likely neglected to match their hotel accommodations with their overall goals and expectations for their trip.
The Beach Towers and the Coral Towers are budget friendly accommodations and many rooms are in need of updates. In fact, at the time of our visit in April 2018, some walkways around these towers were covered with construction materials. Some (read: SOME not ALL) of the guests in these rooms have been given promotional rates for accommodations (to play at the casino, for example). If you stay in these accommodations, you will not have the same experience as if you stay on the other side of the resort at The Reef or The Cove.
We’ve stayed at The Royal Towers and they are are fine. However, my personal experience is that it’s a bit like staying at the Holiday Inn. The rooms are not spacious and lack upscale amenities, which is something you generally come to expect when paying for a luxury vacation. The Royal Towers are centrally located, which is good and bad. On one hand, they are close to many activities and attractions. On the other hand, it can be very crowded in the immediate vicinity. If you want to be in the center of all of the action and just plan on sleeping in your room (not relaxing), The Royal Towers may be a good fit for you. Some of the views (like the one below) from the Royal Towers are amazing!
The Reef (high end) and The Cove (highest end) are the most luxurious accommodations and sit next to each other on the resort. The area surrounding these properties has a very different feel. The grounds, service and amenities are a step up from all of the other hotel style accommodations at Atlantis. Near these properties you are more tucked away from the crowd that navigate around the water park, restaurant and casino / shops. For us, personally, staying at the Reef made a huge difference in our vacation experience. Our studio room at the Reef had a small kitchen area, a balcony overlooking the port and beach, and a very large, modern bathroom with separate tub and shower. The Starbucks in the Reef was also a nice option for breakfast.
Must Do #2: Understand that food is expensive and make a plan.
Yes, the food is expensive. Every review ever written about Atlantis Bahamas lets you know this in advance. There are a few ways to address this. One, set a budget that allows you to enjoy the fabulous restaurants at the resort. After all, you are on vacation! Two, you can pick up or have groceries delivered to eat and drink in your hotel room. People recommend an outside service (FoodStore2Go.com) that will deliver food when you arrive. (We did not try it.) Three, you can bring your own snacks with you to Atlantis. Four, you can take advantage of some of the smaller, casual spots to eat. (There are a couple of Starbucks, a deli, and some more casual places to eat. Most places serve huge bowls of chopped fruit, which is also a great, healthy option.) The nice thing about staying at the Reef was that every room has a mini fridge, stove top, microwave. We were able to make sandwiches, toasted bagels, and microwaved mac and cheese a couple of days when we didn’t feel like eating out.
Must Do #3: Carefully plan to get away from it all.
If crowds are not your thing, plan to find times and spots where you can relax without tons of people around. One of our favorite spots was the Lagoon after it opened in the morning. There were only a couple of people around and we all enjoyed a family paddle boat ride.
The beach by The Reef and The Cove was also very nice. There were plenty of chairs with personal sun shades.
Must Do #4: Schedule dolphin and marine activities in advance (and ask for packages).
The dolphin experiences at Atlantis Bahamas were exceptional. We tried the “Shallow Water Interaction” and “Rise and Shine.”
During the 30-minute “Shallow Water Interaction,” we were given wetsuits, personal lockers, and beach towels and a personal photographer was assigned to our group. We learned a lot about the dolphins and were able to play and touch them. We were not allowed to bring our personal camera into the water during this experience.
During “Rise and Shine,” we were able to play games with dolphins, touch dolphins and take photos with our personal cameras.
Must Do #5: Pick up the daily activity guide.
There is a schedule of events prepared for each day. Pick up the daily guide for ideas of things to do at the resort. We happened upon one of the fish feedings and it was fun to watch!
Must Do #6: Don’t miss the un-lazy river.
Kids and adults will love the “The Current” (or as we called it, the un-lazy river)! According to the resort: “…guests are propelled along through lush, tropical foliage along a mile-long river in their inner tubes via water escalators, rolling waves and extreme rapids powered by master blaster technology.” This ride was a family favorite and we rode it several times per day during our trip. Watch out, however, if you choose to ride on a single inner tube. There is potential to scrape against some rocks if you have long limbs.
Must Do #6: If your kids (3-12) are willing, send them to Atlantis Kids Adventure.
If you ask my kids (4 and 6) what their favorite part of vacation at Atlantis, they would say their evening session at Atlantis Kids Adventure. They had a blast at the Willy Wonka and Candy Carnival themed evenings. They made friends, enjoyed a pizza dinner and didn’t miss mom and dad one bit (which allowed mom and dad to enjoy a few nice dinners)!
Must Do #7: Explore.
The resort is expansive. Take some time to stroll through the grounds and take in all of the amazing sights.
