Bahamas: Baha Mar v The Cove (Atlantis) v other islands

[Anonymous]

We're planning a trip to the Bahamas (family of five, with kids age 5-11). We'd definitely like to stay at Baha Mar, but we're wondering if we should do 4 days at Baha Mar PLUS 3 days at The Cove (just to do the waterpark and Dolphin Cay), OR do the full 7 days at Baha Mar.

Another option would be 4-5 days at Baha Mar plus a few days on another island (Exumas?), though that might be too much travel for what we'd like to be a relaxing, resort-style vacation.

Anyone have thoughts or experience to share?

[Anonymous]

Have you been to Atlantis before? If so, I recommend staying at Baha Mar the whole week. If not, then you can switch so you can compare the two properties.

[Anonymous]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/29/travel/state-department-travel-warning-crime-bahamas/index.html
You're probably fine on the big resorts, but why do you want to go to Nassau? There are so many other, better places.
We love the out islands but it doesn't sound like what you are looking for. It will likely be returning to the airport and taking another flight, and there aren't a lot of resorts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're planning a trip to the Bahamas (family of five, with kids age 5-11). We'd definitely like to stay at Baha Mar, but we're wondering if we should do 4 days at Baha Mar PLUS 3 days at The Cove (just to do the waterpark and Dolphin Cay), OR do the full 7 days at Baha Mar.

Another option would be 4-5 days at Baha Mar plus a few days on another island (Exumas?), though that might be too much travel for what we'd like to be a relaxing, resort-style vacation.

Anyone have thoughts or experience to share?

Time of year? Just want to make sure you know Bahamas are not reliably warm in winter.

[Anonymous]

We split it on our last trip and my kids preferred Baha Mar.

[Anonymous]

Baha Mar is so pricey, 7 days there and I can't imagine the food and bev bill.

I would not switch to Atlantis, so many people come in and out of there that it's not as much of an 'escape' that it could be. Lots of cruise ship and other 'lookers'.

I would go out island first, Exuma, and end at Baha Mar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're planning a trip to the Bahamas (family of five, with kids age 5-11). We'd definitely like to stay at Baha Mar, but we're wondering if we should do 4 days at Baha Mar PLUS 3 days at The Cove (just to do the waterpark and Dolphin Cay), OR do the full 7 days at Baha Mar.

Another option would be 4-5 days at Baha Mar plus a few days on another island (Exumas?), though that might be too much travel for what we'd like to be a relaxing, resort-style vacation.

Anyone have thoughts or experience to share?

Going as a family for spring break and only staying at Bahamar. Newer and I think no cruise ship traffic. The latter is a huge plus.

[Anonymous]

While Nassau is not the prettiest of the islands, it is damn convenient. We stayed at Baha Mar. it was fine. It's very expensive, but we discovered (as we spent a LOT of time off the resort) that the island is just really expensive. It wasn't cheaper when we hung out downtown.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been to Atlantis before? If so, I recommend staying at Baha Mar the whole week. If not, then you can switch so you can compare the two properties.

No it is a dump.

Absolutely a no go.

The last time we were there the room next to us had wackos screaming all night long about how they were going to kill each other. Security never came night after night.

Over priced crap food. Everything is dated. Rooms are not clean. Zero security my friends room was robbed at gun point. NOPE

[Anonymous]

Can you clarify if the no-go was in general for The Bahamas or for one of the hotels mentioned? TIA!

[Anonymous]

PP is probably referring to Atlantis.

[Anonymous]

We went to the Atlantis last year, and it was our first time in the Bahamas. Can't compare it to Baha Mar. We stayed in the Royal-- I describe it to people as feeling like Vegas and Disney had a Caribbean love child. It was crowded, the food was okay, but, I will say that my 8 year old DS LOVED it. Still on a basically weekly basis talks about how much he wants to go back and how much he loved that trip. We even went to Disney in the fall, and he said he prefers Atlantis. If you go and stay at The Cove, you should be as well set up as you could hope to be on the property, and I'd just manage your own adult expectations and split the time between Baha Mar and the Atlantis and see how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Going to Atlantis is one of my favorite childhood memories. We traveled there a grand total of three times because I liked it so much. I would recommend it.

[Anonymous]

We’re going to Baha Mar this summer. Family of 5. I’ve researched both Atlantis and Baha Mar. It seems that Baha Mar is a new and cleaner Atlantis. Baha Mar is more expensive - the food is outrageous. It is worth the extra expense, since the cheaper alternative at the Atlantis has very dated and worn accommodations.

I’ve been to the Bahamas before, and I really liked it. I’ve also been to Puerto Rico, Cayman, Costa Rica, and Hawaii. The beaches are good at all of them. Baha Mar has the great beach with good food and a water park.

[Anonymous]

How is the weather in summer compared to winter (late Jan/Feb)?