Atlantis on a budget?

[Anonymous]

We're trying to figure out how much a trip to Atlantis would run us (2 adults, one 4 yo) next December for a trip with the extended family. All I can find is complaints about how expensive everything is, which doesn't make me feel good, but I'd rather just have the real info.

Anyone got an idea? I see there are meal plans. Where should we stay at the resort?

[Anonymous]

I believe that Atlantis has 3 levels (or maybe 2) where you can stay. The expensive one is super-expensive, but I recall the lower level was pretty reasonable. I'd just look at the website and plug in the dates to see what your nightly rate would be. I'm also not sure if Atlantic is on a beach, it may just be a small bay? The reviews on Tripavdisor can also give you a good idea on what prices are for things like excursions and food.

The thing with Atlantic is that it is pretty isolated so you probably will be eating all of your meals there. Ask if there is a fridge in the rooms, that will help a lot. The town (Naussau) is a 10 minute ferry ride (plus waiting for it) or a 30+ minute walk, which is fine during the day but not sure you would want to do it at night.

We stayed at the Sheraton resort, which was very nice and on the beach. It was a short bus ride ($1) from Naussau. But definitely not as snazzy as Atlantis.

[Anonymous]

I have not been to the Atlantis, but I do know several people who have gone there and stayed at a Comfort Inn that is across the street. According to them, it is nice and you get to use all the Atlantis facilities without the Atlantis price. Worth checking into perhaps...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have not been to the Atlantis, but I do know several people who have gone there and stayed at a Comfort Inn that is across the street. According to them, it is nice and you get to use all the Atlantis facilities without the Atlantis price. Worth checking into perhaps...

Here it is

http://www.comfortsuites.com/hotel-paradise_island-bahamas-BS003

Looks pretty nice!

[Anonymous]

There is a Comfort Inn right next to it that either comes with (or you can purchase) day passes to the Atlantis. Actually, I think the place as gotten so money-grubby that anyone can purchase day passes (take this as a warning, the last time we went it was CROWDED, which is both a pain due to the crowds but also we felt that our stuff was less "safe" as there are a lot of people there just for the day)

The Atlantis also has townhomes that they rent on the harbor. Maybe the entire extended family could bunk in one (or two depending on the size). You would have a kitchen - which you could save money eating, although groceries are expensive also. But you could purchase sodas and other drinks, snacks, and keep leftovers.

There is a shopping center that is walking distance where food is a bit cheaper.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe that Atlantis has 3 levels (or maybe 2) where you can stay. The expensive one is super-expensive, but I recall the lower level was pretty reasonable. I'd just look at the website and plug in the dates to see what your nightly rate would be. I'm also not sure if Atlantic is on a beach, it may just be a small bay? The reviews on Tripavdisor can also give you a good idea on what prices are for things like excursions and food.

The thing with Atlantic is that it is pretty isolated so you probably will be eating all of your meals there. Ask if there is a fridge in the rooms, that will help a lot. The town (Naussau) is a 10 minute ferry ride (plus waiting for it) or a 30+ minute walk, which is fine during the day but not sure you would want to do it at night.

We stayed at the Sheraton resort, which was very nice and on the beach. It was a short bus ride ($1) from Naussau. But definitely not as snazzy as Atlantis.

It's on a beach and a bay (just to clear that up). It is isolated, but between everything there and the small strip mall nearby with several restaurants, there is little reason to leave. I'm not saying it's worth the money, just that isolation is not a big problem.

[Anonymous]

OP here... FWIW, I just wanted to say that I did try to plug in our dates and see what the rates are. However, they are not booking for December yet, and we were planning to go off-peak - 2 weeks before Christmas. So I was just trying to get a sense of what to expect.

[Anonymous]

I stayed in the timeshare called Harborside at Atlantis. It's across the marina from the Atlantis casino and is right next to the Marina Village Shopping Center. I was able to get a 2BR, with a full sized kitchen and jacuzzi. Came with a crib and high chair too. The place has shuttles that leave ever 5 minutes or so go to the Cove, Royal Towers, or the Beach Towers. They have daily bus for $7 that goes to a grocery store, so you can stock up with food and beverages and avoid paying $30-60 for each entree for dinner. You can use any amenity at Atlantis, except for the Cove pool. I think individual owners own about 3/4 of the units and the hotel owns the rest. So you can either book it through the Atlantis Resort or try to rent from an owner. I occasionally see them on Interval International for rent, on ebay, on redweek.com, tug2.net, or a bunch of other rental websites. In early winter, I would try to pay around $1,500 to $2,000 for a 1 BR or $2,000 to $3,500 for a 2 or 3 bedroom. You might luck out and get something cheaper, I got ours kind of last minute and it only cost me about $1,400 for the week.

The food at Atlantis is really expensive. I think the only reasonably priced meal I got at the resort was a chicken finger combo at the pool for $12. We walked across the big bridge for the Outback Steakhouse, which was pretty much priced the same as here. The better restaurants in Nassau will actually pick you up at your resort if you ask. Luciano's of Chicago was really good, but a little pricey. They have the fish fry shacks under the bridge at night too. My husband was more into that then me. Some places deliver too. I know our neighbors got dominos pizza and ordered from some Caribbean restaurant too. There is also a Quiznoes, a bagel shop, and a Starbucks across the street if you looking for a quick, expensive meal.