Discover Atlantis

Atlantis is not a hidden city anymore…it is a treasured gem in the Bahamas. Atlantis Resort offers tropical escapes for all ages with turquoise waters, sandy beaches, on-site dolphin encounters, fabulous pools, a water park complete with tubes, water slides through an aquarium and its sea life, fantastic cuisine, casino gaming, amazing views, tropical beverages, sharks, stingrays and more.

Aquaventure is the water-themed attraction on-site at Atlantis and offers something for everyone including the laid back beach-goer to the thrill seeker. Beware…there is nothing “lazy” about this lazy river! Get ready for the rapids and the surging waves…this was a highlight of the vacation. To have an on-site dolphin experience is a unique aspect…there is little to be desired when vacationing at Atlantis…everything is there!

The Baltimore Aquarium is a personal favorite, but there is something about experiencing a stingray and predator lagoon in the Bahamas! Atlantis’ marine life is first rate and is very impressive in the species on hand, but also in the lay out…every where you turn you feel as though you are in the midst of an island surrounded by sharks, stingrays and more! Atlantis’ Ruins Lagoon, which is a 2.7 million gallon exhibit brings the ocean to its guests up close with more than 20,000 species. There is nothing like it!

For accommodations, you can save money by selecting the Beach or Coral towers versus staying in the Royal Tower or the newly opened and very modern Cove suites. Harborside Resort traditionally offers a lesser-price option as it is “across the street”. If the goal is to have a vacation at Atlantis, then you can possibly consider forgoing the more expensive room in the Royal Tower without sacrificing any of the amenities; however, the Cove suites is a destination in itself and should be reserved as part of the actual experience. The Cove suites even have a private guest area complete with pool.

To further save money, Atlantis offers two different dining plans for tower guests and one for Cove guests to make this vacation option more affordable. In fact, the resort has two dining plans starting at $59 per adult, per day, both covering breakfast and dinner options, to choose from. The difference is that with the deluxe plan, you have more restaurants to choose from. Even if you stay at the new Cove suites, you can elect for its dining plan option. Something new is Atlantis is offering the dining plans for children under seven free…further making this vacation choice even more affordable for families. (Note: this price point and kid package is valid through December 18, 2008.) A further recommendation if you are traveling with kids, not all of the restaurants are kid-friendly…Nobu and Mesa Grill do allow kids as an example, but they must be a minimum age of six to dine.

Regardless of dining plans, a few restaurants I recommend include Murray’s Delicatessen for traditional, more home-inspired food. This restaurant is a la carte and is very reasonable for pricing. Another one of our favorites during our stay was Bimini Road, which is down in the marketplace area with lots of nightlife and shopping options. The food at Bimini Road offers Caribbean flare and great Mojitos! I am not a fan of buffets, at all, but I did enjoy the dining experience at Mosaic due to the unique cuisine offerings and the quiet atmosphere. Now, while I loved most of the food offerings, I dined at the Lagoon Bar & Grill for lunch and yes, the view is outstanding, the food was not as pleasurable nor where there a lot of choices (note: I was told the menu was going through a revamp).

I have traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean islands, the Bahamas, the South Pacific and Europe and there are not many repeat resorts on my list, partly because I get bored easily, which is why I love cruising; but, Atlantis Resort is on my list for multiple vacations due to all of its amenities, cuisine, entertainment and most importantly, overall quality.