I first stayed at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island some six years ago. It was beyond description even then. Today, after the owners have spent more than $600 million on upgrades and expansion, I find myself at a loss as to how to properly do it justice. In truth, it probably deserves far more space than I have available here. Its sheer size makes it unique. But size alone is not enough. The great resorts of the world have more, much more: quality of service, top-flight entertainment, innovative design, ambiance, extensive facilities, and so on, and Atlantis does indeed have all of these necessities.
Size is not Always a Good Thing
But size, while it does offer many advantages, can also create some problems: there are pros and cons. As always, first-hand knowledge is important: I like Atlantis, because of its size. My wife and daughter, though, found it overpowering: everywhere was just a little too far away. The lines at the amusements, and consequently the waits, were just a little too long. The service, because of the vast numbers of guests and visitors, was just a little too slow. But all that, in my opinion, is to be expected, and the pros far outweigh the cons.
The Amenities
The guestrooms, new and old, are luxurious by any standards. The restaurants, all 20 of them, are, with the exception of service that’s somewhat slower than you might like, excellent. The best of them, even my family agrees, is the Bahamian Club: the cuisine is French, the food absolutely beyond reproach, and even the service is as efficient as you might expect from a restaurant of this class. The prices do, of course, reflect this.
There are also some 15 bars and clubs at Atlantis, all of them are almost always crowded. The beachs at Atlantis, while exclusive to guests of the resort, are also often a trial, especially close to the Towers. As to the amusements they, like everything else at Atlantis, are larger than life.
Unique Things to See and Do
Atlantis is a vast water world. Its theme is the Lost Continent of Atlantis, which is no surprise. No expense has been spared to bring the illusion to reality. Nothing does this better than The Dig, a believable representation of an undersea archaeological site. It’s like something straight out of a Jules Verne novel complete with Atlantian diving suits, underground passages, artifacts and ruins, all done on a grand scale. And, as if that’s not enough, The Dig is surrounded by huge plate glass windows that turn the ocean itself in a vast aquarium and provide fantastic underwater views of still more ruins and ocean life, including a giant manta ray and innumerable sharks. The dig is open to guests at no charge, and to day-visitors to Atlantis – admission is included in the visitor fee. The Dig is a must visit.
It’s All About the Kids
The amusements include a floating pool; no it doesn’t float, you do. You take to the gently moving waters in an inner-tube and for 20 minutes, or so, meander along a concrete river that makes its way around a number of ornamental gardens, through palm-covered glades, past closely manicured lawns. It's definately one for the kids, and for grown-ups who like to take things slowly; in fact, it’s about the only amusement at Atlantis that does go slowly.
Then there are the water slides. These come in various levels of scary: there’s one for the smaller kids that’s quite tame, one that even I could probable handle, but still provides a thrill; and then there’s one with an almost vertical drop that takes you down through the waters of a shark-infested lake to drop you with a huge splash in a shallow wading pool. As I mentioned before, the only problem with these amusements is that you might have to wait in line for 20 minutes, or more, in order to enjoy a thrill that’s over in a matter of seconds. Still, you’ve got to give it go.
Incredible Gardens
The gardens of Atlantis are worth a visit all by themselves. Acre upon acre of fantastic and exotic landscapes and plant life, dotted here and there with ornamental pools and vast lakes, some of which are stocked with the predators of the ocean: sharks of every size and description; rays, even the odd barracuda patrols the larger lakes. Again, in the larger lakes there are hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, swordfish, and the list goes on.
And if You’re a Player
Finally, no description of Atlantis would complete without at least a mention of its casino. Like everything else at Atlantis the casino is presented on a grand style. Again, the theme is that of the ocean and the ancient god of the sea: Neptune. The decor is sumptuous, the furnishings luxurious, and the play international. The entertainment - nightclubs, shows, lounges and bars - is also international in scope; there’s even a superb cigar shop – don’t forget: you can’t take Cuban cigars into the United States. If I were a betting person, which I’m not, I’d lay odds there are more slots in this casino than all the rest of the casinos in the Bahamas put together. Above all, though, is the casino's opulence; it borders on the decadent. You don’t have to gamble to enjoy this casino, just walk around: you’ll see what I mean.
Be Sure to Visit if You Can
If you’re in Nassau, even if you decide to stay somewhere else, you’ll not want to miss Atlantis - you can visit the parks and amusements as a day visitor, but not the beaches. If you can afford the rates, and they are expensive, you should try to spend at least a few days on the property. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Rates start at $295 per night for a double room, and rise to $25, 000 – that’s right, thousand – per night for the Bridge Suite. If you can handle that, I’m told you’ll be in good company: Michael Jordan and Michael Jackson, to mention just a couple. Phone 800-ATLANTIS.
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