Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We are trying to decide between Atlantis, Bahamas and Puerto Rico for a vacation in early April.

If you went to Atlantis, which hotel did you stay in and why?

Just reading the reviews it looks like the Reef would be best since it has a kitchenette and is more private and removed from the main area.

Is it a far walk to where the water park is?

Did you get a dining plan? I heard food is outrageously expensive.

any other tips or reviews?

Thanks!

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

I have been, I don't remember where I stayed.

I don't remember anything being that "Far" to walk too...

The food was RIDICULOUSLY expensive... We didn't have a plan, and I regretted it!

Good Luck!

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

I booked Atlantis with a travel agent, but haven't been yet.

According to people I asked, the Royal Towers are in the middle of everything (but no kitchenette). We want to be in the middle of it all :)

Beach towers sound like they are in the best location for kids (close to great beach & pool)... but the rooms look a little older. The prices are much better though.

I did do the meal plan (it's expensive too!), as people who I asked said that dinner without alcohol easily surpasses $100 per person there and that the prices are ridiculous. I went to Aruba YEARS ago & hated the stress of the overpriced food (pizza for 2 for $100). I just want to relax & have it all included.

I've been to PR a lot (I really love it & there is so much to see & do), so Atlantis will be something new for us. I really like the PR San Juan Marriott & think the food and extras are MUCH cheaper there... but the beach will be nicer in Bahamas!

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We just booked and are staying at the Reef b/c of the kitchenette.

We didn't get the meal plan. On caribbean vacations we're not big eaters, so we are stopping at a supermarket before we get to the resort and stocking up on things.

Plus b/c of the kitchenette, if we have leftovers we can actually reheat and eat them the next day.

Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We went and stayed in beach towers.... Everything was a far walk. Did the meal plan and thought it was worth it. Great place for vacation.

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

I went pre-kids twice. I don't remember the food being very expensive but I'm not a big drinker. I am used to eating out in Manhattan. We ventured off to the town area and the food was pretty good and inexpensive. I also remember walking off the resort and eating some good seafood for cheap.

Please let us know how your trip goes if you decide to go to Atlantis. We have friends who have gone with the kids and love it.

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We also went pre-kids at stayed in the Royal Towers! I felt it was in the middle of it all! The Reef is the farthest away from the kiddie pools and slides...keep that in mind. We did the more expensive meal plan and it was TOTALLY worth it! They have since changed the smaller meal plan and took off a few of the restaurants and added them to the deluxe one...but I say worth it! I think depending on when you go, kids eat free with each paying adult if you do get the meal plan...check that out!

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We went twice- once with just DH and once we brought dd. We stayed at the cove both times. It was beautiful and peaceful and nice to be away from all of the chaos of the resort. Reef is next to cove and attached by walkways. They share the family pool (cove also has an adult only pool). The reef/cove pools are only open to those staying in those buildings which is very nice! Yes, it is a bit of a walk to get to everything else, but it's a beautiful, scenic resort so we never minded at all. The cove and the reef are newest buildings there which I liked. We did not do the meal plan ether time. We don't eat in the more expensive restaurants regularly, especially with the kids. So it didn't pay for us. Let me know if you have any questions.

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

I went twice but don't remember which tower. Didn't get meal plan but I remember food was pricy and this was 6 years ago. I can't wait to go back when my babies in a few years. I do remember that the resort was filled with kids.

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

I've been to PR and atlantis.. Atlantis is a lot of fun for kids. Royal tower is right on the middle of everything. Best location. We did not do the meal plan

Personally I don't want a kitchenette, cooking on vacation kind of sucks

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

I am probably in the minority but we purposely chose the beach towers with our dd. it is definitely further from the action(5-10 minute walk) but less crowded when dealing with our over active toddler. The pool I thought was best for younger (under 2) children. It was just quieter and less hectic.

If I had older children or went without kids I would have stayed at the Royal towers for sure. The activities are all there. DD is too young though. If your kids are a little older they are going to like the kids water park which was by the royal towers I believe. We camped out for the day there before dd had her meltdown.

We couldn't afford the reef or cove towers so that was out for us but I feel like I would be self conscious if dd acted out in those towers, like we were bothering everyone.

The beach towers didn't look brand new but it was totally clean, I didn't mind it at all. I was expecting something much worse based on what people always say but it was fine.

There are certain areas that are stroller friendly and certain areas not. There were masses of strollers though so you will be fine, it just takes an extra look to find ramps/elevators sometimes.

The food was $$$$. We brought a lot of food so we always ate breakfast in our room(brought cereal and oatmeal) then a burger for lunch (burger,fries and a drink was $10 at the poolside concession-they had other things) and had 1 meal at a modest priced restaurant (about $100 for the three of us). Ate our own snacks throughout the day. You need to go to a market in walking distance to get water for $2 a big bottle otherwise it was $7 a bottle at the resort. So with our "budget" plan a meal plan was not needed. But I know people like to splurge on meals so you may end up spending more without the plan, especially if you get a lot of alcohol.

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

My boss stumbled upon a deal by accident. He has four girls and went there. He didn't stay in Atlantis but the owned property next door. Not only did they get free complimentary breakfast (eggs and full breakfast) they saved $2500 they would have spent on the food plan. They were able to enjoy the pool at the hotel away from the craziness of the cruise ships but also take advantage of all the Atlantis had to offer. It literally was 200 feet from the beach tower entrance. I cannot remember the name though.

It is nuts with the food

Message edited 3/18/2013 8:13:56 AM.

Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We have been to Altantis twice, both times PRE DD. we went last in 2008 and stayed at the reef and absolutely loved it!!! I would 100% recommend. I felt that the "main" area by Royals Towera wS a little too crowded for me. But that's just my opinion. We did a meal plan and it was expensive but less expensive than paying OOP.

Re: Atlantis Paradise Island - anyone been?

We have gone 4 years in a row. We stayed 3 times in Coral Towers and once in Royal Towers. We have never gotten a meal plan. I bring all my own snacks from home (I pack them) and cereal. Mainly breakfast foods. DH and I feel the portions are kinda big so we split the lunch and when my kids were little (the firs time we went the older 2 were three and two) they split lunch. We also stopped at the super market and would buy our own bottled water, milk and water else was cold. You can get a mini fridge for the room or if you get a suite it comes with it.
There is a shuttle that goes to each tower that you do not need to pay for if you do not feel like walking. The Reef and Beach will be the furtest from the Kiddy pool. The walk is probably 15-20 each way. Coral is about 5-10 minutes depending if you walk outside or if you go through the Royal tower. Those two towers are connected with the casino.
I like the Coral better with kids only because it is all stairs through the Royal. I feel like if I needed something back at the room that I forgot it would take close to an hour to get it from the other towers.
Aside from the kiddy area, each tower has its own set of pools, but the kiddy pool and bigger slides are all at the Royal. The kids have to be 48 inches tall to ride them. They check and they will not let them go on. There is a small pool across from the kiddy area that has seahorses and there a slide that little ones can go on. The water is only 18 inches and the slide isn't fast.
As far as beaches, the ones in front of Coral tower and part of Royal, they have beach vendors and cruise ships are aloud there. If you keep walking from Coral tower towards the cove tower, you will walk over a little bridge, the next bridge you get to doesn't allow vendors or cruisers. They also have drink and food service on the beach.
Certain food stands accept cash, others only room cards or credit cards.
In town there is a greek restaurant that is really good. All authentic greek food.

The last time we weren't to thrilled. I don't know if it was the weather because it was really windy and cloudy, but we just didnt want to go back. The pools weren't heated when they should have been because the water was in the 50's. We go in November but the this year was different.