xp anyone been to atlantis (bahamas)?

groovygrl

Curious about a couple things:

1. The buildings are confusing to me- what would be the best one(s) to stay in for us & 2 kids that are 3 1/2- close to good restaurants & activities for them, not a super far walk to beach or pool, etc?

2. Would kids at 3 1/2 enjoy this resort? If by some miracle DS potty trains well by our trip, are the activities for this age group worth it? Do you have to pay extra for them?

3. How far from airport to the resort? Any transportation things to consider?

4.  Anything else to consider/keep in mind? Would you recommend it for a family with 3 1/2 yr olds?

5. ETA saw something that recommended getting a meal plan to save $...our kids would eat free if we got one but there are 2 levels & I wouldn't want to limit us to only the handful of places on the 'value' meal plan...is $130 per adult per day really going to 'save' us money when it doesnt even include LUNCH or bottled water or tip, is the food that expensive in  non fine dining restaurants??? I saw $7 for a slice of pizza or $35 for the pie but that still doesn't seem like it would add up to $260 per day for bfast & dinner..... Gah!

TMDMJAOCT07

We were there in 2007, which was long before I was in-tune to kid things. We stayed in one of the cheaper 2 towers but I can't remember which one. I do remember the walk to the farthest pool being pretty far and that the ground was really hot barefoot (but it was also July and it rained the majority of our time there so the walk could have seemed longer because we did it in the rain most of the time).

 I think it was about a 20 minute cab ride to the hotel from the airport in Nassau. Our cab ride there was kind of scary but the way back was better (or I knew what to expect - and by scary, it was a combo of the driver and the area he took us through, but that could be just my opinion). 

We booked our own excursion to swim with the dolphins off property, there was a boat that came to a pier that was about a 5 minute walk from the Atlantis and it was a ton of fun.

It is expensive to eat there, and there's an area connected to the Atlantis like a boardwalk that had some other food options, but we also found a back alley type thing that brought us more into the town and there were other restaurant options there. I think there was a Johnny Rockets there as well.

I do remember saying that we would go back, but not in July (it wasn't my choice to go there then, my work paid for us to go there as a reward for being there 5 years).

 

christina8091

groovygrl:

Curious about a couple things:

1. The buildings are confusing to me- what would be the best one(s) to stay in for us & 2 kids that are 3 1/2- close to good restaurants & activities for them, not a super far walk to beach or pool, etc?

2. Would kids at 3 1/2 enjoy this resort? If by some miracle DS potty trains well by our trip, are the activities for this age group worth it? Do you have to pay extra for them?

3. How far from airport to the resort? Any transportation things to consider?

4.  Anything else to consider/keep in mind? Would you recommend it for a family with 3 1/2 yr olds?

We have been there 5 time.  3 times by ourselves and we have taken DD when she was 22 months old and again when she was 34 months old.

1.) We like the Royal Towers....Centrally located.  Nothing is a short walk at that resort.  It is huge.

2,) Our daughter loves it there. Lots of Aquariums and interactive things to do. She fed stingrays, sea turtles,touched star fish, watched the keepers feed sharks....ect. There are other kid activites - but most of them are for a little older age group.

3.) When you book your trip....do it on Atlantis.com and have them include the shuttle. You have to pay for it. But is for round trip.  It's a bout 1/2 hour ride from the airport - depending on traffic.

4.) Considering we have taken our child there twice and will again in the future...then yes, I would recommend.  We mostly hung out at the kids area pool and some of the pools with the smaller water slides.  Most of the restaurants are kid friendly....there are only a select few that are adult only after 6pm. 

Downside is that it is very pricey.  Not all inclusive.  They do have meal plans available....but it limits your restaurants......we have never done this.

Also - if you go, I suggest bringing a umbrella stroller instead of the big stroller.  There are alot of steps....and sometimes it is just easier to pick up the stroller than to find the alternate route without steps.

Let me know if you have anymore questions....I will try to answer...

christina8091

TMDMJAOCT07:

We were there in 2007, which was long before I was in-tune to kid things. We stayed in one of the cheaper 2 towers but I can't remember which one. I do remember the walk to the farthest pool being pretty far and that the ground was really hot barefoot (but it was also July and it rained the majority of our time there so the walk could have seemed longer because we did it in the rain most of the time).

 I think it was about a 20 minute cab ride to the hotel from the airport in Nassau. Our cab ride there was kind of scary but the way back was better (or I knew what to expect - and by scary, it was a combo of the driver and the area he took us through, but that could be just my opinion). 

We booked our own excursion to swim with the dolphins off property, there was a boat that came to a pier that was about a 5 minute walk from the Atlantis and it was a ton of fun.

It is expensive to eat there, and there's an area connected to the Atlantis like a boardwalk that had some other food options, but we also found a back alley type thing that brought us more into the town and there were other restaurant options there. I think there was a Johnny Rockets there as well.

I do remember saying that we would go back, but not in July (it wasn't my choice to go there then, my work paid for us to go there as a reward for being there 5 years).

A few things have changed since you have been there. They now have their own dolphin excursion. So you don't have to leave the resort for that.

And the "back alley type thing" is part of the resort - they have a few restaurants down there (Johnny Rockets is still there) a few gift shops and Ben and Jerry's. And you get to see all the gorgeous yaghts (sp?)  At night - there is a live band in front of one of the restaurants....lots of fun. And 1 night a week, they do a Junkanoo Parade (Bahamian Holiday Parade) It's so fun, that they put it on for tourists. Love it!

We go in October - the weather is a bit milder....