I posted this in the Lavender Room but then said screw it!! … you guys are so good, I want to make sure I got the largest captive audience:
So I’m on a budget, have 2 kids and wife, and we’d like to get to Atlantis.
Clearly can’t stay at the resort itself but have found some pretty good package deals.
One of these was staying at the Comfort Suites Bahamas (adjacent to Atlantis).
Nice thing is that it is very close by and evidently you can enjoy all the amenities of Atlantis when you stay there.
Has anyone stayed there?
curious as to what sort of access there is to the beach and if any … how is the swimming if I want to keep some training up while down there.
Running? Guess I’ll bag the bike for a week.
I’ve heard good things but that’s from folks who actually stayed there (at Atlantis). I’m just a bit nervous to stay at a Comfort Suites THINKING I’m going to get something and then possibly not being happy.
Stayed at the Atlantis twice - once in the main hotel (Royal something) and once at Harborside. Not really that great as I’m NOT a fan of the Bahamas. Family with me once (kids were about 9 and 12 then), wife and I alone another time. Pool/slide through the sharks pretty awesome. Kids a little bored after a while. Prefer all inclusive upscale place around Cancun (for example) to their (but also expensive).
Running OK, though be careful coming across the big bridge off Paradise Island, then run along the island with almost no curb and crazy drivers. Absolutely forget biking there. Swimming OK (sure looks beautiful), but area small and I was getting whistled at by “lifeguards” by going past buoys I didn’t see. Crystal clear water and warm.
I stayed at that exact hotel maybe five years ago. At the time the hotel included access to Atlantis and free breakfast. The rooms were ok, but nothing to write home about. Atlantis is absolutely beautiful and extremely clean. If you are looking for cost savings, food will be your major expense. I could not believe how expensive Atlantis was. It was over $40 for a basic breakfast (eggs, toast, juice) for just me. Dinner was much worse. We eventually found a local restautant at the marina (not the Atlantis marina) that was reasonable. If you want to save money, plan your meals in advance. Part of the beach is public, however some of it is not. As far as exercising goes, I stayed on Paradise Island and just ran. I ran some on the beach and some on the beach front roads. It’s not perfect, but it will get by for a few days.
The word Budget and Atlantis don’t really go together.
I have been there 4 times and my wife and I got married there.
You are right that the hotel next door has access to the resort, so that is a good thing as far and being on a budget.
I have sort of noticed a decline at the Atlantis over that last few stays. It has kind of turned into a Disney World of the Bahamas or some kind of amusement park. My guess is you will end up spending most of your money at the resort on food. It is expensive, but my guess if you are on a budget you will mainly be eating just lunch there. I suspect breakfast at your hotel and then dinner maybe a night or two over at the resort, otherwise there are lots of cheaper options.
The issue with the place being like an amusement park now days is because they now let Cruise Ships into Atlantis and to use their pools and water park. Before the water park I think cruise ship visitors only got access to “The Dig” and hotel, not the pool area. Now that they have a water park, they get access to everything and there can be a few thousand extra people at the pool and water park which really makes it feel crowded. This is disappointing for people who are paying to stay at the resort and reason I state there is a bit of a decline.
As far a training goes, you’re right, ditch the bike. Running you can run outside, some people run the grounds of the Atlantis or the roads on Paradise Island. I don’t think many would suggest crossing the bridge and going to the main island.
At the Atlantis Fitness Center there is a 25 yard lap pool out front that you should be able to use. It’s really just another pool at the resort, just happens to be in front of the fitness club. You can check the fitness club to see if they have any spin bikes or if you would rather run on a treadmill I am sure there are plenty there. I know there is an up charge or daily fee to access the fitness club.
Atlantis itself is a really nice place and the property is kept in great shape. It’s also huge, so be prepared to do a lot of walking, especially if you are not really staying on property. If you have little kids, I might suggest you pack a small umbrella stroller cause your kids will be worn out before they even get to the pool from the walk.
Have fun, I am sure you and your family will enjoy Atlantis. Just be prepared for things to be expensive.
We stayed at the resort but in the older section - Beach Tower I think - 2 years ago. The Comfort Suites is immediately off the grounds. I spoke to a few people we met while we were there that were staying at C.S> and they seemed think it was fine - just a typical hotel - nothing special, but fine. You will end up spedning all of your time at the pools, slides and beach so the room really doesn’t matter. As others have said the open water swimming requires multiple loops to get any distance and you need to stay inside the buoys. As for running I ran both on Paradisde Island - and over the bridge and back into town - back past the cruise ship port and downtown. If you are going to do this just make sure you do it early to avoid some of the traffic. Safety wise it was nto a concern- althought the sidewalks and roads can be a bit beat up so avoiding potholes and puddles could be an issue.
As others have said food gets pricey. We did a combination of things. We ate nice - Bobby Flays Restaurant, We ate the pizza place - suprisingly good over in the harbor area of Atlantis - jerk chicken pizza.
Just across the street from the Comfort Inn is a small littel shopping center. There is a restaurant there as well as a Dunkin Donuts - I would usually stop at the DDon the way back from my runs and gets bagels and muffins, etc for breakfast. There is also a liquor store and a small food store. We bought snacks, bottled water, booze and mixers to also cut down on some of the crazy costs at the resort.
The last day we were there we were made aware of several small food shacks that are just across and under the bridge leaving paradise island. I heard they have good inexpensive local foods - conch salad, etc. Unfortunately we did not find out about these until too late. There are two bridges connecting the mainland to Paradis island so you would not be aware they are there until you leave on your last day and head back to the airport.
Good luck and enjoy. My son loved loved the pools and slides.
We stayed at Atlantis Harborside, the timeshare condos. We are a family of 4 and it worked out great for us. We packed a bunch of dry goods in our luggage to help cut down on food costs. When we landed we had a friend who was born and raised in Nassau pick us up and take us to the “locals” grocery store. Even at “local” prices it was still very expensive. We ate breakfast and dinner in the condo most days. The condo came with a full kitchen so it was easy to make basic meals. The cheapest meal we had when eating out in Atlantis was still a bit over $50. We went to a buffet in the Atlantis Shopping Center next to Harborside and it was $170 for the 4 of us to eat dinner! The highlight of the buffet was the dessert bar was stocked with about 20 flavors of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, other than that the food was just average.
Harborside has it’s own pool and allows you to get your daily wristband at it before the main waterpark opens, so you avoid the long line in the waterpark area. We also got to enjoy the waterpark later than most because we could cook dinner in the condo. So when everyone else was leaving the park to shower (around 5pm) and get ready for dinner, we would stay until they closed the waterpark (about 7pm) and then head back to the condo and eat a quick meal before putting the kids to bed.
There are far more affordable places in the Carribbean if you are looking for a beach getaway. We have stayed at several that are all inclusive and still cheaper than Atlantis. We actually prefer Jewel at Runaway Bay Jamaica over Atlantis. It’s a much smaller resort, but still nice and it’s all inclusive. They have good snorkling right off their beach and they also have a dive shop at the resort that is very easy to work with and they will do night dives if you want to go. The diving is not included in the all-inclusive package, but they offer dive packages thru the shop. We were there last spring and it was basically $30 per dive and that included the use of their gear.
We stayed at Atlantis Harborside, the timeshare condos. We are a family of 4 and it worked out great for us. We packed a bunch of dry goods in our luggage to help cut down on food costs. When we landed we had a friend who was born and raised in Nassau pick us up and take us to the “locals” grocery store. Even at “local” prices it was still very expensive. We ate breakfast and dinner in the condo most days. The condo came with a full kitchen so it was easy to make basic meals. The cheapest meal we had when eating out in Atlantis was still a bit over $50. We went to a buffet in the Atlantis Shopping Center next to Harborside and it was $170 for the 4 of us to eat dinner! The highlight of the buffet was the dessert bar was stocked with about 20 flavors of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, other than that the food was just average.
Harborside has it’s own pool and allows you to get your daily wristband at it before the main waterpark opens, so you avoid the long line in the waterpark area. We also got to enjoy the waterpark later than most because we could cook dinner in the condo. So when everyone else was leaving the park to shower (around 5pm) and get ready for dinner, we would stay until they closed the waterpark (about 7pm) and then head back to the condo and eat a quick meal before putting the kids to bed.
There are far more affordable places in the Carribbean if you are looking for a beach getaway. We have stayed at several that are all inclusive and still cheaper than Atlantis. We actually prefer Jewel at Runaway Bay Jamaica over Atlantis. It’s a much smaller resort, but still nice and it’s all inclusive. They have good snorkling right off their beach and they also have a dive shop at the resort that is very easy to work with and they will do night dives if you want to go. The diving is not included in the all-inclusive package, but they offer dive packages thru the shop. We were there last spring and it was basically $30 per dive and that included the use of their gear.
Jamaica over the Bahamas any day of the week and twice on sunday… specially Negril or Port Antonio. Bahamas is just flat and boring to me plus people are not as cool in general. Some places in Bahamas feel like the Orlando of the Caribbean
The first time I went to Jamaica I thought it was nasty, but it was just a visit while on a cruise. So we stayed near the port, except when they herded us on a bus to Dunns River Falls. The next time we went, we flew there and went to Jewel and it was a completely different world. The locals were so friendly as were the resort staff. The Bahamas are nice but they can’t compete with Jamaica. The food was way better in Jamaica too.
I’m with Beachboy on this one. I would never go back.
As far as “on a budget”…
My wife and I went to Maui for eight days, came home for four days and then took the kids to Atlantis. It is possibly one of the only places we could have gone that managed to make Maui look cheap.
Stayed at the comfort suite there years ago, probably 14 years ago. (Wow I am old) it was perfect as the Atlantis is so cool you are really never in your room anyway. You get all the amenities of the Atlantis too. I would do it again but now have a family of 5. Damn 5th kid ruins everything when it comes to travel. But I love him just the same.;0)
Get the meal plan in some form. It is worth it. Swimming is great at the beach. I would use the gym at Atlantis for running. It is much safer. Let me know if you see any bobsledders ;0)
I can’t speak as to how nice Comfort Suites is to stay at as I’ve never been there. Atlantis is kind of a love it or hate it kind of place and expensive.
There’s great swimming on Cabbage Beach right next to the resort. Running is not bad. There’s nowhere good to cycle on Paradise Island, but if you want to try and get in a ride you can PM me and I’ll show you some good cycling areas on New Providence island away from the traffic and maybe I can hook you up with a bike to borrow if you’re the right size!
hey also looking at the prices to just use Atlantis pool on a daily basis is 120 per adult and ranges 60 - 80 based on kids ages…
not a cheap trip but need to think about that when comparing prices of the hotel at atlantis versus other hotels