Bahamas Travel Guide
Bahamas Hotels / Beach Hotels / Atlantis Survival Guide / Family-Friendly Hotels / Kid-Friendly Hotels / HotelChatter Hotel Reviews / → All Tags
The Ultimate Survival Guide to The Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island
Bad-ass player pictured here can be found with his friends in the Atlantis Predator Lagoon
For those who have never been to Atlantis on Paradise Island, the sprawling megaresort can be daunting.
Like Disney World, there is nothing quite like it anywhere in the world. And like DisneyWorld, Atlantis has the power to strike fear in the hearts and minds of parents who shudder the thought of wearing adult mouse ears almost as much as they dread hemorrhaging endless streams of cash.
To complicate matters, Atlantis is hard to describe as it's so many different things rolled into one: a gorgeous five-hotel Caribbean island resort, a 140-acre Aquaventure water park, the largest open-air marine exhibit in the world complete with dolphin and seal habitats, countless beaches and pools, a casino, a true culinary scene with restaurants from Bobby Flay and Nobu Matsuhisa, a seriously pimpin’ marina, and more.
All the confusion can make it hard to wrap your head around a visit. Where should you stay? How should you spend your day? What’s awesome and what’s overrated? How expensive will it be? Is there a shred of hope for some adult downtime or is it a kid bonanza all day all the time? You might be tempted to throw in the towel.
Just back from a recent visit, we thought it was time—at long last—to demystify the epic resort. The ins and outs, the highs and lows, and every reason why we’ll be back, slide wedgie and all; find it here in our Atlantis Survival Guide.
Hotel Restaurants / Celebrity Chefs / Atlantis Resort / Bahamas Hotels / Bobby Flay / Todd English / Jean-Georges Vongerichten / → All Tags
English vs Nobu vs Flay: Who'll Rule Atlantis' Restaurant Scene?
Everyone knows the Bahamas' The Atlantis Resort likes to do things big. Start with a 2300-room resort (not counting the adults-only wing--Cove Atlantis and its 600 rooms) add an almost waterpark theme in the form of 141-acres, and don't forget the massive casino. Naturally an outfit this size doesn't slouch when it comes to dining, which is why their collection of dining options include restaurants from Nobu, Matsuhisa, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Bobby Flay. But not one to rest on their laurels (which some were afraid was becoming the case lately), the Paradise Island resort announced that on June 1st, celebrity chef Todd English will finally open Olives Atlantis.
Expect his signature cuisine to take advantage of the island's seafood bounty and from what we've read, the three-meal-a-day menu will reflect and respect the location. Guests seated at the 268-seat restaurant will have views of an open kitchen where staff will prepare casual, Mediterranean-island cuisine that might battle for attention with the serious raw bar piled high with shellfish, clams, crab, oysters and the like. Carnivores and vegetarians will have plenty of options to choose from as well, from steaks to pastas and English's well-known thin-crust flat-bread pizzas courtesy of the restaurant's wood-burning oven. And for those who find themselves in the clutches of Lady Luck or the nightclub Aura, Olives will be open until 3 a.m.
The restaurant, which is said to have a 6,850 square-foot interior, was designed by architect Jeffrey Beers, who also had a hand in the Hard Rock and Fontainebleau resorts. Here you'll see drama that Atlantis is known for, gigantic candelabras, wall sconces, limestone floor tiles, and views of Atlantis' dramatic marina. Let's hope the food has lots of drama on the plates, too.
[Photo: Atlantis Resort]
Caribbean Hotels / Bahamas Hotels / Nassau Hotels / Hotel Openings / Hotel News / → All Tags
Baha Mar Goes For It In the Bahamas
There's no other way to say it: There's a huge freakin' project going down right now in the Bahamas.
Self-described as the “Bahamian Riviera,” the Baha Mar Resort will add 2,200 rooms across four resorts to the already existing Wyndham Nassau Resort's and the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort's combined 1,250 rooms.
In total after this new construction is finished in Decmber 2014, Baha Mar will have a total of 3,450 rooms compared to the 3,950 of the infamous Atlantis on Paradise Island.
Name This Caption / Hotel Snapshots / Exuma Hotels / Bahamas Hotels / → All Tags
Name This Caption! Swimming With Pig?
It's Monday and just the right hour to take a minute and play Witty Wordsmith with us, whydontcha? That's right, it's time to Name.This.Caption!
There are no pigs in the pool at the Palm Bay Beach Club on Great Exuma in the Bahamas, but the staff will certainly point you in the right direction should you find yourself jaded by the traditional dip with dolphins. This is one of those moments where photography truly speaks louder than words.
But let's give it a go anyway.There's a pig in that there crystal-clear water, for chrissakes! But he doesn't seem to want to play with our guy here. So, what would you name this photo? Marco Pig Polo? Having A Hog Wild Time? Yeah, you probably can do better.
Have a humorous hunch about what's happening here? Let us know in comments below!
[Photo: Hotel Chatter]
Hurricane Hotels / Hurricane Sandy / Hotel Emergencies / Bahamas Hotels / Nassau Hotels / → All Tags
Hurricane Sandy Not Crushing Caribbean Vacation Plans-Yet
Hurricane Sandy, which has waltzed her way in at the tail end of the Caribbean's traditional june-November "Hurricane Season" for hotels is causing vacationers to make phone calls and emails to their various resorts in Jamaica, The Bahamas, Florida, and Bermuda--the location of the storm's path. This news that at least 20 people have died from hurricane damage hasn't helped and neither have reports of various flight delays for the upcoming weekend and predictions that things will get hectic for at least the first few days next week.
"Frankenstorm", as Sandy has been appropriately nicknamed by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is currently hovering over The Bahamas. One hotel already taking precautions is the 250-room, all-inclusive Paradise Island Harbour Resort in Nassau. Not only have they closed all the east-facing rooms with balconies as the hurricane blows in from that direction, they've also brought in outdoor furniture and anything not nailed to the ground. The staff has also gathered ample quantities of fresh water.
“We’ve been waiting for this all season,” said Lex Hollender, regional director of operations of the resort, who says the hotel is operating at 50% capacity since they've closed down the other half. And they're still checking in guests who refuse to deter their plans.
Hotel Casinos / Hotel Gambling / Bahamas Hotels / Caribbean Resorts / Miami Hotel Mambo / Hotel Fun / Hotel Openings / → All Tags
Malaysia's Genting Bets on Bimini Bay as Miami Waits in the Wings
It's still not clear whether the mega-resort, uh, Resorts World Miami will get its casino or not. Developers, the Malaysian firm Genting Malaysia Berhad, certainly hope so. Florida lawmakers, not so much.
But that doesn't mean Genting is sitting around wringing its hands over the ultimate decision. The company is moving right along--just across the water to Bimini Bay in the Bahamas.
That's right; if you can't get a casino opened in Miami, just open one in Miami's backyard. Genting has partnered with RAV Bahamas, developers of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina and the soon-to-come Rockwell Island Beach Estates to launch a casino called... surprise, Resorts World Bimini Bay.
The fancy new gaming facility is scheduled to open in mid-December, joining Bimini Bay Resort's existing marina, expansive grounds and two large pool decks. We can expect table games, slots and of course all the splashy entertainment and dining that is synonymous with a casino.
Healthy Hotels / Bahamas Hotels / The Cove Atlantis / One & Only Hotels / Hotel Beverages / Hotel Fitness / → All Tags
Magic Elixir Plus Bahamas Hotel Room = Sense of 'I Have Arrived'
A room at One & Only Ocean Club.
Health-conscious hotels are trending. But it's not just entire hotel brands dedicated to healthy living that are popping up--existing hotels, including those known for spoiling their guests, are getting in shape, too.
Next month, two Paradise Island hotels, The Cove Atlantis and One & Only Ocean Club, will be jumping on the juice craze thanks to a partnership with New York-based superfood beverage company Body&Eden. According to the hotels, the elixirs promise to "ease the sometimes challenging transition from daily life to the pure pleasure of vacation."
Sexy Hotels / Beach Hotels / Hotel Amenities / Bahamas Hotels / Hotel Events / Sports Hotels / → All Tags
Models (Who Else?) Celebrate The Opening of Bimini Bay Resort's New Beach Club
Where: Bahamas
If you happened to be in Miami Beach a couple of weekends ago, you might have seen what you thought was a mirage: a beach volleyball tournament played by the most beautiful, bronzed people on earth. And if you missed out on this walking daydream--the Ludus Athletics Model Beach Volleyball Tournament--you get another chance to watch the pretty people jump and spike this weekend.
That is if you can hitch a ride over to Bimini in the Bahamas. That's where the finalist teams--of models (it bears repeating)--will stage a rematch of the SoBe Tournament, to break in the Sakara Beach Club.
A luxury beach resort launching a new beach club--the European kind with sexy day beds, live DJs and tons of delicious things to eat and drink--is cause for celebration, no? Well, Bimini Bay Resort and Marina certainly thinks so--which is why they're flying in a slew of models to celebrate the launch of their new Sakara Beach Club.
Hotel Amenities / Hotel Transit Lounges / Bahamas Hotels / Atlantis Resort / → All Tags
Why Don't More Hotels Have Transit Lounges?
While wandering around The Cove Atlantis recently, we noticed a wonderful sign--one we wish we could clap eyes on at hotels around the world. Yep, we're talking about The Transit Lounge.
Like its more affordable pal, The Atlantis Resort, The Cove Atlantis has one of these glorious rooms where guests who have time to kill before hitting the airport can retreat post check-out. (Or, pre–check-in.)
Since we've turned many a hotel pool/lobby/lobby bathroom into our personal transit lounge in the past, we find this amenity a shining example of dignity. Especially at a place where there's so many ways to suck every last drop out of your stay. Just take a look at the view of the Atlantis Water Park from our room...
Memorial Day Hotels / Hotel Deals / Kid-Friendly Hotels / Nassau Hotels / Sheraton Hotels / → All Tags
Make it a Family Weekend This Memorial Day Weekend at Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort
If the fam needs a break this Memorial Day weekend, bring the brood to the Bahamas. The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort is offering a holiday special for you, the spouse and the kiddies.
The Love Your Family package includes guaranteed connecting rooms or a suite, a $50 resort credit and a bunch of planned family bonding time for $249 a night.
Private Island Hotels / Island Hotels / Private Hotels / Bahamas Hotels / Celebrity Hotels / David Copperfield / → All Tags
My Own Private Island: David Copperfield's Musha Cay, the Bahamas
Where: Bahamas
All this week, HotelChatter contributor Eric Rosen will be taking us on a guided tour of the globe’s most exclusive, luxurious, over-the-top vacation retreats in our new Private Islands Series. We’ll venture from the Bahamas to Fiji, from Africa’s crystalline Lake Tanganyika to the emerald waters of Cambodia, and everywhere in between. That is, everywhere you can be ruler of your own little island.
Obviously we’re hotel folk at heart. We love checking out everything from the latest trends to how they’re stocking the minibars to the most fashionable uniforms, but even we have our antisocial moments…and in those moments, our minds drift to the various paradises of sumptuous solitude that we’ve come across in our reading: private vacation islands you can have to yourself. So come along with us as we sail from cays to atolls, and jet from secluded sandbars to isolated islets in our week-long series on Private Islands.
We begin our week with one of the most fabulous private islands in the world, and it’s actually close to home in the sandy atolls of the Bahamas on the private playground of no less an illustrious illusionist than David Copperfield! It’s called Musha Cay, and is in the secluded Exuma chain of islands, about 85 miles southeast of Nassau.
Hotel Nightclubs / Hotel News / Teen Lounges / Hotels for Teens / Bahamas Hotels / → All Tags
Atlantis is Starting Kids Early on Their Club Habits with New Teen Club, Crush
"Your room or my room? Oh yeah, I forgot my parents are here too."
The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas has made no effort to hide its love for the teen crushes of the day from Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, The Jonas Brothers and our fave, today's resident heartbreaker, Justin Bieber.
But merely inviting the latest teen dream to visit and perform a concert while selling teen-themed packages to guests wasn't enough for Atlantis. So they've gone and created an $11 million nightclub especially for teens. And it's called, Crush.
Designed by renowned architect and interior designer, Jeffrey Beers, the 14,000 square-foot mod-inspired space boasts; an interactive Internet Lounge complete with multi-touch computers and surface tables with photo editing and publishing interfaced to Facebook; a Gaming Stadium boasting a 22-foot floor-to-ceiling Gaming Tree and private cabanas stocked with state-of-the-art technology including the newly launched Microsoft flagship motion sensor product Kinect for Xbox 360; and a 1,500 square-foot Dance Club complete with multi-purpose video walls, performance stage, VIP sections and doormen all worthy of paparazzi.
