It’s one of the Caribbean’s most famous resorts, and with good reason; since Atlantis Paradise Island first opened its doors back in 1994, it’s been as much a wonder of the world as a resort.
And that’s still the case today, with 3,805 total rooms across a portfolio of resorts: its signature 1,200-room Royal Towers resort; the high-end The Cove Atlantis, condominium-resort The Reef and the Coral and Beach Towers.
And then there’s the party piece: the massive waterpark is perhaps the property’s single-biggest draw: the Aquaventure water park that features the now-famous Mayan Temple and its “leap of faith,” a 60-foot nearly vertical plunge.
Water is unsurprisingly the theme here, with 11 pools, a great stretch of Paradise Island white-sand beach and a truly incredible marine park that has 14 lagoons, 250 species of marine life and a total of 50,000 sea creatures that will have your kids (and you) speechless.
While Atlantis is undergoing a renovation project (and a rebranding toward a more “authentic” Bahamian experience), the rooms remain solid, particularly in the Royal Towers and superb in The Cove.
While you won’t have the beach to yourself, this stretch of sand is rather beautiful.
If you’re a Marriott loyalist, there’s reason to celebrate, as the property is now a member of the Autograph Collection. And Atlantis Paradise Island also offers all inclusive options with regularity, which is probably the best way to keep costs under control on your stay here.
The Cove is Atlantis Paradise Island’s ultra-luxe option.
Food is plentiful, with 21 restaurants across the resort and its Marina Village, with the best being Jean Georges’ Cafe Martinique, Todd English’s Olives and the famous Nobu sushi bar.
Other eateries are also on hand, like New York’s famous Carmine’s and more affordable options like Johnny Rockets and Murray’s Deli, the latter serving what is almost certainly the best pastrami in the Bahamas.
This is as close as the Caribbean gets to Las Vegas, with what is easily the top casino in the Caribbean and a destination-within-a-destination feel.
That’s the reason why many travelers feel like they’re “going to Atlantis” more than they simply going to the Bahamas.
But that doesn’t mean Atlantis Paradise Island will rein you in from exploring.
Indeed, it’s just a short cab ride to downtown Nassau, which is a must-visit on any trip to Atlantis — whether you’re tasting rums at John Watling’s or puffing on a cigar at the Graycliff Cigar Factory and restaurants like Graycliff and Cafe Matisse, among others.
It’s your choice, and that’s what makes this such a popular resort stay.
