is the atlantis resort worth it?
After saying I wouldn’t turn this trip into content, here we are. I tried to write a short social media caption but quickly realized I wouldn’t be able to cover it well that way. I could give you my personal opinion rather quickly but since everyone’s travel preferences are different I needed more space to add context.
disclaimers & my personal opinion
DISCLAIMER | Our trip was primarily for business (husband’s job) so it was completely free for us and also kid-free (major work perk, I know). We were there as a part of a larger group (250 people) with some formal/business functions but mostly free time to enjoy the resort.
OVERALL OPINION | It is a beautiful resort and our experience was great but if we were spending our own money and had kids along I’m not sure I’d be so complimentary. The major drawbacks for me are the size (huge), the crowds (at pools, restaurants), the prices (food and experiences are $$$), and the fact that you’re essentially stuck on the resort. There is plenty to do at Atlantis and if you want the ease of not having to leave the resort then you’ll find that here. But if you prefer to explore the local area on your vacations then you may be disappointed.
the hotel options
YOU HAVE OPTIONS | There are 5 unique “hotels” at Atlantis and they cater to different budgets and preferences. I knew nothing about them before coming here but I found this great article to summarize the options.
We stayed at The Royal which is the iconic pink towers with that connecting arch suite in the middle. The pros of this hotel is that it’s recently updated (rooms are beautiful), it’s right in the middle of everything (closest to several restaurants, gym, pools, kid activities, etc), and it’s mid-range on price. We walked over to the other hotels and you can definitely see and feel the differences as noted in the article linked above.
the pools & waterpark & Aquariums
THE GOOD | The water park is 140 acres and consists of several pools, lagoons (small beach-like areas), actual beach access, and the Aquaventure waterpark with slides and the Rapid River. It’s one of the largest waterparks in the world, fun for kids and adults and one of the biggest amenities of this resort.
IDEAL FOR AGES | Most kids need to be 48″ tall to ride so keep that in mind. There is a nice pool for younger kids and a few pool areas with very shallow water and zero entry. You’ll quickly learn which pools are the best for your family.
THE BAD AND THE UGLY | Overall the pools and waterparks are very crowded. It’s hard to find a seat and sometimes hard to even get towels. In addition to hotel guests, many passengers from the 3-5 cruise ships that dock nearby daily opt for the Atlantis waterpark excursion. Lines are long and the water temp can be pretty chilly.
My friend who brought her kids (11, 7, and 3) shared that it has been a lot to get the kids around to all the rides they want to experience, manage their rest/naps, navigate with a stroller, eat affordably, etc. There are tons of families here so it’s manageable but just anticipate it not feeling a whole lot like a vacation at times.
THE AQUARIUMS | There are so many areas to observe fish, sharks, sting rays, lobster, turtles and more. Huge observation glass walls, walk through tunnels, and areas to scuba dive are all over the resort.
food, excursions & other amenities
THE FOOD | This is one of the biggest drawbacks for me. There are dozens of dining options on the property but the food is so expensive. Gratuity is automatically added to everything (15%) along with a 10% tax so prices that are already high can end up feeling astronomical.
On a positive note, the food is really great but in most cases the value doesn’t match what you’re getting. There are meal plan packages available which I think is a wise investment but are only honored at certain restaurants so do some research. Another big thing to note is how busy the restaurants get. Reservations book up weeks in advance (you can make them as far out as 4 months before your trip) and many restaurants have a 1-2 hour wait during peak dining hours (same for breakfast). You’ll see lines start forming before restaurants open.
EXCURSIONS | Any excursions on the property are also very expensive and usually do not include photos (do have the option to purchase).
THE KIDS ZONE | There is a kid-care space that offers parents the option to drop kids (ages 3–12) off for a couple of hours in the morning, afternoon and evening. It did not look like it was used very much but the space looked inviting. It had elements that reminded me of a small children’s museum plus an arcade and interactive activities like a cooking class. Couldn’t find pricing info online.
summary
A few more quick thoughts.
PROPERTY SIZE + STROLLER-FRIENDLINESS | I cannot overstate how large the property is. You’ll be walking 10-20 minutes for just about anything. It doesn’t rate well on stroller-friendliness either – lots of steps.
TEMPS + WATER TEMPS | Be mindful of when you go. From Nov–April the temps are not very warm (low 70s). Combine that with a breeze, overcast skies and the cool water and you may be shivering more than expected.
ENHANCED SECURITY | Right now the Bahamas are at an elevated security level from the US. A large group traveling with us did go off property, to a nearby tourist area, and came back safely but did note it got sketchy after dark. Be mindful with private airport transfers and off-property excursions. The resort itself feels safe. They have staff serving as security/checking room keys in spots all across the resort.
CASINO & LUXURY SHOPPING | The casino is in the center of the action and you’ll have to walk through it often to get to different sides of the resort. Additionally luxury shopping is in and around the resort (watches, jewelry, bags, etc).
HONEST THOUGHTS | This is probably a one-and-done for us because of the overwhelming size, crowds, pricey food and fact that our kids simply aren’t that into water parks. We also prefer to be able to check out more of the local area on our vacations but given the safety concerns in the Bahamas now and the difficulty of getting off property this isn’t ideal for that. My friend who had her 3 kids with them on this trip agreed –– they’d planned to take another trip here later this year with other family but are now re-routing to somewhere else.
The Atlantis Resort | Check out the resort’s website to do more research and see if this would be a good vacation destination for your family!