Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas Review

Perched on the stunning Paradise Island, the breathtaking Atlantis Resort is one of the jewels of the Bahamas. The remarkable destination captivates its visitors with its striking pink architecture—an homage to the legendary lost city of Atlantis—against a backdrop of blue skies and pristine white sand beaches.

Atlantis offers an exceptional experience with its vibrant marine habitats, diverse world-class dining options, and the thrilling Aquaventure water park, promising adventures for the whole family. With a vast array of luxury accommodations, from the regal Royal Towers with sweeping views to the upscale elegance of The Cove, each option provides a distinctive experience, reflecting the grandeur of royalty. Guests of The Atlantis Resort are greeted with genuine Bahamian hospitality, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout and providing a beautiful blend of relaxation and excitement, making it the ultimate experience.

Background and Concept

A cornerstone of Paradise Island, Atlantis has been a transformative force, undergoing remarkable enhancements since its establishment in 1994. Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Resort has significantly influenced the development and allure of Paradise Island. Initially acquired by Sol Kerzner, the Resort was reimagined into a stunning, fun-filled destination, featuring 1,147 guest rooms across four hotels, an impressive 14-acre water park, and vibrant marine habitats and sanctuaries focused on conservation and rehabilitation. This commitment to excellence and sustainability makes Atlantis Resort one of the premier destination resorts in the world. 

Location

Situated on the stunning white sands of Paradise Island in Nassau, the Atlantis Resort spans an impressive 154 acres in a prime location. Lynden Pindling International Airport is just a 30-minute drive away, making the Resort the perfect location to explore the rich attractions of the area. Guests can easily venture to the bustling downtown area and the nearby historic sites, such as the iconic Queen’s Staircase. The vibrant Arawak Cay is known for its lively atmosphere and local street vendors, where visitors can savour the delectable fresh conch, a local delicacy and a true taste of The Bahamas.

Accommodations

Guests are invited to indulge in an extraordinary level of luxury and comfort at the Royal Towers of Atlantis, amidst the stunning Bahamian backdrop. The hotel boasts a vast array of guest rooms and suites, many exquisitely renovated in 2023 to reflect a modern and sophisticated aesthetic.

Thoughtfully designed to create a bright, airy ambience, each accommodation perfectly harmonises with the lush tropical surroundings. The Royal Towers provide a haven for those seeking relaxation after a day of exploration and thrilling adventures. With luxury amenities and refined decor, every detail is meticulously crafted to offer an unforgettable experience. Guests will find themselves enveloped in the same opulence that is exuded throughout the Resort. 

Families can enjoy the spacious comforts of ‘The Reef,’ while ‘Coral Towers’ presents a budget-friendly choice without compromising access to the Resort’s exceptional amenities, including Aquaventure water park.  

Our Suite During Our Stay 

During our recent stay at the Atlantis Royal Towers, we were truly immersed in luxury and comfort. Our beautifully designed 2-bedroom Family Suite accommodation offered breathtaking ocean views, making it the perfect peaceful retreat. The spacious layout was ideal for our family, giving each of us our space and separate areas for relaxation while also having a cosy atmosphere with gathering spaces that were wonderful for family time.

Whether we were gathering in the stylish living area for family games evenings or unwinding after a day of adventure, our Royal Towers suite truly enhanced our experience. It combined family-friendly features with luxury touches and comfort throughout.

Food and Drink

Boasting over 20 dining venues, the Atlantis Resort offers a wide range of culinary experiences, from casual Bahamian fare to fine dining and celebrity chef partnerships. With renowned restaurants like Nobu, guests are treated to exceptional dining options for every meal of their stay.

Shake Shack: During our five-night visit, we enjoyed exploring many of the delicious offerings available from the diverse culinary landscape of the Resort. On sunny afternoons, we indulged in refreshing, creamy milkshakes from Shake Shack, where the delicious flavours were perfectly complemented by the vibrant marine life swimming gracefully in the nearby aquarium. It was a fun, casual dining experience that allowed us to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Paranza: Dining at Paranza was one of our culinary highlights on this trip. An upscale Italian restaurant curated by celebrity chef Michael white, the ambience of this chic venue, with its elegant decor and intimate lighting, set the stage for a memorable evening. The menu featured a selection of authentic Italian fare, and every bite transported us from The Bahamas to Italy. It was the perfect opportunity to shed our beach bum day clothes and get dressed in our best outfits – ditching the flip-flops and shorts for an evening of elegance.

Café Martinique: Another culinary highlight was the French-inspired Café Martinique, where the picturesque decor was the perfect partner to the exquisite dishes on offer. The attention to detail in both the food and the ambience made for an enchanting evening, as we were treated to beautifully plated dishes that tasted even better than they looked.

Seafire Steakhouse: This was one of our favourite places to dine during our stay. Their unpretentious, mouthwatering steaks were some of the best we’ve ever had. Seafire Steakhouse was also the perfect place to indulge in freshly caught seafood, such as lobster tails and sautéed shrimp, accompanied by a refreshing cocktail.

Other Facilities

Aquaventure Water Park

Undoubtedly, the Aquaventure water park stands as the centrepiece of the Atlantis resort, captivating visitors with its adventurous theme inspired by the legendary lost city of Atlantis. Spanning an impressive 141 acres, it is the largest water park in the Caribbean, designed to thrill and entertain.  

Perfect for adventure enthusiasts, big or small, guests will find plenty to keep them entertained. The Power Tower has adrenaline-pumping slides, while younger guests can revel in the gentle slides at Poseidon’s Play zone. 

The park’s crown jewel is the magnificent six-story Mayan Temple, home to numerous exhilarating slides, including the iconic ‘Leap of Faith’. The vertical plunge slide takes riders through a stunning transparent tunnel, offering a beautiful view of an underwater shark enclosure – an exciting and unforgettable experience.

A personal highlight for us was the mile-long river rapids. Their towering waves created an invigorating ride, leading you through a thrilling maze of downhill adventures. For a more relaxed experience, the Resort boasts six pristine beaches featuring over five miles of soft white sand, including Cove Beach, Royal Beach, Paradise Lagoon, and Atlantis Beach. Aquaventure is truly a destination that caters to every taste and level of adventure.

Marine Habitats

The luxurious and entertaining Resort comes to life with its marine conservation and rehabilitation program. The mesmerising, themed marine habitat features over 250 species and includes the largest open-air marine habitat in the world. Guests can immerse themselves in a beautifully diverse world filled with vibrant marine life. The 100-foot underwater tunnel allows guests to get up close and personal with the impressive sharks, barracudas, and rays of the Predator Lagoon.

The Dig area was brilliantly themed as the lost city of Atlantis, and it became part of our evening routine to wander through the area and watch the exotic marine creatures come to life.

For a more interactive experience, guests can swim alongside some of the Resort’s residents, participating in various programs led by dedicated teams who educate guests about marine life and conservation projects. We took part in the “Snorkelling the Ruins” experience, which was enriching for my two sons, who loved learning about the different fish species they were snorkelling alongside. It was a unique experience that we will cherish forever, because how often do you get to snorkel in crystal clear waters with playful rays dancing around you? This was our youngest son’s first time snorkelling, and he was immediately hooked, wasting no time after the experience was over to ask when we could do it again.

Part of the proceeds from the marine habitat experiences go to the Resort’s own nonprofit, the Atlantis Blue Foundation. This organisation is dedicated to preserving and conserving coral reefs and marine life.

Dolphin Cay 

Atlantis is home to an amazing open-air habitat established to provide a nurturing environment for the mammals in its care. Dolphin Cay’s focus is on rehabilitation, with the centre having some of the most state-of-the-art facilities in the world for marine life rescue and rehabilitation on site. Its interactive and educational programs are enlightening for both children and adults. All programs and experiences at Dolphin Cay support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation.

Mandara Spa  

A trip to Atlantis wouldn’t be complete without visiting the tranquil 15,000-square-foot oasis of the Mandara Spa. A centre of calm nestled amid the bustling Resort, the spa offers a blend of ancient traditions, European expertise, and Bahamian elements to create a relaxing and authentic experience. 

Colin and I enjoyed a soul-nourishing full-body massage, a much-welcome treat after busy days exploring the island and having fun at the aqua park. We returned to the kids feeling rejuvenated and ready to embrace another day of fun and adventure. 

Movie Theatre 

The onsite movie theatre offers numerous showtimes each week and shows the latest blockbusters as well as classic films. Additionally, guests staying at The Cove can participate in exclusive pool party movie evenings at the Cascades Pool. 

Casino 

The state-of-the-art casino takes inspiration from the Vegas Strip and is a haven for guests seeking a fully immersive gaming experience. Located in the heart of the Resort, the casino serves as a hub of entertainment, surrounded by a wide variety of food and drink venues to keep guests fed and watered throughout their gaming streak.

Whether your game of choice is blackjack or slot machines, you’ll find countless opportunities for fun at the Resort’s expansive casino. For guests looking for a more intimate gaming experience, Cleitos offers private and semi-private gaming options. Players can also earn points and receive offers through the advanced rating system, providing opportunities for special invites and offers for other tournaments. 

Atlantis Kids Adventures 

Living up to its reputation as “the coolest kids club on the planet”, the Atlantis Kids’ Club is just as exciting as the rest of the Resort, offering a range of engaging adventures and activities for young guests, with options for children aged 3-12 years. There are separate clubs tailored to each age group, offering enriching, age-appropriate activities, such as arts and crafts, interactive role-play areas, and karaoke at the performance theatre. 

For teens who feel they’re “too cool” for a kids’ club, there is the teen nightclub Crush. This impressive 14,000-square-foot space is specifically designed for guests aged 13 to 17. It features state-of-the-art gaming facilities, interactive video walls, gaming booths, a dance floor, and even its own DJ spinning the latest tunes to get the party going. Additionally, there’s a snack and soft drink booth to satisfy the ever-hungry teens.

TLE Top Tips

• The Resort offers a comprehensive app that helps you stay updated with the bustling daily schedule. You can also make dining reservations and book activities through the app, so it is definitely worth utilising!
• Keep track of the animal feeding schedules, where you can watch the expert teams feed the resident animals their tailored and nutritious diets. You can learn all about what they eat and discover more interesting facts while adding a moment of calm to a busy day.
• With beautiful festoon lights and a stunning backdrop of super-yachts in the harbour, a walk around Marina Village is a must at Atlantis. There are plenty of delicious onsite restaurants, boutique shops, and outlets to explore in the evenings. 
• Set an alarm for sunrise – not only will you feel like you have your own private aquarium and animal sanctuary experience, but you’ll also be able to access the best photo spots around the Resort without the crowds. Be sure to bring your camera to capture those memorable moments and beautiful Bahamian skies. 
• The Resort has many water stations around where you can top up the refillable water bottles provided in each room. This not only helps reduce costs but also allows you to contribute to environmental conservation. 

USP’s 

• Atlantis Resort is a vibrant destination filled with entertainment from dawn until dusk, ensuring lively experiences and iconic entertainment for guests at all hours.
• There’s no need for anyone to sit this one out, as there is something to suit every member of the family, no matter the age! Whether you’re travelling as a couple, with small children, or with multiple generations as a big family getaway, there are activities for everyone.  
• Home to one of the Caribbean’s most diverse marine environments, Atlantis offers countless educational and enriching experiences for visitors interested in the diverse marine life surrounding The Bahamas.
• With 14 swimming pools onsite, guests can experience two new pools every day during a week-long stay, making each day an exciting new adventure. 
• Nestled in one of the world’s most stunning locations, guests who prefer sand and sea can choose between the Resort’s six pristine beaches within a five-mile radius, leaving guests spoilt for choice. 
• Atlantis Resort is committed to responsible tourism, undertaking significant efforts to protect, conserve, and rehabilitate onsite animals and the surrounding coral reefs in the Bahamas through its Atlantis Blue Foundation. 

Summary   

Our visit to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas was truly a dream come true for all of us. As soon as we stepped foot on the Resort, we felt welcomed and comfortable. Exploring the tropical paradise surrounding the Resort felt like entering another world. There was so much activity happening around us and so many on-site amenities that we truly didn’t want to leave. Our only regret was not booking a longer stay because there was still so much to see and do.

With our kids getting older and with a 7-year age gap between them, we were thrilled to find activities that suited both boys and lots of activities that were fun for the whole family to experience together. These activities allowed us to bond and share precious moments together as a family.

From our sumptuous suite to the decadent dining and exciting experiences, we were spoiled for choice for our entire stay, and we left feeling refreshed and ready for the return to daily life. Leaving was bittersweet – the Atlantis Resort had truly become a home away from home. Still, the memories, photos, souvenirs, and suntans would keep us feeling warm and fuzzy for a while, which is what travelling is all about.

Virgin Atlantic offer direct flights from London Heathrow to Nassau, Bahamas, this property is featured in our guide to the best hotels in the Bahamas