The Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is the ultimate resort and water park. Accommodations range from standard hotel rooms to villas and condos to the Bridge Suite (once ranked the world’s most expensive hotel suite). And even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can still enjoy some of the resort’s amenities, such as Dolphin Cay.
Opened in 2007, the Atlantis’ 141-acre (57-hectare) Aquaventure combines slides, lazy rivers, and rapids into one large waterscape, whose centerpiece is the Power Tower with its four waterslides. The casino is open 24 hours a day and offers tables, slots, tournaments, and other events. Day passes to certain resort attractions are available for non-Atlantis guests on a limited basis—check the Atlantis website for details. Some guided tours of Nassau feature a visit to the Atlantis.
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Look for deals on ticket packages during the low season.
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Make dinner reservations well in advance of your visit.
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Tips—including bellhop services—are already folded into the resort prices.
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The hotel is accessible to wheelchairs.
The Atlantis is located on Paradise Island, about a 10-minute drive from central Nassau. Instead of renting a car, travelers suggest grabbing a taxi (available from Lynden Pindling International Airport, formerly known as Nassau International Airport), especially if you’re staying at the Atlantis.
To avoid the cruise ship crowds, visit the Atlantis on a Sunday or Monday, as ships aren’t usually docked on those days. The best time to hit Aquaventure is early in the day or after 5pm. In general, expect more tourists during the Bahamas’ high season, November to mid-April.
While the Atlantis property boasts plenty of retail therapy opportunities, no trip to the Bahamas is complete without some souvenir shopping at the popular Straw Market. Around a 15-minute drive from the hotel, this attraction showcases one of the traditional crafts of the islands, straw working. Remember to bargain for the best prices.