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Background
I have a very good friend in the Bahamas from college but it is a long trip from California. So the fact that CET has affiliated deals with the Atlantis Resort, was finally enough to cause me to bring the family there. We were there for four nights the second week of May. The highlight of which was renewing our vows for our 25th anniversary. The CET offers can be found here:
https://www.totalrewards.com/content.../atlantis.html
Hotels Rooms
The Atlantis Resort there is a huge on a small island off the city of Nassau in the Bahamas. Since I wanted to take my two college aged kids and mother along, we needed two rooms. There are a series of Hotel Towers at Atlantis. The most centrally located one, and the one with a large casino is the Royal Tower. Each tower has a different level of ambiance. Since my wife is Diamond with more than 40,000 tier credits, she got a room at the Royal Tower. The going rate for the Royal Tower at the time was about $350 a night. The Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one to the US $ and at Atlantis the casino pays in US currency so keep that in mind. She had no trouble booking but May is prior to the peak tourist season. The offer came with $100 free play and the “Casino Experience Pass” which provided perks such as one complimentary shallow dolphin event (usually costs $170), sushi sampler appetizer and two sake shots at Nobu ($43 value), a round of golf, and two drinks at Olives.
We had no problem making two separate room reservations—but just to make sure, we made them on separate days. Notably, the reservationist ONLY knew the amount of Tier Credits she had and did not know any particular level of play or even our address. But Wife’s offer did not include any permutation of the Resort Fee, maid fee or hotel room tax which totaled about $300 over the four nights—for her room. We were told that up front without our asking.
Think of the fixtures and bathroom as equivalent to Harrah’s in Las Vegas. Here are some photos from the Royal Tower room.
Since I was Seven Stars, I had the choice of either the luxurious Cove Tower (usually $530 a night), or the semi-luxurious Reef Tower (usually $450 a night). I also got the Casino Experience Pass plus $200 Free Play. I paid about $45 extra daily as I had my son and daughter with me in the room and there is a surcharge for a third person. We had two queen beds in both rooms. As a Seven Stars, the “resort fee” was comped, but the hotel tax and maid fees were not. This meant that in addition to the extra person charge, I paid $85 for the tax and maid fee over four nights. We chose the Reef Tower because it had a kitchenette and since food was REALLY expensive, we cooked breakfasts (and one lunch) there. We stopped by a supermarket as our taxi brought us from the airport to Atlantis. Think of the Reef Tower rooms as Augustus Tower with a kitchenette, small fridge and dishwasher. Unlike the Royal Tower Room, it had a nice balcony. A nice touch was two waters every day and refilled Keurig cups of coffee brought by the maid. Here are some photos from the Reef Tower:
The Water Park
The reason Atlantis is a destination as opposed to just a resort is the Water Park. Think of it as the Water Park equivalent of Disneyland where it takes a couple of days to explore and do rides. It was immaculately run and maintained. My kids liked doing the huge nearly vertical water slide on the Mayan Temple’s “Leap of Faith” you can see youtube recordings. My son, however, forgot to cross his legs when he hit the water and was VERY sorry he did not do so. I liked the “not so lazy” river which was one mile long and had its share of rapids in an inner tube. Both our kids did the complimentary dolphin adventure. There were also very well maintained aquariums.
I learned that if one bought a $3 fountain drink and kept the cup, you could get free refills for your whole trip at the Water Park.
Getting Around
There are shuttle buses that run about every 10 minutes between the Towers and around the Atlantis complex. Here is a photos of some tourists getting off one and the surroundings of the hotel.
Gambling
There are two casinos at Atlantis. The main one is at the Royal Tower. Once needs to go to casino services desk there to get the “Experience Pass” and load the free play.
The second night my wife and actually played and turned the total of $300 free play into $345. We used the 7/5 Bonus Poker Video Poker at $1 to do so. But my wife later hit four deuces for $200 and we cashed out. I think she also put in some $2500 in action in dollar slots for the entire trip. I played about $500 in slot action and a couple of hours of craps at a $15 minimum table. We won about $500 by the time we headed home, including free play. We were never contacted about our play or lack thereof. We treated it like being on an NCL cruise – only for amusement but not the reason we were there. We also went to Nobu in the casino area and used the two sushi (small hand rolls) and sake sampler offers.
Interestingly, there was a small casino at the Cove Tower, walking distance from the Reef Tower. That casino is located at the Sea Glass Lounge. There were only about 20 slot machines and three blackjack tables. I took a photo of the small casino. You can see the black jack table between the machines.
No voucher conversation machine was working at the Big Casino in the Royal Tower, so you had to go the Casino cage there. The only voucher conversion machine working was the one in the Sea Glass Lounge. You can use your room key for a players card. I got an actual players card when I picked up my "Experience Card." It had some interesting information on that machine’s display:
Renewal of Vows
The highlight for us was a renewal of wedding vows for our 25th Wedding Anniversary at the parish of my college friend which he set up at the end of the Mothers Day service. We celebrated afterwards at a nice restaurant at Atlantis. The only time we really splurged on food. Here are some photos:
Things of Note
When we checked out, we were given printed statements although I monitored them as well on our TV monitors.
We were never overcharged on anything. But the Bahamas is an expensive place. By way of example, a gallon of milk at a locals supermarket was $6.55. So we brought our own non-perishable food (bacon, cereal) from home. But most of the food at Altantis was sky high -- $38 for an omelette at a restaurant, $10 for a half liter of Fiji water. Faucet water at the Bahamas tastes brackish. So we knew to buy bottled waters at the supermarket at about $1.25 a gallon, and eggs on the way there from the airport. We ate casually at Atlantis (ie. Burgers and Quizmos) but still expensive by US standards so be warned ( e.g. two scoops of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for $6.50).
Taxi’s did not use meters but used zones based on distance and passengers. You should chat with the driver first and there may be room for negotiation, particularly if you will call them when you are ready to return. There is no lyft or Uber.
There was never an expectation of gambling raised with us and we checked out with no extra charges even though we played far less than usual. But note that Atlantis was not packed in May, and they did make money on food and the room costs nothing if unused.
So I would encourage those interested in the Caribbean to use this CET related offer. We had a blast. Let me know if you have any questions.
Regards, FAB
What you've described is vastly different from the Atlantis Paradise Island I stayed at in 1999. Everything room-related was comped, food was cheap, and there were none of those stupid maid or resort etc. fees back then. And, there were no crowds. There also were no VP machines.
I was at The Atlantis in 1999 when the new towers were under construction. It was terribly expensive then, especially for the food. We had a meal plan that paid for two complete meals and frankly that was enough.
Even when I'm in Vegas I only eat two meals a day.
But I never heard of fees for maid service.
Thanks for the photos and the report Fab.
I enjoyed reading your report and thank you for taking the time to post it. Congratulations on your anniversary.
It's probably the angle, but your Seaglass Lounge picture of the slot/VP area reminds me of that glass enclosed smoking casino area in Terminal 3 at McCarran. I can't see wanting to spend much time in there.
Great report!
This was by far the best Atlantis trip report I've read from any person redeeming the CET offer.
I think I have a pretty good idea of the value of the whole thing now. Still not sure if I want to go.
Was the water cold? I see that the water temps in the Bahamas tend to be around 76 in May, which while not cold, are not the warm Caribbean waters people expect. They do rise over 80 in the summer, but then you're stuck dealing with the heat/humidity.
How was the weather? Hot/humid yet, or nice?
The renewal of vows ceremony looks very nice.
Honestly, the main factor pushing me away from going is the food situation. I hate cooking on vacation, but I would also hate paying those outrageous prices. The loss of the $100/day food credit for Seven Stars is a killer.
Dan I would say that if you've never been there and see any value at all from CET's deal, then you should experience it. Based on what fabio did you should limit your gambling on machines (which are probably gaffed since they are under no verifiable regulation) and expect that "free" really is not free. I'd expect it would still net out to be a good overall deal, esp. when you add in the new experience.
Hi Dan:
The weather over the four days we were either partly cloudy or sunny. There was a high of low 90's during the day and 70s at night. While I was told there often was rain in May, the only showers we saw was on the day we flew out. I am told when it rains, the Water Park is closed. The Water Park pools and rivers were always pleasantly warm.
The water in the ocean was coolish so one could wade comfortably, but a little cool as you got to waist level. My son enjoyed swimming there though.
Participants in the complimentary "shallow water dolphin" event were given training and wet suits.
Since you have a young son, I can tell you that he would have a blast. Don't wait too long, or he won't want to be the water park with his old man. LOL.
BTW, I saw mostly BJ tables paying 3:2 even as low as $10 minimum. But I did see one 6:5 BJ table (I believe it was single deck). The craps tables were all $15 min, even on Sat night, and there were no bonus craps side bets.
One thing to consider is Seven Stars get $200 Free play, so if you run it once in VP, you should still have just less than $200 in cash to use for expenses. Sure it would be great if there was still a Seven Stars $100 a day resort allowance, but that ship has sailed. Remember when it was easy to find full pay VP paying over 100%? Does that stop you from playing VP now? You can only make decisions for the future, not rue lost opportunities.
Regards,
FAB
Hi pkspins:Quote:
Originally Posted by pkspins
Thanks for the congratulations.
It was an odd layout as it was a huge open air Lounge/Restaurant but one side consisted of 20 slot machines and three BJ tables (only one table was manned). There was no glass partition but I was a little self-conscious as the only gambler in the afternoon.
I understand.Quote:
Originally Posted by FABismonte
I just have to pay for the airfare, and then all the food expenses.... might add up to an expensive vacation anyway after 4 days.
I'll have to think about it.
I think my son right now is a bit young for some of the crazier slides at the water park.
Hi Dan:
Most of the crazy rides require one to be 48 inches tall. I have no idea how tall your son is.
Speaking of food expenses. Note that there is a 7.5% VAT plus a 15% automatic gratuity for food we purchased. So all the more reason to cook your own food. At the Water Park and Market Village (where there are more reasonable food choices) no cash is accepted. You may only pay by credit card or by room key. The room key is used almost like on an NCL cruise but the Atlantis key has your actual name on the card. They verify authorization by asking your room number (not by verifying your ID). If you lose your room key, better get a new set and cancel all other room cards so no one can make improper charges.
Also each day one gets a water proof wristband at a towel cabana for access to the pools and Water Park.
My son is 47 inches at the moment.
I agree that this is a good idea if you already had the desire to go to the Atlantis resort. But it's not one of these "can't miss because you're saving so much" deals, especially when you factor in airfare from the west coast.
It's not like NCL where you can get away super cheap aside from the airfare if you just control yourself and don't purchase too many extras.
The time I went to Atlantis I was visiting family in Miami. We took a LITTLE plane to get there. Two engines with about 20 people on board. The flight was, if I remember correctly, $29 each way. Again, back in 1999.
When you tell me you had to stop for groceries and then cook in your room in order to make the trip affordable, you can count me out.
I am glad you had a wonderful time.
Hi Alan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson
You are right to be wary about the food expenses. As for us, my wife kind of prefers starting the day with the family cooking and eating together while catching up before we start the day, so it was no particular burden for us. But I can understand where you are coming from.
We took Southwest Airlines in a 737 for $49 per person (each way) but there was a hefty additional $95 travel tax for the flight from Nassau back to Ft. Lauderdale. I believe the tax was largely the Bahamas travel tax and support for the US Customs and Immigration agents stationed in Nassau airport. That said, it was nice to clear US customs there before we flew to Florida so we landed in the Ft. Lauderdale domestic terminal and had no problem catching the connecting flight. It was explained to me that in the Caribbean, only Nassau and Aruba has US customs clearance located abroad.
FAB
Fab, excellent trip report! Enjoyed the read.
Toronto also has it, or at least they did as of 2014 when I was last there.Quote:
Originally Posted by FABismonteHi Alan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson
You are right to be wary about the food expenses. As for us, my wife kind of prefers starting the day with the family cooking and eating together while catching up before we start the day, so it was no particular burden for us. But I can understand where you are coming from.
We took Southwest Airlines in a 737 for $49 per person (each way) but there was a hefty additional $95 travel tax for the flight from Nassau back to Ft. Lauderdale. I believe the tax was largely the Bahamas travel tax and support for the US Customs and Immigration agents stationed in Nassau airport. That said, it was nice to clear US customs there before we flew to Florida so we landed in the Ft. Lauderdale domestic terminal and had no problem catching the connecting flight. It was explained to me that in the Caribbean, only Nassau and Aruba has US customs clearance located abroad.
FAB
As of FEB 2017 Toronto still has it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan DruffToronto also has it, or at least they did as of 2014 when I was last there.Quote:
Originally Posted by FABismonteHi Alan,Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson
You are right to be wary about the food expenses. As for us, my wife kind of prefers starting the day with the family cooking and eating together while catching up before we start the day, so it was no particular burden for us. But I can understand where you are coming from.
We took Southwest Airlines in a 737 for $49 per person (each way) but there was a hefty additional $95 travel tax for the flight from Nassau back to Ft. Lauderdale. I believe the tax was largely the Bahamas travel tax and support for the US Customs and Immigration agents stationed in Nassau airport. That said, it was nice to clear US customs there before we flew to Florida so we landed in the Ft. Lauderdale domestic terminal and had no problem catching the connecting flight. It was explained to me that in the Caribbean, only Nassau and Aruba has US customs clearance located abroad.
FAB