Is A Trip To This Popular Caribbean Vacation Spot Actually Worth The Price?
Winter is officially upon us. As is natural for this time of year, many residents of the northern United States have their sights set on a Caribbean getaway to escape the unwelcoming conditions of the coming three to four months. But the Caribbean is a vast place, and with popular tourist destinations like Turks and Caicos, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, and many more to choose from, vacationers understandably may be left scratching their heads when deciding which will provide the best experience.
The good news is, for those looking for the ultimate vacation experience where relaxation and entertainment meet, Atlantis Paradise Island may be the perfect decision. Located in Nassau, Bahamas, Atlantis is the winner of four different 2024 Travel Awards and is the Bahamas' leading resort. However, while this Bahamamian resort has remained an extremely popular vacation destination for over 20 years, it does come with a catch. That catch, of course, is the price of staying there. That being said, despite the luxurious allure of this sought after Caribbean paradise, let's explore whether or not Atlantis Paradise Island is actually worth the cost.
Paradise for a price
The price of your stay at Atlantis Paradise Island is ultimately going to be determined by a variety of factors that largely depend on personal preference. The first of these is the time of year you choose to visit. Prices are typically the lowest between August and November or, alternatively, late April through June if you want to avoid the risk of travel disruptions that come with hurricane season. It's also worth noting that mid-week stays at Atlantis are often more affordable than weekend getaways.
Once you've decided the time of year (and week) for your vacation, the next thing you're going to want to look at is the hotel you will be staying at within the resort. There are five different options: The Coral, The Harborside Resort, The Royal, The Reef, and The Cove. The starting rates for these hotels range between $250 and $700 a night depending on which one you wish to stay in as well as the type of room you select. The most cost efficient of the group is The Coral, which has a starting rate of around $250 a night during slow season and somewhere in the range of $800 a night during the busier times of the year. The most expensive hotel of this group is The Cove, which will run you around $700 a night to start and as high as $8,000 a night during the winter.
Daily Expenditures at Atlantis
Once you have booked your hotel and flights, the next thing to worry about is daily expenditures at Atlantis. For starters, everyone who stays at Atlantis is required to pay a daily resort fee. These fees run from $59 to $70 depending on which hotel you decide to book your stay in, and allow you access to Wi-Fi, a 141-acre water park, six different beaches, a casino, a movie theater, and more. As far as dining is concerned, you will have a large selection of over 28 different restaurants to choose from within the resort. You can either pay on a meal-by-meal basis or purchase the Aqua Dining Plan, which costs a daily fee of $88 for adults (children under six can eat for free with an adult dining plan) and $25 for kids seven to 11 years old. The Aqua Dining Plan includes two meals per day, so depending on how early you plan to start your day as well as how much you want to eat, it may not be worth the price.
For those who plan to imbibe, you may want to explore Atlantis Paradise Island's "Little Suiter" rates. These rates include daily breakfasts and complimentary cocktails for adults. However, in order to qualify for these "Little Suiter" rates, you must stay a minimum of four days at the resort. For further details about entertainment and dining options, view the official Atlantis Paradise Island website for options on the dates of your stay.
To Each His Own
All in all, whether or not you want to book a vacation at Atlantis Paradise Island is up to personal preference. While the resort is a highly sought after vacation destination and has won many travel awards since its inception, it is certainly not for everyone due to the overall cost of staying there. However, there are effective ways to save money without sacrificing any fun. The most notable of these is booking a mid-week stay at The Coral during the slow season (August-November.) Unfortunately, northern U.S. residents looking to make a winter getaway in 2025, it might be more economical to look elsewhere.
It's also worth mentioning that the type of hotel room you book at Atlantis can help you save money. For example, staying somewhere like a penthouse or presidential suite over a regular guest room will greatly impact your vacation expenses. It also may be a good idea to opt out of the Aqua Dining Plan if you expect to eat more than two meals a day. Alcohol isn't included in this dining plan, but it is included in the "Little Suiter" rates along with complimentary breakfasts. So if you plan on drinking a lot, the "Little Suiter" rates may be worth the money. Daily resort fees unfortunately are unavoidable, but they do provide you with access to an immense amount of entertainment for your stay, including a 141 acre water park, a casino, six different beaches, and more.