Typical Bahamian service (slow to non-existent): coffee pot broken upon checking, new one delivered to room, 30 hours later. Smoke alarm went off when using hair dryer, staff removed smoke alarm and did not replace it. Ceilings in bathroom are mouldy and fan above bed completely filthy. Only beach access through Atlantis, new hotel being built beach this one and the beach. Best thing about this hotel is free use of Atlantis facilities.

This hotel served as a tremendous base for Atlantis vacation. The walk is very short to Atlantis. If you need more than one room, this is the only way to go. The Continental breakfast was more than enough to hold my family of six to well past lunch time. It included bagels, toast, cereal and fruit (usually watermelon) and was more than adequate. We found the staff helpful and friendly although they clearly work on ‘Bahamas time’. The hotel offers free scuba lessons in their pool, has a restaurant which does the trick for lunch (if you want to take a break from Atlantis), and always has taxis waiting if you want to go to Nassau.

It is literally across the street from the entrance to Atlantis and the Atlantis Marina Village which has cute shops and restaurants and is a nice place to walk around at night. We thought it enabled us to experience Atlantis for a lot less than we would if we actually stayed there. In terms of Atlantis, it’s a fun place to go once but is incredibly crowded and Disney-esque. If it’s a busy time at Atlantis, be sure to get towels from one of the Atlantis towel huts before you go back to the Comfort Suites at the end of the day and then come back first thing in the morning (by 7:30) to reserve a beach chair. Bring a personal item (T shirt, toy, flip flop) to mark your chair. It’s extremely annoying but everyone does it and it will ensure that your day will be more pleasant.

Most restaurants were extremely expensive. I recommend getting a food guide and checking prices of the restaurants before going. Most restaurants have the menus on the outside so you can see the prices before going in. Watch your receipts. On Paradise Island a 15% gratuity is already included on most purchases including ice cream and pizza.

The Bahamas is a country of English speakers. It is situated in the southeast portion of the United States. It is also north of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is contained in numerous islands over a thousand cays.

With the attractive beaches of the island and refreshing warm climate, the country is a well-loved tourist destination. The Bahamas offers more than sun, white sandy beaches and fantastic weather, but also world-famous duty-free shopping.

Several professional travel agents and tour operators help out in planning a Bahamas vacation. They offer honeymoon and wedding packages also. Most packages already include the airfare, hotel accommodations and daily breakfast. They can be availed in almost all Bahamas hotels.

There are many cheap hotels to choose from in Bahamas. Know your destination before deciding on a hotel. Plan your activities ahead and estimate the costs. Be sure to have extra budget for unexpected miscellaneous.

Spend a little more for a moderate room. The prices for these three-star accommodations range approximately from 120 up to 180 US dollars per night.

For those who are going to the Bahamas for a honeymoon or wedding, there are romantic accommodations offered. Bahamas is famous for couples after all.

Book early, especially if you plan to go to the Bahamas during the Caribbean Muzik Fest or you want to attend the Junkaroo Festival.

Nassau is especially renowned for its all-inclusive resorts. They offer no less than the with Old World attraction.

You can go to Paradise Island for their glamorous resorts, having luxurious amenities and facilities. Although this area is not cheap, last minute deals are proven to be more affordable.

Listed below are some Bahamas Vacation Packages
• Bahamas Girlfriend’s Getaway Package – This is best for couples and friends. You can gather together with your girlfriends and enjoy a shopping excursion, a one-hour massage therapy and other luxurious accommodations. This package also includes elegant accommodations for either a two-bedroom suite or a Junior Suite. Take advantage of a one-hour massage, a shopping excursion, roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast and even welcome cocktails.

• Bahamas Fishing in Paradise Package – You can escape to paradise at the Old Bahama Bay, the region known for its boating, snorkeling, diving and fishing activities. Combining Bahamian luxury and charm, the Old Bahama Bay features 75 spacious beachfront suites, casual and fine dining restaurants as well as oceanfront heated pools.

Grab your partner and enjoy paradise-like facilities with this extraordinary inviting package. It also includes free daily breakfast and dinner, a welcome drink, luxurious accommodations in their junior suite and daily fishing excursions.

• Bahamas Bed and Breakfast Package – You can enjoy a luxurious accommodation in an exquisite suite in the Bahamas with this package. There’s complimentary breakfast every morning.

Bed and Breakfast is designed for families and couples who are interested in spending time together in a relaxed atmosphere. This bed and breakfast package also showcases free daily breakfast, a welcome drink, roundtrip airport transportations and luxurious accommodations in their two-bedroom suites.

I really enjoyed my stay here. The food was great, a different theme every night. Bahamian night was our favourite. Rooms were nice although you wont spend much time there, with the pool and swim up bar. I’ll be going back again a year from now and I can’t wait. Recommend the Riu over any of the others I visited while I was on the island.

Down-side: they only have MGD cans of beer, entertainment is ok, but wish they had dancing, and the peddlers, but that is everywhere in the Bahamas. Also fridge in our room did not get very cold. They only stock it every two days as well. This hotel is the best, may not have fancy rooms, but who needs that. I look forward to returning, I miss the place already! It is a much better deal then the hotel next door to the left, which it takes three minutes to walk to and is also worth checking out but not staying at. You will love this place!

They do not offer room service and you are not allowed to bring food out of the restaurants. We would suggest bringing snacks for the times when the restaurants are closed. There is a charge for using the phone in your room (even with a calling card) and they do not have a payphone. We used the payphone at the Atlantis Resort which was just a quick walk next door.

There is a deli/grocery a few blocks away near the Blue Marlin, a good restaurant. Water and snacks are cheaper than the hotel. You’ll save buying T-shirts and things in Nassau. The Green Turtle by the Marina is a nice change of pace with reasonable drinks and a lengthy happy hour.

Watch out for Seagulls when eating outside. Wheel and deal with the waverunner vendors, they come down in price. Straw market is over rated, but you can get good deals on stuff .Also they will harass you to buy, if not interested just say ‘no thank you’. Carry on your souvenirs on the plane; I had some stolen from my luggage. Dolphin Encounter is a must, worth the price to swim with them.

Now is the best time to be planning a Bahamas family vacation. Make plans now so that when the weather turns cold your family goes south for a tropical paradise all families will enjoy.

The Bahamas are located off the coast of Florida. The islands are located near the Atlantic Gulf Stream making the water temperature an average of a pleasant 80 degrees year around. Think of how wonderful that will seem when the weather where you live is frigid.

The beaches are white and sandy with more water activities than you can even begin to think of. Swim with the dolphins, snorkel along the reef, or scuba dive with the sea creatures. Brilliant colors combined with sun, fresh air and the beautiful sea will create memories that will always be remembered. There are four towers that make up the Atlantis Hotel. The Royal Towers is the largest tower with 1,201 rooms and beautiful water views. All of the standard rooms have French balconies while the suites have full ones. You have your choice of King or double queen beds. This tower includes the sumptuous bridge suite with over 5000 square feet of space and is suspended 17 stories in the air.

The Coral Towers, home of the Kids Club has 656 deluxe rooms with many amenities decorated in a contemporary, relaxed style. The atrium has a lounge with a waterfall and a domed skylight. Your rooms view can be the Terrace or the sea. Here your choice for beds is a king or two doubles. This is much small then the Royal Tower. At the Kids Club children over 3 years and at least 48 inches tall can experience the thrill of feeding the fish in the Estuary Lagoon. They select five children a day to participate in this activity. Register your children at the Atlantis Kids Club for a chance for one of the spots. This activity is done Tuesday thru Saturday at 2:30 pm. There are two rules, the kids must have water shoes and be able to get into the lagoon without the aid of a parent.

Then there is the beach tower which is more moderately priced. The rooms, all 423 of them, are decorated in a tropical decor. Here you can choose from king or two double beds with Terrace or water views.

Then there is the truly elegant Harborside that has 392 villas. These villas can house four to ten guests. They have one, two or three bedroom options. Each has a kitchen and separate living and bedroom areas. Each villa has a balcony but the views are not guaranteed. It features a fitness room, a zero entry pool, children’s pool and 2 whirlpools. Guests at the Harborside have full privileges at Atlantis with a free shuttle services. There is lovely, relaxed dining on the Harbour front.

If you like to gamble there is one casino on Cable Beach and another one at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. The casino at Atlantis spans a seven acre lagoon with skylights and windows bringing the scenery inside. Dale Chihuly, who makes famous glass sculptures, designed the casino with vibrant colorful energy. You will find 78 gaming tables including, Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat and Baccarat. And of course, what casino would be without Craps, Roulette, Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud Poker. This being the Caribbean largest casino there are over 800 slot machines for the casino patrons to use.

They have three dining options available. The Gourmet plan which costs $92.00 per day for adults and $40.00 per day for children gives you the most choices. You can get a full American breakfast at each of five restaurants: Seagrapes, Marketplace, Water’s Edge, Café at the Great Hall of Waters and Murray’s deli. For dinner you have a whopping 12 places to choose from: Seagrapes or Water’s Edge, Mama Loo’s, Seafire Steakhouse, Bahamian Club, Fathoms, Marketplace, Nobu, Café at the Great Hall of Waters, Carmines, Café Martinique or Dune. Dinner includes a choice of an appetizer; soup or salad; one entrée, a selection of one dessert; tea, soda, or coffee. Reservtions are required in all Gourmet restaurants.

The modified American Plan offers relaxed dining with no reservations. The cost for this plan is $59.00 per day for adults and $28.00 for children. Here you are offered a full American breakfast daily in a choice of four restaurants: Seagrapes, Marketplace, Water’s Edge, and Murray’s Delicatessen. For dinner you have a choice of seven restaurants: Seagrapes or Water’s Edge, Atlas Grill & Bar, Marketplace, Murray’s Delicatessen, Bimini Road and the Point at Harborside Resort. Dinner includes a choice of an appetizer; soup or salad; one entrée; a selection of one dessert; tea, soda, or coffee.

Atlantis Guests dining on either plan at Seagrapes, Marketplace and Water’s Edge for breakfast and Seagrapes and Marketplace for dinner will enjoy a variety of selections available from the buffet.

Or you can opt for the no Meal plan and plan your meals on your own.

These are some of the highlights of the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island, a truly great place to spend a family vacation. While you are there don’t forget to visit the straw market. Have fun.

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Mary Hanna has traveled the world by Air and Ship while writing eBooks, Software Reviews and Practical Articles on Internet Marketing, Cruising, Gardening and Travel. Visit her websites at: http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.WorldHotelPortal.com You can read more of her articles at http://www.ArticleBazaar.net