With eleven pools, more than 30 restaurants, a huge water park, five miles of white sand beach, and more than 3,000 guest rooms, Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is a vacation destination with something for everyone. From adults-only areas to kid-friendly fun, the resort is designed to appeal to guests of all ages and offers plenty of opportunities for relaxation and recreation.
Getting Situated: Where is Atlantis Resort?
Set on the lush tropical Paradise Island, Atlantis Resort has the peaceful feeling of being a bit secluded from the rest of Nassau while still being within a ten-minute drive of the Nassau cruise ship port, the Pirates of Nassau museum, the historical Fort Montague, and the Queen’s Staircase.
Stretching five miles long and about a mile wide, Paradise Island is also home to the Paradise Island Golf Course and the Nassau Harbour Lighthouse, and several additional beaches.
Atlantis Resort is approximately a 20-minute drive from Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport. Airport transfers are available directly through the resort, with options ranging from a shared shuttle to private car service.
Guests arriving in Nassau by cruise ship can take a taxi from the cruise port or a ferry from the terminal near the port that docks at the Atlantis’ Harbourside Resort.
Regular taxis and rental cars are available at the airport, but rideshare options like Uber and Lyft are not available in the Bahamas.
Guests arriving by boat will appreciate the luxurious Atlantis Marina, which offers direct access to Nassau Harbour and slips for everything from sailboats to mega-yachts.
Checking in: The Best Atlantis Hotel for Every Traveler
The Atlantis Resort is made up of five different hotels, each with its own personality, price point, and benefits.
The Royal at Atlantis occupies the iconic arch-shaped building that comes to mind when one pictures the Atlantis and features design inspired by the mythological lost city and a convenient central location.
The Royal is home to the sprawling Atlantis Casino, Mandara Spa, the serene Royal Baths Pool, The Dig aquarium, the popular Poseidon’s Throne photo spot, and some of the resort’s best restaurants, making it an ideal choice for those who want to be close to everything.
Surrounded by private beaches, The Cove at Atlantis offers elegant all-suite accommodations with floor-to-ceiling ocean views, an adults-only pool, and a free shuttle to other parts of the resort.
Set just across the marina from the rest of the Atlantis Resort, Harborside Resort offers a bit more peace and quiet than some of the other hotels, but it is a bit farther from the beaches and other activities. Harborside’s secluded seaside villas with full kitchens and laundry facilities that make it perfect for guests who want all the comforts of home while on vacation.
Designed with family travel in mind, The Coral at Atlantis is generally the most budget-friendly option, but it still boasts great amenities like a full balcony in every room and a pool area with cozy cabanas, a swim-up bar, and a separate children’s pool.
The Reef at Atlantis invites guests to make themselves at home in residential-inspired studios and suites with comfortable living rooms and either a kitchenette or a full kitchen. The hotel features a zero-entry pool and a peaceful setting on the edge of the resort that results in picturesque views from many of the rooms.
No matter which Atlantis Resort hotel you choose, you’ll have access to plenty of family-friendly amenities including in-room babysitting, but staying at The Coral or The Royal puts you in close proximity to the best variety.
The Kids Concierge in The Coral lobby offers everything from custom itinerary planning to stroller rentals to children’s menus from all of the on-site restaurants.
At Coral Towers, teens ages 13-17 can meet new friends in their own nightclub equipped with pool tables, a dance floor with live DJs, a floor-to-ceiling video game wall, board games, and a snack bar.
The Atlantis Kid Adventures Club, located at The Royal, offers a huge range of activities for young guests ranging from talent shows to pirate parties, plus themed play rooms designed specifically for different age groups.
When it comes to family-friendly rooms, there is a wide variety to choose from at The Atlantis. The Reef, The Royal, and The Coral all have two-bedroom family suites that can comfortably accommodate up to eight people thanks to a sleeper sofa in the living room, making them an ideal choice for those who want a nice mix of privacy and shared space with their travel companions.
For a more “home away from home” feeling, families can reserve a Deluxe Villa at the Harborside Resort to enjoy the convenience of a full kitchen that makes it easy to prepare a family meal or keep kid-friendly snacks on hand.
The Cove offers the feeling of a chic boutique hotel and is a popular choice for adults who want a more upscale experience while visiting The Atlantis. One of its biggest selling points is an adults-only pool, which is only open to Cove guests and is an oasis of relaxation and entertainment with private cabanas, live DJs, and casino games.
While The Royal generally caters to guests of all ages, it does offer some of the resort’s most opulent suites that would be ideal for a once-in-a-lifetime romantic getaway, such as the legendary ten-room ocean view Bridge Suite, which features a separate service entrance for its seven dedicated staff members, which include a butler and a chef.
While the Atlantis Resort is not fully all-inclusive, it’s considered a “full-service resort” with a daily resort fee that covers admission to the water park, reusable water bottles, access to the fitness centers, entrance to the marine habitats, and shuttles between the resort hotels. All-inclusive packages are occasionally available during select times of the year, and dining plans are sometimes available for hassle-free meal experiences.
The resort usually has a minimum stay length of two to four nights depending on the time of year, but with so much to do on-site, filling those days is never a problem.
Having Fun: Top Activities at Atlantis Resort
A combined total of five miles of soft white sand beaches surround the Atlantis Resort. Four private, swimmable beaches are available for guest use, offering the option of trying out a different spot each day of your stay.
The serene crescent-shaped Cove Beach is perfect for those who want to enjoy the tranquil turquoise water or stretch out on the soft sand, while Paradise Lagoon Beach is more active, with water sports, kid-friendly snorkeling areas, and paddleboarding.
Located in front of The Coral, Atlantis Beach is spacious and action-packed thanks to its prime central location. Reserved for guests of The Reef and The Cove, Paradise Beach is a bit smaller and more secluded, making it the perfect place to stretch out on a padded lounge chair with a good book.
Not only is there a water park at Atlantis Paradise Island, but it’s considered to be one of the resort’s main attractions! The Mayan-themed Aquaventure Water Park offers activities designed for all ages, from the thrilling 200-foot body slide into a cenote to Splashers Island, where kids can enjoy water cannons, climbing nets, and small slides.
In the unique Serpent Slide, guests can float through a clear tunnel surrounded by marine life, while the open-air Jungle Slide zips through lush foliage and cool caves. Water park admission is included with any Atlantis Resort stay.
The Casino at Atlantis Paradise Island
Boasting more than 700 slot machines and 85 gaming tables, the Atlantis Casino is equally suited to seasoned gamblers and guests who just want to try their luck on the latest games. Choose from blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, and Texas Hold’em, or try your luck with horse racing and sports betting in self-serve kiosks.
Dolphin Cay
Known as the Caribbean’s premier marine animal rehabilitation facility, Dolphin Cay at the Atlantis Resort is home to dolphins and sea lions that were relocated here when they were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. This aquatic attraction gives guests the rare opportunity to interact with dolphins in a variety of ways, from classic dolphin swims to paddleboarding and kayaking through their habitat.
Marine mammal enthusiasts can also join Trainer for a Day programs, take a behind-the-scenes tour, play with sea lions, or enjoy a full-day VIP experience that includes a sea turtle encounter and evening snorkeling excursion.
Atlantis is home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, with multiple exhibits spread out across the resort grounds displaying over 250 species of marine life, from majestic manta rays to small, colorful clownfish.
Located at The Royal, The Dig invites guests to experience the wonders of the deep with seahorses, moon jellies, and Moray eels on display in the winding hallways designed to feel like architectural ruins of the lost city. The Predator Lagoon is filled with sharks, stingrays, and giant grouper, while the Ruins Lagoon makes it possible for guests to snorkel among over 20,000 tropical fish.
Fans of stingrays won’t want to miss the Royal Ray Lagoon, Water’s Edge Lagoon, and Stingray Lagoon, while shark enthusiasts should be sure to visit the Reef Lagoon and Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon.
Home to local sea turtles, the Hibiscus Lagoon invites guests to see them up close, while the Estuary Lagoon is home to newborn sea life and bonnethead sharks. Guests can watch shark and fish feeding sessions in four different locations almost every day of the week.
Spa
The award-winning Mandara Spa at the Atlantis invites guests to treat themselves to an hour or a full day of pampering, with options including open-air massages, salon services, customized facials, and soothing sunburn treatments. The spa also features plunge pools, steam rooms, an aromatherapy room, and a couple’s spa suite perfect for honeymooners.
Amenities and Activities
While the casino, water park, and marine life tend to get the most attention, there’s no shortage of things to do all throughout the Atlantis Resort. Live entertainment from both local and international acts awaits at Joker’s Wild Comedy Club, and the resort often hosts special events like salsa dancing nights or touring musical groups.
Just off the casino floor, Aura Nightclub invites guests to dance the night away, while the Atlantis Theater makes it easy to catch the latest movies for free. Fitness fanatics won’t want to miss the on-site gym, which offers high-energy spin classes, private and group yoga practices, a lap pool, and basketball courts in addition to the usual range of cardio and strength training equipment.
Shopping at the Atlantis Resort
Each hotel features a sundry store with travel essentials and snacks, while the Logo Stores offer Atlantis-branded clothing and souvenirs. Located within The Coral hotel, the Crystal Court Shops offer dozens of designer shops like Gucci and Versace, while the Escape at the Cove offers boutique fashions and unique artwork.
Pick up local goods at the Marina Village near The Coral, where you can also find resort wear and handcrafted items at the Art Walk.
Dining Out: Our Favorite Restaurants at Atlantis Paradise Island
With a total of 33 dining and drinking destinations, the resort offers something to suit every craving. Fans of celebrity chefs can share tapas at Fish by two-Michelin starred chef Jose Andrews, savor fresh seafood dishes by Nobu Matsuhisa at Nobu, and dine on Mediterranean cuisine at Olives by Todd English.
Guests can choose from three additional fine dining restaurants when they’re in the mood for an elegant meal, including plant-based Mediterranean fare at Café Martinique, contemporary Chinese dishes at Chop Stix, and smoked and grilled meats at Seafire Steakhouse.
For a more casual meal, stop by the Burger Shack, the 1950s-inspired Murray’s Deli, or the Marina Pizzeria. Poseidon’s Table offers lavish breakfast buffets, while Murray’s Donut Cart makes it easy to grab a sweet treat.
Savor local flavors with a conch salad at McKenzie’s Conch Shack, Caribbean microbrews at Pirate Republic, and Bahamian fare at Frankie Gone Bananas.
For more information, visit Atlantis Paradise Island’s website, or check prices, pics and reviews here.
