Atlantis Bahamas Review: Tips & Things to Do (Updated 2024)

Atlantis Bahamas Review: 10 Quick Takeaways

1 – Hands down, my top packing tip is water shoes, particularly if you are visiting the water park. It’s really hot and painful to walk around such a large resort otherwise, and you can’t wear flip-flops on the rides.

2 – I also recommend you pack a waterproof case for your cell phone and/or room key, credit card, etc. This makes it SO easy and stress-free to do water activities.

3 – For adults, I highly recommend staying at The Cove. It is exceptional in every way and worth every penny. There are also many exclusive and/or “Adults Only” locations there, so it’s far less crowded.

4 – If you want something more cost-effective, The Royal is cheaper plus centrally located.

5 – To save on food, which is very expensive and has exorbitant taxes, check out the kids’ menus and the stands near the kids’ pools. It’s often the same food and a lot cheaper.

6 – Some “fancy” restaurants require dinner reservations in advance and some don’t. I recommend planning dinner two to three weeks in advance.

7 – If you are traveling with kids, check out the Kids Concierge for additional activities and information. They can hang out at the Atlantis Kids Adventure kids club (a drop-off facility for ages 3 – 12) and visit the arcade, the pottery studio, and more.

8 – I recommend most people ride the lazy river/rapids river. They are fairly mild and fun. The water slides can be a bit scary and you will also get more wet on them, so they are best for adventurous older kids and adults.

9 – The main beach near The Royal has the most expansive views, the whitest sands, and the bluest waters.

10 – You can take a free shuttle around the resort throughout the day.

Hotels at Atlantis: Where to Stay

Next in this Atlantis Bahamas review, let’s talk about your hotel options, as there are five options right on the resort.

The Cove Atlantis Review: Top Notch Accommodations With “Adults Only” Sections

Pros: The Cove is a private luxury hotel within the Atlantis resort, and it is absolutely stunning. It is my second favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at (second only to the best of Italy on the Amalfi coast). Even Prince William and Kate Middleton chose to stay at The Cove!

The exclusive pools and beaches are private and very high-end, with views overlooking the ocean. There are also bars, outdoor gambling, meticulous koi ponds, and so much more. It’s the most relaxing oasis.

The rooms are spacious suites with an open floor plan, including a step-down living area with a sleeper sofa. The closets are walk-in and the bathroom is massive, with two separate sinks and separate spaces for the shower, bath, and toilet.

Private balconies overlook the resort as well, and you can see them right from the comfort of your bed.

Cons: The “Adults Only” pool can get crowded fast, and there often aren’t enough umbrellas if you prefer the shade. You need to get there right around breakfast if you want to secure the location of your choice. They also play fairly loud music there in the afternoon, which may or may not be your thing.

Families with children can stay at The Cove, but you must be over age 18 to use their “Adults Only” pool. That being said, there are two other pools nearby with lots of kids, as well as several pools on the main resort.

Food is also more expensive at The Cove.

Is The Cove worth it? 100% yes, if you are looking for a high-end tropical getaway, particularly for adults only. Our stay was exceptional in nearly all ways, and we intend to return.

The Royal Towers

We have also stayed at The Royal, the two iconic towers at the heart of the resort (adjoined by a bridge containing a luxurious suite where Michael Jackson famously stayed).

We booked a standard room. Our room contained a king bed and a nice view of the main beach, as well as things like a chair and table, a coffee maker with coffee and tea, a large closet with lots of hangers, an ironing board and iron, plenty of dresser space, and a large bathroom with a tub, shower, and separate toilet.

It was really easy for my husband and me to get ready at the same time, which always helps.

Pros: The Royal was very reasonably priced, and I really appreciated the size of the bathroom. It was also nice to have a central location near the aquariums, casino, water park, pools, beaches, etc.

Cons: Some common areas and rooms were somewhat worn and dated at The Royal when we stayed there in 2022 (however, when we returned in 2024 we saw that our tower was under renovation).

My husband also found the water pressure to be lacking.

Overall: The Royal is a good value and has the best overall location.

The Reef is a tower that contains residential-style suites and studios. Our friends stayed there and said the rooms were lovely. They had a kitchenette (but you can also get a full kitchen). Guests of The Reef also have access to a private pool and beach.

Harborside Resort is a waterfront property along the marina that is on the outskirts of the Atlantis resort. It contains villas for larger groups, with extra room, plus you can get laundry and a full kitchen.

Best Restaurants at Atlantis Bahamas

Next in this Atlantis Bahamas review, let’s talk about dining recommendations and tips.

Breakfast

For casual breakfast, we ate at Starbucks (there are a few on site), and Plato’s, which is a cafe near the lobby in The Royal where you can dine in or take out things like breakfast sandwiches and pastries.

Perch at The Cove (pictured above) is very beautiful and high end, with lots of fresh options like smoothies and everything from lighter to heavier options, but the downside is that it is very expensive.

Lunch

I also love to grab at least one lunch at at Pita (pictured above), which is a small Mediterranean stand (i.e., chicken shwarma, hummus, tabbouleh) near The Cove with tables overlooking the beach, which is such a great bonus! For fast food, it’s quite good, plus reasonably priced. My husband and I have even shared a platter of food for $20. Also, I swear, their beach cocktails are the best on the resort.

I’ve also eaten at Shark Bites, which has full service and a bar, near the pools outside of The Royal, and it was expensive, but had solid casual dining options like wraps and burgers.

Dinner

For dinner, we previously dined at Cafe Martinique on the Marina, which is a fine dining restaurant that feels very Bahamian. It’s one of the prettiest restaurants at which I have ever dined. The food is seasonal and vegetable-forward, with many high-end options. It was very expensive ($300+ per couple), but very good.

We also tried the new restaurant Silan (pictured above) in the casino because we are big fans of Israeli food, and it was a fun experience. It kind of mixed American food with Israeli food and was slightly more casual than expected. We split a bottle of wine and the popular mezze platter and, honestly, that was enough for the two of us!

While I didn’t dine at Nobu personally, I received SO MANY recommendations for it, and my friends who dined there during our stay loved it. It’s right in the casino.

A few of my friends also dined at Fish by Jose Andres, which is located at The Cove, and they were really disappointed by the service, food, AND cost.

Things to Do at Atlantis Bahamas: Aquaventure Water Park Slides, Beaches, and More

An Atlantis Bahamas review wouldn’t be complete without talking about things to do, as there is no shortage!

Pros and Cons of Atlantis Resort Activities

Pros:

The rapids river (about a 20-minute ride) and the water slides are a lot of fun for most ages! They are fairly fast and scary — best for preteens, teens, and adults, not very young children.

Although there are storage lockers, we left our belongings on our chairs and felt safe doing so. Just note that you need to bring your room card or get a wristband before you go on any rides.

The main beach near The Royal has the most expansive views, the whitest sands, and the bluest waters.

We didn’t experience the Dolphin Cay or the Mandara Spa, but our friends did, and they loved it.

The groom at the wedding we attended golfed, and he said the championship course was beautiful.

Another friend snorkeled and loved the experience.

Cons:

Some of our friends also rented a cabana at The Cove, and they found it to be extremely expensive. It’s best for a larger group that is splitting the bill.

Things to Do Near the Atlantis Resort

Next in this Atlantis Bahamas review are a few things you can do outside the resort.

Additionally, you can book an excursion, such as an island tour or swimming with the pigs and turtles.

What to Pack for Your Trip to Atlantis Bahamas

Tips for Traveling to Atlantis Bahamas from the United States

Lastly in this Atlantis Bahamas review are some travel tips I want to share with you so you have a great experience.

• Make sure your passport is valid and bring it.
• Check your cell phone carrier for any extra international service you may need. I purchased international day passes.
• Taxis are readily available at the airport. We hopped in a large one and paid $55 for a 30-minute ride from the airport to the Atlantis.
• If you arrive before check-in, there are large restroom areas where you can change and/or freshen up.
• Atlantis is a cashless resort. You can charge everything to the room.
• Get to the Bahamas airport for your return flight two to three hours before your flight’s departure, as you go through customs at the Bahamas — not the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. To conclude this Atlantis Bahamas review, it’s worth it if you want to spend a few days at a large resort in the Caribbean and don’t require an all-inclusive package. With its beachfront location and countless options for accommodations, dining, shopping, and activities for all ages, it’s a great vacation spot for all ages.