Luxurious Caribbean holidays are often associated with romantic honeymoons, hidden coves and beach hut-style boutique hotels which promise secluded moments in beautiful surroundings, no matter which island you visit. So the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas might not be quite what you expect, resembling an island in its own right more than it does a hotel.
Featuring the world’s largest open-air marine habitat, called Aquaventure, a 141-acre water park, 11 swimming pools, five miles of private beaches, an oceanfront 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, and the famous Atlantis Casino – it’s not surprising that guests return to the resort year after year to keep discovering more.
With so many attractions suitable for families, parents and couples might look elsewhere for their Bahamas holiday. But with the world-class Atlantis Casino linking ‘The Royal’ and ‘The Coral’, spanning a 7-acre lagoon, there is more than enough entertainment to keep adults occupied after the sun goes down. “The Atlantis Casino and hotel should be on any experienced gamer’s bucket list for 2020,” said the experts at 777 Casino, the leading online casino guide. “Not only is there an endless stream of options for those who like to travel to see the world’s best casinos, there are also opportunities for guests newer to gambling to learn their way around the tables.”
Your own style of holiday
Made up of five distinct spaces, Atlantis Island Resort is really unlike any other hotel. ‘The Royal’ is the icon of Atlantis, featuring awe-inspiring mythology of the Lost City of Atlantis, with the world’s largest open air marine habitat situated at its centre. The Royal offers a full-service experience, as does ‘The Coral’, which features newly designed guestrooms, a new pool and cabanas, a Bahamian pastry and gelato parlour, and a stunning lobby lounge.
‘The Reef’ offers guests all the conveniences of home combines with the luxuries of a residential community. Resting upon white sand beaches of Paradise Island, guests can unplug completely at The Reef just as easily as they can access all Atlantis Island offers. Sitting adjacent is ‘The Cove’, located between Cove and Paradise Beaches, leaving guests to feel cast away on a private island. Designed by architect Jeffrey Beers, The Cove brings high design together with views of the ocean and pearly sands. For guests seeking something even more carefree, ‘The Beach’ is all about the beach itself, and is ideal for value-minded guests who want a casual, tropical, relaxed trip just steps away from Atlantis Beach.
A full service resort
Despite its expansive size, the Atlantis is not an all-inclusive resort, ensuring a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day and night – you won’t find guests rushing to lunch or dinner here. As a ‘full service’ resort, guests have full access to all Atlantis water park features at no additional cost, as well as beach towels being provided with no charge. Guests can then pick and choose other services such as the Mandara Spa, the Comedy Club, and the restaurants, which are charged separately. This of course, allows for flexibility, and the true luxury of exploring the destination and cuisine outside of the hotel too. For those who like to keep things simple, dining plans are also available.
Experience nature
Atlantis Island is home to ‘Dolphin Cay’, a world-class marine habitat dedicated to conservation, rehabilitation and education. Guest experiences offer an up-close look at animal care, husbandry and daily interactions with the animals, as well as in-water experiences in shallow and deep water, and opportunities to paddleboard and kayak among the animals. All visits to Dolphin Cay support the Atlantis Blue Project Foundation which creates solutions for a wide range of issues such as coral reef restoration and habitat conservation to improving the health of marine life.
Family fun
Families and couples alike will want to pay a visit to Aquaventure, the Atlantis Island’s 141-acre water park. This water park is definitely not only for kids – with over 20 million gallons of water, high-speed water slides, a mile-long river ride with rolling rapids and wave surges, 20 individual swimming areas and 11 swimming pools. As the largest water park in the Caribbean and one of the largest in the Eastern hemisphere, Aquaventure is a must for guests at the hotel and was designed to be a ‘multi-day adventure’. If ‘exclusive’ is your style, guests can book a private cabana alongside food and drink service, personal safe, and more amenities to make your experience as smooth as possible.
Restaurants
With the hotel as expansive as it is, it is not surprising that there are endless dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Eight fine-dining restaurants feature world famous names such as Nobu and Fish by Jose Andres, whilst there are 11 more casual spots to eat including Mosaic, Murray’s Deli and The Village Burger Shack – perfect for families and those seeking a little downtime. With the views of the ocean, beaches, and the hotel itself being one of the greatest draws of Atlantis Island, there are also a variety of alfresco dining experiences for guests to take in the sunrise or sunset looking over the lagoon.
Entertainment
The Atlantis Casino is a world-class destination not only for entertainment but for the design itself. With vibrant glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly dotted around the casino, the atmosphere is colourful and energetic, perfect for an evening at the tables. Everything is made simple at the Atlantis, with state-of-the-art player rating systems which allow guests to insert their room key into any slot machine or present it at any table to earn exclusive casino offers, free slot play and special invites to table tournaments.
85 gaming tables feature baccarat, various forms of poker, roulette, blackjack, high roller, craps and private gaming stations, as well as over 700 of the latest machines, ensuring something for everyone no matter what your taste. But beginners should not fear, as complimentary daily gaming lessons are also available every day.
Image credit at the very top of the article: photosvit/Bigstock.com
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