To be fair, I knew going in that the Atlantis is not really my kind of vacation place, as I prefer a bit less of a crowd, but for the prices this place charges, I expected a lot more. The rooms were in need of renovations, but we didn't spend much time in the rooms anyway. My main complaint is with the cleanliness of the pool areas. They just seemed dirty, with trash lying around, and not enough staff who seemed interested or who were directed to clean the area up more often. I realize that it's a big place and it's going to be hard to keep it clean, but at least give it a shot - please. The best part of our stay was the lazy river and the slides - that part was a lot of fun. But the rest was just not my cup of tea. Also, we had a stroller, and it was a real headache to get it around the grounds due to lack of ramps, etc. out by the pool area. There are tons of families and kids running around, so how can they get away with this?

Good food. However they nickel and dime you for everything. Expect extra charges (taxes, utility, pool and beach fees to be added onto room rate) Be prepared to pay $15 for anything extra.. kind of the running joke there. Basic rooms are very over priced and old. Our Toilet made a horrific noice. We had a discounted rate of $239 with the ADT group and the room felt like a $80 room.

For various reasons we had 36 hours in Nassau, and stayed at the Atlantis.

First, the good: the Atlantis is a super-dooper water park. Our 10 year old daughter had an absolutely fabulous time, and so did her dad. The water-based attractions are second to none. The rooms were great, and we got upgraded to a suite (I suspect the check-in clerk felt sorry for us - we must have been one of the few suckers paying rack rate!).

The not-so-good: you are in the Bahamas, but at the Atlantis, you may as well be anywhere.

In fact, I call it "Vegas-on-sea", as it has that synthetic, tacky feel that Vegas excels at. Likewise, lots of obese people, lots of ink, lots of loud, obnoxious, ignorant people. The food is expensive and rubbish. Typical American fatty, bland pulp covered in three kinds of cheese.

But, for the sake of a ten dollar cab fare, a taxi driver will take you off Paradise Island and to somewhere the locals eat. And there you can have something interesting and tasty, and experience some reality. You'll eat better food and have a better time, and it'll cost you way less than eating at the Atlantis.

Would I go back? In a heart-beat. But then I sort of like Vegas, too. You've gotta accept these places for what they are, and the Atlantis is an awesome water park with a horrible hotel attached, overpriced and populated by bogans. But that doesn't mean you won't have a good time there.

My advice is to get friendly with a taxi driver so you can escape to reality between water slides.

Work trip in Feb 2011 and took the kids for another 5 days. It was exactly as you have read in many reviews - it is a massive place. I must say nothing surprised me negatively, the rooms were great and the food was very good - price was well known ahead of time. We went to the one buffet restaurant off to the side as it was better food, and quieter (I cant believe the people who want kids under 6 with them! please shoot me). Went into town once by boat - that was cool, ate in town a few times and it was OK too. For the price, I am not sure I would go again - nicer places in Mexico or Jamica for the price.