Escape to Atlantis
Written by Jennifer Martin, Bailie White
I’ll be the first to admit that it certainly wasn’t on mine! It turns out that the destination ranks pretty high on most childrens’ bucket list, so last Spring Break my husband and I found ourselves packed and headed towards the infamous mega-resort, known for its legendary waterslides and array of marine life! In tow with us was my youngest son, Matthew, and his best friend, who were both 16 years old at the time. When my two very jealous older sons heard about the trip, they responded with a big, “AW, we always wanted to go there!”
Honestly, mega resorts with water parks are not my cup of tea - so I went on this vacation with very low expectations. Surprisingly enough, my expectations were exceeded and I would like to debunk the perception that a vacation in Atlantis is one to avoid.
First of all, there are several sections of Atlantis; a section for each vacationing type. The best ones are the Royal Towers, The Reef, and The Cove.
For many Atlantis-goers, The Royal Towers is the only place to be. The Towers are the icon of Atlantis, featuring the awe-inspiring mythology of the Lost City of Atlantis risen from the sea. Guests of The Royal Towers will find themselves within walking distance of the best pools, waterslides, and river rides; along with the luxury spa and fitness center, stylish casino, restaurants, and activities at Dolphin Cay! The Towers are convenient to everything, which makes it very difficult to escape the crowds. The Royal Tower rooms come with exceptional views and most have French balconies to view them off of! These rooms also have many connecting options for families. The Reef is a separate building with a completely different feel than The Royal Towers. The property has a nice stretch of Paradise Island beach and a large family pool that is exclusive to The Reef and Cove guests. Guests at The Reef will find themselves removed just enough to enjoy a more quiet atmosphere, but still be very close to the Atlantis action highlights such as Aquaventure! The Reef is perfect for families! Room options at The Reef include big studios, like one, two, and three-bedroom units (many with stunning ocean views) that have pull out sofas, fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, and a washer/dryer in the unit!
Set aside from The Royal Towers, The Cove is the most exclusive, and definitely the place to say on an adult trip. Along with the stretch of beach and large family pool it shares with The Reef, only The Cove guests have access to the adults-only pool called Cain at the Cove – complete with private cabanas, outdoor gambling, and DJ’s!
Guests at The Cove get that feeling of being cast away on a private, white-sand sanctuary. Its suites are top-of- the-line, giving guests the perfect haven to completely redefine their idea of a beach vacation experience.
I was shocked at my realization that a trip to Atlantis could really be the perfect multigenerational vacation! The fun didn’t stop with our teenagers! We enjoyed walking around the properties and viewing all of the different sharks, fish, and other marine life in the huge aquariums throughout the grounds. And of course, the waterslides were a hit, I’ll admit it! While it’s hard to keep up with teenagers in a waterpark, the boys did go down a few of the waterslides with us; after they disappeared, my husband and I decided to go down a couple more on our own! Then, we headed back to the beach area by The Cove, which is uncrowded and very relaxing. There were gorgeous boats docked at the marina that we loved to see, the casino was fabulous, and the restaurants, while expensive, were world class and delicious.
Our favorite restaurants were Nobu, Carmine’s, and The Village Burger Shack. However, if you’re looking for more of a low-key evening and you’re staying at The Reef (with a kitchen), a great idea would be to order a couple of spaghetti dinners from Carmines and eat in! The portions are huge and two dinners and one salad could easily feed a family of four!
In short, if you want to surprise your children with a trip to Atlantis, call Nashville Luxury Travel, and we will help you navigate the mystery of Atlantis!