With just a quick flight from Fort Lauderdale or Miami and a taxi ride from Nassau, Bahamas airport, in 30 minutes you are in Paradise (Island that is). If you have not been, the best of the best is Atlantis. There are several accommodations to choose from beginning with the Royal Towers (located at the center of the property), Coral Towers, Beach Towers, The Cove Atlantis and the newest - The Reef Atlantis for those who like condo-style living with full kitchen.

At Atlantis, we were inspired by their beautiful surroundings of beach, surf and ocean. Uniquely different man-made lagoons have a variety of over 50,000 sea life from tropical fish to sting rays and sharks. Take a daily stroll through underwater tunnels that introduce you to close up views of your marine favorites. Fish feeding takes place at different lagoons and times each day.

You can almost say you are in a water park with all the pools, slides and a lazy river ride. And of course, you have the clear, tricolored water of the Bahamas - complete with walkways and concession stands. At night, popcorn is served poolside for a large-screen movie.

Since Hurricane Wilma hit, many changes have been made for the better. Staying in a deluxe ocean front suite at The Cove, we found it to be well-furnished with incredibly comfortable beds, and the best hotel bathroom amenities ever experienced. Large and bright with walled flat screen TV, our room on the 18th floor gave picture-perfect views of both the property, lagoons and sea.

The pools and the ocean are as good as it gets. The Cove-only pools behind the Cove are not crowded, and there are always lots of free chaises. The staff is always offering to get a chaise and provide towels. You can order beverages, and in less then five minutes it is on the table by your side. The slides are a thrill for children and adults alike.

The Atlantis grounds are well kept. Lush gardens, floral and sleek modern designs or ancient style ruins will inspire the artist in you. Everything is in relative walking distance but courtesy shuttles are available for those who need assistance.

The restaurants in the hotel are not to be missed. The food, service and ambiance are extraordinary and, unfortunately, to experience them all you would need to stay a month.

The Mesa Grill is a must of those who love spicy food and red meats. Owned and overseen by TV personality ‘Iron Chef Bobby Flay’, we had the opportunity to chat with the chef for a few seconds. This restaurant does not serve children under 12, so be prepared to have the kids have a night out at Johnny Rocket’s with the Discovery (Channel) Kids Camp.

Other Atlantis restaurants we visited had a lot of charm and character such as Café at the Great Hall of Waters for its exceptional seafood and panoramic windows of underwater ruins.

I am warning you to be prepared for the giant portions of food served family-style at Carmines. It is a much better than its brother in New York City - less noisy and more spacious. The scampi is to die for!

For breakfast, Mosaic is the place to hit, with buffet-style - anything you can think of they certainly have to offer. From smoked salmon, crepes and bagels to french toast and omelets prepared right in front of you - yogurts, cereals and fresh fruit - truly an ideal way to start your day.

For great, healthy alternative snacks head to Jamba Juice and have a fresh fruit smoothie and enjoy staring at giant yachts all day.

Imagine dining at sunset, sitting at an open air pavilion on the lagoon watching sharks swim by as a background - you can at the casual Lagoon Bar and Grill, which serves individual pizzas and salads.

As you can see, Atlantis has many cuisines to offer even the fussiest palate. There are many other overwhelming options spread around Atlantis, all with great food:

Casual

• Atlas Bar & Grill
• Bimini Road
• Carmine’s
• Johnny Rockets
• Lagoon Bar And Grill
• Murray’s Deli
• The Point Restaurant & Bar

Gourmet

• Bahamian Club
• Cafe At The Great Hall Of Waters
• Café Martinique
• Casa D’Angelo
• Fathoms
• Chop Stix
• Mesa Grill
• Nobu
• Seafire Steakhouse

Buffet

• Marketplace
• Water’s Edge
• Mosaic

Express

• Cave Grill
• Cleito’s Cart
• Dive In
• Jamba Juice
• Marina Pizzeria
• Pisces
• Shark Bites
• Starbucks
• Village Creamery

Mandara Spa, established in resorts throughout the world, utilizes Elemis products, which incidentally are created in the Bahamas and are a personal favorite for spa treatments. Steam and sauna rooms, along warm and cold plunge pools in a private lounge area, await you before your treatment begins. I opted for an oxygen facial and came out radiant.

Atlantis offers options for almost everyone’s budget and lifestyle, from choice of hotel level to meals, you just have to ask. Activities range from a variety of water slides, a library with over 1,200 volumes, Dolphin Experience, water sports, casino, Club Aura, movies, comedy club, marine life exhibits, fine dining, exclusive haute couture boutiques or absolutely nothing at all but a chance to unwind.

Atlantis
Paradise Island, Bahamas
Tel: (888) 528-7155
www.atlantis.com

- Reviewed by Veronica Shine (vshine18@msn.com)

Native New Yorker, Veronica Shine’s career has been diversified within the fashion/beauty/accessory/theatrical industries and she now hangs her hat mainly in Europe with her husband and 13 year old son. Perhaps from being in the theater since a child, a natural transition to write emerged. Her published works have appeared in ezines and magazines in Europe and the United States with a focus towards beauty, fashion and travel.