Atlantis Paradise Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Atlantis is a large resort and casino located on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. The resort dominates the island's real estate and is a major contributor to the island's economy, employing some 6,000 residents. Atlantis was built by South African hotel and gambling magnate Sol Kerzner.
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[edit] Accommodations
[edit] The Beach Tower
The Beach Tower is the oldest and the original building of Atlantis. The Beach Tower used to go under a different name, the Paradise Beach Hotel, a couple of decades ago prior to Kerzner's acquisition. Club Rush, a teenage club that contains a dance floor, widescreen TV with seating for movies, and Internet access is located in the middle of the Beach Tower, steps from the lobby. The Lazy River, a tranquil tube ride where guests gradually float around the Tower, is also located outside the Beach Tower. Seagrapes, a popular buffet for younger guests, can be found in the Beach Tower.
The Beach Tower is the least expensive accommodation at Atlantis. Many guests think that the two Coral Towers and the Beach Tower are an actual part of the photographed Royal Towers, but they are all separate facilities. The Beach Tower does not offer suites or upgraded rooms. All rooms are standard rooms and roughly 300 square feet in size. The check-in for the Beach Tower is located in the Coral Towers.
[edit] The Coral Towers
The Coral Towers used to be known as the Britannia Beach Hotel. The Atlantis Theatre, the Joker's Wild comedy club, and many ballrooms can all be found between the Beach Tower and the Coral Towers. In the Discovery Kids Adventure camp, below the lobby, young people (up to the age of 12) can discover the native Bahamian aquatic environment and many aquatic species.
The Coral Towers are known to offer a more child-friendly Atlantis environment that attracts young families and retirees. Rooms are economy priced, but well-equipped.
The Coral Lounge and Atrium Lobby feature inviting, over-stuffed couches, tranquil fountains, skylights, and marine-life sculptures.
[edit] The Royal Towers
The newest towers at the Atlantis are called the Royal Towers. The Royal Towers of Atlantis are the tallest buildings in the Bahamas, according to some sources.
The "Bridge Suite" ranks third in terms of most expensive hotel rooms in the world at $25,000 USD. It is located in the striking span that connects the two Royal Towers. This is the hotel's presidential suite. The suite has ten rooms with more than 5,000 square feet of living space. The Bridge Suite comes with its own butler. The kitchen has its own entrance so the butler or cook never bothers the guest.
The amenities of this red, black and gold suite include gold chandeliers, a baby grand piano, and balconies on both sides of the Bridge. Past guests include Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Josh Markovic Rothschild and Michael Jackson.
The architecture and décor are very original, featuring unique murals, sculptures and fountains. The most elegant accommodations at Atlantis, the Royal Towers are noted for impeccable service, sumptuous rooms and suites, and sweeping views of the ocean, harbour and Marina, pools and waterscape, or gardens. The Great Hall of Waters lobby - its ceiling a dome of golden shells soaring 70 feet into the air - opens on one side to the Marina. The other side leads to underwater streets teeming with fish and Atlantean artifacts.
[edit] The Imperial Club
The Imperial Club is a section of the Royal Towers that offers larger suites and a lounge area just for guests staying at the Imperial Club. The lounge offers complimentary breakfast, lunch sandwiches, and desserts. The Imperial Club also offers a private check-in, to avoid the hustle and bustle of a normal check-in. Not to mention, the Imperial Club is the top four floors of the Royal Towers, which offers a stunning view of the ocean, or Nassau Harbor.
[edit] Harborside Resort at Atlantis
Harborside Resort guests enjoy full access to all the facilities of Atlantis, Paradise Island combined with the home-away-from-home amenities that only a spacious, private villa can offer. The resort consists of 392 villas and features a harbour-front restaurant, pool area inncluding a childrens' pool with water fountains, a fitness facility, a sundry store, and all-day shuttle service to Atlantis.
[edit] The Cove Atlantis
The Cove Atlantis is a new tower opening on March 28, 2007.
A sophisticated, stylish 600 suite tower located directly on the ocean and situated between two beautiful beaches. The open-air lobby, designed by Jeffrey Beers, “rises and retires” with the sun.
The oversized suites at The Cove Atlantis, are inspired by their beautiful surroundings of beach, surf and ocean. Natural wood and sleek design create a relaxed and sensual ambiance.
The Club is The Cove's preeminent concierge level of suites. Guests partake in additional services and amenities reserved strictly for them, including a dedicated priority concierge for restaurant, golf, spa and cabana reservations. Guests enjoy exclusive use of The Club Lounge showcasing breathtaking views of the ocean and beautiful sunrises. The Club serves gourmet breakfast and delicate hors d'oeuvres during the day, as well as signature and specialty cocktails in the evening.
 Artificial lagoon with water pumped in from the ocean. |
 Boardwalk |
 View of the lagoon |
 View of aquarium and pools from Royal Tower rooms. |
 Ocean view from Royal Tower |
 Waterfall at Beach Tower |
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[edit] Attractions
[edit] Aquaventure
Aquaventure is one of the newest attractions at Atlantis. It is a 63 acre, 200 million gallon waterscape, combining slides, lazy rivers, and rapids into one large, natural setting. Set to open means riders never have to leave their tubes to go on slides, because water jets and escalators propel them to the top. Special effects are also used heavily throughout. The centerpiece of the attraction is the Power Tower, which is almost twice as tall as the Mayan Temple. It contains three new waterslides. A rock climbing wall will also be featured. Aquaventure opened February 16, 2007.
[edit] The Current
Guests can get on "The Current" (Lazy River) where they can choose several routes. Some take them up a special designed conveyor belt into the Power Tower and then drop them down a selection of slides. The ride is 1 mile long and has features such as conveyor belts, waves, and artificial tidal surges. It contains 3 million gallons of water, 7 feet high lifts and drops. All rides in the Aquaventure section end up in one large pool. Here guests can carry on into 80 feet worth of underground caverns or they can get out. Its one long ride!
[edit] The Power Tower
It's 120 feet high and has 4 slides to choose from.
The Abyss: A 50ft vertical drop through pitch black and then turning through a waterfall to a lake filled with Exotic Predators..Scary!
The Drop and The Falls: Both of these tube slides can be accessed from "The Current" or from walking up the stairs. The slides use "master-blaster" technology which allows the slides to go up as well as down. The drop sprials throught the dark center of the Power Tower and The Falls plummets 58 feet down while going through twists and turns.
The Surge: A tube slide starting at the top of the Power Tower(stairs up only) It drops into an underground cavern where riders are struck by a flash flood which "washes" the guests out of the cave and into a dive pool.
Both The Current and The Power Tower shock guests with Fire, Tidal Waves, Smoke and more...
[edit] Mayan temple slides
At the Royal Towers is the Mayan Temple entertainment attraction including water slides. There are the Leap of Faith, the Serpent Slide, the Challenger Slides, and the Jungle Slide. The Leap of Faith offers an exciting ride with a 60-foot vertical drop followed by a trip through a clear underwater tunnel that passes through a shark-filled lagoon.[1]
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[edit] The Dig
The Dig is a series of aquariums located beneath the lobby of the Royal Towers and is the world's largest open air marine habitat. Hundreds of different aquatic species can be spotted in the Dig's various tanks such as angelfish, sharks, manta rays, and various types of jellyfish.
The goal of The Dig is to provide guests with a taste of life in the legendary destroyed city of Atlantis. Interestingly, if one observes the bottom of the floors in the different aquariums, wreckage and debris will be scattered about representing the "Lost City of Atlantis."
A Predator Lagoon is full of sawsharks, barracudas and stingrays. A 100-foot clear acrylic tunnel runs underwater, allowing visitors unobstructed views of the marine environment.
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[edit] The Marina and Marina Village
The Marina at Atlantis is where yachts and other boats can be docked. This Marina is located near the Royal Towers. The Marina provides direct boat access to the Atlantis facilities from Nassau Channel and Nassau Harbour.
The new Marina Village is an upscale shopping center (Kerzner Corporation compares it to a Rodeo Drive experience) containing boutiques, a Haagen Dazs ice cream shop and five restaurants including the reincarnation of the Café Martinique of movie fame.
The Caribbean restaurant and retail shop designs take inspiration from the colorful, clapboard houses, typically found in the Bahamian out-islands. The steakhouse and French-gourmet restaurants’ architecture echo British-Colonial influences and a spacious Italian restaurant is reminiscent of the wooden, waterfront warehouses that once overlooked Nassau Harbour.
Other unique locations in the Village feature local handmade gifts from stylish creations in straw to local craft items and souvenirs. Casual collectibles as well as resort wear by Tommy Bahama is also on offer.
[edit] Marina Village Restaurants
- Carmine's
Includes lively atmosphere and family-style dining experience of this famous New York landmark restaurant. Sumptuous platters of classic Italian recipes such as chicken scarpariello, shrimp scampi, fried calamari and veal saltimbocca are served in abundant portions to share with family and friends. Select from an array of fine Italian wines, including a private label magnum.
- Cafe Martinique
A Steinway piano welcomes diners to this restaurant featuring spectacular marina views and the French gourmet fare of famed Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The glass enclosed cellar carries and international variety of acclaimed wines from French to Californian boutique wineries.
- Bimini Road
A fun, casual and colorful restaurant with ocean-inspired interiors and an outdoor bar. The grand open kitchen features a conch station where fresh, Bahamian conch is prepared to order. Uniquely spiced entrees such as tamarind-glazed pork chop, grilled mahi mahi and mojo-marinated chicken are tamed by sweet ‘tings’ like pineapple bread pudding, tropical sorbets and cookie-bash pie. Enjoy live entertainment and tropical libations including a signature Mojito at the outdoor bar.
- Seafire Steakhouse
A modern steakhouse ambiance where rich, seared and grilled flavors of succulent fare await your discovery. Tempting starters from classic shrimp cocktail to pressed coriander crusted beef carpaccio complement entrées such as lemon-pepper tuna, sweet Bahamian lobster tails and the finest cuts of prime beef.
The menu introduces a variety of signature martinis and offers an extensive collection of fine wines. A traditional butchery counter for Marina guests includes a retail wine selection.
The family-friendly Johnny Rockets is a fun, 1950’s style diner where tabletop Jukeboxes belt out tunes for a nickel. Enjoy great tasting, all-American favorites including juicy hamburgers and chili dogs, chicken salads, shakes, malts and freshly baked apple pie.
The restaurant is decorated with chrome accents and red leather seats, and customers are waited on by waiters and waitresses dressed in attire of the 1950s period. The staff are also known to sing and dance, twirl straws and make smiley faces of ketchup.
- Marina Pizzeria
A modern, dockside pizzeria. Pick up fresh homemade pizza to go, or stay to enjoy it on the outdoor terrace overlooking the yachts in the Marina at Atlantis. Open for lunch and dinner.
[edit] New/Upcoming Features
- Dolphin Cay
Guests will be able to personally meet and interact with dolphins in either shallow or deep water. They will receive a comprehensive orientation and education program and will learn about marine life protection and ocean conservation programs sponsored through the Kerzner Marine Foundation.
- Conference Center Expansion
The new 50,000 square foot Imperial Ballroom is the largest in The Caribbean. A new banquet kitchen will be capable of accommodating the needs of up to 4,000 guests. The conference center expansion brings the total amount of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space to over 500,000 square feet.
- Aquaventure
Four more water slides within a 7-story tower, a one-mile-long, tidal wave river ride, an interactive children’s pool with slides, and a zero-entry pool overlooking Cove Beach.
- New Mandara Spa
The new two-story facility offers 34 treatment rooms. A fresh and original setting where guests can indulge in pampering and beauty services including Mandara Spa’s signature Japanese tea ceremony.
[edit] Movies & TV Featuring the Atlantis and Paradise Island
- The Atlantis resort, with many inside and outside shots, was heavily featured during two episodes of Damon Wayans' situation comedy My Wife and Kids. On location episodes were broadcast February 15 and 22, 2005.
- Into the Blue (2005), a film featuring Paul Walker and Jessica Alba, features the resort's waterpark and sealife show.
- After the Sunset (2004), a film featuring Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek, features the Royal Tower's Bridge Suite in numerous scenes.
- The old Café Martinique was featured in the on-location filming of the James Bond movie Thunderball (1965).
- Casino Royale, another James Bond movie released in 2006, was filmed at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island.
- Scenes of the Beatles on a yacht and beach in their 1965 film Help were shot at Paradise Island.
- Holiday in the Sun, a 2001 flim featuring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, is primarily set on Paradise Island and extensively features the Atlantis Resort.
- "Friends," an American sitcom, features Atlantis resort as the location of "Monica" and "Chandler's" honeymoon.
[edit] The Future of Atlantis and Paradise Island
Currently, many extensive development projects are underway at both ends of Paradise Island. There will be a dolphin encounter centre located towards the end of the island that will be geared to audiences of all ages.
Paradise Island, however, is a fairly small piece of land in comparison to Nassau. The potential for further development is extremely limited.
[edit] Reference
- ^ "Paradise Found", Forbes review
[edit] External links
- Atlantis Paradise Island (official website)
