Just got back from Harborside Atlantis! We had a two bedroom lock out with 4 adults and 4 teens. Plenty of room! This is the way to go with kids. Just as others suggested we packed 2 full large suitcases full of food. We ate most meals in the room and went to the MESA grill in the Cove one night. The meal was fabulous but the service was just ok. I think because they add 15% to the bill the wait staff does not go the extra mile. Be prepared for big bucks when you eat out. The reviews from this site were accurate everything was so expensive. A large bottled water poolside was $9.75!!! The burgers were $10 and drinks are $12.00 for alcoholic drinks. (plus15%). The water park was awesome. The kids had so much fun they now prefer Atlantis over Disney(huge for our kids!)
Our villa was nice and had all of the things needed to cook. I would suggest bringing extra trash bags and a sponge(scrub side). Bring lots of zip locks and maybe one tupperware for leftovers. They only give you 2 bars of soap so maybe one extra for the week. Also, get extra towells at the pool or bring a few for the room. The resort is really beautiful and we had fun just walking through all of the aquariums. If you have kids get a schedule of activities at the front desk and take advantage of the free activites and games pool side. They are fun and you get some cute prizes. We actually won the bocce ball tourney. The service was pretty good. I would say about 50% of the people love their jobs and give great service the others seem indifferent. The taxi driver told us that the resort keeps most of the 15% added tip so the wait staff really does not get their tip. SO if you do get great service you might want to give a little extra. We prebook our cab with Trevor Ferguson - Royality limo (yes spelled this way) . He was very honest and personable and took us to the grocery store. He was on time for all pick ups and had some great stories. His number is US 1-646-217-4960. Email is royality65@hotmail.com. All in all a great trip- we shall return!!!

We arrived at 2 a.m. on Saturday March 22, 2008. We were delayed from a very bad snow storm in the Chicago/Milwaukee area, Needless to say that there was only 1 person ahead of us at check in. After a very long & horrible traveling experience, we were pleasantly surprised as we entered the 1 bedroom deluxe villa at 2 a.m. Harborside staff was very pleasant and helpful. Only complaint is that we were missing a couples of items like a hairdryer and blanket and it took about 30 minutes to get them each time we called. Concierge at Harborside was extremely helpful for dinner reservations, directions for walking to places, and general questions about resort. Our villa was is the phase 2 bldg #6 and we overlooked the bay where the cruise ships docked in Nassau. We liked seeing the activity daily,. Our room was clean and we were alotted1 midweek cleaning from Harborside. Only comment is that our feet were black when we walked barefoot in the villa. Floors could use more cleaning on a regular basis, tile and carpet. Loved having the washer/dryer and kitchenette. If you can get the taxi driver to stop on the way to the resort when you arrive to buy a few key groceries. We could not do that due to getting in at such a late time. Did purchase bottled water/soda and snacks/cereal off Atlantis property and had them at our villa.

Yes, Atlantis is very expensive, but we have been there 3 times and knew that going in. It is however, a dynamic resort. You can literally spend each day in a different part of the resort for variety. We were NEVER bored like at some all-inclusives. We are walkers in our family so we loved the walks along the harbor and the Marina Village.

However, the shuttles do come very often and we never waited more than
a couple of minutes ever and that is at Easter week.

The resort was very crowded and busy and you felt that at the restaurants mostly. The Harborside was like great because if you wanted to quiet relaxing poolside day you could stay there. The Point Restaurant was good too. We ate at Carmine's (good), Seafire Steakhouse (great), Chopstix (great), the Marketplace buffet (good), Murray's Deli (good), Marina Pizza (ok), Anthony's(good place for breakfast, free WiFi), Zio Gigi's (good, but closing soon as the whole plaza was bought by Atlantis), and Johnny Rockets (ok), I did make dinner reservations from home before we left and that it a must on a holiday week,

Bottom line is that Harborside is a nice way to spend a vacation and have a home away from home feel. It was quiet and that's what you want when it's nighttime to get a good night's sleep. Will definitely go and stay there again. We rented directly from the owner at a timeshare rental website.

We just returned from Atlantis on 3/29/08. We rented the timeshare at Atlantis directly from the owner. There are web sites you can do this on and save quite a bit of money. I'm in my 30s and my husband is in his early 40s. We take a vacation with our kids, ages 7 and 9 every year. We also take several other vacations throughout the year. First, let me say that my kids LOVED Atlantis. Now, I will comment on some specifics.

ACCOMODATIONS: We were in a new building in a 2 bedroom unit. It looked clean enough - but our socks and feet were dirty. They need to thoroughly clean the floors. Our shower leaked so the bath mat would be soaked after a shower. Not a big deal - I threw it in the dryer. It was well stocked with things we needed and we had no complaints. There is a TV and DVD player in the living room and both bedrooms. There is a Bose sound system.

LOCATION: The Harborside units are kind of away from the action. That is somewhat nice - you can get a break from things. The shuttles run regularly and it is no problem getting around. We found it was just as fast to walk.

WATER PARK: This is awesome. The kids loved it. I felt they were very safe. There are a lot of life guards around and you cannot get in there without a wrist band. We went every day but one. My husband went down and put towels on chairs at about 7:00 each morning. No biggie - he picked up Starbucks on the way back. It is VERY difficult to get a chair if you aren't there early. Just go down and put your towel and a magazine on a chair. We brought beach towels from home to distinguish ours from the hotel towels they give you. $5.00 to the pool boy will probably get you a chair if you're hard up.

FOOD: We ate breakfast in our unit each morning but two. We had breakfast at The Point which is right by the Harborside pool that last day. That was good. Another day, we got muffins and juice. Food is expensive. Tropical drinks are expensive - about $10 each. But - you're on vacation. We packed snacks in our suitcase - that helped with having stuff around for the kids when we went back to shower before dinner. You will easily spend $200 per day for a family of 4 for 2 meals. We spent much more than this.

RESERVATIONS: Everything said to reserve tables before I got there. I didn't. Most of our dinner reservations were at 8:00 or after. I encourage you to do this. If you don't, call at 4:00 - there seems to be openings at that time. Also - I showed up early for all reservations (one time an hour early) and was immediatley seated.

GOLF: We put the kids in the kids club one day to golf. They loved the kids club and wanted to go back. The golf was the best! Most incredible views. So much fun. Very expensive - but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Dolphin Encounter. We did the one that isn't through the result. Was a blast. I booked ahead of time. Don't do that. You'll get better deals there.

Jet skis: Rented these and went out on the ocean. Very fun!

STAFF: I read reviews that the staff was rude and slow. Yes, they are a little slow compared to what I am used to. Many times, I wanted to jump behind the counter and count out my own change because it was taking them forever. However, every one was very nice and friendly.

AIRPORT: The line was long when we went to fly home. Flipped a luggage guy a $50 - and he walked us through customs. Cut right through all the lines - which kind of made everyone else angry. Others on our flight were in line for 3 hours. It would've been a nightmare to stand in line with a 7 and 9 year old for 3 hours - so I was happy. Best $50 we spent - and I hesitate to say anything about it here because now everyone will do it and I hope it doesn't put a stop to it.

CAB DRIVERS: The rates are posted at the hotel - look at them and enforce them. They attempted to overcharge us.

We will definitely go back. Was a great family vacation!

We recently returned from a week at Harborside. We have stayed here twice before. Unfortunately, after two other wonderful trips, we were sincerely disapointed this time. Harborside is starting to show its age. The rooms and bathrooms are becoming worn and nothing has been updated since it was built. Additionally, while it looks clean, the carpets are filthy. Our feet were literally black from walking around the room.

The staff at the Harborside is still very pleasant but I cannot say the same for the rest of Atlantis. I found most of the wait staff at the restaurants curt and very unhappy to be there, from inexpensive to expensive (Jonny Rockets to Carmines (yes, Carmines is expensive there!)) Additionally, there are long long lines everywhere, to eat, to get ice cream, to go on the slides.

And the slides, well that was the worst part of the trip. My husband and daughter had an accident on one of the newer tube rides. Long story short, the accident caused the ride to be shut down. My daughter was hysterical and my husband badly brused. This accident was not in anyway their fault, the slide misfuntioned, they slid backwards at one point, we don't know why? (not enough water pressure to push the tube?? )Regardless, the next tube slammed into them. They filed an accident report and that was the end. We never heard from anyone at the resort. Not even a call to make sure they were ok.

Needless to say, after three trips, we will not be returning.