Atlantis on a budget
#1
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Atlantis on a budget
We are a family of 8 going to Atlantis, looking for tips/ideas for restaurants that are reasonable and also where the best place is to get water bottles, alcohol, snacks etc.
#2
On a budget Atlantis is an oxymoron!
Anthony's Bar and grill is reasonable, next to Comfort Suites (shuttle to Beach Towers, close to shops)
Poop Deck across the bridge is excellent and a little more resonable
Anthony's Bar and grill is reasonable, next to Comfort Suites (shuttle to Beach Towers, close to shops)
Poop Deck across the bridge is excellent and a little more resonable
#4
There is a little shopping center you can walk to down the road to buy water, etc. We brought protein bars, etc. for breakfast and had lunch at one of the outdoor places at Atlantis and then either ate dinner on site or walked to one of the nearby restaurants. Anthony's is very reasonable.
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The really best way to save money at Atlantis is to stay at Comfort Suites for half the price and have free breakfast and free access to Atlantis facilities. But I'm assuming you've already booked. If not, Comfort Suites is closer to the water park than the Beach Tower rooms (it's across the street a a 2-minute walk from Coral Tower).
Water at the market down the street isn't really cheap (nothing is, really). You'll be shocked at the prices. It's just a bit cheaper than at Atlantis. (Water and even snacks at the tourist gift shop are cheaper, and that's where I bought water and snacks when I was there, but a regular bag of chips was something like $6.) If you want cheap water, you should take a taxi from the airport and ask the driver to stop at the supermarket on the way to Atlantis from the airport; if you take the Atlantis transportation, then you'll pay by the person, it will be more expensive, and you won't be able to stop. Definitely bring snacks in your luggage (you can bring in anything packaged) or buy them at the supermarket out by the airport. Alcohol in the Bahamas is cheap, so just buy it at a duty-free store in Nassau; but be sure to get mixers are the supermarket near the airport.
Now for cheap food. To be honest, you'll find that fast food at Atlantis isn't that horribly expensive. It's certainly no more expensive than fast food in NYC, so expect to pay a bit more than mid-America prices. But I can't remember paying more than $10 for lunch. It's not great food, but it's plentiful and the kids can share (there are kids meals). Drinks, of course, are expensive. There's also Dominoes, Starbucks, and Quiznos in the marketplace area of Atlantis, and a Dunkin Donuts, which sells sandwiches and coffee at US prices at the little shopping center across the street. You can also get huge deli sandwiches (which can be shared) and pizza by the slice by the harbor on ground level.
While Anthony's is reasonably priced for Nassau, it's pretty expensive (few things cost less than the mid-20s). A better meal deal is actually Montagu Gardens, where a lot of things are even under $20 (but not steaks). Ask the concierge to call you a taxi and it will be reimbursed by the restaurant (be sure to tell the concierge you are going to Montagu Gardens); the restaurant will take you back to the hotel themselves. The food at Montagu Gardens is good and reasonably priced, with plentiful portions, and all main courses include salad, so you don't necessarily have to buy appetizers. There's also McDonald's in Nassau as well as other fast food (but the best fast food is actually conch fritters, and I could make a meal out of those). The Poop Deck just across the bridge from Paradise Island is also reasonably priced but by no means cheap.
On your way home, most airlines don't serve food. The sandwiches at the shop in the airport before security are very reasonably priced and include chips. Inside, they are double, but there is some reasonably priced fast food if you want to eat before the flight. Dunkin Donuts (which is inside security but not in the food court) has the only reasonably priced cold sandwiches you can take on the plane.
Water at the market down the street isn't really cheap (nothing is, really). You'll be shocked at the prices. It's just a bit cheaper than at Atlantis. (Water and even snacks at the tourist gift shop are cheaper, and that's where I bought water and snacks when I was there, but a regular bag of chips was something like $6.) If you want cheap water, you should take a taxi from the airport and ask the driver to stop at the supermarket on the way to Atlantis from the airport; if you take the Atlantis transportation, then you'll pay by the person, it will be more expensive, and you won't be able to stop. Definitely bring snacks in your luggage (you can bring in anything packaged) or buy them at the supermarket out by the airport. Alcohol in the Bahamas is cheap, so just buy it at a duty-free store in Nassau; but be sure to get mixers are the supermarket near the airport.
Now for cheap food. To be honest, you'll find that fast food at Atlantis isn't that horribly expensive. It's certainly no more expensive than fast food in NYC, so expect to pay a bit more than mid-America prices. But I can't remember paying more than $10 for lunch. It's not great food, but it's plentiful and the kids can share (there are kids meals). Drinks, of course, are expensive. There's also Dominoes, Starbucks, and Quiznos in the marketplace area of Atlantis, and a Dunkin Donuts, which sells sandwiches and coffee at US prices at the little shopping center across the street. You can also get huge deli sandwiches (which can be shared) and pizza by the slice by the harbor on ground level.
While Anthony's is reasonably priced for Nassau, it's pretty expensive (few things cost less than the mid-20s). A better meal deal is actually Montagu Gardens, where a lot of things are even under $20 (but not steaks). Ask the concierge to call you a taxi and it will be reimbursed by the restaurant (be sure to tell the concierge you are going to Montagu Gardens); the restaurant will take you back to the hotel themselves. The food at Montagu Gardens is good and reasonably priced, with plentiful portions, and all main courses include salad, so you don't necessarily have to buy appetizers. There's also McDonald's in Nassau as well as other fast food (but the best fast food is actually conch fritters, and I could make a meal out of those). The Poop Deck just across the bridge from Paradise Island is also reasonably priced but by no means cheap.
On your way home, most airlines don't serve food. The sandwiches at the shop in the airport before security are very reasonably priced and include chips. Inside, they are double, but there is some reasonably priced fast food if you want to eat before the flight. Dunkin Donuts (which is inside security but not in the food court) has the only reasonably priced cold sandwiches you can take on the plane.
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#9
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Thank you very much for the information! We are actually staying at the Coral towers! We were planning on bringing lots of snacks for the kids and just hoping we can save a little on everything! Thanks again!
#11
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Holy cow! I tried to do Atlantis on a budget and I did not enjoy my trip. It may be just me, but part of my vacation is to enjoy the place I am at, without feeling guilty for spending too much or disappointed that I can't afford something that I want to do or eat. I felt both on my trip. I truly hope you and your family have a wonderful vacation. The children will love the grounds and that is free. So, enjoy that all day, every day!
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HERE IT IS!! I have done this myself to save money @ Atlantis. I have been there 6x over the last 10 yrs so I picked up a few things along the way. First of all, on your first day there, take the water taxi ($6 RT) back to mainland (Nassau). They let you off by straw market. Look to your left & there is a Tortuga liquor shop right on the corner approx 2 blocks down, go to that block & turn down that street but just before you get to liquor store. On your right as soon as you turn that corner is a local grocery store.....all the water, snacks & provisions you want/need for anyone (at normal Non-tourist prices). The locals buy there & its cash only BTW. Just any FYI, Atlantis now allows for 2 free water bottles a day now...not that it helps considering how hot it is. We live in MI. so weird tasting water really stands out to us eventhough it is safe to drink on the resort. Second, keep that straw market in mind for later for cheap souvenirs & remember you have to bargain with them. They always start high, they won't be offended this is how they do things. Third, for the biggie food on the large main street 1 block past where you get off the water taxi's are local restaurants & some American fast food. I would suggest the local food. The Iguana café is good & cheap, it's on the 2nd floor over some shops just ask the locals they will gladly direct you. It's on the street I mentioned but easy to pass up. Also, the Fish fry, where the locals eat & savvy tourists. You get huge meals for hardly any money. It's further down pass the public beach & you can ask the locals which bus to take ...again right near the straw market. So you will have to commute but it's worth it & you save a ton of money not always eating @ the resort. Also water taxi's stop running by 6p so if your still on mainland you have to take regular cabs which are way more.
#14
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Also forgot to mention, most of the restaurant's mentioned on here are in verying degrees of expensive especially on a budget. The most reasonable food on the resort is the pizza place @ Royal towers I forget the name. The pizza's are like $35+ but oversized & more economical for a big family. Just to give an idea of how overinflated even the cheap restaurants are. Also pass the Marina village shops are small restaurants that are reasonable during breakfast & maybe lunch. We ate @ Johnny Rocket for dinner once which is average priced in the U.S....we spent $125 for 3 people with just burgers, fries & shakes.
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Like Disney, Atlantis can be crazy expensive. A few small plan ahead items can save you a ton of $$. Decide ahead of time if this is about fun in the sun and beaches and pools or eating out and night life. (we choose fun in the sun). Much depends if you have kids/no kids.
1. If you haven't put a deposit, see if you can move to HARBORSIDE. Condos with Kitchen's vs. hotel rooms. You can rent thru atlantis, or thru 3rd party resellers. Same distance to water park as Beach Hotel, and much less busy.
- We literally pack food/frozen meals in suitcases, and order perishables like eggs thru a grocery delivery service. (don't waste all day on a market shuttle trip). You may laugh, but 50 lbs per bag is a lot of food. Just coffee and bagels saves a ton.
2. eat breakfast in room/condo then bring snacks (including water/drinks/beer) to the pools.
3. A good lunch place is the Lagoon bar and grill in the middle of Atlantis. Outdoor patio. Prices are good.
4. Order pizzia one night from off property.
5. There is a Dunkin Donuts near harborside. Cheap breakfast/lunch place as well.
6. Bring a few small soft sided coolers, and buy wine/beer/liquor in cans outside atlantis.Check if hotel has an ice machine. (condos do). I have heard you can ask to rent a small fridge for hotels. Don't know how much it is, so might not be worth the $.
7. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen/flips flops/sunshirts those items can break the bank on property.
8. If you have kids/ pack goggles, flippers, water and sand toys. Also expensive to buy on property.
9. the extra's like dolphins are really expensive and not worth the extra $$ if you are on a budget.
10. There is a ferry dock by the bridge where you can book off property fishing/boat trips. Much better prices than booking thru Atlantis.
Good luck. Our group has been last 5 years and LOVE it.
1. If you haven't put a deposit, see if you can move to HARBORSIDE. Condos with Kitchen's vs. hotel rooms. You can rent thru atlantis, or thru 3rd party resellers. Same distance to water park as Beach Hotel, and much less busy.
- We literally pack food/frozen meals in suitcases, and order perishables like eggs thru a grocery delivery service. (don't waste all day on a market shuttle trip). You may laugh, but 50 lbs per bag is a lot of food. Just coffee and bagels saves a ton.
2. eat breakfast in room/condo then bring snacks (including water/drinks/beer) to the pools.
3. A good lunch place is the Lagoon bar and grill in the middle of Atlantis. Outdoor patio. Prices are good.
4. Order pizzia one night from off property.
5. There is a Dunkin Donuts near harborside. Cheap breakfast/lunch place as well.
6. Bring a few small soft sided coolers, and buy wine/beer/liquor in cans outside atlantis.Check if hotel has an ice machine. (condos do). I have heard you can ask to rent a small fridge for hotels. Don't know how much it is, so might not be worth the $.
7. Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen/flips flops/sunshirts those items can break the bank on property.
8. If you have kids/ pack goggles, flippers, water and sand toys. Also expensive to buy on property.
9. the extra's like dolphins are really expensive and not worth the extra $$ if you are on a budget.
10. There is a ferry dock by the bridge where you can book off property fishing/boat trips. Much better prices than booking thru Atlantis.
Good luck. Our group has been last 5 years and LOVE it.
#17
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Fodorites, this may originally be a year old, but we are now considering taking our two kids, their spouses, and our six grandchildren for our 50th wedding anniversary. Reason being, the kids are 9-15 and need and love lots of action! Both families will be here on the East coast that time, so flights from NYC area wont be as expensive as flying to Hawaii, and other places we considered. Renting a villa and sitting around a pool will not cut it for us, as both families have their own pools and live near the Atlantic and Pacific! But, the clubs for teens, the casino and golf for the guys, and sheer size of the place would be appealing to us for 4 nights or so. Would you recommend the Coral area, noted as newly revamped, as most desireable?
#19
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Thanks, it does sound like it'll fit the interests of our gang. Realize that most activities are "a la carte" but see that the waterpark is included. And, we honeymooned on Paradise Island at the hotel then called the Loews and which looks like Beaches now -- yikes, where have the years gone??