Atlantis

[gmarine]

Since Harbourside at Atlantis is so new, do you think over time that the summer weeks will become easier to get, or is that just a pipe dream?:hysterical:

Or is this the type of location that you will always have to put in a request for the off season?

It been open for several years. I exchanged into Harborside in the beginning 2002. Demand has only increased since then and it will almost certainly remain one of the hardest exchanges to get.

 

[Cindala]

It been open for several years. I exchanged into Harborside in the beginning 2002. Demand has only increased since then and it will almost certainly remain one of the hardest exchanges to get.

We visited Atlantis last summer when our cruise ship docked in the Bahamas. It was fabulous, and we saw how beautiful Harborside was as well! The sales reps were touting it as being brand new, so I thought it had just opened. I can see it getting more and more popular increasing the demand.

 

[tomandrobin]

We visited Atlantis last summer when our cruise ship docked in the Bahamas. It was fabulous, and we saw how beautiful Harborside was as well! The sales reps were touting it as being brand new, so I thought it had just opened. I can see it getting more and more popular increasing the demand.

I think phase 2 had opened not to long before your visit.

 

[Judy999]

Groceries

Groceries within walking distance in Paradise Island is very expensive. Higher price that a 7/11 in the states.

Best to pay taxi fare of $8 one way (for 2 people) to go into Nassau (15 min) to pay closer to prices in the states.

Example: a gallon of water is about $6 in Paradise Island supermarket and $2-$3 in Nassau.

Judy

 

[michele09]

We just purchased last week at Harborside, and we were advised that the staff is very accomodating and offer a shuttle every morning to the "local" grocery store for $7 total. They say that trip alone can save you several hundreds of dollars. We were there from 07/20-07/27 and spent well over $750 in food alone.

Michele

Groceries within walking distance in Paradise Island is very expensive. Higher price that a 7/11 in the states.

Best to pay taxi fare of $8 one way (for 2 people) to go into Nassau (15 min) to pay closer to prices in the states.

Example: a gallon of water is about $6 in Paradise Island supermarket and $2-$3 in Nassau.

Judy

 

[Judy999]

Groceries at Atlantis

Unfortunately - the "local" supermarket that the Atlantis resort shuttle takes you to is the one on Paradise Island which is very expensive.

We learned the hard way that taking a taxi to Nassau for about $8 one way would save about the 1/2 the price of groceries (we spent about $800 / week on groceries for 6 and could have saved about $350).

I think that the resort shuttle takes you to Paradise Island supermarkets to let you think that eating in is not much saving vs. eating at the resort...but I could be wrong. Additionally, it keeps the Paradise Island supermarket in business.

Judy

 

[TheOhioExile]

We just purchased at Harborside as well...we love Atlantis...so much stuff to do it will take 4 visits to get it all in. If you want cheap food eat at Murray’s or Anthony’s in the Hurricane Hole Plaza....there is also a Quiznos there. It will be nice to have our own fridge and stove and washer and dryer. I'm hoping we can save $300.00 dollars in the timeshare next year. We spent around 750.00 on food and drinks while we were there the week of 7-23-07.

The only bummer of the whole trip was running into a few travelers complaining about the expense of the resort to anyone that would listen. Bring your cash and get ready to have a great time....OBTW I got pics!
wave:

^^^^ This is the area right above The Dig if I remember correctly... outside the Royal Tower.

This is the view from Harborside itself....the size of some of the yaughts you will see is awesome! Yeah...it rained a bit on us but we didn't let it slow us down

 

[mariawolf]

Welcome to the two new Harborside owners--this link or better yet the hotel based timeshare site is the right area to find any info on Harborside.
The best way to cut down on food costs when you return is to bring an extra suitcase with staples--just make sure to weigh the bag on your scale as anything over 50 pounds is charged extra--it is no big deal and will help you really maximize the use of the kitchen in your unit.
I bring cereal, snacks, peanut butter, jelly, coffee, filters, popcorn and even juice boxes if you have little ones. We have never used the shuttle because for the staples we end up needing, it is not worth it. We usually eat out all nights but eat breakfast in and even bring sandwiches for lunch at the pool--you can bring lunch meat in a cooler from home--as long as it is sealed so I buy it at Costco before I leave and then basically all I end up buying is milk, bread, butter and some sodas. I bring Crystal light to mix in with the water.
Also there are several good/inexpensive restaurants close by--Green Parrot is my favorite although I hear the little strip mall that it is close to has been bought by Kerzner also!
Have any questions==fire away or send me a private message!
Welcome to TUG!

 

[tsl]

I doubt very many Harborside owners will deposit their weeks w/ II. The Starwood system is filled w/ disincentives to do this as well as the maintenance fees are over $1000 for a 1 BD and twice that for a 2 BD. If I tried to deposit my summer Harborside, I would get a deposit out of the Starwood master acct and it probably wouldn't even be a Harborside. This is totally unlike Marriott for which you can choose a great week in your season, deposit it and have great power.

I know with our Harborside, we either rent it or direct trade it.

You might sign up for a promo package.

If you get in, it is amazing!! We just got back the kids loved the water park. In the family vote, the kids vote for Atlantis hands down which is why we finally just bit the bullet and purchased.

 

[mariawolf]

I don't have any experience with Marriott- we have just bought at Frenchman's cove and will likely not ever trade it as with Harborside--I think most folks who buy at Harborside did so to use it--even renting it with the maintenance fees so high doesn't really make sense unless you have a premium week like Christmas/New Years or President's week--we got top dollar for our week 52 corner one bedroom--it more than paid for both of our weeks--otherwise I think there is so much competition out there you have to be bargain priced to rent.
That is why I think there is so much difficulty trading in is that most people bought to use and if not they rent it so that takes away even more from trading in.

 

[m61376]

You might sign up for a promo package.

Do you have any info. on promo packages?

 

[Dani]

Do you have any info. on promo packages?

While not a timeshare promo, I just received an e-mail today for rates that are pretty good at the Atlantis....just about my favorite place to be. The deal is good for travel 8/19/07-10/31/07 and must be booked by 9/7/07, all double occupancy for 4 days/3 nights:

$289 Beach Towers
$399 Royal Towers
$599 The Cove at the Atlantis

These rates include room and airport transfers. There is $100 off airfare if leaving from Florida and $200 from elsewhere...these rates are for Sunday and Monday arrivals...more at other times and during holidays and weekends. The promo code is EF3- Tel-866-ATLANTIS

 

[jerseygirl]

Dani --

Is that the 3 night price (great deal) or the price per night?

Thanks,
-jerseygirl

 

[mariawolf]

Those rates are usually per person for the stay.

 

[jerseygirl]

Those rates are usually per person for the stay.

Thanks mariawolf. I usually get the emailed specials, but haven't seen this one.

 

[califgal]

I got an email today from Atlantis advertising those prices. I thought if it was for all 3 nights that would be a fantastic deal and was doubtful. I went ahead and clicked further to check, and it is the PRICE PER NIGHT..

 

[Steamboat Bill]

We are going to Atlantis August 15-18 and staying int the Royal Towes. I booked the entire trip (hotel, air, transfers, taxes) thru Spirit airlines as a package deal and probably saved 50% as compared to booking everything separate.

 

[gmarine]

Those rates are per person per stay, based on availability. Atlantis will only sell a certain amount of rooms at those prices.

 

[Dani]

Dani --

Is that the 3 night price (great deal) or the price per night?

Thanks,
-jerseygirl

It's for the entire 4 day/3 night stay...it is NOT per night. As an aside, I went to the Atlantis in May for something like $139 a night for the room, not per person, for 5 nights...there are many good deals around at the Atlantis off season. The only drawback if there is one is that they kill you on the fees when you stay at the hotel. If you stay at the timeshare, you do not pay these fees. Still...the prices can be very good. Here are the terms on my promo:

"*Rates are pp, dbl occ., based on Sun. or Mon. arrival, eff. for travel 8/19/07-10/31/07 in Beach Tower–Royal Towers Terrace promo and at The Cove in an Ocean Suite. Valid for new bookings only and must be booked by 9/7/07. Add up to $96pp for mandatory taxes, mandatory housekeeping grats., & utility svc. fees. Other Towers, categories and dates available upon request. +Bonus credit of $100 applies for packages of 2 nights or longer from South Florida; $200 for packages of 3 nights or longer for all other gateways, eff. for travel 8/19/07-12/20/07. Offer valid for new reservations only, must be booked by 8/27/07 and is applicable for one rebate per room. Weekend, holiday & peak period surcharges apply. All rates, availability, and offers are subj. to chg w/o notice. Not app. to groups & restrictions apply."

 

[jerseygirl]

Thanks Dani

 

[TheOhioExile]

Heres a little something I use every week or so....it's a webcam of Atlantis. By no means can you see all of the resort but you can pan around and see maybe half.


Check it out. :whoopie: :whoopie: :whoopie: :whoopie:

http://live2.truelook.com/face/sqface.jsp?func=live&name=/atlantis/bahamas/camera1&pan=15.902024&tilt=-6.5260534&panfov=13.833334&tiltfov=10.375&overlay=default&skin=default&useapplet=true&time=1186578637393&width=640&height=480&quality=65&catalogname=catalog&zoom=2.9999998&vfmap.x=492&vfmap.y=103

 

[tomandrobin]

Heres a little something I use every week or so....it's a webcam of Atlantis. By no means can you see all of the resort but you can pan around and see maybe half.


Check it out. :whoopie: :whoopie: :whoopie: :whoopie:

Wow...you have the Atlantis bug bad! I think you need to go take another week trip back!

 

[mariawolf]

I have had access to that site for a bit--seems it was supposed to be private--sure right with the internet!!--for the buyers of the Residences at Atlantis--it is interesting to see that the hotel is not near as crowded with all the new pool areas around Aquaventure.
I will say that sometimes while loading it will hang your computer--don't know why!
It is most fun to watch in winter so you can dream you are there!

 

[mariawolf]

Gold one bedroom just ended on e bay for $12,769--it was one of those that gets donated to Cancer--prices for a 2 bedroom gold in 2001 were around $26K so that is not bad continuing value for those of us who bought early on.
I had been watching that as I have a friend who was trying to sell a St John summer week at the same time but it never met the reserve--it is now back on with a buy it now price.

 

[tomandrobin]

I had been watching that as I have a friend who was trying to sell a St John summer week at the same time but it never met the reserve--it is now back on with a buy it now price.

I was the highest bidder, but under the reserve price! I think his buy it now price is too high, but who knows. I have had several chance to buy at 12k, but I keep holding out for 10K or under.

Actually I was really surprised that the auction price never went up more after my last bid!