Newbie.. Rented at Harborside Help

[craigeb]

Hello all,
REally don't have a clue how the whole timeshare thing works, but you all seem very helpful. Sorry if my below questions don't make any sense?

I "think" i just rented at harborside from someone who used staroptions to get 2 units. First off, is the renter allowed to do this?

Will my stay at harborside be any different than if I would have booked a unit off of the atlantis website? Am I still responsible for any 12% tax, per person daily fees, etc?

What is the best way to get ground transfer from the airport arranged?

Any recommendations to save money while at the resort?

Oh, and a little off topic, but anyone know of any good way to get a deal on flights for a group of 10 or more? Guess we'll be going from BWI - NAS.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[laxmom]

Craig;

I am pretty new to tug myself. I can't help you with all of your questions, but I have traveled to Atlantis twice.

First, you don't really need to arrange transportation. There are plenty of taxi's at the airport anxiously awaiting your arrival. The fair is fixed anywhere you go by taxi. Taxi is by far the cheapest. My son is heading there in May on his honeymoon and we have looked into transportation for them. There are taxis of all sizes - vans and sedans.

It is tough to save money on food as it isn't cheap no matter where you go. We ate off property more our second trip. Once downtown, which you can get to via water taxi for something like $3 per person, at a place called Iguana's, I believe. The other 2 times, we walked to the shops at the base of the bridge and ate at Anthony's. (There is a very small grocery in the same group of shops - very limited choices.) Ask your taxi driver. They all have their favorites and are willing to give you info. We ate in Murray's Deli and the restaurant off of the casino a couple of times. We tried the Marketplace for dinner and it stunk. The breakfast is good (from our 1st trip) but we finally told our kids to eat as much desert as they wanted as nothing else was palitable. We aren't even that picky but for the money, $40 per person, it was left alot to be desired. Breakfast was $19.95. Guess I should tell you we were last there 3 years ago so prices may have gone up.

Can't help you with the other stuff. We rented off Travelocity at Harborside for our son's honeymoon. Got a great deal at $220/night. Deal was there for 3 days and then gone. We got very lucky.

Have a great trip.
Susan

 

[mariawolf]

YOu should not have to pay for taxes as if staying at Atlantis--however you will not have daily maid service and will have to pay more if you want that--you can bring some food with you--I usually bring an extra suitcase with snacks, coffee, popcorn, peanut butter etc--anything except veggies, fruit and meat must be vacuum sealed--you can pick up condiments at the various stands throughout the resort.
Try the Green Parrot across the street next to the bridge-reasonable and good--there is also an Italian place Zio Gigis which is pretty good also==just across the street--
The problem with most outside places is that if you have to take a cab and pay $5-7 each it is cheaper to eat close by--
As to flying we always try for the USAir flight out of DC--direct and it leaves at 8;30 and you arrive about 11;15
Have a great time.

 

[DeniseM]

Welcome to TUG - There are more than 20 extensive reviews of this property on the TUG Review Board. If you join TUG, you will be able to access the reviews. If you've already joined, click on TUG RESORT DATA BASE in the red bar at the top of the page and use the member's only log-in and password that you were emailed. They are not the same as the ones you use to access the BBS.

 

[Spence]

Oh, and a little off topic, but anyone know of any good way to get a deal on flights for a group of 10 or more? Guess we'll be going from BWI - NAS.Thanks,Craig

Many airlines have discounts for groups of ten or more, call the reservation number for airlines that service your route and ask about it.

 

[arlene22]

I second the Green Parrot recommendation. It's casual and in easy walking distance. Also, Anthony's Caribbean Grill is right across the street and pretty reasonable. There is a Quiznos right there. Also, there is a Dominos or Papa John's or something that we ordered pizza from for the kids one night. The Blue Lagoon is right next door at Club Land'or. Very good food and service. Check the "Where to Eat" booklet for deals. I think we got 10% off our Blue Lagoon bill from that.

Oh, and as far as your question as to whether or not the rentee is allowed to rent out a reservation made with StarOptions: Starwood is not clear on this issue. There is an official rule against it in one place, there is no mention of it in another place (my Harborside Owner's Guide), and when you call or email Starwood owner services, they say no problem. So, I wouldn't worry too much. You won't have a problem. Enjoy your visit! We will be there in 10 days!

 

[reddiablosv]

Where to eat for cheap?

That is a good question and one that I haven't quite figured out yet for myselft and I have visited the the Atlantis twice. The first time I signed up for the gourmet meal plan. This fixes your costs, but excludes gratuities and adult beverages and is not cheap. But, it still beat beats full fare by quite a margin if you plan to eat at the resort for 50% or more of you meals. If you plan to eat off "campus" the majority of the time you can probably do better, but this is not an automatic. Many of the local restuarants are also quite pricey. Some are just as overpriced as any you will find in the Atlantis, the Graycliff comes to mind when I make this statement. I think the best value for an upscale resturant I have found is Lucianos of Chicago. The prices are no more than what you would pay in the USA and quality is just as good! IMHO Ben.

 

[spatenfloot]

Be aware that each person will still have to pay the departure tax at the airport when you leave.

 

[craigeb]

Sounds good

Excellent responses. You guys are definitely pros. I'm looking forward to doing some off-resort dining, shopping etc. I was quite concerned about this because when I went to Jamaica for my honeymoon, I wouldn't have been caught dead off the resort.

I'm going to have to start making a list of restaurants to put on my agenda.

Lucianos of Chicago, Green Parrot, Anthony's are all on there so far. Let me know if I've missed any good ones. Is the best for grocery items the shops at the bridge?

And about airfare... I've spoken with a few airlines abou their group rates. I've been getting figures back right around $450 - $470. While the same flight they're quoting, I can get online for $400. Makes me wonder about their group rates.

Thanks for all your comments. I'm sending them all to my mother who is very anxious about the trip.

-Craig

 

[arlene22]

Lucianos of Chicago, Green Parrot, Anthony's are all on there so far. Let me know if I've missed any good ones. Is the best for grocery items the shops at the bridge?

Don't forget the Blue Lagoon next door to Harborside!

The grocery store that is right by the bridge is pretty small, with a limited selection. Better off going to the big grocery store in Nassau. Very good selection and better prices. You can take a cab, or Harborside has a shuttle a couple of times a week: they charge $7-- the shuttle takes you there, comes back in an hour to pick you and your groceries up and take you back. I do recommend the shuttle. Last year my sister and I took a cab. When we were done shopping, we asked the store manager to call us a cab. Well, the guy who showed up was a friend of hers, but he was not in a marked cab. I guess he was what we would call a gypsy cab. We were a little nervous going with him, but it turned out fine. Next time, I'm taking the shuttle.

And when are you going? That will definitely affect your airfare expectations.

 

[craigeb]

The Blue Lagoon has been added. Thanks!

I've seen american airlines fares change between searching. Seems like every day it's something different. We're going Sept 10 - Sept 17. Praying for no hurricanes of course. Speaking of which, anyone know a good travel insurance company?

Oh, and I think I heard harborside has wireless internet access? Is there a charge for internet service?

Thanks.

 

[tsl]

The Blue Lagoon has been added. Thanks!

I've seen american airlines fares change between searching. Seems like every day it's something different. We're going Sept 10 - Sept 17. Praying for no hurricanes of course. Speaking of which, anyone know a good travel insurance company?

Oh, and I think I heard harborside has wireless internet access? Is there a charge for internet service?

Thanks.

Before we bought our Harborside unit, we rented from a good friend last year who changed her star options for our unit. We were not charged any daily fee and I don't think we were changed any taxes. Your room key is your charge card at Atlantis and I think our only charges were food, drink, camp and other activities. We had so much fun, we bought!!!!

I agree don't get a car. We went to the grocery store twice and mostly ate in our condo. Food is expensive so bring what you can and buy the fresh stuff.

Yes, there is wireless. It is $10 per day and when you open your browser, you pay w/ a credit card and then you are connected to the Web.

You will have a great time. Read the reviews on TUG.

 

[craigeb]

Good to know I'll be able to work from the bahamas. Hopefully I won't have to work too much.

Another question that came up recently for us. We will be traveling with about 4 kids ages 3 and under. Does anybody have experience with this? Will we need carseats for any travels, such as to and from the airport, as well as for any excursions off of the resort?

Thanks so much.
Craig