We just returned from an amazing vacation at The Atlantis...we stayed at Harborside! We were a group of 8 people...my parents ages 58 & 57, my brothers ages 20 & 16, our kids ages 8 1/2 (boy) and almost 3 (girl) and us ages 38 & 37...we travelled from California. It was the first time for all of us to The Bahamas!

Flight There: We left LA at 6am! This worked out well for us even though it was very early (4am arrival at LAX). We flew on American Airlines and the flight there was on time and very uneventful. Our daughter did great, she's a good little traveler! We arrived in Miami on time and ready to get our connection, we had a 50 minute layover and I was pretty concerned about making the connection in time. Our connection went smoothly, our connecting gate was just downstairs from our arriving gate (same airline).

Arrival in The Bahamas: Arrival was on time. We went through customs and on to the luggage carousel very fast. There were plenty of people around to help us with our luggage and get a cab/shuttle for us. As it turned out our luggage didn't make our flight, probably due to the short connection time. We went to the luggage assistance desk and filled out a form and then they explained to us that once our luggage arrives (PROBABLY by the end of the night) then they will have it delivered to Harborside for us. So, without our luggage and a little frustrated, we hopped into a shuttle (Fergies Taxi). Our driver, Cheryl Ferguson (Taxi #310, phone #242-423-4982) was GREAT. She pointed out all kinds of sights on our way to the Harborside as well as told of lots of history of Nassau and New Providence Island. She also made arrangements to pick us up on our departure date and called us the day before to confirm it! Needless to say, Cheryl turned our moods around and got us off to a great start...and to the Harborside safely.

Harborside: We arrived at the property around 5:30-6pm. Check in went smooth and the agent was friendly. When we made our reservation (8 months prior thru SVN trade since we own in Maui) we requested a 2 bedroom lock-off and a 1 bedroom Premium unit and we requested to have all the rooms next to each other or as close as possible. We were very happy to be all next door to each other. We were in Phase 2 in Building 3 (rooms 3790, 3791, 3792...I think). I was hoping for building 5, but no luck with that. Oh well, we didn't really mind at all. All the rooms were clean with nice furnishings and amenities. The beds were comfy, even the sofa beds and the kitchens had everything that we needed. The floors were a little dirty and the furniture was showing wear and tear, but nothing to complain about. Probably our biggest complaint (which certainly didn't ruin anything for us) was the lack of hot water in the morning usually around 9ish and in the evening usually around 5 or 6ish. The pool at the Harborside was nothing special and we (just my son & I) only hung out there for 2 hours on our last day. The sundry store on the property had small things that we needed if we ran out of something, but of course they were expensive. The don't have liquor there either. My mom and I packed lots (1 small suitcase each) of snacks, coffee/filters, laundry detergent, dishwasher dertgent, muffins, bagels, peanut butter, jelly, etc. On Sunday AM she and I took the shuttle to the City Market for $7 each and bought water, sodas, milk, bread, meats, stuff for 2 dinners that we cooked in (pizza & salad as well as tacos), cheese, eggs, etc. The clerks at the store were helpful and packed our groceries into 2 boxes so that made it easy for us to carry. Also, the grocery store doesn't sell liquor. Oh, yes, we got our luggage about 10pm on our first night...thank goodness!!

Atlantis/Casino/Pools/Marina Village/Slides: We spent almost everyday at the Atlantis pools. We hung out in the same general area everyday so that if some of the group came later they would know where to look for us. Our hang out was either at the Mayan Temple or the Kids Pool right by the Mayan Temple. We never had a problem finding chairs. My daughter loved the kids pool and loved the little slides that are all around the Mayan Temple pool. My son loved ALL of the slides and the river ride. My husband, brothers and dad all loved the slides/river ride too! My mom and I were a little more conservative and didn't try everything, but loved what we did do. The pools/slides at the Atlantis are great for people of ALL ages, there really is something for everyone. Dad, husband and brother went to the casino a couple of nights (my 20 year old brother would sneak off there during the day when he was tired of the pool). No poker in The Bahamas. No one lost or won much money. They said the casino was nice, but nothing special and just like any other casino. They did say that the dealers at the blackjack tables were rude. I wouldn't say that all of the employees at The Atlantis are rude, but they definatley weren't very friendly for the most part...some just didn't seem happy to be working or helping us. Not sure if it was meant to seem that way or if that is just the Bahamian way. Regardless, it still didn't turn us away that's for sure! There is so much to see at The Atlanits. I feel like we saw a lot, but missed a lot too. We loved The Dig, especially my daughter, and it was a great short cut too...we would take the shuttle to the Royal Towers...take the elevator downstairs...walk through The Dig and then out to the back of the Lagoon and then a short walk to The Mayan Temple (with lots of photo opportunities along the way). We went into all of the buildings at The Atlantis, Coral is nothing speical it reminded me of Las Vegas, Beach was nice and that's where the pottery place was (which we enjoyed very much), Club Rush (which my son loved in the evening from 4-7), Reef looked nice too, Royal was very nice, I would love to see the rooms there, Cove is beautiful! Marina Village was a very nice place to walk around and do a little shopping, had an ice cream and enjoy the people watching and the yachts.

Food/Restaurants: I made all of our dinner reservations about a month in advance which was helpful, especially with kids. Our first night we ate at Carmines which is in the Marina Village. It was GREAT and a HUGE hit with everyone. Portions are HUGE and served family style. We brought our leftovers back to our rooms and ate them on pizza night. For our party of 8 we ordered 3 pasta dishes, 1 chicken dish, 1 salad, 1 bottle of wine, 1 beer, 4 cocktails and 3 sodas for a total of $350 (includes tip). Excellent food and service! Night two we ate at Bimini Road Cafe. Food there was good, nothing really special and service was fair. We had 1 appetizer (conch fritters), 6 entrees, 2 kids meals, 6 beers, 3 sodas, 1 non-alcohlic "cocktail", 1 cocktail for $370 (includes tip). Bimini doesn't take reservations, but we arrived at 7pm and only had to wait about 5 minutes for a table. Night 3 my parents, husband and I went to The Mesa Grill while my brothers watched the kids and they walked to Johnny Rockets. They said Johnny Rockets was just like at home but was $65 for the 4 of them. The Mesa Grill was absolutly fabulous!!! Food and service were above top notch. My dad is very hard to please and he said his dinner was the best meal he's had! We had 1 bottle of wine, 5 cocktails, 2 appetizers, 4 entrees, 2 desserts and 3 cups of coffee for a total of $500.00 (that is including the normal 15% tip that they add on plus a little extra). That place is amazing and is not to be missed...no kids under 6 years of age. Night 4 we ate in...frozen pizzas made in the convection oven without a problem, cesar salad and leftovers from Carmines. Night 5 (mom's bday) we at at The Cafe of the Great Wall of Waters. I was really looking forward to this place and hoping it would be a special bday for mom. I am sad to report that it was a BIG dissappointment. Food was average to below average and service was lacking for sure. Our party of 8 had 1 bottle of wine, 2 beers, 1 cocktail, 3 sodas, 3 cups of coffee, 2 desserts (one of which they brought out for moms bday and charged us for it), 2 kids meals and 6 entrees for a total of $525.00 (standard 15% tip included). We will not eat there again. Night 6 we ate dinner in...tacos and spanish rice. Good thing we had plans to eat in that night...daughter was sick...flu or too much sun...not sure but it only lasted for a day! Night 7 we ventured off of Paradise Island and took a taxi to The Poop Deck. We had a 7:30 reservation, but didn't get in until 8:00. Also, this place is not airconditioned so it was very stuffy and hot in the bar while we waited for our table. There are fans in the open air seating/dining area which helped some, but it was still a warm night. Service at the Poop Deck was slow and the server was a little rude (the Bahamian way???), the food was good to average and the atmosphere was fun. This place was a little less expensive than the places at The Atlantis...our total bill was $300. Next time we will probably try the Fish Fry. Food at the grocery stores was definatley more expensive than what you pay in the US. I say that if you are going on a vacation to a resort area then you better be prepared to pay extra for dinners out and food at the stores...don't complain about it...if you are going to complain then maybe The Atlantis isn't for you. To me vacations aren't for trying to save money, they are for splurging!

Excursions: We did the dolphin swim with Dolphin Encounters at Blue Lagoon Island. We all really enjoyed it and felt like it was well worth the money (& cheaper than the Atlantis if you are looking for a deal). The boat ride there and back was nice and the island itself is very pretty. It was a great way to spend a few hours! By the way, my 3 year old loved it. My parents did a tour (can't remember the name of it) of the zoo, flowers, wildlife in Nassau. They weren't impressed. My dad, husband and brothers did the Sub Bahamas trip with Stuart Cove's, they had a great day doing that.

Trip Home: Check out from The Harborside was fast and easy. Cheryl from Fergies Taxi picked us up as promised by 9:30am and we were off to the airport for a 12:15 departure. The lines were very long...checking in, security (twice) and customs, but we made it to our gate with 30 minutes to spare. We left on time and arrived in Miami ready to eat lunch during our 2 1/2 hour layover. Left Miami a little late so we of course arrived back in LAX a little late. Lots of thunderstorms all over so the ride home was a little on the bumpy side.


Weather: It was hot and humid, but not unbearable at all, we expected a lot worse actually. We had on good rain storm on one morning, but it was clear by noonish. One afternoon we had rain again and had to leave the pool around 3:30...due to rain and thunderstorms. Another afternoon the slides closed about 4:15 due to thunderstorms, but that passed within about an hour. I honestly expected more rain and hotter weather so I was very pleasantly surprised!


Overall: For the last 5 years we have gone to Maui every year and have all loved it. At one point my son said he wanted to move to Maui. Before we left to The Bahamas we booked our trip to Maui for 2009 (my cousin, his wife and their 8 year old daughter will be joining us this time). My son has since informed us that he never wants to go to Maui again...he LOVES The Atlantis, The Harborside Villas and everything that the resort has to offer ALL OF US. My husband & I totally agreed (except we WILL be going back to Maui again someday) with him and we are hoping that come October we can book the same rooms at the Harborside again for June...maybe we will even buy a vacation ownership there too!!