Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas is getting a multimillion dollar renovation
Atlantis Paradise Island, located off Nassau in the Bahamas, is a legendary resort with an iconic design that's recognizable around the world. It's famous for its over-the-top waterpark with fear-inducing slides — some of which go through clear tunnels surrounded by sea life — and the Bridge Suites, located in the bridge between the main towers, where celebrities are known to drop big bucks for a luxe stay (rumor has it Ricky Martin was there when I visited as a kid).
The resort is home to five hotels and more restaurants than you can visit in a stay, from Nobu to an outpost of New York's famed Italian restaurant Carmines and cuisine style and price point in between. Dedicated to the mysterious lost city of Atlantis, the iconic property redefined what a Caribbean resort could be when it opened in 1998.
Now, nearly 25 years later, the game-changing resort is undergoing a massive, multimillion-dollar refresh to help modernize the property and usher in a new era for the much-loved but aging seaside escape. And truthfully, it's time. As grand as the resort is, on my last visit in 2019 it felt dated and I could see years of wear-and-tear around the property.
Realted: Best points hotels in the Caribbean
Resort updates
To start, The Royal (the hotel that comprises the iconic towers and bridge), will get a little TLC. There, all guest rooms and suites will be redesigned with elements that reflect the beauty of the islands and "celebrate the natural seascape ... to inspire a soothing environment where guests can relax and unwind."
In the rooms and suites, a fresh, neutral palette will wash away the old, overbearing pastels that dominated before. But there will still be plenty of color. Smart flashes of blue will complement chic wooden elements to reflect the natural beauty of the Caribbean. Updates to the Royal East Tower will be complete by the end of this summer, with The Royal West Tower to follow, according to a statement from Atlantis.
For folks looking to have a real Ricky Martin moment, the 4,740-square-foot Bridge Suite will get a "total renovation" set to be complete next year. Though I hope the grand piano stays, it seems the resort is swapping out the suite's current in-your-face Liberace-style luxury for something more understated. The look here will be "bold, organic [and] rich" with "opulent textures and details that reflect the legend of Atlantis."
Another huge development for Atlantis, the resort will replace The Beach Tower with an exciting new hotel called Somewhere Else, created in partnership with David Grutman's Groot Hospitality and acclaimed singer Pharrell. It's set to open in 2024.
The resort's design aesthetic has been dubbed "tropical modernism" and the property will feature more than 400 guest rooms and suites in an Instagram-friendly pink tower. Guests at Somewhere Else will be able to enjoy on-site restaurants, multiple pools and live performances, as well as most of the other restaurants, bars, pools and on-site amenities like the waterpark.
Over at The Cove, the top-tier, all-suite hotel, guests can already take advantage of one big addition to the property: the now-open Lapis Lounge. Here, guests can have daily breakfast, hors d'oeuvres and order drinks from a full-service bar. It also now offers a "bespoke concierge" called Sapphire Services that helps guests book special experiences like beach dinners and exclusive programming at Dolphin Cay, Atlantis' 14-acre marine mammal habitat. On the docket at The Cove is also a refresh of the adults-only Cove pool.
Restaurants
As I mentioned before, guests staying at Atlantis have a dizzying array of restaurants from which to choose — and more are on the way.
Later this year, José Andrés and Nobu Matsuhisa, both the forces behind Michelin-starred restaurants, will be joined by chef Michael White of New York City's Michelin-starred Ai Fiori and Marea, among others. White, a four-time James Beard Award nominee, will open Paranza at The Cove, serving modern costal Italian cuisine.
Another new addition is Pita, a Mediterranean-style concession stand near the Aquaventure waterpark. Guests can choose from menu items like falafel, homemade shawarma, dips, salads and other all-day options.
Luckily, starting in May, guests can add the new "Atlantis Dining Plan" onto a stay. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at over 30 restaurants are included in the plan, from buffets to quick bites and even fine dining establishments such as Carmine's. The program is $140 for guests 12 and older, $60 for children ages 7 to 11 and free for guests 6 and under (with the purchase of an adult dining plan).
At the Atlantis Casino, guests will soon find an updated space with modern finishes, including lots of new shimmering textures and fixtures. The casino's two lounges will be expanded, as will the high-limit slots lounge and the exclusive gaming salon.
While the casino may be off-limits for children, Splashers, the kids pool and playground, will be getting new slides and climbing areas later this year.
Related: 7 tips for visiting Atlantis on a budget
Save on your stay
This is especially great news for Marriott Bonvoy members considering some of the Atlantis properties, including the Cove and the Royal, are part of The Autograph Collection. You can't go wrong by earning (or redeeming) Marriott points while splashing around in the beautiful waters of the Bahamas at a location worthy of being the setting for Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's 2001 hit "Holiday in the Sun."
If you want to have your own holiday in the sun, check out our tips for getting to the Bahamas on points and miles.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.