Caribbean - Use Amex points for Atlantis, Bahamas

I have a friend who has a few of these spare but doesn't know how to check how many points are required.

Basically I wanted to use them for 3 nights at the Atlantis, Bahamas. Tried to check but it seems you need to be a member to see. Would anyone be kind enough to check how many points I would need to for 3 nights at the various hotel options in the Atlantis.

I don't believe it's necessary to have an account to see these results, 40-75,000 points per night:


http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/travel/TravelPartner.aspx?brandId=6012&OmnSearchTerm=Atlantis%20Paradise%20Island%2C%20Ba hamas

I don't believe it's necessary to have an account of login to see these results, 40-75,000 points per night:


http://www.membershiprewards.com/catalog/travel/TravelPartner.aspx?brandId=6012&OmnSearchTerm=Atlantis%20Paradise%20Island%2C%20Ba hamas

Thanks and I am not sure which way I did it but it wouldn't let me do anything without logging in. That's a lot of points! Ouch! Makes more sense to just book a stay direct.

...wouldn't let me do anything without logging in. That's a lot of points!

Those links and rates are from the USA Membership Rewards program. If your friend's points are in the Sterling version of MR the rates should be lower. I estimate in proportion to the UK/US exchange rate, but that is only a guess.

Or go elsewhere - Atlantis gets awful reviews (except by 12 and under crowd).

Those links and rates are from the USA Membership Rewards program. If your friend's points are in the Sterling version of MR the rates should be lower. I estimate in proportion to the UK/US exchange rate, but that is only a guess.

He has US Amex. Anyway still a lot. Thank you for your help and quick replies ^

erik123 What resort would you recommend?

Check the luxury hotels thread for suggestions in the Caribbean - The Cove at Atlantis and One and Only next door seem to rate highest (but still don't come close to other properties in the Caribbean).

Check the luxury hotels thread for suggestions in the Caribbean - The Cove at Atlantis and One and Only next door seem to rate highest (but still don't come close to other properties in the Caribbean).

To be honest with you its not really for me. More for my kid so I think the water park and resort atmosphere seal it for us.

Would anyone know the best site to get decent rates for the Atlantis properties?

The MR vouchers are discounted sometimes -- basically it's 30k for a cert for the coral tower. You need to order the voucher 6 months before your stay, but nothing prevents you from having a reservation. Basically, you can call and make a reservation telling them you're using a voucher and then keep checking to see whether there are specials on the vouchers.

Usually, the best way to book an Atlantis hotel is through the Atlantis web site. Other sites may show a lower price, but check taxes very carefully. Atlantis usually gives you the all inclusive rate, while others can give you a rate that looks better but ends up being worse.

Depending on how long you're going, sometimes the best way to stay at Atlantis is to rent a week from an owner at Harborside, which is the timeshare at Atlantis. Guests there have regular access to all parts of Atlantis. Guests at the Comfort Suites across the street also have access, and you can sometimes get those rooms for 25k per night. But with Choice you can only book 60 days in advance.

The MR vouchers are discounted sometimes -- basically it's 30k for a cert for the coral tower. You need to order the voucher 6 months before your stay, but nothing prevents you from having a reservation. Basically, you can call and make a reservation telling them you're using a voucher and then keep checking to see whether there are specials on the vouchers.

Usually, the best way to book an Atlantis hotel is through the Atlantis web site. Other sites may show a lower price, but check taxes very carefully. Atlantis usually gives you the all inclusive rate, while others can give you a rate that looks better but ends up being worse.

Depending on how long you're going, sometimes the best way to stay at Atlantis is to rent a week from an owner at Harborside, which is the timeshare at Atlantis. Guests there have regular access to all parts of Atlantis. Guests at the Comfort Suites across the street also have access, and you can sometimes get those rooms for 25k per night. But with Choice you can only book 60 days in advance.

Handy.... Thanks. My stay is only for 3 nights though.

Handy.... Thanks. My stay is only for 3 nights though.

One other option is to stay at the Nassau Starwood the first night -- you can usually get a cash plus points rate of 4000 points plus $60. Go over to Atlantis early the next morning and do pre-check in -- even if your room isn't available you still get access to everything. Then you only need to pay for two nights at Atlantis, plus the cab, and still get 3 full days of access to the Atlantis stuff.

One other option is to stay at the Nassau Starwood the first night -- you can usually get a cash plus points rate of 4000 points plus $60. Go over to Atlantis early the next morning and do pre-check in -- even if your room isn't available you still get access to everything. Then you only need to pay for two nights at Atlantis, plus the cab, and still get 3 full days of access to the Atlantis stuff.

I get in at 10am the first day so would ideally want to access the facility on day one. The rates now are $2100 for 3 nights. Do you think this would come down closer or better to book now?

Can you book that as a refundable rate and then re-book if it comes down lower?

I get in at 10am the first day so would ideally want to access the facility on day one. The rates now are $2100 for 3 nights. Do you think this would come down closer or better to book now?

That's pretty high. Did you give any thought to Comfort Suites? It's not luxury, but you get breakfast and full Atlantis access.

That's pretty high. Did you give any thought to Comfort Suites? It's not luxury, but you get breakfast and full Atlantis access.

Just had a look. Its an option thanks!

Which one of the Atlantis resorts would you say is the best?

Just had a look. Its an option thanks!

Which one of the Atlantis resorts would you say is the best?

Cove and Reef. If you like a kitchen, Harborside or one of the residences at the Reef.

Cove and Reef. If you like a kitchen, Harborside or one of the residences at the Reef.

Cove sounds good.

Just had a look. Its an option thanks!

Which one of the Atlantis resorts would you say is the best?

I would also recommend looking at the Comfort Suites. Tripadvisor reviews are generally good, but there are some bad ones. I have not stayed there but will be soon. I saved about 1000 over 5 nights by staying there over the lowest Atlantis property.

Free WiFi, Fridge in the room, free breakfast, and full resort and charging privileges at Atlantis seems like a winner.

Dan

I would also recommend looking at the Comfort Suites. Tripadvisor reviews are generally good, but there are some bad ones. I have not stayed there but will be soon. I saved about 1000 over 5 nights by staying there over the lowest Atlantis property.

Free WiFi, Fridge in the room, free breakfast, and full resort and charging privileges at Atlantis seems like a winner.

Dan

Was looking at Google maps and it looks as if the main resort lobby should be 15 minutes walk? Or less?

Was looking at Google maps and it looks as if the main resort lobby should be 15 minutes walk? Or less?

Atlantis is huge, but generally speaking that's right. All of the three main towers at Atlantis are connected by inside walkways including through the casino -- Coral, Beach, and Royal. If you cross the street from Comfort Suites and enter the Beach Tower, you basically can walk inside to the Royal Tower, which is the main lobby. Comfort Suites is actually closer to some stuff -- the theater comes to mind -- than would be some rooms in the remote part of the main (Royal Tower) buildings.

Atlantis is huge, but generally speaking that's right. All of the three main towers at Atlantis are connected by inside walkways including through the casino -- Coral, Beach, and Royal. If you cross the street from Comfort Suites and enter the Beach Tower, you basically can walk inside to the Royal Tower, which is the main lobby. Comfort Suites is actually closer to some stuff -- the theater comes to mind -- than would be some rooms in the remote part of the main (Royal Tower) buildings.

So the entrance for the Atlantis is right across the street? How about the pools, restaurants and the beach? How far a walk would that be? I am not lazy and the comfort suites is sounding better by minute but wanted the best experience for my kid rather then have him walk 20 minutes for a pool.

So the entrance for the Atlantis is right across the street? How about the pools, restaurants and the beach? How far a walk would that be? I am not lazy and the comfort suites is sounding better by minute but wanted the best experience for my kid rather then have him walk 20 minutes for a pool.

The Comfort Suites is closer to the older side of the Atlantis.(Beach/Coral) There are some pools on that side, the larger and newer ones along with the water slides etc. are by the Royal Towers and between the Royal Towers and the Cove. I would say it's likely a 10-15 minute walk. They do offer shuttles that stop at all the different properties that encompass the Atlantis. I am not sure if these are available to Comfort Suites guests, but doubt you'd have issues getting on one and it would save some time.

I personally love the Cove and stay there quite frequently, but the cost difference between this and the Comfort Suites is likely substantial. Also take into account the cost of food, if you plan on fine dinning it is quite expensive. I get the meal plan as from all my stays I've figured it saves me some money, but it is still around $125 pp a day for Breakfast/Dinner without alcoholic beverages and gratuity.(Kids under 6 are free with purchase.)

So the entrance for the Atlantis is right across the street? How about the pools, restaurants and the beach? How far a walk would that be? I am not lazy and the comfort suites is sounding better by minute but wanted the best experience for my kid rather then have him walk 20 minutes for a pool.

The main pools of Atlantis and the water slides are over by the Royal Tower, which is a bit of a walk from Comfort Suites. Also, if you stay at Comfort Suites, in order to get a wrist band for Atlantis, you need to stop at the guest services desk in the Royal Tower in the morning.

But the bottom line with Atlantis is that everything is a walk. If you stay in the Royal Tower to be near the pools, you have to walk to the movie theater and the shops (and Starbucks) of the Marina. If you stay closer to those things, you walk to the slides. If you want the best rooms for the pools and slides, I would go for a room in the Royal Tower. But, in the end, Comfort Suites is no less convenient than many of the rooms in Atlantis itself. The slides open at 10. If you are staying at CS, you can have breakfast, walk over, get your wrist bands around 9:30, go for a swim, and then be ready when the slides open. It's a piece of cake.

If it's important to you to feel like you're staying in Atlantis, I would go with the Royal Tower. But in terms of exertion, you do a lot of walking at Atlantis no matter what. Just walking between the two main slide "towers" is a bit of a haul, not to mention walking up 8 flights of stairs to use the slide each time. The added prospect of walking over from CS in the morning is negligible.

Discussion has shifted away from use of Membership Rewards points and thread has been transplanted to a more suitable location.

The main pools of Atlantis and the water slides are over by the Royal Tower, which is a bit of a walk from Comfort Suites. Also, if you stay at Comfort Suites, in order to get a wrist band for Atlantis, you need to stop at the guest services desk in the Royal Tower in the morning.

But the bottom line with Atlantis is that everything is a walk. If you stay in the Royal Tower to be near the pools, you have to walk to the movie theater and the shops (and Starbucks) of the Marina. If you stay closer to those things, you walk to the slides. If you want the best rooms for the pools and slides, I would go for a room in the Royal Tower. But, in the end, Comfort Suites is no less convenient than many of the rooms in Atlantis itself. The slides open at 10. If you are staying at CS, you can have breakfast, walk over, get your wrist bands around 9:30, go for a swim, and then be ready when the slides open. It's a piece of cake.

If it's important to you to feel like you're staying in Atlantis, I would go with the Royal Tower. But in terms of exertion, you do a lot of walking at Atlantis no matter what. Just walking between the two main slide "towers" is a bit of a haul, not to mention walking up 8 flights of stairs to use the slide each time. The added prospect of walking over from CS in the morning is negligible.

Perfect. Thank you for the detailed explanation.