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Atlantis, Bahamas an Autograph Collection [Master Thread]

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Old Oct 21, 2014, 12:08 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: RedSun
Good details in this post: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30029755-post302.html

The Atlantis is made up of 4 towers that will participate for redemption stays. They are as follows:

Atlantis, Beach Tower - Do not participate in Marriott reward booking(?) (old Category 7)
Atlantis, Coral Towers - New Category 5 (35k) (old Category 8 (from March, 2018 https://www.marriott.com/marriott-rewards/use/category-update.mi)
Atlantis, Royal Towers - New Category 6 (50k) (old Category 8)
The Cove Atlantis - New Category 7 (60k) (old Category 9)

Apparently, you cannot redeem points for a stay at The Reef Atlantis, but you can earn points on a paid stay there.

Points are earned for room rate only. No points on incidental spend. Platinum Arrival Gift (PAG) is 500pts or food/drink amenity. $20 internet fee* is NOT waived for Gold/Plats per Marriott's T&Cs. For rooms that will have more than two people aged twelve or over, there is an "additional adult charge" per person. *For Royal, Coral, Beach Towers, internet is included as part of the daily resort fee of $50.

"For clarification purposes, the daily charge is not a resort fee. The additional charges associated with the stay currently include mandatory gratuities and a utility service fee per person per day. The amount can vary by unit type by building. These additional charges have always been in place at Atlantis."

ADDITIONAL CHARGES:

Guests of Atlantis, Harborside Resort, The Cove and The Reef Atlantis are subject to an 20% charge per night that includes taxes, the Paradise Island Tourism and Development Association levy, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board levy and compensation for servicing your reservation. In addition, guests will be required to pay a mandatory gratuity and utility service fee of (i) up to $25.95 per person per day depending on unit type for Atlantis guests, (ii) up to $20.70 per person per day depending on unit type for Harborside Resort guests, and (iii) up to $65.95 per person per day depending on unit type for The Cove or The Reef Atlantis guests. If you purchase a pre-paid package these charges are already included in your package price. If you do not purchase a pre-paid package, these charges will be assessed upon check out at the property. Please be advised that all mandatory gratuities, taxes, levies and service fees are subject to change.

As of 01-Jan-2015, In addition to the previous 20% tax on room rate and purchases, there is an additional VAT of 7.5%, 12%* (as of July 1, 2018), making a total tax on room rate and purchases of 37.5%. This also applies to additional adult fees (for more than two person ages 12 and older staying in the same room), but does not apply to the mandatory gratuity and utility fees. https://thenassauguardian.com/2018/05/30/vat-hike-to-12-percent/
*If you booked prior to the VAT increase, you should be able to have the original 7.5% VAT honored. https://thenassauguardian.com/2018/06/07/hotels-and-resorts-allowed-to-honor-prior-bookings-at-7-5-vat/


Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas participates in Marriott Rewards as follows:
- Points or Miles may be earned for reservations booked through www.marriott.com/atlantis or by calling 1-855-696-4732.
- Points or Miles will not be earned and Points cannot be redeemed for reservations booked through Atlantis Paradise Vacations, Atlantis.com, or AtlantisBahamas.com.
- Reward booking can be done online from Marriott website. You can also book stays with points advance (borrow points). The cancellation policy is normally 14 days in advance. Points may be redeemed for stays only by calling 1-855-696-4732. At this time, redemption stays cannot be booked online.
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Atlantis, Bahamas an Autograph Collection [Master Thread]

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Old Jan 20, 2016, 4:12 pm
  #241  
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And you want to stay there why?

I'm continually baffled why FTers want to go to a resort that gets crap reviews & charges massive fees.

Seriously, this isn't aimed at you specifically but it continues to boggle my mind. There are other good properties, including resorts, where you're (the generic you, not you specifically) not on the hook for $1K+ and offer better experiences.

As you note, Atlantis is absurd....

Cheers.
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Old Jan 21, 2016, 7:08 am
  #242  
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Originally Posted by patrickf3
Are there any secrets here ? Seems absurd...
The secret is that people don't know there are many better and cheaper Marriott locations for a beach/tropical vacation.

When Marriott first took over managing this here, I was really excited and looked forward to trying it out. But then, just as you have found, I found that the actual cost and the reviews were very deflating (to both my points account and wallet).

So after that, I went the Cayman Island and St. Kitts instead. And I have my first trip to Aruba planned for May of this year. For less points and cash (fees and taxes) I can get a much better Caribbean vacation.
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Old Jan 22, 2016, 11:50 am
  #243  
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Not Atlantis related per se, but Nassau is getting a Courtyard opening in May so another option for the Bahamas. It's a rebranding of a different hotel & will open when the renovations are done.

"One of Nassau’s best-known hotels is getting a new look and a new brand. The former Nassau Palm hotel in downtown Nassau will soon become a Courtyard by Marriott, according to Joy Jibrilu, director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. The hotel recently underwent a major transformation project that completely gutted the property, the Courtyard brand debuts — most likely around April. The project also plans to build a walkway over Bay Street for pedestrians."
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 7:13 pm
  #244  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Second guessing my redemption for The Atlantis Resort

My wife and I are looking to book a Hotel+Flight redemption this summer from late July to early August. We originally wanted to go to the Scrub Island resort in BVI or The Cove at the Atlantis Resort in The Bahamas. Unfortunately, the Cove had no availability for our dates and Scrub Island had no award availability unless we forked over an extra 25k points a night. We were able to find 7 nights at the Royal Towers which doesn't sound too bad but it doesn't sound too awesome either. I'm not sure that I want to burn all of my Marriott points and UR points at what seems to be an over priced tourist trap. Can someone give me a sanity check here or possibly give a recommendation for a better option? Thanks in advance.
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 7:31 pm
  #245  
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Have you checked St. Kitts? Marriott has a very nice resort there which is normally very reasonably priced.

I have to say when Marriott first partnered with Atlantis, I thought it would be a great award opportunity. But after I checked it out (I also llooked at The Cove initially as well) all I could think of was that I could stay for the same cost at some place like St. Kitts and not use any points.
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 7:42 pm
  #246  
 
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Originally Posted by hhoope01
Have you checked St. Kitts? Marriott has a very nice resort there which is normally very reasonably priced.

I have to say when Marriott first partnered with Atlantis, I thought it would be a great award opportunity. But after I checked it out (I also llooked at The Cove initially as well) all I could think of was that I could stay for the same cost at some place like St. Kitts and not use any points.
St. Kitts looks pretty decent. The main issue for us is the lack of flight availability on AA so that may not work. Any thoughts on Aruba? The more I read about Atlantis the less I want to go.
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 8:11 pm
  #247  
 
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I haven't stayed at Atlantis,but I have been to Nassau, Aruba and St Kitts.

Since you are not thrilled with the Atlantis option, I would definitely check into your options at one of the other two locations. In my opinion, either of them is a better choice than the Bahamas
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 8:25 pm
  #248  
 
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Originally Posted by freeflyin
I haven't stayed at Atlantis,but I have been to Nassau, Aruba and St Kitts.

Since you are not thrilled with the Atlantis option, I would definitely check into your options at one of the other two locations. In my opinion, either of them is a better choice than the Bahamas
Would you prefer Aruba or St Kitts? It might come down to award availability for us since we have to book so close to the dates.
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 8:41 pm
  #249  
 
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Originally Posted by Jwolfer
Would you prefer Aruba or St Kitts? It might come down to award availability for us since we have to book so close to the dates.
It has been several years since I have been to St Kitts,but I have returned to Aruba several times-mostly because there are more flight options and several Marriott hotel options,which makes redeeming points a bit easier.

St Kitts is less commercialized(at least when I was there), than Aruba and has the advantage of access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Aruba has many more dining options,many of which are walkable from the hotels.

I found the beach on the properties in Aruba to be superior to St Kitts,which was so windy when I was there,that we could not use the beach comfortably-but that may have been a seasonal issue or a fluke.

As you point out, the decision may be made for you ,based on availability of hotels and flights-either one is a good beach vacation choice
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 8:50 pm
  #250  
 
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Originally Posted by freeflyin
It has been several years since I have been to St Kitts,but I have returned to Aruba several times-mostly because there are more flight options and several Marriott hotel options,which makes redeeming points a bit easier.

St Kitts is less commercialized(at least when I was there), than Aruba and has the advantage of access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Aruba has many more dining options,many of which are walkable from the hotels.

I found the beach on the properties in Aruba to be superior to St Kitts,which was so windy when I was there,that we could not use the beach comfortably-but that may have been a seasonal issue or a fluke.

As you point out, the decision may be made for you ,based on availability of hotels and flights-either one is a good beach vacation choice

I think Aruba may be a better option for us this time although St Kitts sounds nice. Now to find hotel and flight availability...
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Old Mar 22, 2016, 9:04 pm
  #251  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 15
Good news! I was able to book 7 nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and an AA flight in Business/First for 100k miles roundtrip for two. I feel much better than I did about the Bahamas. Thanks for the help guys!
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Old Mar 23, 2016, 6:53 am
  #252  
 
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Originally Posted by Jwolfer
Good news! I was able to book 7 nights at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino and an AA flight in Business/First for 100k miles roundtrip for two. I feel much better than I did about the Bahamas. Thanks for the help guys!
We travel to Aruba every year. You will love "Marriottville": Surf Club, Ocean Club, Marriott, Ritz Carlton-all next to each other. One thing we always recommend to new people traveling with us is the Jolly Pirates. The morning snorkel/lunch tour is great fun. Leaves from the pier just to the left of the properties.

Enjoy your trip!

http://www.jolly-pirates.com
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Old Mar 23, 2016, 7:12 am
  #253  
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I've been to St. Kitts before and definitely enjoyed it. I have never made it to Aruba though, but I have my first trip there in May (Ocean Club). I'm looking forward to my first visit. ^
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Old Mar 23, 2016, 10:07 am
  #254  
 
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search this form for a lengthy and nasty review of the Marriott experience at Atlantis

no one has anything good to say about staying there - even on points
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Old Mar 23, 2016, 10:23 am
  #255  
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 15
Originally Posted by tfred
search this form for a lengthy and nasty review of the Marriott experience at Atlantis

no one has anything good to say about staying there - even on points
That's the main reason we got cold feet. Definitely disappointing to read after looking forward to it for the last 6-9 months. I'm still glad we changed it though. It was going to be close to $500 just for the resort fees after draining all of my points. I can't imagine how much money we would have wasted during a 7 day stay there...
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