Oct 21, 2014, 12:08 pm
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.
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.
*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.
Atlantis, Bahamas an Autograph Collection [Master Thread]
Jul 9, 2014, 8:16 pm
#46
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It's a gigantic property facing increasing competition in the neighborhood. At the same time, it has not been a tremendously successful financially and needed a $100M infusion which Marriott was willing to provide (in the form of typically high-interest mezzanine debt).
With regard to "needing Marriott," I'll say that I've thought about going for years for a few days with out kids and have never done it. Being able to use points and some accumulated gift cards dramatically increases the chances that I'll go. I imagine I am not alone in that.
With regard to "needing Marriott," I'll say that I've thought about going for years for a few days with out kids and have never done it. Being able to use points and some accumulated gift cards dramatically increases the chances that I'll go. I imagine I am not alone in that.
Honestly folks there is a LOT more to The Bahamas than Nassau and especially monstrosities like Atlantis. The small islands offer real Bahamian experience like Exuma, and Long Island. As someone who has been to out island over 30 times and Nassau 1 time. I know I will never go to Nassau. Just my opinion.
Points will be substantial, free internet is important and a chance at a room upgrade not bad either Cheers
Jul 9, 2014, 8:19 pm
#47
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Very true Sharon, but my point was you are not going to experience the Bahamas. Just a big resort.
Jul 9, 2014, 8:22 pm
#48
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Jul 9, 2014, 8:25 pm
#49
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As someone that has been to this resort about six times, I would say it is for those that like a lot of options on one property. They have a really nice casino for something to do at night, many pools and the ocean is a five minute walk from your room. They also have many things to do like the water slides, spa, golf, dolphins, etc. I have enjoyed it both as a single person and now with my family. Expect to spend $50-100 per person per day on food whether you get a meal plan or not. I am excited about using the points but my guess it that you will only be able to get about 1 cent/point value, which doesn't really make the points worth accumulating on the Ultimate Rewards side, but perhaps a good use if you have a lot of Marriott points already or get the 70k Chase sign up bonus for the card.
Jul 10, 2014, 8:57 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Then we transferred to the Westin for a work conference-4 nights. Wonderful place. Great facilities. Aside from the Coatis running around, you would have never guessed you are in CR. Could have been anywhere in the tropics.
Jul 10, 2014, 1:31 pm
#52
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Jul 10, 2014, 3:05 pm
#53
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I am not saying I disagree with you…but logic doesn't always apply.
Jul 10, 2014, 4:06 pm
#54
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With standard rooms in the outlying buildings starting at $165/night for next month and $218 for the first week of January, I doubt it will be anywhere near a cat 8. More like a cat 6 IMO, and a stretch at that. Now the nicer rooms/suites that most people envision when they see the Royal Towers will probably be more, and my bet is these will NOT be categorized as standard rooms, and as such require a few upgrade certs if they are even offered as awards. It will be interesting to see how they handle this.
Jul 10, 2014, 6:13 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Odds of a Resort Charge? This has $20-30/night Resort Charge all over it for unlimited local calls, free newspaper and a $10 casino play (one per room per stay). 
And I'll guess Cat 7. While room rates are sub-$250 for economy towers, the bean counters will say the high demand will absorb the higher Cat.
And I'll guess Cat 7. While room rates are sub-$250 for economy towers, the bean counters will say the high demand will absorb the higher Cat.
Jul 10, 2014, 8:58 pm
#56
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With 3400 rooms, their award award redemption rate would be pretty low IMO. I would guess that this rate is probably number of award redemptions to total number of available rooms. I don't see their redemption rate being that high.
I doubt it's just the number of award redemptions, otherwise large hotels like Orlando World Center Marriott (1,893 rooms, 110 suites) and JW Marriott Orlando Grand lakes (934 rooms, 64 suites) would all be cat 9s instead of cat 7s. Whereas smaller hotels like those in London (5 of 6 hotels have under 250 rooms) and Paris (CE has about 200 rooms, the other 3 have around 100 rooms each) which have a fraction of the rooms of those mega hotels, yet have high redemption rates, are all cat 9 hotels. If it was number of award redemptions instead of redemption rate then these hotels just wouldn't stack up.
It would be interesting to know more about the algorithm used to determine hotel category.
MileageGoblin, you might be right on cat 7 as Orlando World Center Marriott and JW Marriott Orlando Grand lakes have similar rates as Atlantis; although they may start it out at cat 6 and graduate it to cat 7. I'll be very surprised if it is above cat 7. I won't be going there anyway. This is just an academic exercise for me.
Jul 11, 2014, 8:42 am
#57
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
Category rating is based on a hotel's award redemption rate which begs the question, how is that number calculated.
With 3400 rooms, their award award redemption rate would be pretty low IMO. I would guess that this rate is probably number of award redemptions to total number of available rooms. I don't see their redemption rate being that high.
With 3400 rooms, their award award redemption rate would be pretty low IMO. I would guess that this rate is probably number of award redemptions to total number of available rooms. I don't see their redemption rate being that high.
Jul 11, 2014, 1:46 pm
#58
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I know that we are all just speculating, but I'm expecting a relatively low category (5 or 6) because the hotel is desperate to fill rooms. Making it a category 7 or 8 would not help at all. Nobody with any sense would use that many Marriott points to visit Nassau, Bahamas. It's simply not worth it.
Bruce
Bruce
Jul 11, 2014, 1:57 pm
#59
Join Date: Oct 2001
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I know that we are all just speculating, but I'm expecting a relatively low category (5 or 6) because the hotel is desperate to fill rooms. Making it a category 7 or 8 would not help at all. Nobody with any sense would use that many Marriott points to visit Nassau, Bahamas. It's simply not worth it.
Bruce
Bruce
But I don't believe that category resetting base on redemption history nonsense for a minute otherwise ups would equal downs each year but that's another well beaten thread...
Jul 11, 2014, 3:10 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,337
I know that we are all just speculating, but I'm expecting a relatively low category (5 or 6) because the hotel is desperate to fill rooms. Making it a category 7 or 8 would not help at all. Nobody with any sense would use that many Marriott points to visit Nassau, Bahamas. It's simply not worth it.
And while I don't work for Marriott, I'd venture that there are a lot of Cat 8 redemptions for Manhattan FIs or RIs which are not worth the points over cash. You can't say average Joe American wouldn't redeem Cat 7 points at the Atlantis. Non-FTers value destinations differently than FTers. I'd put Renaissance Aruba which is Cat 7 as comparison example to Atlantis.
Last edited by MileageGoblin; Jul 11, 2014 at 3:22 pm