Harborside/Atlantis Question

Hi all,

Can you tell me which Atlantis amenities/activities are included with a stay at Harborside, and which are additional costs?

http://www.atlantis.com/thingstodo.aspx

I'm assuming the Dolphin Cay & golfing would be additional. But, are the water parks/slides included?

Thanks!

Glorian

Yes they are!

To add the what Denise said, Harborside is a section of Atlantis. Harborside guests have access to the same amenities as hotel guests.

Everything is included except the the dolphin encounter--and use of the Cain pool.
Also when we were there last they had a free dolphin show.
Lots of activities besides the slides etc.==fish feedings, movies, and even a shorter rock climbing experience when we were there last.

Just make sure you get your wrist band every day!

Thanks everyone! My daughters have been looking at the website, and I wanted to be sure we know we're getting into. I wouldn't want them to think they could do everything, only to find out later we'd have to put some kind of limit on things. From what I gather from reading other threads, I'll have to do some meal planning so as not to break to the bank.

Glorian

They will love Atlantis!!!!!

All beach chairs at Atlantis Beach (aka Cabbage Beach) and the Cove Beach are complementary, but they make you sign in with a orange shirted staff person. I noticed some people avoided getting beach chairs because thought there was a charge like at some hotels. They let you use the Paradise Beach in front of the Cove and Reef, but they don't allow you to use their beach chairs. You have to drag one over from the Cove Beach and there are limits where they will let you put it.

All watersports (i.e. paddle boats, kayaks, all motorized stuff) and water equipment (sand toys, snorkels) costs extra except life jackets for small children. Those are in big brown trunks near pools.

All Aquariums are free, unless they are in a restaurant or club with restricted access. The Dig, the big themed Aquarium exhibit is free, though sometimes there is a guard to check keys or wristbands. You are allowed to visit a fenced patio/viewing area at Dolphin Cay, but the views are somewhat distant from the Dolphins. There are no underground viewing areas or catwalks to get a close view if you aren't in the water with them.

There are daily tours of the aquariums, but I never did them. I got conflicting information on whether they were free for guests or if they cost $25 or so.

The gym at Harborside is free, but the Spa gym near the Royal towers has a fee (~$25 per day) and gives you access to common areas of the Spa including the salt water pool.

All kid activities like Club Rush, remote control cars, pottery, and the Kids club cost extra. Though the movies are free, concessions aren't. Rated G in mornings, PG in afternoons, PG13 late afternoon/early evening, R late at night. The comedy club was not free and very expensive.

There is a hair braiding and craft huts near the beaches too, which aren't free. Unfortunately, they don't stay in those areas and harass you on Atlantis Beach, but not the Cove and Paradise Beach.

The Library at the Coral Tower is free and Harborside had a take a book leave a book area too.

There is supposedly a free bus that takes people from the Casino to other hotels on PI and Nassau, but hotel guests aren't supposed to use it.

One amenity that I would have liked but never saw was water fountains. That would have been nice and saved me a lot of money.

Thanks! This breaks down the way I would have expected in terms of included vs. extra fee.

I particularly appreciate the tip on the beach chairs.

Glorian

Just a note- we were there last week & maybe because it wasn't overly crowded... we walked onto any beach we wanted & simply pulled up any chair to lay on. No one asked us anything or stopped us in any way. I had no idea we should have checked in with anyone. We never had a problem. The aquariums were so dead we were pretty much the only ones walking through when we did it. Again no stopped us, no tours... I did see uniformed people around when there were a lot of cruise ships docked but that was about it.
The only thing we couldn't get into (but we tried) was the Cove adult pool- that one had a key checker lol. We had the BEST time ever & can't wait to go again someday.
Sue

glad you liked it. it is an amazing place.

The atlantis website says the cove beach is only for cove guests. Seems not to be the case. But I'm just curious what others' experiences are.

I spent time at the Cove beach in June '09 and was never questioned or checked on beach chair usage.You can not use the pool ,they did check for that.

We used Cove Beach just about everyday & we never questioned. In my opinion it was the best beach there.
Sue

lark said:

The atlantis website says the cove beach is only for cove guests. Seems not to be the case. But I'm just curious what others' experiences are.

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That doesn't seem right, as the Cove Beach isn't the closest beach to The Cove and only has Atlantis Resort chairs on it (i.e. cheap white metal or Brown plastic/mesh). The Paradise Beach has wood beach chairs with thick foam pads that are only for The Cove and The Reef guests, per the signs at Paradise Beach.

There are no signs that say either Paradise Beach or the Cove Beach are only for The Cove's guests. Only that the beach chairs on Paradise Beach are for guests of The Cove and The Reef. Plus, I thought all of these beaches are public, but the Cove and Paradise Beaches require you to walk on Atlantis, The Cove, or The Reef property if you don't swim or boat there. But both the Paradise Beach and the Cove Beach are easily accessible to Atlantis Resort's guests from Aquaventure. So it's unlikely they would be restricted to The Cove's guest and it certainly wasn't enforced if it is.

esk444 said:

That doesn't seem right, as the Cove Beach isn't the closest beach to The Cove and only has Atlantis Resort chairs on it (i.e. cheap white metal or Brown plastic/mesh). The Paradise Beach has wood beach chairs with thick foam pads that are only for The Cove and The Reef guests, per the signs at Paradise Beach.

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That's always been my understanding too, which is why I was confused by the web site. It says:

Cove Beach
Step barefoot onto the warm sands of The Cove beach. This tranquil stretch of white and turquoise waters is reserved for guest of The Cove Atlantis.

http://www.atlantis.com/thingstodo/wateradventures/beaches.aspx

All beaches in the Bahamas are supposed to be public--maybe they think putting up that sign will make folks pay attention and not use the beach there.

We were also there in June and used the Cove beach more than any other. Less crowded, so maybe people really thought they couldn't use it.

mariawolf said:

All beaches in the Bahamas are supposed to be public--maybe they think putting up that sign will make folks pay attention and not use the beach there.

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It could be that Atlantis Guests may not have the proper wrist bands to go to that beach. I don't think they can keep you off the beach but may be able to keep you off the chairs. When I walked through the property Security personel did check wristbands.The Harbrside wristband allowed us access to the Cove beach .This could be something new that they may enforce during high occupancy. IMO Harborside owners should have all access including the pools at the Cove and Reef.

esk444 said:

There are daily tours of the aquariums, but I never did them. I got conflicting information on whether they were free for guests or if they cost $25 or so.


One amenity that I would have liked but never saw was water fountains. That would have been nice and saved me a lot of money.

Click to expand...

Just returned from Harborside. We did the free aquarium tour and found it interesting.

Although we had bought bottled water, we found the tap water perfectly acceptable.

We had an eccellent trip and would love to return.

I need some actvity / excursion advice form all you experienced harborside travelers. We have been once and did the dolphin swim. Can anyone suggest something different (outside the resort) for teens/family? Loved Atlantis last time can't wait to go in June! Thanks

excursions

We were just there this month & did a "do it all package".
We went out on a boat for snorkling, parasailing, jet ski's, & a banana boat ride. They take you to a private island & you also have some beach time too. The sand was so white & the water more clear than even Atlantis. So beautiful. They gave us lunch on the boat which was a piece of chicken, rice with peas & corn. It was good but not fabulous. I say bring a snack too because they keep you busy with all that activity! We paid $150 per person. It was our first time parasailing & I LOVED every minute of it!!
Sue

http://bestonbahamas.com/bahamas-paradise-ocean-do-it-all-package.html

In May, my daughter and her friend did a snorkeling trip that involved swimming with sharks. I didn't tell them in advance hysterical, nor did I accompany them (bravery is not one of my best features!). They were more than a little suprised when they found out what was coming (I would have loved to have seen their reactions). But, the "hot dudes" (their description) who were running the tour convinced them to do it. They're still talking about it to this day, so it was a winner despite their apprehension.

I don't remember the name of the tour, but I'm 99% sure I picked up the brochure at the Concierge's desk.

My daughter and I took a horseback riding tour from www.windsorequestriancentre.com

Very nice people and the shuttle right from Harborside. We actually were the only 2 people, so we had our own private tour.

FYI: English saddle only.

I'm trying to add a Harbour Island excursion to my 2010 Harborside trip. It looks incredible with the pink sand beaches. There is a day trip on a fast ferry from Nassau.