planning Atlantis trip

[a rebours]

hi guys,

I decided to go to atlantis this year for the first time. Did not win the the package, so have to plan it myself. I remember somebody mentioned in another thread that there are less expensive hotels nearby (but I cannot find the reference now). anyone stayed there last year? or planning to do it? could you share some insights?

also, a lot of ppl said how insanely expensive the food was. so, the best option is to get a meal plan? do you get it at the atlantis hotel? anyone done it last year?

any other advice regarding this atlantis trip will also be greatly appreciated. tyvm and see you at the bahamas /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[zoobird]

I've been there twice (not for poker). I generally eat a lot, but still found that the meal plan was NOT worth it. Too expensive and too much food for dinner, but you still have to buy your own lunch.

I've heard that the Comfort Suites (I'd estimate about a 5 minute walk) gives you full access to Atlantis facilities...of course, I'd guess you get that anyway as a tournament participant.

[daryn]

why do you say the meal plan includes dinner only? looks to me like it includes all 3 meals:

meal plan through pokerstars (http://www.pokerstars.com/2006pca/mealplan.html)

[jack_of_hearts]

Here's my reply from Stars on the meal plan.

Hello,

The meal plan covers 3 meals per day. We will be sending further
information next week regarding what the meal plan covers and how to use
it.

Please check your email box for further details from pca@pokerstars.com.

Best Regards,

Sharon Goldman
PokerStars Poker Room Management Team

[SharkBait]

I have stayed at Atlantis twice and the Hilton in Nassau once. Atlantis is very expensive. There used to be a cheaper hotel very close to the Atlantis where you got privileges to use Atlantis pools etc. (another poster named one and that sounds right). If $ is an object that may be your best bet even if you don't plan to use the pools because you would be within walking distance. The Hilton in Nassau is a nice no frills business class hotel. There is a small beach and it is near a lot of shopping, the souvenier market etc. if that matters. Problem is you are a $10-15 cab ride from Atlantis (I think that is the amount). Food at Atlantis is very expensive. The meal plan included in the package does not include the 4 or 5 nicest restaurants so keep that in mind. The included restaurants are fine for most. There are very good restaurant alternatives away from Atlantis that are better values (although some of these are very expensive too).

Hope that helps.

[SharkBait]

It depends on what you are looking for and who travelling with too obviously. My kids love Atlantis (better than Disney World).

[Jeebus]

there is a holiday inn on the other side of paradise island, it is pretty inexpensive and does the all expense covered thing.

[Nick-Zack]

I walked to Quizno's twice a day last year. 14 Large Honey Bourbon Chickens on Wheat - yummm

[M.B.E.]

Here are my links for tourist information and so forth:

http://www.nassauparadiseisland.com/

http://www.geographia.com/bahamas/

http://tinyurl.com/bxkbj

http://www.bahamasnet.com/

http://www.planetware.com/travel/bahamas-travel-guide-bah.htm

http://www.bahamatravelnet.com/

http://www.islands.com/nassau/

http://www.whatsonbahamas.com/

[M.B.E.]

Some articles:

http://travelandleisure.com/articles/red-hot-bahamas

http://tinyurl.com/bnn7t

http://tinyurl.com/925jq

[TheShootah]

I have been to Atlantis I think 10 times now. My family loves it there and luckily I am still taking free rides. /images/graemlins/grin.gif I think I am experienced enough there to give you the tips. A new hotel just opened up I think directly next to Atlantis. I forget the name of it but I remember bullshitting with a nice old couple in the casino about how much cheaper it was. Literally a couple minute walk. I wouldn't get the meal plan. It only includes breakfast and dinner if I remember correctly and it really doesn't save that much money. The restaurants in the physical hotel are pretty outrageously priced, but have some kickass food. What my family and I started doing is getting room service or pickup from one of the coffee type places in the hotels (There is one next to the Beach Tower entrance and one next to the Royal Tower check in, down the hall a little.) for breakfast, eating at one of the poolside restaurants for lunch, then going to different places all over the place for dinner. They put in a new shopping place with some awesome restaurants down there. I thought Carmines was one of the most kickass ever. They serve family style Italian food that is outta control. Also, there is a place just down the hill from Beach Tower, past the shopping center calling Zio Gigi's that is much cheaper than in the hotel and much better. We went there twice in a week for dinner the last time we went, at it keeps getting better. If you don't go there and like it, I don't know what to say. Bimini Road and The Atlas bar and Grill are some other ones I liked alot. From my experience, the meal plan isn't necessary, and doesn't actually save anything. Plus, you are limited to like 7 restaurants or something that are all inside the hotel. The hotel has some nice restaurants like Marketplace, Atlas, or even seagrapes but I encourage you to walk a bit and get out. The restaurants are awesome and can save you alot of money. Good luck to you sir, I hope you enjoy Atlantis as much as we do. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[zoobird]

I assumed it was the 'standard' Atlantis meal plan (which doesn't include lunch). Looks like the PS one includes everything.

[daryn]

[ QUOTE ]
I assumed it was the 'standard' Atlantis meal plan (which doesn't include lunch). Looks like the PS one includes everything.

[/ QUOTE ]

indeed, and is cheaper than getting it straight from atlantis by a few hundo

[shaniac]

*Bitchy rant to follow*

I'm kind of bummed about this meal plan setup, since qualifiers are effectively being forced to eat certain meals at certain times. Any time I feel like eating room-service, I have to engage in a -EV endeavour.

It's also a little bit weird that tips, both in restaurants and for the bellman, are included in all this. I think it should be up to us, the customer, to determine how much we want to tip in a given situation, not Pokerstars to set a standard. And needless to say, since our servers have been conpensated in advance, they have no real incentive to provide good service. Also, it's going to be awkward NOT tipping the bellman. I'm sure I'll wind up overtipping.

I believe Stars implemented the meal plan system in response to complaints about the cost and quality of the food last year. Not sure how this will solve the problem since I'm sure the food will still suck at the Atlantis, and those of us who (quite reasonably) opt to eat in our rooms or go off property for dinner will have to pay extra, while giving up part of the equity of our prize package.

[daryn]

tips are includes in all of what? the 11k package? you don't have to tip at restaurants? i hadn't heard, where did you hear it from?

[shaniac]

Daryn,

an email I received recently:



3. We have purchased meal plans for you that INCLUDE ALL TAXES AND GRATUITIES. Leaving further gratuities is completely at your discretion, though we’d encourage you to do so if you’re having alcoholic beverages with your meal.

Hotel Rooms
==========
Please note that PokerStars has paid for your room (including any upgrades you purchased through PokerStars), including taxes, gratuities, and a tip for your bellman. . Again, further gratuities are at completely at your discretion.

Warmest regards,

Lee Jones
PokerStars Poker Room Manager

[daryn]

ty, i just got the same email..

wahoo, no tipping!!! /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[shaniac]

I like tipping, it makes me feel like a bigshot.

[M.B.E.]

Shaniac -- it is pretty weird they are including tips for the bellman but not for the housekeeping service. I agree with you that most people who are helped by the bellman will tip him [again] because it just feels weird and classless not to give him some cash.

As for the meal plan being compulsory, I see your point. There are various restaurants off property, either on Paradise Island or just over the bridge in Nassau, that are good and more reasonably priced than restaurants at Atlantis. However, it's understandable why PokerStars opted to include the meal plan in the prize package -- for most people going, that is going to make them most happy.

Perhaps next year there could be an option to forego the meal plan and get some cash instead.

[Prime Time]

[ QUOTE ]
Shaniac -- it is pretty weird they are including tips for the bellman but not for the housekeeping service. I agree with you that most people who are helped by the bellman will tip him [again] because it just feels weird and classless not to give him some cash.

As for the meal plan being compulsory, I see your point. There are various restaurants off property, either on Paradise Island or just over the bridge in Nassau, that are good and more reasonably priced than restaurants at Atlantis. However, it's understandable why PokerStars opted to include the meal plan in the prize package -- for most people going, that is going to make them most happy.

Perhaps next year there could be an option to forego the meal plan and get some cash instead.

[/ QUOTE ]

I could not agree w/ you more.
Also will feel compelled to give more tips at meals for same reasons stated above (because it just feels weird and classless not to give him some cash).

Have no problem at all w/ the meal plan, as I spent more than the 1K for meals last year and did not have 1/2 of the meals as I am entitled to this year.

[zoobird]

Food may be better than in the past. When I went to Altantis in March they were planning to open both a Carmine's and a Nobu by now.