planning Atlantis trip

[TheShootah]

I have been to Atlantis I think 10 times now. My family loves it there and luckily I am still taking free rides. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] 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. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[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!!! [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[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.