Are you thinking about a trip to the Bahamas? Paradise Island is a popular tropical destination just off the coast of Nassau, the capital city of the Bahamas. It is known for its crystal, turquoise waters and grand hotels, making it a top destination for a variety of travels including families, groups, and couples seeking sun, fun, and relaxation.

I was there for a 4-night trip in February 2024 with family. We stayed at the Reef tower of the Atlantis Resort. Here’s an overview of hotel options, food and drink, and activities to help you plan your next trip!

Hotel Options

Atlantis
The Atlantis is a very large, very well-known resort on Paradise Island, famous for its pink towers, beautiful beaches, 140+ acre waterpark, and numerous activities. As far as travel goes, the resort has it all, albeit is not all-inclusive.

There are 5 hotel towers to choose from, each with its own distinct personality, style, location, and price point: Cove, Reef, Royal, Coral, and Harborside.

The Cove is the high-end, luxury option where guests have access to an adults-only pool area (the Cove is family-friendly though). It comes alive at night with restaurants and bars – it almost has a Las Vegas vibe to it. I like this area in the evening as it’s an excuse to get dressed up!

The Reef is where we stayed and I loved it! It was at one of the far ends of the resort and had a quieter atmosphere than other areas. The rooms were large and comfortable, making it ideal for families. I recommend opting for an ocean-view room – it’s worth the price difference. The image below shows the view from the balcony of an ocean-view room. The Reef and Cove share a calm pool area ideal for relaxing.

The Royal towers are the classic pink buildings that people typically associate the Atlantis with. This area is bustling, has multiple dining options, and is home to many marine life at the aquarium. Both the East and West towers are conveniently located to the water park, making it ideal for families.

The Coral is the tower closest to Marina Village and is considered a more value-based option with a lower price point per night. The Coral may feel a bit older than the other towers but is great for families that are looking for a more affordable vacation with close proximity to the restaurants and shops at the marina.

The Harborside is not on the main property of the resort but is easily accessible by the shuttle service. These villas provide great accommodations for large families, groups, and multigenerational vacationers.

The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort
Following the recommendation from a friend, we had dinner at Dune by Jean-Georges located at the Ocean Club, Four Seasons. It was a short, and free! shuttle ride from the Atlantis. The architecture and design of the hotel were immaculate and the grounds stunning. It also felt quiet and elegant. While we were only here for an evening of food, I really connected with this property and am almost certain this is where I’d stay if I went back to Paradise Island.

Food and Drinks

There are what seems to be never-ending options for food and drinks at the Atlantis! The resort has a reputation for pricey restaurants – but you can find more affordable options if you’re a little creative – check out some of the takeout options in the Marina such as Murray’s Deli, the Burger Shack, and Marina Pizzeria. While we didn’t venture off property, we had multiple people recommend the Fish Fry area to experience local cuisine in a small strip of colorful food stands.

I highly recommend stopping by the Dilly Club in the Marina for a cocktail before or after dinner. The drinks are unique, the staff are friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is fun. They are also open in the mornings and have delicious coffee options.

My 3 favorite restaurants were Paranza by Michael White, Seafire, and Nobu. Yes, each of these were pricey – but we knew that going into this vacation.

The service at Paranza was top-notch and the Italian cuisine was very good. Recommendations: astice (lobster and burrata); seafood risotto; tagliata (strip steak).

One evening we didn’t have reservations and stumbled upon Seafire, a modern steakhouse which proved to be a delicious meal! I would definitely go back here for the surf and turf options. Recommendations: old fashioned (not too sweet which is my preference!); oysters; ribeye; lobster.

Nobu has multiple locations globally, specializing in Japanese cuisine. I was happy to see there was one at the Atlantis so I made sure to make reservations in advance. It was very busy the evening we went and the service suffered as a result. However, the food was still exceptional and met the high standards you expect from Nobu. Recommendations: yellowtail jalapeño (you may need 2 orders if you are a party of more than 2!); crispy rice with spicy tuna (I can eat an unusual amount of these); rock shrimp tempura with spicy sauce; black cod with miso.

Finally, Dune by Jean Georges, located at the Ocean Club, Four Seasons receives an honorable mention. The food was decent, not the best I had on the trip. I do wonder though if it’s because we ended up with a last-minute, late reservation so perhaps they were winding down dinner service. However, the bar and atmosphere were great and I’d give it another try!

Activities

I’m mostly going to focus on the activities offered at the Atlantis since this is where we spent most of our time. You can’t think about the Atlantis without discussing its massive water park! There are multiple water slides designed for the adventurous and the Rapids River for the less adventurous. Kids and adults alike can spend hours here and have a fun time. It can get busy, especially for cruisers that are stopping in with day passes.

Other activities include the pools, beaches, marine habitats, spa, fitness centers, golf, and shops. Some are included in your stay (pools, beaches, aquarium, fitness centers); others can be experienced for an additional charge (swimming with the dolphins, spa, golf, etc.).

Guests of all the hotels on Paradise Island may be interested in off-resort excursions like snorkel tours, boat rides, or swimming with the pigs in Exuma. There really is something for everyone!

Are you interested in booking a trip to the Bahamas? Check out my profile as a travel advisor here and contact me at christine.cicio@fora.travel.