Nassau - Atlantis and the rest of Paradise Island

Today we explored the behemoth that is Atlantis. The resort takes up 75% of Paradise Island and goes way beyond "mega resort". Apparently Donald Trump used to own it, but it wasn't in great shape and rooms were going as low as $80/night, so a South African guy bought it, expanded it, and gave it the theme of Atlantis. Now the cheapest room in the oldest building is upwards of $300/night, and the nicest suite goes for $25,000/night (4 nights minimum). We decided to shell out $30 for the guided tour, since the property is huge. The tour took us through "the Dig", an attraction which is basically an aquarium but they try to make it seem like we are truly touring the ruins of the lost city. Now, there were only four of us on the tour (all adults), but Kevin and I were cracking up when this guy, dead serious, asked the guide if any of the artifacts were from the "real" Atlantis. Our guide kept a straight face and told him that no, most of it was a conceptualization based on the writings of Plato in 300 BC. But THEN the guy asks, "Oh, so Play-doh lived here in the Bahamas?". Jeez, no wonder the rest of the world thinks Americans are dumb. Anyway the resort was stunning and the $30 tour was worth it, but here's my take on it: It is like any nicer hotel in Vegas, but a lot more family-friendly. If you are looking for a romantic getaway this would not be the place (too many kids), and if you are looking to see the "real" Bahamas look elsewhere. But it is surely nicer than either of the resorts we stayed at when we went to Cancun, so if you are just looking for cool water attractions (the lazy river goes right thru the shark exhibit via an underwater tube) and overpriced food and drinks look no further.

For romance though, you can't get any better than the Cloisters. This is also on Paradise Island (the 25% that isn't taken up by Atlantis) and was originally a 14th century Augustinian monastery that was imported to the US from France by William Randolph Hearst (Rose...bud...)back in the 20's. Some other guy (Huntington Hartford?) bought it from Hearst in the 60's and brought it to Nassau. Apparently the pieces weren't numbered for reassembly, so he had an artist piece together what the cloisters "could have" looked like. The result is breathtaking, and there's a reason why this is the #1 wedding spot on the island.