We stayed at the Harborside Atlantis Resort in late April for four nights. Although Harborside isn't a Starwood hotel per se, it is in the Starwood Vacation Ownership (SVO) network, so I'm including it here for that reason. The property can be booked at the resort's website also.

We flew on Spirit Airlines from Fort Lauderdale on a Sunday. I mention that because that is also a day that sees tremendous cruiseship activity at this airport and makes traveling from here a horrendous experience. It was much quieter during the middle of the week when we returned. Passports will be required as of January 2007.

We arrived in Nassau and took a 45 minute cab ride to Paradise Island. I believe about $28 is the going rate plus tip and extra baggage. Plus the toll to get across the bridge from Nassau to Paradise Island.

Bahamians, I would assume, realize at a young age that tourism is a vital part of their country's economy and it is in everyone's best interest to be nice to visitors. In some countries, it feels "forced". Not in the Bahamas... they are simply the nicest people I have ever come across. For example, we were looking for a store to stock the fridge. A couple of the staff were walking to their cars after getting off work, recognized us and saw that we looked lost. They walked with us to the store and when we got out they were waitng to drive us back to Harborside! I don't know about you, but that stuff just doesn't happen to my wife and me.

Anyway, we checked into our one-bedroom Premium room which had a dining room, living room and kitchen, all very comfortable. Our room overlooked the Marina, where some very serious yachts were tied up: the kind you see on the Travel Channel. I don't know if it was a Heavenly bed or not, but it was close enough. The bathroom was quite large with a jacuzzi tub and separate shower. My only complaint with the room was no high speed internet to the room (and in fact it cost $10/day to get wireless at the pool) and the crappy TV's that I find in nearly all hotel rooms everywhere. Other than that, it is a vastly superior way to visit the Atlantis resort without having to stay in the hotel itself. There is a coffee pot in the room, but finding coffee for it is another story. Hint: if you happen to take the extra Starbucks packages of coffee from previous SPG stays, they will come in extremely handy here. You can also buy small Jablum Jamaican Blue Mountain bags in the sundry store for a not outrageous price. Otherwise be prepared to walk to the Starbucks in the Marina.

Speaking of the Atlantis, it is simply fantastic and Harborside guests have the full run of the resort, its pools and other amenities. Check it out at wikipedia or google it. There is a shuttle that runs about every 15 minutes or so to Atlantis or one can walk through the Marina which takes about the same time. In addition to the hotel restaurants, many others reside at the Marina. We ate at Seafire (seafood) and Carmines (Italian)... both very good, none cheap. In fact, be prepared to spend quite a bit of money for everything once you cross the bridge from Nassau. The sooner you accept it, the more you'll enjoy your stay.

Review by Da5id.

Posted at September 14, 2006 11:51 PM