Can we talk about the Bahamas for a minute please??

So, DH and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next year and we think we'd like to go to the Bahamas...

I DID try to convince him to go back to Vegas, but he's not into it as much as I am, and since this anniversary celebrates us both, he should have a say in where we go, right??

He mentioned the Bahamas, so I thought I'd ask around...

We'd be looking for a NO-KIDS location, love my boys, but they're staying home!!

I'm not sure at this point whether I want all inclusive or not - what are the benefits or drawbacks?? When we go to Disney we do get the deluxe dining package, b/c I like having meals pre-paid, but never been to the Bahamas so Im not sure...

I heard they have casinos in the Bahamas...where is a good one? :evillaugh

We are NOT looking at taking a cruise or a boat - I've been to the Titanic exihibit at the Luxor and I've seen the movie..need I say more??

What other water activities do you recommend - DH and I are both "height weary" so maybe not paragliding....

Where have you stayed? What would you recommend or tell me to avoid??

thanks!

 

I've never been there, but always wanted to go - Paradise Island in the Bahamas - Atlantis Casino. Looks awesome.

 

Atlantis if you can afford it, but its extremely pricey.

Generally speaking, my wife and I always prefer the all-inclusive option when traveling in the Caribbean. For us, its so nice to be able to eat and drink whatever you want, whenever you want, without having to worry about how much something costs and whether you really need it. For instance, we stayed at a small resort in Jamaica last year. Every day at 11:00 a.m. they brough mango mimosas down to the beach. If it wasn't all inclusive, I certainly would not have purchased a $15 mimosa at 11:00 a.m., but since it was already paid for, why not!

Another advantage to all-inclusive is that eliminates the need to carry cash around, which is espcially helpful in locations that utilize a foreign currency. We typically just carry some $1 and $5 bills in our pocket for tipping and leave the rest of the money in the safe.

 

Look into the Cove at Atlantis if it's within your budget. It's the most upscale area of Atlantis and separated from most of the kids. It also has an adults only pool that can be a lot of fun.

 

If you enjoy casinos and want to go to the Bahamas then Atlantis is where you should go. There is a lot to see and do in the daytime and at night when the outdoor activites die down the casino is a perfect getaway. It's the largest casino in the Caribbean and although it's a lot smaller than Vegas casinos I felt it was large enough for the area. If you want to stay closer to the casino then you should go with the Coral Towers (higher floor overlooking the marina). The Cove is a beautiful adults only section but very expensive. The beach tower is older and a bit dated and the Royal Towers aren't really worth the money. The only advantage I could see was that they were closer to the waterpark.

A couple things to keep in mind:

The area is extremely overpriced. By overpriced I mean even Vegas looks cheap compared to it. If you aren't comfortable with this going in you will feel taken advantage of and it may dampen your trip.

There is a 15% gratuity added to Everything.

The hotels add about $80 a day to the price you book for gratuities, electric usage, water usage etc...

Almost all the food on the island is poor to average at best (with the exception of the Ocean Club)

There is also an all-inclusive resort next to the Atlantis called RIU. I've never stayed there but it seemed nice if all-inclusive is your thing.

I just got back from Atlantis a couple of weeks ago so if you have any questions about it let me know.

 

check out Bermuda, Elbow Beach Resort. Never been to Bahamas, but from what I have read, I have no desire to visit.

 

I've been to several Caribbean islands the last 4 years. Cayman, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and even Bermuda as well as Playa Del Carmen(Mexico). Honestly Bahamas would be on the last of my list to come back to.

I enjoyed the other islands more than what Bahamas had to offer. We like to explore so we dont like being stuck in a resorts. I'm sure if you dont mind staying at a resort the whole trip, there are great places in Bahamas to stay at.

 

hmmmmm...

so maybe we DONT want to go to the Bahamas!!

but I think we would like somewhere tropical, and who doesnt love a casino!!

are there casinos in the Cayman, Bermuda or any other tropical place??

 

I don't gamble anywhere but Vegas

Aruba has casinos - use the search feature (upper right menu bar) and look for past discussions on where to stay/what to do there.

So, to clarify - you're looking for a relaxing tropical beach and a casino gaming vacation? That will help with recommendations.

 

May I suggest the Hard Rock Punta Cana (in the Dominican Repulic). It is a new beach resort with 15 pools, tons of restaurants/bars, a world-class nightclub, and a big casino (that even has a sportsbook). It's all inclusive as well.

I haven't been yet, but I was just looking at rates this morning, as my wife and I were thinking about going in the fall. It seems to fit all the criteria you listed.

http://www.hardrockhotelpuntacana.com/

 

We enjoyed Bermuda. There are no rental cars so you have to take the bus all over or taxis. The bus is super easy though as it stops every 1/8 to 1/4 mile. Depending on where you are, most resorts are only 3-4 miles away.
There are no fast foods so that does increase the costs since all meals are at restaurants. We like to explore so our goal is to try to see as much Caribbean islands in the next few years as possible.

Cayman has to be one of my top best beach resort experiences. Second only to Tahiti. It has a mix of the touristy area but you can get away in some areas where the beaches and views are amazing.

 

HAPPY ANIVERSARY !!! Did we talk you out of the bahamas yet ?
Scared to cruise but not to fly? I can swim better than I can fly.
Too bad, criusing has the built in all inclusive that you like.

 

Didn't I just reply to a thread like this not to long ago? Anywho....Bahamas is pretty much a shit hole. The only way I'd ever go back is if someone paid for me, and I got to stay at Atlantis.

 

No casinos in Bermuda.
St Maarten has beautiful beaches and casinos.
Aruba has beautiful beaches and casinos.

The Bahamas are actually made up of many islands. There are casinos in Nassau (Cable Beach & Paradise Island) and in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island.

There are small casinos in lots of other Caribbean islands including St Kitts, Antigua, Curacao, and a number of others. The Dominican Republic has lots of All Inclusives and casinos and can be more affordable than many of the Caribbean islands.

I am a cruise person, but if I were choosing one island to spend time on the beach and in the casino, it would be a toss up between Aruba and St Maarten.

 

+1 The place is a dump!

 

Looks like a very cool place So, it is all-inclusive? I couldn't find anywhere on the website where it said the food and booze was incl in the room... I saw where they have room service and a fully stocked bar in the room but again, no mention that those were included. If you have a link or any other info, it would be much appreciated

To the OP....we've never been to the Bahama's either and used to think it was on our "to do list" but almost everyone we talked to that has been there, echo's the same theme you're seeing here....don't bother. I'd say this HR in Punta Cana looks to be everything you're looking for at a reasonable price.

Aruba is very cool too and freindly but it's pretty $$$$ and the island itself is really not very tropical, although the resorts are.

 

I guess I discovered that it was all-inclusive from reading reviews from various sites. Also, it comes up as an all-inclusive on Orbitz when you do a price search. I think the place looks amazing.

 

s¬!t hole

went to Bahamas day trip from fort lauderdale-total rip off prices everywhere.
best part of trip were the cocktails on the way back. i drink to forget-and i ever forget to drink.lol.

 

I have been to most of the islands in the Caribbean, and the Bahamas is also at the bottom of my list. We did not stay at the Atlantis, but at another top resort, and I have never met more rude people in my life. Since the gratuity is included automatically anywhere you visit or dine on the island, the service is beyond horrible. Wait 45 minutes at your table before the waiter will even acknowledge you. Service horribly slow. Drink refill - forget it. And this isn't just at one place, this is everywhere. If you go into town, you will get approached non-stop with offers to buy all sorts of drugs. Probably the one vacation we have taken where I felt that our money was completely wasted at a destination that I will surely never visit again.

 

We've been to the Bahamas a couple of times, but on cruises to spend a day there. That's pretty much all I'd like to spend there anyway. Though the firs time we did get access to the Atlantis Resort. Yes very nice. Their slide pool is great. :evillaugh Just don't do those horse & buggy rides, if you do go there. They don't know how to control those animals, as our friends found out.