Atlantis Paradise Island Levels Up
The iconic Bahamian resort announces upcoming renovations and new concierge program.
Entertaining guests for nearly 25 years, the Bahamas’ Atlantis Paradise Island is ready to level up with a multimillion-dollar renovation. The list of amenities currently offered at the world-renowned pink luxury resort is already quite impressive. Standouts include their 30,000 square-foot Mandara Spa, a casino (slated for an expansion and refresh), state-of-the-art fitness center, 400-seat movie theatre, award-winning 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, Aquaventure (141-acre waterscape featuring slides and river rides, eleven pools, and five miles of white sand beaches), the largest open-air marine habitat in the world (featuring over 50,000 marine animals from 250 species), Dolphin Cay (a 14-acre marine mammal habitat), and excellent dining options by celebrity chefs José Andrés, Nobu Matsuhisa, and Todd English.
Presently, Atlantis features five different lodging options, including The Cove, which offers 600 suites with balconies and butler service; an adults-only pool (slated for a refresh); outdoor and indoor gaming; and delicious fare at FISH by Chef José Andrés. Cove guests also have access to the reimagined Lapis Club, which offers breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, and a full bar daily. This year, The Cove will add restaurant, Paranza, by Michelin-starred Chef Michael White (who joins Matsuhisa and Andrés, making Atlantis the only resort in the region to boast three Michelin-starred chefs!) to their roster.
The Royal East Tower and West Tower guestroom and suite renovations, including the West Tower’s famous Bridge Suite, will be completed this summer and onward. And the new resort, Somewhere Else (slated for 2024), in partnership with David Grutman of Groot Hospitality, will replace The Beach Tower, and offer 400 guestrooms and suites, excellent restaurants, pools, high-end amenities, and live performances.
To entice guests now, Atlantis recently launched Sapphire Services, a bespoke concierge platform offered exclusively to guests. The Sapphire Services team is “dedicated to crafting and curating extraordinary one-of-a-kind guest experiences” for guests, from private culinary adventures and VIP programming at Dolphin Cay to collaborations with high-end brands, private jets, and yacht charters.
For a unique experience, partake in Kamalame Cay’s Chef’s Farm/Ocean-to-Table lunch. We were chauffeured roundtrip from Atlantis to Nassau’s Odyssey Airport and took a chartered Coco Bahama Air (an Atlantis’ partner) seaplane to Kamalame Cay on private Andros Island. Once there, we were able to explore the Caribbean retreat. Snorkeling, bonefishing, and the overwater spa were all a part of the experience. Then, lunch was served.
While seated under a palapa on the beach, overlooking the tranquil cerulean sea, we relished a leisurely multi-course lunch served family-style. Each dish either featured fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients, paired with Young’s Fine Wines in Nassau. Canapés included an applewood smoked bacon with spicy Andros honey; seared tuna with wasabi mayo, sesame soy dressing, and wonton crisps; and stone crab croquettes with sriracha. Paired with a Kamalame Spritz, these light bites were divine. Next, we had a tasty heirloom tomato salad with homemade mozzarella, avocado, mango, Thai basil, and citrus pesto; salt and pepper conch; and flame-grilled flatbread served with rosé.
For the main courses, we devoured the whole red snapper with tamarind served with grilled broccolini, steamed rice parcels in banana leaves, and pumpkin two ways, paired with chardonnay; and the blackened Mahi Mahi with ginger, lemongrass, and fresh coriander served with iceberg lettuce cups, chopped peanuts, hoisin sauce, and crispy noodles, paired with Chablis. Dessert was unlike anything I have ever tasted –avocado ice cream with toasted coconut, white chocolate sauce, farm berries, and salted cronuts served in a green coconut. It sounds different, but I assure you, theses flavors together were outstanding – refreshing, tropical, and so delicious. This treat was served with Coconut Cartel rum. Every dish was fresh and bursting with so many amazing flavors. Our experience was unbelievably magical, and one that I highly recommend.
Seaplane excursions to Spanish Wells and Harbour Island will launch later this year. Guests can also visit neighboring islands by chartering a boat docked at Atlantis Marina with Pieces of 8, Nassau’s premier boat charter company, and take day trips to Exuma and Eleuthera. For more information about Sapphire Services, visit: SapphireServices.com. If you’re looking for a travel destination that has it all, escape to the Bahamas’ Atlantis.
For more information on Atlantis, visit: www.atlantisbahamas.com.