The Traveler's Guide to Atlantis Towers at Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas

If you're taking a trip to Atlantis, Bahamas, you can be assured you'll have the experience of a lifetime. With breathtaking ocean vistas, soft white sand beaches and island food, you can't go wrong with a vacation to Atlantis. However, it can be confusing to determine which buildings are which in Atlantis, as this hotel is home to over five different towers and shopping establishments.

Beach Tower

The Beach Towers are one of the oldest at Atlantis, and are in the worst condition of the five towers. When we booked our reservations less than two years ago, they stuck us in the Beach Towers. When we arrived, we expected a beautiful view out our window and soft, comfortable sleeping arrangements. What we got instead was a leaky faucet, the absence of hot water and beds that creaked and thumped when we slept. The paint was cracking, the carpet was in sad condition and most of our windows looked out on the neighboring Riu hotel.

The next morning we asked for an upgrade. This was not the Atlantis welcome we were expecting. The manager was able to relocate us in the recently renovated Coral Towers, which brings us to the next section of Atlantis.

Coral Tower

Located in between the Beach Tower and Royal Towers is Coral Tower, one of Atlantis's lower end yet high quality accommodations. With fresher carpet, new paint, faucets that didn't leak, beds that didn't creak and a beautiful vista overlooking Atlantis beach and the hub of Atlantis, we couldn't have been happier with our new reservations. We were able to procure connecting rooms with two queen beds and a bathroom each.

You can choose to get a guest room or regal, governor or presidential suite.

Royal Towers

When most people hear of Atlantis, they usually envision the Royal Towers. As the focal point of Atlantis, Royal Towers imposes its grandeur atop the famous Atlantis aquarium and casino. In addition to a variety of regal, grand, presidential, and royal suites, Royal Towers is home to the notoriously extravagant Bridge Suite. Pricing in around $30,000 per night, give or take, Bridge Suite has been accommodated by many a celebrity.

Royal Towers houses many haute couture establishments in Crystal Court. Versace, Amici, and Tommy Bahama are just a few of the many shoppes you can visit when visiting at Atlantis.

Fine dining and the Atlantis aquarium are also located in Royal Towers. Regardless of which tower you're staying in, you'll be visiting Royal Towers more than once during your stay for countless activities.

The Cove

The Cove is located on the other side of the Royal Towers and a long walk down the Atlantis and Cove beaches. As one of the higher-end accommodations, the Cove is among the most expensive in Atlantis. Most rooms in the Cove are the size of small apartments, but some of the suites range up to twice the size of many average US homes. You are allowed access as a guest with a room key if you'd like to take a look around the hotel and Cove grounds.

The Reef

The Reef is on the far side of the Cove and is one of the furthest towers away from the Royal Towers. Its rooms are not generally as large as those at the Cove, but it is still posh nonetheless. Most of the Reef is private, but if you have a room key, you should still have access to look around.

Harborside Resort

Located across the Marina from Royal Towers, the Harborside Resort is a multi-colored apartment-style complex with washer/dryer units and kitchenettes in each room. If you're planning on staying for a while, Harborside Resort might be the place to stay. The maximum occupancy in their largest suite, which is close to 1500 square feet, is ten people.

The Marina

If the food inside Atlantis doesn't appeal to you, take a walk along the Marina and visit the Marina Pizzeria or Johnny Rockets instead. Grab an ice cream at the Village Creamery or sip an espresso at Starbucks as you stroll along the Marina at night taking in the sights of posh yachts with helicopters and jet skis to protect their passage. Watch your step, though, because there's no rail between the walkway and the ocean below!

When you call in to book your reservations, you must specify which tower you'd like to stay in, otherwise you'll pretty much get stuck wherever they put you according to your price range. You might also consider booking through an agent, as Atlantis personnel tend to respect this arrangement more than your own booking, for some reason.

Be sure to check out www.theme-park-review.com for more Atlantis advice and photos!