posted 05-10-2005 19:29               

quote:

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Originally posted by LMD:
With a Saturday check-in it looks like the unit I am assigned is in building 7 (2710) Does this building have a view of anything?...

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We are one of the families who were glad we went and enjoyed ourselves, but we'll never go back. We went during spring break (Easter week) so Atlantis was horribly crowded. The good part is that Harborside was not, so we could leave the insanity behind and relax at the pool. The drinks at the Point were great and the dinner was not bad and reasonably priced, considering the alternatives.

Don't worry -- I'm sure you'll have a great time! Even if Harborside wasn't connected to Atlantis, it would be a top-tier resort, IMO.

posted 05-11-2005 07:25               

Also with Atlantis expanding as well and the size of the beach being the same, it is only going to get more crowded. Atlantis getting more crowded will be disappointing. Without the enjoyment of Atlantis, Harborside is nothing more than regular resort with no amenities other than the pool and a casual restaurant.

posted 05-11-2005 09:52               

The Atlantis expansion may not be that bad: "Instead of an originally planned 1,500-room hotel tower, however, the expansion will include a 600-unit all-suite luxury hotel and a 400-room condominium-hotel (http://www.thestreet.com/_forbes/markets/marketfeatures/10198094.html?cm_ven=FORBES&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA)" While 1000 new rooms is nothing to sneeze at, the demographics of it's guests I'd think would be vastly different compared to 1500 hotel rooms (I foresee lots more demand for tee times then for beach space).

At interesting thing I discovered while at Atlantis in Jan is that rental rates for Harbourside are EXTREMELY competative with the rack rates for Atlantis. It's pretty close to Beach and Coral towers (sometimes, and for some views, it's more, other times less), and I think it's universally cheaper compared to Royal towers. I guess some people like to be in the middle of the action and would prefer the towers, but staying at Harbourside (even for a rental) would seem to offer great accomodations, access to all Atlantis ammenities, and a retreat from the crowds.

posted 05-13-2005 11:17               

quote:

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Originally posted by MZ:
Blackjack

How was Puerto Aventuras? I'd like to rent a villa there sometime - or possibly down in Akumal. I'm looking for great beaches, good snorkeling, a good dive shop, and a non-Atlantis atmosphere.

LMD

If you pull up the reviews, you will see a map of the property. Avoid any end units at all costs in Building 1 & 2 - they are next to the tunnel. Don't hold your breath about requests - I got the distinct impression that exchangers are given bottom barrell units. You will still have a good time - I just like a quieter atmosphere - take the shuttle down to Ocean Club for quiet and cleaner beach time.

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When you talk about exchangers are you talking about through II or Starwood?

posted 05-13-2005 15:48               

quote:

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Originally posted by gcole:
We went to the Atlantis last year and LOVED it. We hope to take the whole family next summer. It looks like we have a really good chance with all this negative talk. It is not a secluded area like some islands, but there is more to see and do than any resort I have been to.

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posted 05-13-2005 16:47            

In all seriousness, if we all loved the exact same resorts, we'd never get anywhere. I couldn't agree more with the comments that if you're looking for a laid back, relaxing vacation, Harborside isn't your place.

It is disappointing to read about dirty beach/dirty pool areas. I've been there several times and have never seen conditions of this sort. Hopefully, the resort management will correct the situation immediately.

posted 05-13-2005 18:11               

In all seriousness, if we all loved the exact same resorts, we'd never get anywhere. I couldn't agree more with the comments that if you're looking for a laid back, relaxing vacation, Harborside isn't your place.

Bhurley, I think I will pass on your offer, but thanks for your reply. I don't own at the Harborside, but when I read resort bashing that I consider out of bounds of reality, I just have to make a comment. Perhaps I don't really belong on this page of the tug website, I enjoy paying a little bit of money for an ebay timeshare with low MFs and seeing how I can trade up. A lot of posters on this page seem to enjoy bragging as to how much money they gave the developer for their prized week. That others are able to exchange for it at a fraction of the cost just doesn't seem to phase them a bit. A contest of bragging rights as to how much someone spent for something does not appeal to me. I am more interested in how little someone spent for something and how they found it. If I had spent a lot of money for a week at the Atlantis, perhaps I would be more critical. But right now, for $700 per week the resort seem pretty nice to me.

posted 05-15-2005 13:22            

we had a fabulous unit (which i know can make or break a trip). we were on the 4th floor overlooking the yacht harbor and still consider that a real blessing to have such a fabulous view. I was told previously by someone else on this board (don't remember who) what unit # we would be in but that was months ago and when we checked in, it was not the same unit #.

I had done enough research about atlantis, paradise island and harborside to know where to eat and where not to eat so there were no disappointments there. we chose to eat breakfast in our unit and dinner and ate lunch out every day. here are the lunch restaurants we chose. we also bought minimal groceries at the grocery store at the end of Hurricane Hole and bought booze at the shopping center across from Hurricane Hole at the liquor store.

Dune at Ocean Club - fabulous - about $60 for lunch - does not include any alcoholic drinks
Green Parrot - right on the harbor - a little outdoor hole in the wall but great food and view
zio's at the hurricane hole shopping center - wonderful italian food
Cafe Matisse - in downtown Nassau - the highlight of our trip.
Anthony's by the "other shopping center" on P.I. - across from Hurricane Hole. reasonably priced and decent food.

we went to the pool every day except one at the Harborside Pool and there were maybe 20 people there so we practically had it to ourselves. it was great. We did go to the beach once but it was such a long walk to get there from Harborside through Atlantis that it wasn't worth going back.

we went to the casino every day and i went to 3 movies in the movie theatre at atlantis while we were there. We went to every fish feeding that took place and that was the highlight for me. these are posted in the daily schedule for atlantis activities. we also took the in house tour of atlantis which helped tremendously for us to get acclimated to the place on the front end of our trip. we used the internet access every day at the Library in atlantis to check email - didn't have to wait more than 15 minutes any time i was there to use the computer.

I would definitely go back to harborside again. we have traveled enough in the caribbean to know that sometimes their airports are not the caliber of the US airports in cleanliness. We have seen the aruba airport (we have gone there for 10 years) come up to a very good airport in the 10 years we have been traveling there. our cab driver told us in nassau that the airport is going to be renovated soon. we were so impressed by the fact that there was virtually no line to go through immigration when we landed at the Nassau airport unlike the aruba airport that always has a long line. we also were very impressed by the friendliness and customer oriented attitude of everyone we came in contact with on the island - they definitely know that their island is all about Tourism and they treated us first class.

we took the water taxi over to Nassau one day basically just to get to town to eat at Cafe Matisse. The shops downtown are the same shops that you see on all the other islands so we did not do any shopping.

we also enjoyed watching the sea planes get ready to leave nassau for the outer islands from the Point restaurant at Harborside.

hope this helps for someone that is contemplating a trip to harborside.

posted 05-15-2005 20:01            

I feel bad for those tuggers that didn't enjoy their trip. I traveled with my husband and 2 girls (4 &6) and for us this will be a hard trip to top. Our room was clean and beautiful. We had
a view of the marina. I agree there was construction going on
but nothing that could make our trip that horrible.

Food was expensive but we knew that going into the trip. I brought snack from home and we bought groceries on the island.
WE ate breakfast in our room and some days I pack our lunches
or we ate by the pools. We thought the harborside was very quiet.
Not once did we have any problems.

For dinner we ate at Seagrapes, the MarketPlace, Poop Deck in town Nassau, Zio Gigi pizza place hurricane hole, Murrays deli
Atlas in the casino, and Johnny Canoes on cable beach. We didn't
eat anywhere very fancy b/c we were traveling with our girls.
The best food was at Murrays and Market place. I agree the food
wasn't the best I have ever had but it was good.

As for the pools, we didn't get there until around 11-12 and
never had a problem with chairs. The pools were clean but by
Saturday the Mayan temple pool was dirty. They had shut some
of the pumps off b/c they needed more pressure for the water slides.

The beaches were ok but the better beach and snorkel area
was the construction zone now. The surf was very rough so
we hung at the lagoons with the kids.

As for the airport on Sunday.. beware. The resort sent a memo
in the daily notes to give at least 4 hours b/c its
a huge travel day. WE checked out today by 10am and headed to the airport. It took us ~2 hours to check in, etc. Our flight
left on time and everything worked out.

Overall, I think if you want a quiet resort and don't like
huge resorts this isn't for you. Ifyou have kids and don't mind
a little hustle and can go with the flow, the trip is well worth it. We plan on returning by 2007 when the new phase is done.

posted 05-16-2005 04:09               

I'm waiting for a trade for next summer with my fingers crossed. Thanks.

posted 05-17-2005 04:15            

Thanks

Steve

This is my experience as well. We all have different tastes. My wife and I enjoyed the Atlantis so much after a II exchangethis January, that I bought a SVO mandatory resale just to exchange into the Harborside. Understand, I already had plenty of timeshares. Now I have booked a 2 bedroomL/O for the fall and a one bedroom Premium for next Jan. This will be 3 visits within one year..... Maybe some tugger will want to rent one of them from me. But, it doesn't sound like too many tuggers from this thread will have any interest at all. You would think we are discussing the Spanish River Resort in Del Ray, FL. or the Fiesta de Cortez in Puerto Penasco by some of the comments seen on this thread (these are 2 of the 3 lowest rated resorts by tug). If you are looking for a laid back tropical paradise, the Harborside is not for you. If you are looking for action day or night in a tropical setting, in a world class resort, it just might fit your needs. IMHO Ben.

posted 05-17-2005 08:36            

i do not think we got the unit that interval had told us early on. at one point i believe we had a unit assigned on the 1st floor in the building with the sales office. we were in the building with the sales office but on the 4th floor.

posted 05-17-2005 13:09               

Our unit at Harborside needed a general scrubbing. Both TV fronts were deeply scratched, the dishwasher was gross, mold around the shower/tub, etc. (of course, we did report it so it can be fixed). Furniture was really uncomfortable. Hopefully the furniture in Phase II will be much better.

We certainly enjoy Cancun and the quality of the Royal Resorts. Although people in Bahamas in general are helpful, people in Cancun seem much more friendly. Not once do you walk by a worker in Mexico without an "Hola". For the most part, this was a different story. I would like to go back in about 5 years or so, but talking my husband into it might be a little bit of a chore.

I would like to especially thank Nyloc for all his helpful tips. Without those, it may have been a quite different experience.

posted 05-17-2005 13:37               

Glad to hear you liked Powerboat Adventures too. It was the highlight of our stay (other than Coral Sands and Harbour Island).

posted 05-22-2005 09:19               

Just returned and I wanted to add a bit. First of all, great trip. Second, the beach was indeed crowded or at least seemed that way. What struck me is that the beach was much more narrower than I remember. They must have lost a lot of sand. I never had a problem getting a beach chair and I usually stay by the Royal Bath pool which is beautiful. No long lines for the slides either, but very few kids around. LOTS of college kids on their class trips. I was also able to upgrade to a corner unit with a balcony with no problem.

As for restaurants, once again, the Bahamian Club was excellent!!! I highly recommend it. I like it even more than Dune which I didn't like last go-round. The food was too fussed over for my tastes. The Dune seafood barbeque was cancelled so I didn't get a chance to go. The Marina shops seem to be mostly built and will open later this year. Good news...they are going to have a Carmine's restaurant there!!! Carmine's is a New York family style Italian restaurant so that should be great. They are also re-opening the Cafe Martinique restaurant which was all the rage there years ago.

I also take back my recommendation of Anthony's Caribeean Grill. The prices were almost as bad at the Atlantis for dinner and it was pretty dead in there and the service was dreadful. Lunch is hopefully still a bargain. We did try an Italian restaurant in Hurricane Hole that has outdoor seating that was very good. We ordered take out pizza from there one night too which was very good.

We heard that they are re-building the Crystal Palace on Cable Beach such that it will rival the Atlantis. Full theme park and all. I don't know about that but we shall see.