Atlantis Resort
Paradise Island, Bahamas

This hotel continues to grow, adding even more towers and more attractions to lure visitors to Paradise Island. Now a centerpiece of the Bahamas, this resort is one of the most lavish large resorts in the region, a place where you can enjoy plenty of fun in the sun in the day followed by nonstop casino action, dining, shows, and shopping at night.

Who's Here: couples, families with kids, singles

What Makes It Dreamy: Atlantis has sort of a Vegas-goes-to-the Caribbean atmosphere with lots of glitz and around the clock fun in the form of restaurants, casino action, shows, shopping, and more.

Hollywood Glitz: You can't miss Atlantis' most remarkable feature: the Bridge Suite. This $25,000 per night suite has served as a home-away-from-home for top celebrities and has had a starring role in After the Sunset, the Pierce Brosnan action movie set right here.

Water Activities: The waterpark at this resort is second to none with walk-through marine exhibits as well as activities.

Thrill seekers plunge down the Leap of Faith slide on a replica of a Mayan temple. The slide takes an almost vertical 60-foot drop, plunging riders into an acrylic tunnel in a shark-filled lagoon. The temple is also home to the Serpent slide, which spins through the interior of the dark temple before emerging into Predator Lagoon.

The most popular spot (and be prepared for lots of kids) is the Lazy River Ride, which meanders through the Waterscape for a quarter mile. Guests hop an inner tube and set off on a journey pushed by a gentle current.

Nearby, Goombay Baths and Slides are a series of saltwater pools where visitors can tumble from one to another.

If You Bring Kids:

If this romantic trip is also a family vacation, you'll find plenty of kids' activities. There's a children’s pool with a sand play area, an Adventure Water Walk with computer-controlled geysers and fountains, and the calm waters of Paradise Lagoon, a good place to receive an introduction to snorkeling or swimming.

Guests at Atlantis can also take part in one of the most exciting children’s programs in the Caribbean: the Discovery Channel Camp at Atlantis. This program is a joint effort by the Discovery Channel and Sun International to use computer and television technology to give children an interactive opportunity to explore. Children ages 5-12 can participate in morning, afternoon or evening sessions. The camp includes several components. The Base Camp is easy to find—just look for the replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon, Atocha. This play and orientation center uses the sails of Atocha as a giant television monitor to display Discovery Channel footage.

The Technology Lab uses state-of-the-art computers, camcorders, scanners, and plenty of imagination. The Science Outpost offers live animal touch tanks and aquariums as well as working microscopes and collections of fossils and bones. The Arts and Crafts area utilizes the crafts of the Bahamas and gives children the chance to direct the creativity in many ways.

For More Information:

• 800/ATLANTIS
• www.atlantis.com