The Ultimate Review of the Coral at Atlantis, 2024

Are you considering booking a trip to Atlantis and unsure if The Coral is the best option? With so many hotel options on-site, it can be challenging to determine which location is best for your family or group. I recently spent a fabulous vacation at Atlantis and am excited to share my review of the Coral at Atlantis.

Atlantis has several hotel options, including the Cove, the Royal, the Coral, the Reef Residences, and rentals at Harborside Resort. Each has unique perks and various price points. Follow along to see my thoughts on the Coral and whether I would stay there again.

🚨Short on time? Book the Coral at the Atlantis NOW by clicking HERE!

Atlantis Resort, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Atlantis Packing List

Headed to the beach? Here are the best supplies for your vacation in Paradise.

Snapshot of The Coral at Atlantis Hotel

If you don’t have time to read my entire read, here’s a quick snapshot to scan. Every hotel will always have pros & cons, so no one is perfect. The Atlantis is showing its age, especially with the newer Baha Mar to compete with, but there are still many reasons to stay at the Atlantis. You’ll have a great time!

Pros	Cons
-most affordable hotel on the resort -updated hotel rooms -large welcoming lobby with numerous sitting areas and board games for families -quieter pool -quick service counter in the lobby for breakfast, lunch, and dessert -easy walk to the Marina Village -quiet retreat from the large pools -friendly staff -can book with Marriott points	-some rooms have ocean views, while others have views of hotel that closed -while updated, there are odd quirks of closed areas and dated bathrooms/hallways -pricy food -a longer walk to water slides (could be challenging for families with small children)

Coral at the Atlantis is a great option for families

Atlantis Bahamas Resort Tips

Bring sunscreen and reapply often! I’m diligent about wearing sunscreen, but I still encountered sunburn on our trip. Reapply more often than at home and bring aloe. You can purchase these on-site, but they are expensive (learn from our mistakes).
Food is costly- If you have space, pack snacks for kids!
Find ways to save some money on your meals—grabbing a quick breakfast at some of the quick service counters in hotels or ordering pizza at night. Some casual counters near the pool offer more affordable meals than the sit-down restaurants. Either way, prepare to spend more money than you anticipate.
You can also find a local grocery store and maximize your fridge.
If you want specific restaurants, make reservations as soon as you book your room. Popular dining spots book quickly. We booked our trip at the last minute and had slim pickings. We usually booked later reservations and then went to the counter early and could get in to save time.
Aim for an early morning flight to maximize your day once you arrive. Reaching the resort from the airport is straightforward.
Avoid the first taxi at the airport, as it usually costs more than the second, third, and fourth taxis in line.

Highlights of the Coral

The Coral is on the quieter and older side of the Atlantis. The hotel existed before the resort developed. I loved a little distance from the large crowds and noise, but if you want to be in the middle of the activity, this may not be the best fit for you.

Your room key also serves as your credit card for the trip, so no need to carry around a wallet.

Hotel Lobby

When we arrived, friendly hotel staff greeted us immediately. Bellhops stored our luggage until our room was ready. The front desk was quick, efficient, and pleasant. Each guest received a reusable water bottle, as there are water fillers around the property. Trust me—it is hot, and you will need it. You also don’t want to purchase bottled water numerous times daily as everything is more expensive than back home.

As a warning, a daily resort fee applies to the entire property regardless of where you stay.

Coral’s hotel lobby, photo credit: R. Schwartz

The main lobby opens to an expansive and cozy area for families and guests to relax. On our arrival, it was pouring outside. Families gathered in common seating areas to play one of the numerous board games for guests in the lobby. It was a lovely scene to walk upon. The hotel was designed to enhance your family vacation.

There’s a counter area for a quick bite. In the morning, we grabbed simple breakfast sandwiches and enjoyed sweet treats like ice cream later in the day. There’s also a bar for adults.

Pro tip: Check-in time is at 4 p.m., so pack your swimsuit, sandals, and sunscreen in a carry-on. You can start using the amenities once you check-in.

Location

Atlantis is a massive resort development on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The property consists of over 400 acres, so bring comfortable shoes!

The Coral is on the East side of the resort, off the beaten path. We traveled with friends recently and loved the quietness of the hotel compared to some of the other buildings. As mentioned, it is a walk to the water slides, large pools, fitness center, and Dolphin Cay. The Coral does have a pool. We didn’t mind the distance, but if you travel with little kids, pack a stroller!

The casino, with slot machines, poker tables, and other games, is a short walk to the Royal Tower. The Coral is connected to the casino by an interior walkway, and you can be there in no time.

The Marina Village is also a brief walk from the Coral. You go to the resort’s basement and walk outside to the village, where you will find shops, restaurants, bars, and stunning yachts. We enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Murray’s Deli and a tasty pizza at Marina Pizzeria one night.

Aquaventure Waterpark

Challenger Slide, photo credit: R.Schwartz

You can access the Aquaventure Water Park when you stay at The Coral. Once you check-in, you will want to find a towel stand outside and obtain free towels and your wristband. Due to the day passes for cruise guests, you need a wristband to use the water park. If you lose it, you can go and replace it.

The park includes incredible water slides for a wide range of ages. A children’s section and small water slides are geared toward little kids. The rides progress in difficulty and thrill level.

If you travel during high season, the ride lines will take a while. Unfortunately, the resort sells day passes for cruise guests, impacting the line wait. Be patient, and have a great time!

Entry to Rapids River, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Pro tip: If traveling with young kids, measure them before you arrive. The height requirement is 48″ for the more strenuous rides, and they enforce it. I watched staff measure kids on numerous rides and have them remove their water shoes to obtain an accurate measurement. There’s no messing around.

Also, the slides aren’t as crowded toward the end of the day as families head in to shower and dinner. This is the perfect time of day to enjoy the slides without crowds.

Coral Pool

The resort’s pools are stunning and wildly popular. Finding a chair can be exhausting, especially if you are a late riser. We struggled one day because we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before heading to the pool.

Luckily, Coral’s pool is next to the hotel, so if you want to avoid the crowds or prefer a quieter pool, it’s perfect! I never had trouble finding chairs under umbrellas, and I loved the bright, colorful design of the pool area.

Coral Pool, photo credit: R. Schwartz

As a side note, the Coral pool is a walk from the water slides. So if you plan on spending a lot of time on the slides, you should grab a chair as home base while enjoying the exciting rides.

Tips:

Go early to grab a chair.
The pool and umbrella stand open at 9 a.m., so if you arrive before 9, you’ll need something else to claim a chair.
All pools and slides close at 7 pm. This surprised me, so be prepared if you enjoy swimming late into the day.

The Beach

The beach is easily accessible from the hotel but is a little walk away. I’m unsure if this is a permanent change, but a shorter route to the Beach was closed when we were there. I noticed some odd quirks around the property.

The Beach areas have free lounge chairs for guests, and some have sun shades. We stayed mainly on the Beach closest to the Coral, where locals peddled jewelry, souvenirs, and jet ski rides. The hotel advises guests to avoid these salesmen.

Views of the beach at Atlantis, photo credit: R. Schwartz

Other beaches are near the waterpark and the Paradise Lagoon Beach within the property. The paradise lagoons here are very calm and perfect for toddlers.

I love relaxing on a beach and floating in the water, but it did appear more guests stayed at the pools than the Beach. We did struggle to find beach chairs once, so you may have to move them around to find what you need!

Rooms

We used Marriott points to book a standard room with an ocean view. Our hotel room included a comfortable king bed, chaise lounge, balcony for two, a small refrigerator, and a flat-screen TV.

The recently renovated rooms were a lovely retreat, but the bathroom was small and awkward. The resort is interested in updates but not consistently throughout the property. I know you are on the water, but the rooms were always a little damp when we returned. It’s not enough to bother me, but it’s noticeable. I would rather give an honest review than mislead you.

The “water view” is another thing to discuss. A significant portion of the hotel (the east side) faces the budget hotel Atlantis closed. Your balcony faces an empty hotel. We could still see the ocean, but I suggest requesting guest rooms that face the main resort for scenic views. It is the most budget-friendly beach tower, so remember that when booking.

30A in Florida has beautiful beaches that rival the Caribbean!

FAQ: Staying at Atlantis Resort

How do you arrive at Atlantis?

You will want to fly into Nassau and take a taxi to the resort. The airport is clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Many American cities, like Miami and Atlanta, have direct flights to Atlantis Paradise Island.

Can you purchase a day pass?

Yes, you can. Many guests come into port on cruise ships daily and purchase daily passes to access the water park.

Does your room include access to the aquarium and marine life exhibits?

Yes, you have easy access to see marine life up close. You’ll see sharks, various fish, and manta rays firsthand.

In Conclusion: The Ultimate Review of the Coral at Atlantis, 2024

I hope my Atlantis Bahamas Review on the Coral Hotel helps you plan your next great adventure!

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