Atlantis Paradise Island

Atlantis Paradise Island
General information
Location	Paradise Island, Bahamas
Coordinates	25°5′6″N 77°19′15″W
Opened	1968 (as Paradise Island Hotel and Casino) December 11, 1998 (as Atlantis Paradise Island)
Management	Brookfield Asset Management
Design and construction
Developer	Kerzner International Resorts
Other information
Number of rooms	3,805
Number of suites	Suites (Royal, Coral, Beach, Cove, Reef, Harborside), Super Suites (Royal Bridge)

Royal Towers

Royal Towers at night

Upper Lagoon reflective pond at Atlantis Paradise Island

Lobby Atlantis Paradise Island

Rope bridge Atlantis Paradise Island

Casino waterfalls Atlantis Paradise Island

Coral Towers Atlantis Paradise Island

Atlantis Paradise Island is an ocean-themed resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. It is built around Aquaventure, a 62-hectare (154-acre) waterscape.

Property history

The property was originally part of the Paradise Island Hotel and Casino, which opened in 1968. It was owned by Resorts International, a Merv Griffin company. Previously, Donald Trump owned a majority stake in Resorts International, spinning off ownership of the Trump Taj Mahal property from the company and selling Resorts International in full, including outstanding debts from the Taj Mahal construction, to Griffin. Paradise Island was purchased by South African hotel magnate Sol Kerzner and Kerzner International Limited in 1994, and Kerzner's new resort, consisting of the Coral Towers and the previously built The Beach Tower, opened officially on December 11, 1998. The property's name was changed to Atlantis when The Royal Towers was built. The Coral Towers and The Beach Tower were later refurbished to match the theme of the Royal Towers. On March 28, 2007, a 600-suite luxury hotel named The Cove Atlantis opened on Paradise Island. Another tower, the 497-room The Reef, opened December 19, 2007.

As of July 2014, the property is owned and operated by Brookfield Hospitality. In October 2014, Atlantis, Paradise Island became a member of Marriott Bonvoy, a loyalty program for guests to earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at Atlantis.

Attractions

Mayan Temple Slides

The Mayan Temple is an attraction at Atlantis Paradise Island, with a height of over six stories. The structure features a series of water rides, including the Leap of Faith, a 18-metre (60 ft) near-vertical plunge that sends riders through a clear acrylic tunnel submerged in a shark-filled lagoon.

The Rapid River

The Rapid River is a 1.6-kilometre (1 mi) water ride including waves, artificial tidal surges, rapids, and environmental effects such as steam, special lighting, and waterfalls. The Falls and the Drop water coasters are accessible from The Rapid River without the guest needing to leave their inner-tube. The Rapid River has changed only slightly since its 2007 opening, with an optional rapids waterway closing.

Power Tower

The Power Tower is the tallest feature of Aquaventure, at 120 feet tall. The tower is home to four water slides.

The Dig

Atlantis is home to 14 lagoons and more than 50,000 aquatic animals representing over 250 marine species. The Dig simulates the long-lost 11,000-year-old continent, providing a look at the civilization, home to sea creatures. The goal of The Dig is to provide guests with a taste of life in the fabled city of Atlantis.

A Predator Lagoon is full of sawfishes, barracudas, stingrays, and sharks. A 100-foot (30 m) clear acrylic tunnel runs underwater, allowing visitors to obtain unobstructed views of the marine environment.

Golf

The Ocean Club Golf is a private 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course that stretches for over 7,100 yards. The course features a restaurant and bar located at the clubhouse. Many professional golf events are hosted at the Ocean Club Golf including the LPGA Pure Silk Bahamas Classic.

Pieces of 8 Tours

Atlantis guests can experience the new nearby island excursions on charter boats. Guests can swim with the pigs, relax for the day on the private Rose Island, or snorkel the shallows. Guests are also able to discover Paradise Island and Nassau Harbour onboard Atlantis customized luxury boats. Pieces of 8 tours have 12 m (38 ft) Fountain powerboats that cruise up to 72 km/h (45 mph).

Imperial Arena

Main article: Imperial Arena

The Imperial Arena, a 3,500-seat arena, hosts major events including concerts and college basketball games, and is known for being the venue for Battle 4 Atlantis.

The Marina and Marina Village

The resort features a marina designed to dock large yachts. The eastern side of the marina features the Marina Village, which is a small shopping centre.

Dolphin Cay

The Dolphin Cay was the first rehabilitation centre in The Bahamas. It is the home to a 6-hectare (14-acre) marine habitat for rescued bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and manta rays. Care is provided by over 100 professional specialists in marine wildlife. The first mammals found were 17 stranded bottlenose dolphins and 10 sea lions. All these were rescued from Gulfport, Mississippi where Hurricane Katrina hit. After years of rehabilitation and care, the rescued dolphins were trained, allowing Atlantis guests to experience hands-on, close-contact interaction with the dolphins, including shallow water experiences, deep swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking across the lagoon.

The Blue Project Foundation

The Blue Project Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization working to save species and their habitats located all throughout The Bahamas and the Caribbean Sea. The community fundraising is used for a sanctuary for all species, from rare to commonly found sea creatures. The funding is received from the Atlantis guests who engage in the hands-on interactions and experiences with the animals. These donations contribute to health and nourishment programs for these animals. Coral reef restoration and pollution reduction have also been important goals for team members.

Marine Habitat

The marine habitat is an "open-air" habitat that includes 14 lagoons with over 50,000 animals. The Ruins Lagoon contains lobster, snapper, and a colorful reef, and hosts the opportunity for Atlantis guests to snorkel with the many different species. The Predator Lagoon accommodates sharks, rays, and barracudas. Many sharks can also be found in the Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon, where guests are able to slide through the aquarium in an inclosed waterslide. The shallows of the Reef Lagoon is home to nurse sharks that spend their time resting across the bottom. The Stingray Lagoon is a shallow and sandy lagoon with many stingrays, providing a chance for guests to be able to touch and feed them.

See also

• Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
• Atlantis Resorts