Comfort Suites – Paradise Island, Bahamas (and Atlantis Resort) Review

Comfort Suites – Paradise Island, Bahamas (and Atlantis Resort) Review
Paradise Island Drive
Paradise Island, Bahamas

By: Dave Grossman
HotelMagician.com
January 2009

Here’s a little secret about the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. There is one hotel on Paradise Island that is as close to the Atlantis resort as most of the on-site Atlantis hotel wings – but at a significant savings. That secret is the Comfort Suites Paradise Island.

What kind of savings are we talking about? We paid, via a AAA rate, $255 a night where the cheapest room at Atlantis (where there are many price points depending on the tower you choose) was $332 for our dates. These rates both exclude taxes and fees, though, which in the Bahamas is something of an annoying game. At the Comfort Suites, for each night, taxes and fees were as follows:  Gov’t Tax: 15.28 (6%), Resort Fee: 15.28 (6%), Housekeeping: $4 per person ($8 based on double occupancy) and $14 per person Electricity Surcharge (????) for a total of $321.56. The cheapest room at Atlantis ran $1421 for 3 nights or $473 a night.

Now why is this a secret? The Comfort Suites Paradise Island, at the base of the entrance to Atlantis, comes with FULL access to the Atlantis resort as if you are a registered guest. All activities that Atlantis resort guests have – even the ability to sign charges to your room – are included. This is your ONLY option for free use of Atlantis facilities (casino, all pools and beaches, the waterpark, and all outdoor activities) without staying in the Atlantis resort. The other hotels on Paradise Island – Riu Paradise Island All-Inclusive and One and Only, for example, do not include Atlantis access and if this is something you care about, will cost you $60 per person per day.

OK, so far this is basically a lesson in economics. But if you are a family on a restricted budget, this could be the difference between affording an Atlantis vacation or not. Over 7 days, you’d save over $1,000!

Now, you do get what you pay for – the Comfort Suites Paradise Island / Bahamas is not even in the same class of luxury as Atlantis based on what we saw around the Atlantis property. That said, we cannot compare the rooms of Atlantis to the Comfort Suites to determine if the extra money is worth it as Atlantis Marketing roundly ignored our attempts to get a tour. So we can only talk about the Comfort Suites and you can determine if it may be worth the extra money to have the Atlantis experience continue over to the room itself.

First off, the staff at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island were very friendly – much as we found most people in the Bahamas to be. The country’s number one business is tourism and the locals seem to recognize that and treat you very warmly. Either that, or year-round sun and warmth just makes them happy people!

The room itself – well, it’s a Comfort Inn level property (part of the Choice chain of hotels). From the pictures in the review, you should get a good idea what you are in for whereas I’ll post some links to the Atlantis property pages at the end of this review to compare.  The hotel is not new and is not recently renovated. It is basic, although it was a nice touch to have a fridge in the room – an amenity I’d guess Atlantis doesn’t provide (someone please correct me in the Comments if I’m wrong). That’s pretty much it in the amenities department, though.  The shower was pretty awful. It would turn scalding (literally burn yourself hot) without provocation and no amount of moving the dial could get it back to a normal temperature until it felt like it (perhaps 5 minutes of standing out of the way). There was a complimentary breakfast outside consisting of some pastries, bagels, donuts, coffee and juices. They will also optionally upsell you a hot breakfast in the $10 range. The conditions of the food were not very sanitary, though. After the first day, we opted to walk the 5 minutes to Starbucks in the Marina Shopping area of Atlantis (as an aside, prepare for smaller cups and higher prices in Starbucks in the Bahamas compared to the U.S.).

There is no gym on property. There is a pool, but why sit there when you can walk a few minutes to Atlantis, flash your card, and get your wristband good for all their pools and beaches?

Checkout is at 11am. We were told that 12 noon is generally not a problem.

One major note: While the information posted by Comfort Suites as of this writing (hopefully it is swiftly corrected after I brought it to the attention of the manager) says that there is free internet access (Wi-Fi), there is not. The only way online is via a 3rd party provider at $10 a day.

Also, please note that the Comfort Suites Paradise Island is a 100% smoke-free hotel.

Quick summary: Far less glamorous than staying inside Atlantis, but for the savings it is an attractive alternative for those wanting the Atlantis experience while lowering the overall cost.  Remember, the idea is not to be in your room that much…. you’re in the Bahamas!!!!!!

PS: While I was told that the arrangement in place with Atlantis would be in place for many decades to come, please check the property page before booking to confirm the arrangement still exists.

A few select pictures from Atlantis:


To Book:

Comfort Suites Paradise Island – discounted rates on HotelMagician.com

Links to Atlantis hotel overview pages:

Atlantis Paradise Coral Towers (the least expensive on-site option)
Atlantis Royal Towers
Atlantis Beach Tower
The Cove at Atlantis (the most exclusive part of Atlantis)

-DG

Sheraton Nassau (formerly Sheraton Cable Beach), Bahamas Review

Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort (formerly Sheraton Cable Beach), Bahamas Review

P.O. Box No – 4914 · West Bay Street · Nassau · Bahamas

By: Dave Grossman
HotelMagician.com
January 2009

The Sheraton Nassau is a very nice and freshly renovated resort hotel located on the Cable Beach part of Nassau in the Bahamas. Catering mostly to families looking to simply relax, it does its job nicely. And if you crave a bit of excitement, it’s connected to the 24 hour casino in the Wyndham Cable Beach by indoor walkway. You’ll also have the additional food outlet choices of the Wyndham – never bad to have more choices. There are no off-site restaurants within walking distance so the two resorts are about it unless you take a bus or taxi. (more on that later)

The room at the Sheraton Nassau

The room was very nicely appointed. As you can see, we were upgraded from a standard room to a room with a beautiful oceanfront view on the 9th floor and a balcony with two chairs – perfect for your morning coffee.

The TV was a (modern) Sheraton standard LG Flat screen TV and the shower was modern as well.  On site, there is not much in the way of activities. You have the large pool areas, a hot tub, and the beach (plus the adjoining casino).

You can easily get to “downtown” Nassau (in quotes because it’s quite small and

Sheraton Nassau Balcony

 nearly completely shuttered after 6pm save for Senor Frog’s, which apparently isn’t even a guarantee. It was closed on a Friday because there weren’t enough cruise ships in port!!) and some local clubs. The trip to downtown is $1.25 (as of Jan 2009) by the No. 10 Jitney bus right outside the hotel. You can also use this bus as a loop to downtown and back without even exploring downtown as it covers most of Nassau’s downtown and historic places. However, like the shops that all close at 6, the bus stops running then, too. So you’ll need to catch a cab back to the hotel (at least $15) if you stay out past then.

There was a very impressive gym located in the Sheraton Nassau and it is included in your room rate.

Gym at Sheraton Nassau

 Breakfast is not included. Wi-Fi Internet access is complimentary in the lobby or available for a fee in your room.

In short – it’s a wonderful property for those looking to just kick back and relax on Nassau’s Cable Beach. It is not all-inclusive and is not for partiers.

A side note: My biggest disappointment with the property was the $5.80 per

Bathroom

 person per night Bellman fee. This is quite possibly the most ridiculous charge I have ever heard of. Both my companion and I had one carry bag each and certainly needed no help (and didn’t take any), yet after the one night stay there was a charge for $11.60 on the bill for Bellman Services. I couldn’t help but point out to the checkout clerk this really seemed like a ripoff, given that we didn’t use the services (keep in mind there is already a $15 per person daily resort fee and a 6% tax on the bill) but they assured me it was a fair charge. We’ll agree to disagree on that.

Book the Sheraton Nassau Bahamas at discounted rates on HotelMagician.com and/or compare prices of the Sheraton Nassau Bahamas on the Sheraton website.

-DG

OpenSkies – NYC-Amsterdam for $1,000 all-in (Business Class!)

This is a really fantastic deal when you consider the product OpenSkies offers and that it’s an all-in (includes taxes/fees, etc) deal. I’d go myself if I had the time…  Their press release follows.

OpenSkies Kicks Off 2009 With $1000 Round Trip Premium Fares to Amsterdam

NEW YORK – January 8, 2008 – OpenSkies is inviting travelers to kick off the new year amidst Van Goghs, Rembrandts and the bicycles and canals of Amsterdam by offering premium service from New York at an extraordinarily low price. Beginning today through January 26th, travelers can book roundtrip premium flights between New York and Amsterdam in OpenSkies’ PREM+ cabin from only $1,000*, which includes all taxes and fees.

OpenSkies’ PREM+ is a unique and entirely new service category that offers business class comfort without the business class price, featuring wide leather seats with a 140 degree recline and 52 inches of legroom. With its cost-efficient fares, PREM+ also qualifies for use by business travelers whose corporate travel policies would otherwise restrict business class travel.

“Travelers have been buzzing about the service, comfort and value they’ve experienced in our PREM+ cabin since we launched,” said Dale Moss, managing director of OpenSkies. “We’re thrilled to start off the new year by extending an opportunity for customers to experience PREM+ between New York and Amsterdam at such a great price.”

In a cabin with a maximum of just 40 customers, OpenSkies PREM+ offers an individualized experience and unique features designed to provide comfort and convenience such as:

Bottle-poured wines.
Fresh, healthy meal service.
Personal entertainment systems with more than 50 hours of programming.
Electric outlets at every seat.
Professional concierge services that provide passengers with a premium travel experience from the moment they book their flight through the end of their trip.
Participation in British Airways’ Executive Club frequent flyer program.

Tickets are available for purchase through the OpenSkies Web site (www.flyopenskies.com), the OpenSkies Concierge Desk at 1-866-581-3596, travel agents and all British Airways channels including the BA.com Web site.

Austin Hilton Airport: Austin, Texas

Austin Hilton Airport
9515 New Airport Drive
Austin, TX 78719 US

Dave Grossman, HotelMagician.com
December 2008

If you have a late flight in or an early flight of Austin, the Hilton inside Austin’s Bergstrom’s Airport is the best option going. While the rates struck me as about $30 higher than I expected, that was the last disappointment I had staying here.
The check-in was easy, Hilton Gold status was acknowleged without prompting and an upgrade was offered. The upgraded rooms only add a touch of space and a small couch, however, and all face the inner courtyard so I declined in favor of a room facing the outside so I could have the planes taking off and landing in the background (no, noise was not an issue at all).

The Austin Hilton Airport hotel is shaped in a circle which I liked, if only because I appreciate anything that makes a hotel something other than a standard-issue rectangle.  The rooms themselves were quite similar to the rooms at the downtown Hilton Austin – which was perfectly fine for an airport hotel with the slight improvement of a rain showerhead (which I love). The TVs, however, are still old style CRT,

Breakfast has both menu and buffet options. The buffet, priced at $11 as of Dec 2008, ic complimentary if you have Gold or Diamond status with Hilton and was normal hotel buffet fare – eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast and pancakes along with cereal options.

It’s important to note that while the hotel is on airport grounds, it is still about a 3 minute shuttle ride to the terminal and the shuttles run every 15 minutes – so don’t cut it as close as you could in an airport hotel actually attached to the terminal – like the Sheraton Gateway in Toronto is. So not quite as convenient, but your best option in Austin’s airport.

Free wi-fi internet access is available in the lobby area; paid access in the rooms.

I would not hesitate to rebook this hotel if I had another morning flight out of Austin – however, I would suggest this only for a night before or after a flight; it is not convenient at all to downtown despite being relatively close in distance.

- DG

Hilton Austin: Austin, Texas

Hilton Austin

500 East 4th Street
Austin, TX 78701 US

Dave Grossman, HotelMagician.com
December 2008

I chose the Hilton in Austin for its location and very reasonable rates for a full service hotel. Located just off Red River and 4th St, the Hilton is an ideal starting point for the Austin nightlife scene which centers around 6th St, just 2 blocks away to the north and extends to the Warehouse District, about a 7 block walk down 4th St.

When you enter the hotel, which is only a few years old, you’ll find a very large and open lobby that houses a coffee shop (serving Starbucks branded beverages) and offers free wi-fi access (there is a charge for use in the room). Plenty of space to lounge around and read or wait for friends.

Check-in was easy, thanks to an earlier call to warn them I’d be arriving after midnight, although I had to specifically remind the clerk that as a Hilton Gold member, I should be entitled to an upgrade. It’s always nicer when it’s automatic. Service was very friendly, however, as it normally seems to be in Austin.

Up to the room I go. Located on the 25th Floor, the Club Room I was upgraded to was perfectly fine but nothing “special”, though very modern and clean. While you hear that everything is “bigger in Texas”, that doesn’t really apply to the room sizes here. While I thought perhaps I was given a small-ish room, I confirmed with the desk staff that most are that size. Not that it was cramped, but it was little bigger than a room you’d find in New York or London – and I somehow assumed that the Hilton Austin would have larger rooms because it is a new hotel in a city with a far lower cost of building than the bigger cities like NYC.  Still, a minor complaint – not a deal breaker at all.

The bathroom was standard Hilton issue and the club floor did not appear to offer any upgraded amenities.  The room was equipped with a very nice Flat Panel TV which definitely enhanced the experience.

The Club Lounge (available to people staying on the Club Floors) was average. While it was spacious and had a free computer for internet use, the continental breakfast spread was small and uninspired.

One thing that really impresses in the Austin Hilton is the Spa and Fitness area on the 8th Floor. With a full range of spa treatments at reasonable prices and in a very modern looking facility, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this hotel to spa lovers. The included workout areas had all the standard equipment – treadmills, elliptical machines, free weights, etc. There is an outdoor pool in season.

Overall, the best things about the hotel were the location, price (rooms start at about $109), and the staff, who were always very friendly. The hotel is also 100% smoke-free (a big plus for me). Parking is either self-park or valet with self parking at $16/day and valet at $25/day as of Dec. 2008.

Some tips on things to do in Austin:

1) If you are looking for the “college bar scene”, 6th St is it. Just walk the two blocks and select a bar.  For a more mature crowd, ask your concierge for recommendations in the Warehouse District – an up and coming area day and night.

2) For outdoor recreation in warm weather, check out Zilker Park. Ask for directions and a map. It’s only about a 10 minute drive from the Hilton.

3) For BBQ, the Iron Works is highly respected and two blocks from the hotel. But for a more “Hill Country” experience, take a drive over to the Salt Lick BBQ (pictured at right) about 20 minutes from the hotel. Expect to wait as this place is something of an institution in the Austin area. But it’s worth the wait.

4) San Antonio is another great city only about an 90 minute drive from Austin. It could be done as a day trip, as I did, which gives you time for the Alamo and the Riverwalk – SA’s main attractions. You could also overnight in San Antonio. If you did, I’d suggest one of the hotels right on the Riverwalk such as the San Antonio Hyatt Riverwalk (in a more bustling part of the RW) or the newest hotel on Riverwalk, the Westin Riverwalk, which is in a bit more quiet section.

If you are a huge BBQ fan, it’s not hard to detour about 30 minutes out of the way to Lockhart, TX en route to San Antonio. Proclaimed the “BBQ Capital of Texas”, you can choose from 4 places in this tiny town, including Blacks – open since 1932. You won’t be disappointed.

Have a recommendation on what to do in Austin? Please post in the Comments below…….

- DG