Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Atlantis Royal Towers
RESORT $$$
( 242-363-3000;
www.atlantis.com
;
r $350-700; ) If Disneyland, Vegas
and Sea World birthed a lovechild, this watery wonderland would be its overpriced but ir-
resistible spawn. Atlantis' signature property, the Royal Towers is the 23-story pink palace
with the enormous central arch you see on the front of all the brochures. It's the most heav-
ily invested in the 'Lost World of Atlantis' mythology - even the lobby bathrooms are de-
signed to look like ancient underwater ruins. As the nexus of all activity on Paradise Island,
the Royal Towers draws gawkers from hither and yon. They stand in the cathedral-like
marble lobby, snapping pictures of the mermaid mosaics in the ceiling dome. They watch
sharks and rays swim past the aquarium windows of the lobby's lower level. They wander
gilded shopping corridors lined with luxe retailers like Versace and Cartier. They gamble
in the casino, watch movies in the theater, eat at celebrity chef-run restaurants like Nobu.
Unsurprisingly, the 1200 rooms are rather less exciting than the common areas. But with
crisp white linens, beachy art prints and private balconies, they're plenty nice. Got an in-
heritance to burn? Book the Bridge Suite, which, at $25,000, has been called one of the
world's most expensive hotel rooms.
Cove Atlantis
RESORT $$$
( 242-363-3000;
www.atlantis.com
;
r $800-1100; ) Set at a tasteful distance
from the madness of the Royal Towers, this is Atlantis' most adult property. Almost pain-
fully chic, its open-air lobby is a zen fantasy of koi ponds and minimalist chandeliers, while
its lobby bar offers international-caliber people-watching (Saudi princes, American star-
lets). Rooms are also super-slick, all white with contemporary orange and lime accents.
Bathrooms have massive soaking tubs bigger than many city apartments. The adults-only
pool area, Cain at the Cove, is an all-day bacchanalia of ambient techno and wandering
masseuses. Not exclusive enough? Rent a poolside cabana ($750 per day), with couches,
plasma TV and your very own butler.
One & Only Ocean Club
RESORT $$$
( 242-363-2501;
oceanclub.oneandonlyresorts.com
;
r $600-1300; )
Paradise Island's most elite hotel, this is the kind of place where people with marquee
names come to get away from it all (paparazzi and other hoi polloi are kept out by a
guarded gate). Though it's owned by Atlantis, the intimate pink plantation house feels a
world apart from the glitter and noise of greater Paradise Island. Guests putter around in
spa robes, drinking scotch or flipping through art books in the seaside sitting area. Rooms
