Atlantis Paradise Island
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The Atlantis Paradise Island is a resort and waterpark located on Paradise Island, The Bahamas. Officially opened in 1998, the resort was created by South African hotel magnate Sol Kerzner and Kerzner International Limited. Paradise Island first opened its Coral and Beach Towers as the Trump Plaza, then changed its name to Atlantis when the Royal Towers were built. The Coral and Beach Towers were later refurbished to match the theme of the Royal Towers. On 28 March 2007 a 600-suite luxury hotel named The Cove Atlantis opened on Paradise Island. Another tower, the 497-room Reef Atlantis, opened 19 December 2007.[1]
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[edit] Accommodations
Accommodation at the resort includes:
- The Beach Tower, formerly known as the Paradise Beach Hotel, is the oldest building at Atlantis.
- The Coral Towers, formerly known as the Britannia Beach Hotel.
- The Royal Towers contains the "Bridge Suite", ranked in 2003[update] by Forbes as the most expensive hotel room in the world. With the recent hotels built over the last couple of years, Atlantis is included in one of the most expensive hotels in the world.[2]
- Harborside Resort consists of 392 villas and features a harbor-front restaurant, pool area including a children's pool with water fountains, a fitness facility, a sundry store, and all-day shuttle service to Atlantis.
- The Reef, the newest building at Atlantis, consists of condominium hotel residences
- The Cove Atlantis is a 600-suite tower that opened in 2007.
[edit] Attractions
[edit] Aquaventure
Opened in 2007, the 141-acre (0.57 km2), 200-million-US-gallon (760,000 m3) Aquaventure combines slides, lazy rivers, and rapids into one large waterscape. The centerpiece of the attraction is the Power Tower which contains four waterslides. The slides include The Abyss, The Drop, The Falls and The Surge. Aquaventure also includes one of the Atlantis' most popular attractions, The Current.
[edit] The Current
The Current is a mile long, 3-million-US-gallon (11,000 m3) water ride complete with waves and artificial tidal surges.
[edit] Mayan temple slides
At the Royal Towers is the Mayan Temple entertainment attraction consisting of 4 major slides: Leap of Faith, the Challenger Slides, the Serpent Slide, and the Jungle Slide.[3]
[edit] The Dig
The Dig is a series of aquariums located beneath the lobby of the Royal Towers and is the world's largest open air marine habitat. Hundreds of different aquatic species can be spotted in the Dig's various tanks such as angelfish, sharks, manta rays, one of which being larger than ten feet, and various types of jellyfish. The goal of The Dig is to provide guests with a taste of life in the legendary destroyed city of Atlantis. If one observes the bottom of the floors in the different aquariums, wreckage and debris will be scattered about representing the "Lost City of Atlantis."
A Predator Lagoon is full of sawfishes, barracudas and stingrays. A 100-foot (30 m) clear acrylic tunnel runs underwater, allowing visitors unobstructed views of the marine environment.
[edit] Atlantis Live
In the last few years, Atlantis has made an effort to host concerts and other events to its guests. In early 2010 and June 2011, Jerry Seinfeld performed at the Atlantis resort. Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Sara Bareilles, Paul Potts, Katy Perry, N'SYNC, Sheryl Crow, and Lady Antebellum have all performed concerts either outside, in the Imperial Ballroom, or in the Atlantis Theatre. Michael Jackson and Gloria Estafan have participated in performances at the resort, as well.
[edit] 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 center reminiscent of market-style tourist centers, such as the Faneuil Hall in Boston or Downtown Disney at the American Disney parks. The center features numerous restaurants and stores, such as Johnny Rockets and Starbucks. The Harborside Resort at Atlantis is located on the south side of the marina.
[edit] The Atlantis at Paradise Island in popular culture
- The resort was heavily featured during two episodes of Damon Wayans' situation comedy My Wife and Kids, season 5, episode 16 & 17 "The Bahamas 1 & 2"
- Into the Blue (2005), a film featuring Paul Walker and Jessica Alba, features the resort's waterpark and sealife show.[citation needed]
- After the Sunset (2004), a film featuring Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek, features the Royal Tower's Bridge Suite in numerous scenes.
- The old Café Martinique was featured in the on-location filming of the James Bond movie Thunderball (1965).[citation needed]
- Casino Royale, another James Bond movie released in 2006, was filmed at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island.[citation needed]
- Holiday in the Sun, a 2001 film featuring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen featured the Atlantis Resort.[citation needed]
- Friends, an American sitcom, features Atlantis resort as the location of characters Monica and Chandler's honeymoon.[citation needed]
- Since 2008, four Miss Teen USA pageants have taken place at Atlantis resort.
- N Sync filmed their Atlantis Concert special here in 2001 with Tim McGraw. It included an a capella rendition of "I Promise You" from within the Dig aquarium's underwater tunnel.
- In 2009, the 58th Miss Universe pageant has chosen Atlantis to host this years pageant, the first time in the Bahamas history. The final was held on August 23, 2009. The winner was Miss Venezuela, Stefanía Fernández.
- In 2000, Ricky Martin filmed the music video for "She Bangs" at the resort.
- The hotel was featured in the 2009 movie Duplicity
- The resort was featured on Ugly Betty season 4 episode 8, "The Bahamas Triangle"
- Music video of Justin Bieber's song "Never Let You Go" was shot at The Dig.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Reef Atlantis". WhereToStay.com. http://www.wheretostay.com/caribbean/bahamas/property-2524-overview-Reef_Atlantis.html. Retrieved 2010-03-15.
- ^ "The World's most expensive hotel rooms (2003)". Forbes Review. http://www.forbes.com/billionaires/2003/02/27/cx_cv_0227feat.html. Retrieved 2007-07-24.
- ^ "Paradise Found", Forbes review
[edit] External links
| Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Atlantis, Paradise Island |
- Atlantis Paradise Island (official website)
- Atlantis Paradise Island : Nassau Paradise Island Travel Guide Profile
- Atlantis Paradise Island profile on GoParadiseIsland.com
- Atlantis Resort in Paradise Island in the Bahamas
- Fantastic Atlantis Hotel in Paradise Island Bahamas
Coordinates: 25°5′6″N 77°19′15″W / 25.085°N 77.32083°W
| Preceded by Crown Convention Center Nha Trang, Vietnam |
Miss Universe Venue 2009 |
Succeeded by Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas, USA |