As the Bahamas’ Atlantis Paradise Island resort celebrates its 25th anniversary, the iconic pink property – called by some the Disney of Nassau – has completed a US$150-million resort-wide top-to-bottom transformation, including updates to the casino, guestrooms, restaurants and lounges.
Among the first to see the new-look resort – which boasts five lodging options – were global trade delegates (including several Canadians) at the recent Nassau Paradise Island International Travel Partners Conference held in part at Atlantis late last month.
The resort unveiled refashioned guestrooms at The Royal, Atlantis’ iconic towers; an entirely redefined Atlantis Casino; and Paranza, a new restaurant at The Cove, where Michelin-starred chef Michael White brings his culinary mastery to the table.
The updates emulate the ethos of Atlantis and include custom fixtures and design details evocative of the ocean and ecosystems found throughout the Bahamas. Other additions include Bar Sol, Clieto’s private gaming, Silan, Perch, the Caribbean’s first Shake Shack, Field Trip, Cartier, Thistle, and coming soon, Christian Louboutin.
“Atlantis continuously elevates the guest experience, and recent developments at The Royal, Paranza and the Atlantis Casino provide guests with upgraded, modern touches while retaining the resort’s integral identity that visitors know and love,” said Audrey Oswell, President and Managing Director of Atlantis.
Among the highlights:
The Royal
The Royal at Atlantis, a 1,201-room hotel home to the Atlantis Casino, underwent a multimillion-dollar transformation, including fully refashioned guestrooms with specially curated bespoke décor.
The guestroom redesign, meant to transport guests to the serenity of the white sand beaches of the Bahamas, with Caribbean views as the focal point. Sculptural pieces inspired by the unique archipelago of the Bahamas hang above the bed and desk, offering visual glimpses of the island within the space. The cool, calming shades of blue and white and the use of neutral beechwood reflect the soothing seas and provide a peaceful retreat for travellers.
New restaurant
The newest dining option at The Cove, Atlantis, a luxury all-suite hotel, is Paranza by Michelin-starred chef Michael White, known for his unfussy take on fine dining. The culinary journey for guests begins as they arrive and walk along a winding path to discover the warmly lit patio of the restaurant, nestled under a wooden pergola and opening into Paranza’s main dining area. The custom space is adorned with hand-blown glass, antique mirrors, and iron arches featuring earthy hues such as oak, smoky blue, and bright cognac.
The bar area showcases a temperature-controlled dual-purpose wine wall that is the focal point of the private dining room’s entryway. The private dining room features oversized, seashell-shaped brass light fixtures and custom design elements.
Casino
The 85-table, 700-game casino, one of Atlantis’ landmark features, is home to four instantly recognizable one-of-a-kind glass sculptures by internationally renowned artist Dale Chihuly. The Sun and The Moon glass installations were created specifically for the Atlantis Casino 25 years ago, uniting colour, light, form, and space to deliver a uniquely immersive experience. By re-lighting the glass sculptures and minimizing the surrounding structure, the new design interacts harmoniously with light and space, which Chihuly is known for in his work.
The popular murals throughout the casino have been artfully restored, and nearby light features have been updated to give the spaces a modern yet classic feel incorporating Atlantis’ signature design elements. The ceilings, previously covered by canopies, are now open, creating a more spacious and airier atmosphere with a clear view of the entire casino.
The central Moon Bar inside the casino has been upgraded with a circular deck, allowing guests to take a break from the action or step up to overlook the casino floor. Also recently opened Bar Sol, inspired by the late Sol Kerzner’s passion for Bahamian artists, music, and entertainment.
Atlantis Paradise Island
Atlantis has five unique lodging options: the grand, iconic newly renovated towers of The Royal, the family-friendly ambiance at The Coral, water-side villas at Harborside Resort, all-suite luxury accommodations at The Cove and residential-style living at The Reef. It is also home to Aquaventure, one of the world’s largest waterparks, the 57-hectare waterscape of slides and river rides features 14 pools and 3 km. of white sand beaches.
Additional resort amenities include as spa, a newly opened tennis and pickleball centre, basketball courts, a 500-seat movie theatre, Atlantis Kids Adventures (AKA) for children ages 3-12, a gaming arcade, CRUSH- a teen nightclub, Jokers Wild comedy club, an award-winning 18-hole golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, the renowned and newly redesigned Atlantis Casino, and an array of luxury and boutique duty-free shopping.
Guests can choose from a collection of over 40 restaurants, bars, and lounges with celebrity chef culinary masterpieces, including Fish by José Andrés, Nobu by Nobu Matsuhisa, and Paranza by Michael White.