Spent six days, including Christmas, at Atlantis, Royal Towers with my wife and kids, ages 12 and 8. It was a very enjoyable trip.

Rooms- Okay, but nothing special. Like a Hyatt or better Hilton.

View- I cheaped out and got a terrace view and it was still just super. We had a great view of the manta rays flying through the water, the sharks and other fish being fed, the ocean, the pools, etc. I doubt there is a bad view in the place.

Food- Mixed. It does grind you to pay $4.50USD for a coke and $3.50 for a bagel. I can afford it, but it irritated me. Outdoor food was basic resort pool food. Drinks were surprisingling blah. The buffet restaurant "the Marketplace" was okay but not worth the dinner price. I agree with others that Murrays Deli was the winner of the cheaper places.

We ate at three gourmet places on premises and one off-premises. (a) Nobu- $350 for dinner and worth it. Just great food, as creative as it gets. I love Japanese. The toro tartare and the beef "new sashimi" were off-the-charts good. Don' miss the chocolate tempura dessert. The staff--just great. Thought my wife would run off with Ian, and I'd have forgiven her as he was beyond charming/cool/handsome. Go with his suggestions. (b) Fathoms- Would not return. Food was okay, but they rushed us at every course. They are turning tables and they want you out in a hour. Great view by the big tank in the Dig, but there are better choices. (c) the Cafe at the Great Wall of Waters. Food was not distinguished, nor was it bad. But we all really liked just being there because it is right in the center of the Royal Towers entrance. Fun to sit and eat, as if you were on a sidewalk in an interesting town where they just happen to have thousands of fish behind glass. More of a fun experience than gourmet dining but, hey, eating is supposed to be fun.
Off premises, at the harbor at Paradise Island, we ate at Columbus Tavern. It's on a porch with a great view. This is really good Bahamian food and a very nice restaurant. Recommended.

Pools and Public areas-- Wow. After 6 days, we still meandered through the grounds looking at the fish for about an hour a day. There is an aquarium area called the Dig. Went there four times. The Atlantis beach is rough surf with quick dropoff (I'm a former lifeguard so it was fine for me) and not good for kids or average swimmers. But Cove Beach is perfect and protected by an artificial breakwater (that looks totally real) so it is perfect for kids and weak swimmers. The Lagoon is completely tame for nonswimmers and snorkling.

The Slides- Hey, I'm 60. My kids loved the slides. But I loved them more. Go to aquaventure and scare the hell out of yourself. Do the lazy river ever day--it's easy for non-slide freaks. We did it every day. And then, when you are ready, do the Leap of Faith. We called it the Drop of Doom and you wonder why you are there at the top. But it is five seconds of rush. Kill you or make you a man or woman. Do it.

Spa- Indulgent. As it should be. I could live there.

So why not a 5? Well, great staff but mediocre grounds maintenance. Food really is weak relative to price. Hallways not spruced up. For whatever reason, the furniture in common areas is downright shabby. This, in a beautiful facility with marble floors that shine. Cups and wrappers left around. That makes it a 4.

Casino was, well, lifeless. Not the hotel's fault. Just not knowledgeable gamblers. It was Christmas so I didn' t care, but Vegas it is not. It's there, but not the center of things which, given the family atmosphere, is good.

The Bahamians are great. At the hotel and in Nassau which liked much more than I expected. Sure, jewelry shops and tour ships. But also history and Bahamian hospitality everywhere. And since we stayed until the 26th, we went to Junkanoo at 1:00AM, when it starts. That would require a whole column itself, but if you ever get there on December 26 or January 1, don't miss it. I've seen a lot of festivals, but Junkanoo is unforgettable.