Atlantis vs Baha Mar – Which Bahamas resort should you choose?

Planning a trip to the Bahamas but torn between the two iconic resorts, Atlantis Paradise Island and Baha Mar? I’ve had the pleasure of staying at both and have put together this in-depth comparison to help you decide which one suits your vacation style. From rooms to pools to dining, here’s everything you need to know!

The Hotels & Rooms

Baha Mar wins!

Both Atlantis and Baha Mar offer a range of accommodations, but the way they’re structured and what they provide is a bit different. Overall, I’m calling Baha Mar the winner here because the properties are so much newer and more modern. But there are great accommodation options at both resorts. And if you’re travelling with a large group, you might even find the options at Atlantis are more suited for that scenario.

Atlantis offers five different sections to choose from, each catering to a specific type of traveler:

• The Coral: The most dated, but most budget friendly, with a location near the Marina Village.
• The Royal: The most iconic of the Atlantis towers, offering mid-tier accommodations and central access to all resort amenities.
• The Reef: Larger rooms with kitchens or kitchenettes, ideal for families or those wanting a little extra space. (See my full Reef review here!)
• The Cove: Atlantis’s most luxurious option, with suites and a private adults-only pool.
• Harborside Resort: Apartment-style villas off the main property, great for larger groups or extended stays.

This range gives Atlantis a lot of flexibility for different budgets, but keep in mind that the resort is older, and some of the rooms – particularly in The Coral – can feel a little dated. For more help choosing, check out my detailed comparison the Atlantis hotel options here.

Baha Mar offers three unique hotels sharing the resort amenities:

• Grand Hyatt: The largest hotel, with standard rooms and some suites. Central to most of the resort’s amenities, it’s great for families and groups. It also offers a section of higher end suites called The Reserve, with a few extra perks.
• SLS: Trendy and nightlife-focused, with stylish rooms, a lively atmosphere, and an adults-only pool.
• Rosewood: The luxury option, offering an intimate boutique experience with private pools, a private beach, and exceptional service.

Baha Mar’s hotels are newer and more polished across the board, so even the standard rooms feel fresh and modern. For more help choosing, check out my detailed comparison of all the Baha Mar hotels here.

Let’s be real – restaurants at both Atlantis and Baha Mar are wildly overpriced. On top of that, they both include automatic service charges, so you’ll be shelling out a small fortune no matter where you stay. But if you’re spending that much, you at least want a meal that’s worth it, right?

At Atlantis, the food quality was all over the place. Some meals were fine, but most left us underwhelmed, especially given the cost. Service was often slow and impersonal, which made the automatic service charge on every bill even more frustrating.

That said, we did have one standout meal at Chopstix, which served up flavorful dishes at (slightly) more moderate prices compared to other options. If you’re dining at Atlantis, I’d recommend giving it a try. We also had some decent food at the poolside grills. But most of the dinner options were a miss for us, including the pricey Olives (which I see has now been rebranded as Silan). The food was one of my chief complaints in my full Atlantis review.

Baha Mar, on the other hand, knocked it out of the park. We didn’t have a single bad meal, and the service was consistently more attentive and polished. Yes, it was still expensive (hello, sticker shock), but at least it felt like we were getting quality food and a great experience for the price.

Our favorite meals were at Cleo (amazing Mediterranean flavors) and Marcus (upscale with a fun vibe) – definitely put those on your list if you’re heading to Baha Mar.

Regardless of which resort you choose, here are a few tips to make the most of your dining experience:

• Prepare for the Price Tag: Both resorts are pricey, and automatic service charges are standard. Keep this in mind when budgeting for meals.
• Book Early: Reservations are a must! Popular spots fill up fast, so secure your tables as soon as you book your trip.
• Dress the Part: Some fine dining options have a dress code. Double-check ahead of time so you’re not caught off guard.

Pools are a huge part of the resort experience, and both Atlantis and Baha Mar deliver – just in slightly different ways. While Baha Mar edges out the win here, there’s a lot to love about both.

At Baha Mar, the pool scene feels more sleek and upscale. There are multiple pools to choose from, including adults-only and cabana-exclusive options if you’re looking for something quieter and more relaxed. Dean’s Blue Hole is the real showstopper – a pool with a waterfall, aquarium views, and even a cliff-jumping wall for the adventurous.

The vibe here leans more sophisticated, and the pools generally feel less crowded. I think one reason for fewer crowds is that the Baha Mar Day Passes don’t include access to the resort pools – only the water park area – so it’s not flooded with cruise guests during the day.

Bonus points for Baha Mar being a bit more chill about letting guests linger after official pool closing time (a small but appreciated touch).

Atlantis pools are all about variety. From lively, party-like spots to quiet corners for relaxation, there’s something for everyone. The biggest plus for the Atlantis pool scene is that it’s mixed right into the waterpark. So you can easily hop from relaxing at the pool to riding the water slides or the Rapid River. While at Baha Mar, the resort pools are separated from the water park.

The downside? The pools at Atlantis can feel really crowded, especially with the influx of day-pass guests coming from the cruise ships. It’s still a great time, but the vibe is definitely more high-energy than relaxing.

One Thing to Note: Pools at both resorts close surprisingly early, which was a bit of a bummer. Once the sun sets, there’s not much to do besides hit or the bars or casinos. Atlantis staff seemed pretty strict about ushering people out, while Baha Mar was a little more flexible. But that likely depends on who is working any given day.

All in all, we’d say Baha Mar wins when it comes to pools – it felt a bit more upscale and less crowded, and Dean’s Blue Hole is one of the best hotel pools I’ve seen!

In my opinion, the beach is way better at Atlantis! Like, it’s not even a contest. The beaches over on Paradise Island are simply stunning and one of the best things to do at Atlantis. There are wide open views of the crystal clear blue water. Plus, there’s decent snorkeling right off the beach, where we have seen sting rays and sea turtles many times.

Baha Mar is located on Cable Beach, which is certainly a nice beach in its own right, but it just doesn’t compare. But they have built a massive dock right in the middle of the beach area, which really spoils the view. Even without the dock, you’d still be looking toward the cruise port instead of the open ocean. And if you’re into snorkeling, don’t get your hopes up – there’s not much to see here since there aren’t any reefs or structures to attract sea life.

If the beach is a big priority for your trip, Atlantis is the clear choice.

This is a tough one for me because there’s a lot to love about both water parks. Ultimately, Atlantis’s Aquaventure takes the crown as the better water park overall, but your choice might depend on the ages of your kids and what kind of experience you’re looking for.

Aquaventure is all about adventure! The standout for my family was the Rapid River—and let me tell you, this is not your typical lazy river. Think rapids, waterfalls, and even a conveyor belt that lifts you up and drops you back into the action. It’s SO much fun and one of our favorite things at Atlantis!

The water slides at Aquaventure are next-level. They’re bigger, scarier, and some even drop you right into the Rapid River at the end, which is both thrilling and a bit chaotic if you’re trying to keep an eye on younger kids.

That brings me to an important point: this park is really geared toward older kids and adults. Most of the slides require riders to be at least 48 inches tall, and they’re strict about the height rule. The Rapid River, while amazing, is way too intense for little ones. There is a very nice sprayground area for the tiniest kids, but beyond that, there’s not much for younger children to do.

For us, waiting until my son was tall enough to enjoy the water slides was definitely the right call. Aquaventure is worth it, but it’s better suited for families with older, more adventurous kids.

And if you do choose Atlantis, be sure you check out my top tips for the perfect day at Aquaventure too!

Baha Bay offers a more balanced experience, especially if you’re traveling with younger kids. The lazy river here is exactly what it sounds like – relaxing, fun, and perfect for all ages. Add in a giant wave pool, and you’ve got two standout attractions that we loved. The wave pool can get surprisingly intense, but that just made it more fun for everyone!

Baha Bay also has some big water slides and a FlowRider for practicing your surfing skills. While a few of the slides are still too scary for me (and I’m not ashamed to admit it!), they’re generally more approachable than the slides at Atlantis. Plus, it was easier to keep an eye on the kids from the ground at Baha Mar.

Where Baha Bay really shines is in its offerings for younger children. The sprayground has climbing equipment similar to Atlantis, but it also features slides that are perfect for those “in-between” kids – not toddlers, but not ready for the big slides yet. There’s even a second toddler area with tiny water slides, which was such a nice touch.

Another bonus? Baha Bay includes the Baha Beach Club, where you can rent chairs and enjoy a private beachfront infinity pool in a quieter, more relaxing setting. It’s a unique feature that you won’t find at Atlantis. We loved our day here on our trip to Baha Mar.

We are not big shoppers, but Atlantis has the beautiful Marina Village area which is home to a number of shops and restaurants. You can stroll along the water here and check out all the fancy yachts at the marina – you might even catch a glimpse of a celebrity. It’s a neat place to hang out at the end of the day or grab an ice cream cone before bed.

Baha Mar does have a small courtyard with shops and a pretty cool fountain that plays a light show in the evening, but the marina at Atlantis is undeniably more interesting.

As far as literal shops go – both resorts have a number of high end, luxury brand shops. So if that’s your jam, you’ll want to check the shopping directories before you head out. And of course, both hotels have several convenience shops where you can pay inflated prices for anything you forgot at home. ;)

When it comes to marine life and animal encounters, Atlantis is the clear standout. The resort offers so much to see and do that it’s hard for Baha Mar (or any other resort) to compete in this category.

Atlantis is home to The Dig, a unique Atlantis-themed aquarium that’s completely free for resort guests. Walking through this exhibit feels like exploring an underwater city, and it’s packed with a variety of colorful fish, rays and even sharks. Oh, and let’s not forget the shark tank – complete with a water slide that takes you right through it!

If you’re looking for more hands-on experiences, Atlantis has you covered with a wide range of hands-on programs. The most famous is their dolphin program, where you can swim with the dolphins! But they also have a sea lion encounter, exotic birds, opportunities to snorkel with sharks, and even a Junior Trainer program where kids can spend the day learning about the marine life.

Baha Mar also incorporates marine life into its offerings, but on a much smaller scale. The Sanctuary, located near the Dean’s Blue Hole pool, features touch tanks and some marine life exhibits, but it’s not included in your stay – you’ll need to pay an extra fee to visit.

The resort also has a small Aviary, where you can feed birds for an additional charge. While charming, it doesn’t compare to Atlantis’s expansive offerings.

One highlight at Baha Mar is the Flamingo Parade, a free activity where you can follow a flock of flamingos as they march through the resort. It’s a fun, family-friendly event with a little bit of education thrown in. They also offer paid animal encounters, including opportunities to interact with flamingos, tortoises, and macaws. We tried the Tortoise Encounter, and it was a lot of fun – but still, these experiences are more limited in scope compared to what Atlantis offers.

While Baha Mar has done a nice job incorporating some marine education experiences, there’s really no comparison to the breadth of options at Atlantis. And that free aquarium at Atlantis is top notch!

So which is the winner?

These truly are both great resorts, and I will definitely be visiting both again in the future. I can’t say that one is a clear winner above the others. But I do have some opinions on which are better for specific situations.

If your priority is the beach, I would definitely choose Atlantis. The beach on Paradise Island is much, much nicer than Baha Mar’s stretch of Cable Beach.

If you have adventurous kids or teens (at least 48″ tall!), I would pick Atlantis for their Aquaventure water park. It will keep older kids busy for days.

If you have younger kids, I would pick Baha Mar. They have more little kid offerings at their Baha Bay water park and the resort pools tend to be a bit less crowded and chaotic.

For an adult-only vacation, I would pick Baha Mar. There are a variety of adults only pool options (one at the SLS plus several more available if you rent a cabana), a bit more nightlife (especially at the SLS) and much better dining experiences.

If you’re looking for marine animal encounters, Atlantis is the big winner in that area. Baha Mar offers a few experiences, but nothing that compares to the extensive aquarium and marine mammal encounters at Atlantis.