19/12/2013
Understanding the Costs: A Comprehensive Guide to Atlantis Resort Fees
Planning a trip to the world-renowned Atlantis resort can be an exciting prospect, but understanding the various charges associated with your stay is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Beyond the advertised room rate, Atlantis incorporates several mandatory fees, including Value-Added Tax (VAT), levies, resort fees, and gratuities. This article aims to demystify these charges, providing a clear breakdown for guests staying at The Coral, The Royal, The Cove, The Reef, and Harborside Resort. By the end of this guide, you'll have a thorough understanding of what contributes to your final bill and what you can expect to be included in your daily resort experience.

The Anatomy of Your Bill: VAT, Levies, and Service Fees
The sum of various mandatory charges is consolidated into the "VAT, Levies, Resort Fees, Mandatory Gratuities, & Utilities Service Fees" column on your e-confirmation. It's important to note that these fees are subject to change without prior notice, so it's always wise to check the latest information closer to your travel dates.
Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Tourism Levies
The Bahamian government levies a standard 10% VAT on most goods and services consumed within The Bahamas. At Atlantis, this is applied to your room rate and various other services. In addition to VAT, guests are subject to:
- Paradise Island Tourism and Development Association Levy: A 4.4% charge, which includes VAT, contributing to the development and enhancement of Paradise Island.
- Nassau Paradise Island Promotional Board Levy: A 6.6% charge, also including VAT, aimed at promoting tourism in the Nassau and Paradise Island region.
These combined levies, along with the 10% VAT, represent a significant portion of the additional charges. For instance, guests at The Coral, The Royal, The Cove, and The Reef, as well as Harborside Resort, will see a 21% charge on their room rate encompassing these taxes and levies.
Daily Resort Fees: What's Included?
The Daily Resort Fee is a mandatory charge designed to cover a wide array of amenities and activities available to guests. The exact amount of the resort fee can vary depending on the specific resort tower you are staying in and the date your reservation was made.
Resort Fee Breakdown by Tower and Reservation Date:
To provide clarity, here's a breakdown of the resort fees:
| Resort Tower | Reservation Date (On or after) | Travel Date (On or after) | Resort Fee (per room, per night) | VAT Charge (per room, per night) | Total Daily Resort Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Coral | N/A | N/A | $59.00 | $5.90 | $64.90 |
| The Reef | $70.00 | $7.00 | $77.00 | ||
| The Cove | |||||
| The Royal | November 16, 2023 | December 15, 2023 | $65.00 | $6.50 | $71.50 |
| The Royal | Before November 16, 2023 | Any Travel Date | $59.00 | $5.90 | $64.90 |
Amenities Covered by the Daily Resort Fee:
The Daily Resort Fee is comprehensive and includes access to a host of popular attractions and services:
- Aquaventure Water Park: Daily access to this world-class water park is a major highlight.
- Marine Habitats: Unlimited access throughout your stay to The Dig, Predator Tunnel, and the resort's expansive open-air marine habitat, home to over 50,000 marine animals from 250 species.
- Marine Animal Feedings: Opportunities to view scheduled fish and marine animal feedings.
- Wi-Fi: All-access Wi-Fi is provided. This includes access in guest rooms and lobby areas for four (4) devices. At The Cove and The Reef, this extends to six (6) devices.
- Fitness Centre: Daily access to the Fitness Centre, including complimentary use of cardio studios, universal, and free weights. Please note that tennis, fitness classes, and personal training sessions are not included.
- Reusable Water Bottles: Two (2) reusable souvenir water bottles per room are provided, along with access to hydration stations across the resort.
- Entertainment: Access to the Indoor Theatre and Poolside Movies for evening entertainment.
- Resort Activities: A weekly schedule of complimentary resort guest activities is available.
- In-Room Amenities: In-room coffee & tea service and use of a mini-fridge. For guests at The Cove, please be aware that mini-fridges are not temperature-regulated for sensitive items like medicine and dairy.
- Resort Shuttle Service: Convenient shuttle service within the resort is included.
- Gaming Lessons: Complimentary gaming lessons are available upon request.
- Local Calls: Unlimited local phone calls.
Exclusive Access at The Reef and The Cove
Guests staying at The Reef will find that their Daily Resort Fee also includes exclusive access to the Cascades Pool. For those at The Cove, the Daily Resort Fee further extends to include access to the Cascades Pool and the adults-only The Cove Pool (reserved for guests aged 18 and over).
Harborside Resort: A Different Fee Structure
It's important to note that the aforementioned Resort Fees do not apply to stays at Harborside Resort. Instead, guests at Harborside Resort are subject to a Utility Service Fee. This fee is up to $18.65 per person, per day, plus a $1.87 VAT charge, with the exact amount varying depending on the unit type.
Additional Guest Charges and Mandatory Gratuities
Atlantis room rates are typically based on double occupancy. For any additional guests aged 12 years and older, there is an extra charge of up to $75 per night. This charge is also subject to the applicable VAT and mandatory gratuities as detailed below.
Mandatory Gratuity Updates (Effective March 29, 2024)
For all bookings made on or after March 29, 2024 (including any changes to existing bookings), new mandatory gratuity rates will apply to guests aged 12 and older. These rates vary by resort tower and room type:
- The Coral: Up to $7.00 per person per day in standard rooms, up to $14.00 per person per day in suites, and up to $21.00 per person per day in specialty suites.
- The Royal: Up to $7.00 per person per day in standard rooms and up to $14.00 per person per day in suites.
- Harborside Resort: Up to $6.25 per person per day, depending on the unit type.
- The Reef at Atlantis: Up to $8.00 per person per day in studio suites, up to $26.00 per person per day in suites, and up to $52.00 per person per day in specialty suites.
- The Cove at Atlantis: Up to $8.00 per person per day in standard suites, up to $14.00 per person per day in 1-bedroom suites, up to $22.00 per person per day in 2-bedroom suites, and up to $30.00 per person per day in specialty suites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Atlantis have a shuttle service?
Yes, Atlantis offers a complimentary resort shuttle service as part of its Daily Resort Fee. This service helps guests move around the resort property.
What is included in the Daily Resort Fee?
The Daily Resort Fee includes access to Aquaventure Water Park, marine habitats, fitness centre, Wi-Fi, reusable water bottles, entertainment, resort activities, in-room coffee/tea, and shuttle service, among other amenities.
Are there extra charges for additional guests?
Yes, room rates are based on double occupancy. Additional guests aged 12 and older will incur a charge of up to $75 per night, plus applicable VAT and mandatory gratuities.
Can I opt out of the resort fees?
The Daily Resort Fee is a mandatory charge for most guests and cannot be opted out of, as it covers essential amenities and services provided by the resort.
Do the resort fees apply to all towers equally?
No, the resort fees differ slightly between The Coral, The Royal, The Reef, and The Cove, with The Royal having different rates based on the reservation and travel dates. Harborside Resort has a separate Utility Service Fee structure.
Is VAT included in the resort fees?
Yes, the Bahamian VAT (10%) is included in the calculation of the resort fees, levies, and other applicable charges.
Navigating the various fees and charges at a resort like Atlantis can seem complex, but by understanding these components, you can better budget for your holiday and appreciate the value of the extensive amenities and services provided. Enjoy your stay!
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