"Ever since it opened in 1998, the Atlantis has lived up to its name, like Plato’s city under the sea arisen. The flamingo-pink palace is now practically synonymous with the Bahamas; many of the country’s estimated 7 million visitors check into one of the resort’s 3,805 rooms. You can easily spend an entire day as a tourist at this vast ocean-themed casino resort, which sits just over Nassau’s harbor bridge on Paradise Island. Purchasing a day pass to the property lets you access, for instance, its gigantic aquarium and marine habitat; shallow-water swims with sea creatures at Dolphin Cay; and a 141-acre water park. The latter includes wave pools, swimming areas, and—most famously—a six-story waterslide that plunges you into a lagoon seemingly filled with sharks (actually a glass-bottomed pool where sharks swim underneath). Guests can stay at any of five types of accommodations within the resort: the newest addition, the Cove, is a more secluded and elegant stay, while the 25-year-old Royal’s East and West Towers recently underwent a renovation. Kids six and under eat for free on an adult’s meal plan—there are 21 restaurants to choose from—and the Atlantis Kids Adventure club caters to age 3–12 with dedicated programming from morning until night. The staff is among the best in the business, catering to needs, whims, and desires of all ages. From $431" - Laura Dannen Redman
