I remember being a teenager and staring, with wide eyes, at the newly-opened Paradise Island Resort. I couldn’t believe how fun it looked. Not just that – it was pink. There were dolphins. What more could a teenage girl want? I’m sad to say I’ve still never made it to Atlantis (either in the Bahamas or the more recent Dubai version), but part of me still kinda feels like that teenage girl, longing to dine in a restaurant surrounded by fish. Here, my friend Simon talks about why this luxury hotel resort is still such a hit with visitors.
Swedish entrepreneur Axel Wenner-Gren really knows how to pick them. Islands, that is.
Previous to World War II, Wenner-Gren owned a small expanse of sunbaked Bahamas sands that was then referred to as “Hog Island.” and that is probably about the only thing that can really be associated with this tourist location that could be considered ‘ugly.’ Everything else about this spot is the epitome of beautiful—case in point: today it is referred to as “Paradise Island.”
In this blog post we’re going to take this luxury location: how it came to be, the spots that you most definitely need to see.
The Built City of Atlantis
In 1959, Huntington Hartford, the A&P Supermarket heir, bought Hog Island from Wenner-Gren and promptly changed the name to its current title.
In an attempt to preempt the tourist rush to the Caribbean that Hartford suspected would soon occur, plans eventually fell into place with his business associates to transform the island into a Hotel and Resort complex named ‘Atlantis‘.
Huntington Hartford resurrected the idea of a “perfect” island that even history cannot completely encroach. Someplace lost, only to be found—and found it is. These days, Paradise Island is a sprawling complex valued at over two billion dollars. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights awaiting any tourists.
One of the Most Beautiful (and Expensive) Views in the World
The resort is comprised of two massive hotel complexes connected in the middle by a large bridge. This bridge is actually one multi-level suite with a breathtaking view of the entire island. This, the “Presidential Suite” at the Atlantis Paradise Island is one of the most expensive accommodations in the world.
The price of the Presidential Suite: a cool $25,000 per night.
When it comes to budgeting, it might be cheaper to unearth the actual lost civilization of Atlantis than it would be to spend a week in the Presidential Suite. But of course there is no way that the minibar would compare.
Swimming in Ruins and with Dolphins
Paradise Island features a plethora of different activities and sites to explore, but a foray into paradise wouldn’t be complete without the chance to swim with dolphins. Be sure to check out the one-of-a-kind aquatic environment at Atlantis where you can use a hand-held water scooter to swim alongside dolphins, or just stick near the surface of the custom crafted habitat pool if you’re more the timid type. If dolphins are not your thing, then you’re going to want to check out the Ruins Lagoon, where you can swim alongside exotic fish and even sharks through the depths of the (admittedly artificial) ancient ruins.
In short, Paradise Island is a place where natural meets manmade beauty. It’s a place where the ancient meets the modern. For the right price, it’s your chance to witness the wonder of the famed ancient civilization of Atlantis. It might not be the real thing, but let’s be honest: it’s probably better.
Simon is a writer and content specialist who is addicted to being on the front page of anything. A graduate of Dalhousie University, he specializes in using the em dash too often. Currently, Simon rests his typing hands in Vancouver, Canada.
Photo credit: atlantis
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