Atrium Resort

The rooftop pool and spa have great views, and there’s a sauna and gym as well. A nice quiet bay beach is across the road. It’s away from the mad rat race of surfers, while still convenient for all the theme parks.

The value for money was terrible, and the place felt poorly managed and misleadingly advertised. Toiletries amounted to one 30ml bottle each of shampoo, body wash, and conditioner, barely enough for one person for one night. When we asked for more, we were told we’d have to pay extra. The rooms were dirty, run down, and badly in need of maintenance. The air conditioning and in-room spa didn’t work, and neither did the communal pool spa. The rooftop BBQ area was advertised as a highlight but was inaccessible due to maintenance, something nobody told us when we booked. From arrival, the receptionist was rude and unhelpful, which set a disappointing tone for the stay. I’d strongly advise against staying at Atrium Waterfront Resort. There are much better options elsewhere.

The location was great, the balcony views were lovely, and the beds were comfortable. But this definitely isn’t a four star hotel now. Parts are old and broken, maybe it was 10-20 years ago, but not today. There was air conditioning only in the lounge, not either bedroom, and they were stifling even with ceiling fans. Our daughter was too hot and spent several nights sleeping on the couch. The games room and gym had no air conditioning either, so were unusable in the heat. The lounge couches were uncomfortable, and the ensuite had no exhaust fan, leaving it hot after showers. Tiny bathroom sinks splashed water all over us and the floor, and the toilet seats were too small and kept falling down. The promised “spa bath” didn’t work, and there were no complimentary coffee, tea, or sugar sachets, just a little milk in the fridge. Staff weren’t friendly or helpful. The bed head was partly broken off and banged against the wall whenever we moved. The main bathroom tap wobbled in its fitting. The TVs were very old, and the chrome casts only worked at night because the free wifi couldn’t hold a decent connection during the day. The spa in the downstairs pool area was broken too, with only half the bottom jets working and none of the side jets.

The location is fantastic, and the pool is nice. Still, for the price, I expected better. The rooftop spa stayed out of order during all four days of my visit, with no update about it. The reception staff seemed unwilling to make eye contact or chat, and getting a dishwashing tablet on our last night felt like a huge request, even though I did get one. Four of us also didn't have enough towels. There’s no aircon in the bedrooms, so they get hot and stuffy. Bring your own salt and pepper.