Harborside

The main reason to stay here is easy access to Atlantis, and the apartment layout works for a family, with a separate bedroom and kitchen. You can wander the resort’s walking trails and aquariums, and hire a driver to go into town. Cooking can save money: Super Value is a good place to get groceries, since eating at Harbourside is very expensive. Carmen’s Italian is the best value for food, with portions big enough to leave lunch for the next day if you order right. The pizzeria and delicatessen are affordable too. Bring your own alcohol and cooler mugs for drinks by the pool. Also get a data plan before leaving home, because on-site internet costs $25 a day and free internet is only in the lobby. The downside is the condition and service. The rooms are tired, with leaking faucets and dishwasher racks that were completely broken. They’re supposedly updating, so expect construction noise and equipment. Hot water was almost impossible to get in our room. We had to run the shower about half an hour, and even then the Jacuzzi tub filled with lukewarm water. Maybe the high floor meant it took too long for hot water to reach us. The pool isn’t heated and the hot tub is hit or miss. Different people blamed the day’s schedule, Atlantis, water feature staff, or a broken pump. Who knows. In strong winds the restaurant closes because debris might blow off the skyway, though the staff there were lovely. If you want family access to Atlantis, it can be a useful option. But I expected more from a top-of-the-line Marriott resort. For a flagship timeshare with high maintenance fees, I was surprised by the condition and service. Access to Atlantis is really the only draw.

It’s a quick walk to Atlantis facilities, and the location is wonderful. But the pool isn’t heated, the hot tub is hit or miss, and the whole place is under renovation, so there’s construction everywhere. I own at a Westin property and wouldn’t recommend this resort. The inconvenience isn’t worth it. I feel the operators are cutting overhead wherever they can, at the owners’ expense.

The villas are showing their age. Mine smelled moldy, the dryer vent and tub were clogged, and the unit felt outdated. There’s no playground, which was disappointing for families, and at check-in they tried to get me to sit through a timeshare presentation I didn’t want. Owners I spoke with said the annual maintenance fees seem extremely high for the resort’s age and condition. The location is the best part. Marina Village and Atlantis were an easy walk from my building, and there’s a free shuttle to the Atlantis towers. My stay included Aquaventure entry, a huge perk. The grounds were well kept, and the pool area had a nice bar and outdoor restaurant, plus shuffleboard and a small fitness center. I’d give Harborside about three stars: convenient if you’re coming for Atlantis, but expect older rooms and some sales pressure.

We’ve stayed at harborside twice and like being a little away from the main property. The marina view is beautiful, nearby restaurants are plentiful, and the walk to the main pools is short and easy. Harborside’s pool is warmer than the other Atlantis pools and never crowded, which makes for a nice change of pace. The rooms are spacious and nice, though they could use an update. Having a kitchen and washer and dryer made vacationing with kids much less stressful. We really enjoyed our time there.