Although Paradise Island does have its own small airport, most people fly into Nassau International. It's about 12 miles from Paradise Island; there is a $2.00 fee to go over the bridge from town, but not in the other direction. Taxi fare generally runs about $22.00 before tip.


I actually prefer the convenience of Cable Beach to the rarified air of Paradise Island, but there is no mistaking which area has the more beautiful beaches.

My nephew Brad wanted to do something exotic for his high-school graduation gift, so I took him and my daughter to Paradise Island for a three-night vacation. He lived near San Diego on the west coast of the U.S.; he was going to the University of California at Santa Barbara. A buff surfer dude, he was accustomed to big, cold waves, clunky sand, and seaweed. He had never experienced the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic nor the sugary sand of the area.

We stayed at the Radisson Grand Resort, a rather charmless hotel with fairly standard rooms, great views and terrible restaurants. Its main advantage is that it is located right next to the Atlantis Resort and Casino, formerly known as "Merv's Place" in its previous incarnation as Merv Griffin's Paradise Island Resort and Casino. When the resort was acquired in 1994 by a South African conglomerate (Sun International), it was badly in need of updating. On a beautiful stretch of beach with some private coves, the sprawling resort included two main towers, a low-rise beachfront portion, and a few four-plex cabana-style units. There were two pools; one faced the lagoon, was peaceful and shady. The other was on the beach side and was noisier and more active. The casino was a big draw because it was the only one on Paradise Island.

Island, the new Atlantis was sold out, and we probably could not have afforded it anyway. What a shock to see what had been done to the grounds! It had been turned into a veritable Disneyworld of effects! Waterfalls everywhere. New plantings. Quiet side pools, pathways, a Lazy River. New restaurants. Suspended rope bridges. The Pièce de Résistance, however, was the "Predator Pool," a shark-infested portion of the lagoon with an underwater plexiglass tube through which you walk while the predators swim above and along side. We were told that the rooms had not been renovated at that time; and it was disappointing that although we were encouraged to spend our money at the restaurants and casino, we were kicked out of every relaxing area because we weren't hotel guests. That included the neat slides into pools, the Lazy River, the main pool and any beach chaise, even though we had purchased lunch there and just wanted to enjoy it on their beach.

I did discover, however, that the Comfort Suites just across the street from the resort's main entrance and casino, offers not only a beautiful facility with extremely reasonable pricing, but also allows full access to ALL activities at the Atlantis resort, and signing privileges. If being beachfront is not an absolute priority, this is the place I'd recommend.

Unless, of course, you want a quieter environment with secluded coves and endless views. One of the nicest spots on Paradise Island is where the Pirate's Cove Beach Resort is located. It had been a Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort but no longer appears under the HI directory so it's probably independent now. It's a large highrise on the quiet end of the island, a short walk to the water taxi into Nassau town and a mile from the Atlantis casino. (There are shuttles). Across the street you will find Paradise Paradise, a moderate low-rise property with exquisite beaches, watersports included, and a great family venue.

and 8 two-bedroom fully equipped suites; Chaplin House offers a few guest cottages. For all-inclusives on Paradise Island there is the Paradise Island Fun Club and Club Med, neither of which have a particular reputation for elegance.

For the most elegant Paradise Island experience, it must be The Ocean Club, operated (as is Paradise Paradise) by Sun International, the company that owns and manages the Atlantis. Ocean Club is a true luxury resort with only 59 rooms and suites. "My Father the Hero" starring Gérard Depardieu was filmed at this resort.

You can walk back and forth over the bridge, which is great if it isn't too hot; or you can take a water taxi for $1.00 each direction. A cab into Nassau is about $6.00 and about $12.00 to Cable Beach. Buses run $.75 cents, but there is no bus from Paradise Island over the bridge.

Restaurants are expensive on Paradise Island, and I like the casino at The Marriott better than the one at the Atlantis, so we enjoyed going to Cable Beach and having a terrific dinner at Johnny Canoe, located at the entrance to the Nassau Beach Resort.

Even if my daughter doesn't like it, I am looking forward to going back. I think I'll leave her behind and just take Brad again.