I have not stayed at the Atrium but I have heard only good things about the place. It is very clean and well run. The beach there is nice although small.
Yes, it is highly recommended to rent a car, only because there is so much to see on this tiny island. There are many beaches to visit around the island and driving to the French side during the day will show you a less congested area. Beaches like Friars Beach (my favorite) Orient Beach, Mullet Beach, Baie Rouge, Galleon are the more popular beaches. It is very easy to navigate and driving is US standard. You will only need to bring your drivers license to rent a car and is highly recommended that if you rent a car, you charge it to a card that will cover your collision insurance to save costs. It is also suggested to take out liability for those "just in case" times. Recommended services are Kenny's Car Rental and Unity Car Rental, both local rental agencies. None of the rental places that have names like Hertz are really connected to the US companies and also not really recommended that I know of. There are also many other local rental agencies at the airport that you can rent from as well. With Kenny's and Unity (as well as some other local agencies) you can reserve a car ahead of time via e-mail. They will not ask for a deposit...just your flight info. They will hold a car for you and meet you at the airport to take you to your car.
In your area, there are many, many restaurants across the main road for you to eat. They are within walking distance. There is also the Red Piano bar in the Pelican area that has nice music for the evening hours. This is within walking distance although up the hill from you. There is also the Hollywood Casino up the hill in the Pelican complex. There is also the Bucanner Beach Bar just slightly up from you for hanging out and enjoying a drink or two.
Then there is the Maho area which is a 5 minute drive from you that has lots of nightlife and many fine dining restaurants. You can valet your car at the Casino Royale instead and save some time/money from parking in the parking lot under La Terrasse which is also good but easier the other way. You just have to have your ticket validated in the casino. Next door is Cheri's outdoor restaurant that has nightly entertainment (except Tuesdays). It's a fun time for those who never have been to the island. I believe their show starts around 8:00 PM or so. Their food is not exceptional but OK. There are also a few shops that stay open in the evening hours to window shop.
Also, a 5 minute drive is the Sunset Beach Bar or across the way directly opposite (my preference) is the Driftwood Beach Bar which to me has better drinks and less expensive (looks like a big rowboat) where you can watch the planes come in. It is mesmerizing and something to talk about when you return home. Next to the Driftwood is the Tortuga Restaurant attached to the Royal Islander Resort where you can also watch the planes come in and enjoy a very nice lunch under the protection of a canopy. Outsiders can eat there with no problem.
Hope this helps.
Vicki
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Life is not a child's game of follow the Leader. Instead, life is more about finding one's own purpose in life....your life's plan, and then making a positive difference on earth.
Edited 6 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/2008 11:08AM by John.