Additionally the Pelican Marina which has many excursions is in walking distance.

Best Things About the Resort:
The best thing about this resort, was the fact that we had a rental car and weren't stuck there every day. We were very disappointed with our accommodations and next time we go to St. Marten we will not stay here. Compared to the rest of the resort, the workout room surprisingly had somewhat new equipment, and was a pleasant surprise.

Resort Experience:
The resort is very small. People with children will need to plan excursions away from the resort - the children would get bored here. The pool is very small, and the Jacuzzi is an above ground style found in middle class homes, not the type you would expect at a Gold Crown Resort.

The studio accommodations were adequate, but the furniture and appliances were somewhat outdated. The unit was clean, but there was nothing spectacular about it, and the deadbolt didn't work.

The restaurant attached to the resort is under construction. There is no spa onsite, only a local hair salon.

Since the accommodations are on Simpson Bay, I mistakenly assumed it would be on the long stretch of beach you read about online. This is not true. It's on a corner of a marina, and has a very small section that they have cleaned up but other than that it is pretty crappy. There are definitely much better beaches.

Overall, it appeared that most of the resorts weren't located on ideal beaches, but at least they had other amneties such as multiple pools, casinos, and a flurry of nightlife. I was actually embarrassed to tell people we were staying here.

When I researched online before our trip, I had read that the resort was built in '92 - this isn't true - a local confirmed it.

The outdated elevators, lack of activities, dead rat in the parking garage in full view, outdated furniture makes me question how this could be a Gold Crown.

I thought my expectations were too high, until we toured several other Gold Crown's (like the Royal Islander) and realized that there were much better places to stay on the island.

Stay here if you don't mind driving for everything including meals, and if you aren't picky about accommodations. If you have a choice for other Gold Crown Resorts, I think almost every other one would be better than this!

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Fair
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Fair
• Family Friendliness: Fair
• Service: Fair

We exchanged into the Atrium Resort June 12-19th and were disappointed in the resort, and surprised at the 2004 Gold Crown Status.

During our stay, the onsite restaurant was closed under renovation. It didn't appear to be opening anytime soon. The pool was very small, and the Jacuzzi was an above ground model found in middle class American homes. It was broken for six of the seven days. The noise level at the pool was loud due to the renovations.

Checkin.....

Unbeknownst to us, the first unit they assigned us was already occupied. We were staying in a Studio - part of a lock-off. When they took us to the room it seemed odd that they used a key to get into a double door that said 700/701. Once through those doors there were doors to units on each side. Both were wide open including the unit we were assigned. Our escort didn’t seem concerned. I don’t think the occupants were actually using the bed but there was a newspaper and used towels/soap in the bathroom. I had to actually inquire before the staff figured out their mistake and told us to hurry out of that room. They offered no help to relocate us to our new room.

THE ROOM.....

This room was okay and luckily empty, but had a terrible view and curtains that did not block out the 5am sunrise. We are early risers, but sunshine in your eyes at 5am was a little much. The room was very clean and almost everything was in working order, but overall it was outdated for a Gold Crown Resort. The room deadbolt wouldn’t secure the room, but luckily there were security guards on the property with multiple security cameras and we had no issues with vandalism or break-ins.

GENERAL COMMENTS.....

The elevators in the resort looked like they were decorated in the seventies and worked about as well. There were signs warning not to exceed a maximum occupancy of four, and postings stating if the elevator stopped working not to panic - just push the call button implying it broke down often. One of the two elevators stopped working for at least a day. Although the studio room was very clean, as was the workout room (equipped with relatively new equipment), a disgusting giant dead rat lay dead in the parking garage entrance for 2 days. There are video camera’s that monitor the entryway, and the employees use that garage, so the fact nothing was done about the dead carcass was disturbing.

IN SUMMARY.....

Normally I am not a complainer, but after we saw other "Gold Crown" properties on St. Martin, which were much more impressive, its confusing that this property is classified with the same rating.

Stay here only if you are desperate or not picky.

Our room had a view of the parking lot, but other than that we were very happy with the hotel. It was very clean and well kept. The room had the standard appliances and utensils. Our only gripe was that the king-size mattress was way beyond "firm" -- more like "rock hard."

The hotel amenities include direct dial phones, restaurant (Indiana), bar, a small fitness center, and a beach. The beach was nice enough for those times when you didn't have enough time to drive elsewhere. The Atrium is within walking distance to the Pelican Resort marina where many of the sailing and snorkeling trip begin. We would stay there again.

The rooms are very nice. We had a microwave, stovetop, coffee pot, full size refrigerator, and every utensil and kitchen tool we could need. We made a full breakfast every day in the room and really saved a lot of money without much money.

The staff was very nice and attentive. Twice we had to call for minor maintenance in the room and I was very impressed with how quickly they responded. The second time we called about the TV. As soon as we got off the phone we tightened the cable and fixed the problem. Before we could even call back to cancel the maintenance request somebody was at the door to fix the problem.

The beach and pool are also nice. As far as nightlife, there is nothing going on at the hotel, but it has a great location so you can walk to several restaurants or take a short drive or cab ride. I would definitely recommend this resort to others and am considering going back in the future.