Some resorts have it all. World-class dining; luxurious rooms and hotel grounds; direct beach-access; the most amazing activity offer for kids as well as adults; and an architecture that made it a landmark in its own right. Atlantis The Palm Dubai does indeed have it all. Atlantis actually means hidden or lost city, and a city it is indeed. But luckily not hidden nor lost!

Location

Atlantis The Palm Dubai is located right at the top of the famous artificial island The Palm, shaped in the form of a palm crown, in Dubai. It was the first resort to open its doors on Dubai’s revolutionary manmade island in 2008. The city’s mainland is 10 minutes away by car or the monorail, the city and the airports can be reached within a 45 minutes’ drive. The way up to the resort is the first part of the experience. The central arch is huge and welcomes guests as if they would enter a fairy-tale like kingdom. Actually, that is how many consider the Atlantis experience. With its castle-like towers, blossoming gardens, gigantic proportions, playgrounds, waterfalls, and general underwater theme, it is easy to understand why.

Once inside, no costs were spared to extend the fairy-tale experience. Decorations in the form of sea creatures, storey-high interiors, lots of colours, fountains and thousands of flowers set the atmosphere. And indeed, no costs were spared: the hotel costed around 1.5 billion US Dollars to build, encompasses 46 hectares, has 1548 rooms & 7 signature suites divided over towers of more than 20 storeys each, boasts an aquarium with 65,000 fish and sea creatures, and has one of the most amazing waterparks in the world. Welcome to Atlantis.

Rooms & Suites

At Atlantis The Palm, more than 823 guests check in and out every day. The bell desk moves more than 513,000 pieces of luggage to and from the rooms per year. These bags go to one of the 1,548 rooms or seven signature suites. Or maybe even to Atlantis’ signature Royal Bridge Suite, located on top of the arch, which measures 924 square meters and costs 27,000 US Dollars per night.

The underwater theme is extended to the interior of the rooms, with a palette of blue colours and sea decorations. Luxurious bathrooms features showers and bathtubs, single vanities and all necessary amenities. The balconies on the higher floors boast the best views on The Palm and the surrounding ocean. Guests have the choice between different guest rooms or suites. The highlights include The Underwater Suite, which boasts breathtaking views of 65,000 marine animals from the comfort of your bed or bath, and The Royal Bridge Suite, one of the world’s most prestigious suites, which connects the two towers, features 3 bedrooms, and a team of butlers and chefs.

A special mention goes out to the Imperial Club, which offers very interesting Club benefits like complimentary airport transfers, express check-ins, priority reservations, a private beach, daily breakfast, afternoon tea, evening cocktails with canapés, and more.

The interior design of all villas is light and contemporary, combining natural materials with earthy colours. The white, blue, brown and green colours harmonise with the colours of the surrounding nature. While these surroundings are rich and lush, the interior, with its straight lines and smart appointed decorations, gives balance and eases the mind. Each villa features a king size bed, air-conditioning & ceiling fan, safe, sitting area, wooden floor, wardrobes, vanity, workspace with charging stations, a private sundeck with sunbeds and lounge/dining area. Villa amenities include a wine fridge, minibar, espresso machine, tea and coffee facilities, Bluetooth sound bar, a 48-inch flat screen IPTV, and more. The bathroom is spacious and luxurious, offering a double sink and a rain shower.

Resort Assets

Atlantis The Palm is often claimed as the ultimate destination hotel. With its awarded waterpark (Dubai’s largest, by the way), huge aquarium, 23 dining outlets, bowling alley, spa, beach club, sports fields, shopping mall, and much, much more, there is indeed something to do for each and every day of your stay. Some highlights?

• Get wet and wild on one of the more than 30 slides and water attractions in Aquaventure Water Park, the resort’s water playground with more than 18 million litres of water.
• Count fish and marine creatures at The Lost Chambers Aquarium and the Ambassador Lagoon. With more than 65,000 marine animals, spectacular sightings are guaranteed. Did we mention you can also dive in and swim between these wonderful animals?
• Swim with or watch Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins eat (between 5-7 kg of fish per day) at Dolphin Bay.
• Book a spa treatment in one of the 27 treatment rooms at the ShuiQi Spa.
• Spent your money at the 2,200 square metres shopping mall with 35 luxurious retail outlets.
• Feast on world-class food, and join the 4.4 million yearly diners, at one of the resort’s 28 restaurants, including some by celebrity chefs like Nobu Matsuhisa, Giorgio Locatelli and Gordon Ramsay.
• Burn calories in the pools, on the tennis or volleyball courts, or on the jogging track.

Gastronomy

Where else in the world can you stay for almost four weeks and eat at a different restaurant every day? The day starts with sumptuous breakfasts at different buffet restaurants. For brunch or lunch, choose your day wise. Friday Fundamentals Brunch has been crowned as the best brunch in Dubai and offers more than 220 different dishes. But there’s a party brunch at Saffron, too, as well as a brunch at the famous Hakassan. Dinner is even more exciting. From award-winning fine dining at underwater restaurant Ossiano, to celebrity chef dinners by Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa and Giorgio Locatelli. Oh, and the nightlife scene is vibrant, too, with White Beach Club and Restaurant and the Wavehouse being the social hotspots for the dark-hours F&B.

During our visit we focussed on the fine dining offer and were amazed by the following restaurants:

• Ossiano: award-winning chef Gregoire Berger offers a multi-course fine dining menu with some of the world’s best ingredients, in one of the world’s most unique settings. His seafood-focused creations are the best imaginable food to be served in the remarkable underwater backdrop. For more information about Ossiano, please consult our restaurant section.

• Hakkasan: Atlantis The Palm is home to one of the outlets of the famous Michelin-starred Hakkasan. At this stylish restaurant, guests enjoy Cantonese dishes with a modern twist, signature cocktails and an award-winning wine list. The interior is inspired by the famous flagship restaurant of the brand in London, with carved wooden screens and a brilliant mix between authentic Chinese and glamorous contemporary design. Some of the must-try dishes include the signature Peking Duck with caviar, or the Jasmine Tea-smoked Wagyu Beef Ribs.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
• Nobu: The world-renowned Nobu restaurant at Atlantis The Palm was Nobu’s first opening into the UAE region. At this vibrant, dynamic and beautiful restaurant, celebrity Chef Nobu Matsuhisa combines redefined Japanese cuisine with Peruvian twists. The gastronomic delights are served in an elegant space that combines a sushi bar, wood oven, sake lounge and dreamy Japanese garden. Don’t leave without trying one of the famous signature cocktails, and especially the black cod with miso. The Omasake Menu, served in 6 or 7 courses, is a great way to discover Chef Nobu’s cuisine. Fun fact: did you know this restaurant is partly owned by Robert De Niro? 

• Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar: at Bread Kitchen, guests can enjoy the British dishes from famous chef Gordon Ramsay. It is a great choice for breakfast, the popular brunch, a wonderful Sunday roast or a filling Beef Wellington with truffle mash and sumptuous honey-glazed vegetables.

Why Go?

Why Go? ‘Why not go?’ is a better question to ask when it considers Atlantis. It is impossible not to find something that you will like at this playground for adults as well as kids. Fantastic food & drinks, one of the world’s best waterparks, a breathtaking aquarium, luxurious rooms and suites (including some of the world’s most extravagant hotel suites), and all imaginable leisure and sports assets: Atlantis The Palm is nothing less than a city of hospitality. A unique place that has to be experienced