Atlantis, The Royal took centre stage this month as the latest addition to the world’s most impressive resorts. Joining a string of lofty hotels along Dubai’s coastline, its unique look makes it really stand out from the crowd. For the launch, Beyoncé herself delivered an explosive performance, establishing the hotel as an unparalleled world of glitz, glamour, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
It’s the hottest resort in the world right now, with its first guests arriving in Spring 2023. But what is it, exactly, that makes this hotel so iconic?
1. Setting and hotel design
Atlantis, The Royal claims a prize position on the crescent of Palm Jumeriah, looking out over the Arabian Sea. Heralded as a new icon of the skyline, the hotel takes its place alongside its sister property Atlantis, The Palm, where it’s bound to become one of the most impressive new sights.
With a staggering 43 stories stacked artfully towards the sky, spanning 406,000 sq m, this hotel isn’t shy about its spacious luxury. Its glistening towers are unified by a 90ft infinity pool, centring the theme of water among its works of art. The magnificent Droplets statue, inspired by the first drop of rain in the desert, gleams in the lobby. Outside, the 28m Skyblaze Fountain combines the forces of fire and water for a striking visual display, unlike anything that’s ever been done before.
NYC’s Kohn Peterson Fox Associates is responsible for the hotel’s innovative design. As the brainpower behind other architectural masterpieces, such as London’s Covent Garden neighbourhood and six of the world’s tallest towers, the majesty of Atlantis, The Royal comes as no surprise.
This sophisticated style extends to 795 rooms, suites and signature penthouses. The Royal Club rooms offer 24-hour butler service, and exclusive access to the Royal Club Lounge, serving daily breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails. Meanwhile, the Sky Pool Villa includes a private infinity pool, with stunning views across to the ocean. Luxury brands such as Hermes, Frette and Graff supply bespoke amenities in every room.
While Atlantis, The Palm emits a palatial air from its soaring, pink-tined towers, Atlantis, The Royal is a new modern icon. It reaches the same level of grandeur but makes it contemporary, and shakes up the landscape with a flash of something different. It’s an ultra-trendy take on a luxury resort – and where better to experience it than the dreamy coast of Dubai?
2. Fine dining
In line with its aim to surprise and redefine, the 17 restaurants scattered across Atlantis, The Royal take your tastebuds to new territories.
Celebrity-helmed kitchens grace the list of dining spots, including Nobu Matsuhisa’s eponymous Nobu, a Japanese-meets-Peruvian restaurant deemed one of the best in Dubai by the MICHELIN Guide.
There’s also Heston Blumenthal’s succinctly named Dinner, serving historic British classics dating back to the 1300s. The esteemed chef has a bar here too, serving impeccable cocktails in a beautiful setting with a jellyfish tank that a staggering 4,000 jellyfish call home!
There’s also Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, a replica of the original in London. Perfecting British cuisine since its conception, this place is a hit for families, with live entertainment every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
José Andrés, Costas Spiliadis, Ariana Bundy, Mich Turner and Gastón Acurio have also brought their talents to the kitchens at Atlantis, The Royal, setting high-end gourmet dining as standard for every meal during your stay.
3. Unforgettable experiences
Opulence is the through line at Atlantis, The Royal; walks from the lobby to your rooms serve as unforgettable experiences alone. Hand-crafted sculptures line the corridors, and the Arabian sea seems to follow your every move, its gently-lapping waves visible from all angles. Inside these clean-cut walkways, you’ll also find resort-chic boutiques, along with home décor stores such as Tangara and Valentino Boutique.
There’re also several pools spread across the resort, including cabanas with private plunge pools, and two adult-only pools at Nobu by the Beach. Families can head to the Royal Pool, which has a kids’ pool attached. Cloud 22, the resort’s amazing rooftop pool, is a great place to soak up panoramic views of the beach below. In the evenings, head to White Beach for a chilled-out day and night by the pool. This trendy spot presents two pools, and outdoor terrace and a luxurious open-air terrace.
16,500 sq ft of the property is claimed by the lavish holistic spa, AWAKEN Wellness. Taking every typical spa treatment to the next level, AWAKEN intends to enliven and soothe the senses with a range of relaxing treatments. Sink into the ultimate sauna experience at the Hamman Sensorium, enjoy a deep massage, or get that holiday glow with an indulgent facial. AWAKEN also offers a fitness centre to work off some steam, a cellular therapy clinic, and a personal styling studio.
Outside, a mile and a half of private beach runs calmly alongside the hotel, its velvet-soft surface inviting you for a day by the sea.
4. Precious family time
The hotel offers a range of once-in-a-lifetime underwater activities, which are perfect for families seeking to enjoy an experience together.
Little guests will especially love the Lost Chambers Aquarium. Home to 65,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays and various species of fish, you can dive deep into a recreation of the lost city of Atlantis. Choose how you explore the city’s remnants, whether it’s scuba diving, snorkelling or a trek along the bottom of the tank.
Surpassing previous standards once again, Atlantis, The Royal also features the world’s largest waterpark, Aquaventure. Designed to get the heart-racing, adventurers can surrender to the highs, lows, twists and jarring turns of the swooping slides. There are also spaces to chill out around the borders of the park, to watch the splashing from afar and enjoy tasty poolside snacks.
For evening entertainment, head to the stylish Wavehouse. With a bowling alley, arcade, restaurant, bar, terrace, and so much more, this is the central hub of family entertainment with a calm, easy feel and thrilling live music.
Your royal escape
We’ve given you a glimpse of why Dubai’s Atlantis, The Royal is such a highly-anticipated newcomer to the luxury scene.
To be one of the first to experience its majesty, contact one of our Travel Specialists. Our team can help you plan your personalised, tailor-made getaway to Dubai.