I didn’t know what made a luxury hotel “luxurious” until I stepped into Atlantis, The Palm for the first time. Despite being on the tail end of a 20-hour travel day, I had never felt more alive than when the car service drove me under the iconic coral pink archways and into what can only be described as an Arabian palace.
Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Atlantis, The Palm doesn’t believe in quiet luxury – it screams it loudly. From the carefully maintained gardens to the 32-foot glass sculpture greeting guests in the lobby, the resort’s grandeur isn’t exactly subtle, but I would come to learn that the luxury is in more than just the aesthetics. During my stay, it was in the world-class service, dining experiences, entertainment options, and the aquarium casually filled with more than 65,000 marine animals. When you stay at the Atlantis, The Palm, it’s clear they don’t want to just treat you as a guest: to them, you’re royalty.
Here’s what prospective travelers should know about what it’s like to stay at Atlantis, The Palm.
About Atlantis, The Palm
- The resort contains 1,544 hotel rooms, including two underwater suites.
- Guests receive complimentary access to Aquaventure Waterpark, the largest waterpark in the world.
- Guests also receive complimentary access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, one of the largest open-air aquariums in the Middle East.
- The property has the largest stretch of privately-owned beachfront in Dubai.
- There are 35 restaurants, lounges, and bars in total.
- They have a sister property next door called Atlantis, The Royal.
What I Like About Atlantis, The Palm
The best part about Atlantis, The Palm is the service from the staff. From the time I checked into my room to the moment I reached the airport, there was consistently an Atlantis worker greeting me with a smile.
When I walked into Kaleidoscope for the first time, a breakfast buffet dining option, the host showed me around so I could familiarize myself with all the food options before digging in. When I didn’t know what appetizers to order, my waiter at Ayamna recommended some of the best food I’ve ever had. (This is your sign to order the cheese rakakat.) When I left my iPhone charger out all tangled in my room, my housekeeper untangled the cord and secured it with a little band that had a dolphin on it. And when I got lost on my way to dinner, one of the many security guards standing around was quick to point me in the right direction. Sometimes it’s the little things that are the most luxurious.
To say I enjoyed the dining experiences at Atlantis, The Palm would also be an understatement. It all started when I ate at Nobu for dinner the first night of my stay. I’m from a land-locked state, so fish isn’t really my thing, but Nobu’s miso-marinated black cod could potentially be the best part about the trip.
Then there was the milk chocolate and hazelnut parfait at Hakkasan (a Michelin-starred restaurant), the New York strip steak from Seafire Steakhouse, the White Beach feta dip, and the shrimp Kunafa from Ayamna. All of these foods continue to live rent free in my mind, and I loved that they were all conveniently located in the hotel.
Atlantis, The Palm doesn’t just get the food right, though. One of the best parts about the resort is all of the entertainment options. As a beach girl, I loved lounging at the White Beach, which is Atlantis, The Palm’s private beach club. But I also loved spending an ample amount of time at Aquaventure Waterpark, the largest waterpark in the world. (Pro tip: make sure to get the free socks from guest services when you arrive, it will save your feet from the hot ground as you wait in lines!)
When I wasn’t lounging on the beach or pretending I wasn’t scared going down Blackout (a water ride with the tallest vertical drop in the Middle East), you could find me getting lost in the aquarium. It was mesmerizing seeing the sharks, fish, and sting rays casually on the walk back to my hotel room.
And when I finally made it past the aquarium, I was probably hanging out in the Imperial Club – a premium lounge service offered to people who book a designated Imperial Club room. The club offered a delicious breakfast buffet every morning, afternoon tea, sunset happy hour, and plenty of snacks throughout the day. (For every green juice I drank, I cancelled out the nutrition with a bowl of the club’s red gummy candies.)
What to Consider Before Booking Atlantis, The Palm
If you’re traveling to Dubai from the United States, one thing to consider is how long it takes. From Newark to Dubai, the flight time ended up being around 15 hours, which definitely isn’t for everyone. It’s worth it, but be prepared with snacks, downloaded episodes of your favorite TV shows, a good book, and maybe some melatonin to help you sleep. (That said, if the flight time is too long, Atlantis also has a resort in the Bahamas that’s much closer.)
Atlantis, The Palm is also a little tucked away from some of the main attractions in Dubai. With traffic, it took me around 30 minutes to get to the Dubai Mall (the biggest mall in the world) from Atlantis, The Palm. It’s also around 45 minutes to and from the airport.
All that to say, if you’re coming to Dubai to see Dubai, you may enjoy staying at a different hotel more centrally located. If you’re coming to Dubai to stay in a very luxurious hotel, however, you will enjoy Atlantis, The Palm since it houses some of the best food and entertainment in Dubai anyway.
Of course, the cost is also a huge consideration. Depending on when and where you’re flying from, the flight to Dubai can range from $1,600 to $2,200 round trip. Then, an average night at Atlantis, The Palm can be around $500. This also doesn’t include food or beverage you’ll spend in Dubai or at the hotel, though the hotel does offer some packages.
Who Atlantis, The Palm Is Best For
Atlantis, The Palm is a great vacation destination for couples vacationing together. I personally traveled with my boyfriend, and we were never bored. There was always something to do or an activity that appealed to us, and the food was also incredible.
This resort could also be an option if you and your friends are looking for your next vacation, as long as it’s within budget, of course. I saw a ton of bachelorette parties and friends walking around the resort together. (If you do decide on Atlantis, The Palm for your next girl’s trip, definitely check out the AWAKEN spa. I had the best massage of my life there.)
Atlantis, The Palm may also be best for families. Throughout my stay, I found myself wishing my young nephew could have been there with me to experience the hotel. With the complimentary passes to The Lost Chambers Aquarium and Aquaktrek Waterpark, it’s like an adventurous child’s dream.
Is Atlantis, The Palm Worth the Trip?
A stay at Atlantis, The Palm is absolutely worth the trip. Though it’s a considerable cost and will take a considerable amount of time to travel to from the United States, this was the most luxurious and memorable vacation of my life. I’m still buzzing from the vacation, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to casually see a shark on my way to dinner ever again.
That said, definitely take the cost into consideration. To help save on costs, it might be worth trying to book during shoulder season, which, in Dubai, is June to August.
Travel and expenses for the author were provided by Atlantis, The Palm for the purpose of writing this story.
Taylor Andrews (she/her) is the balance editor at PS, specializing in topics relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health, travel, and more. With seven years of editorial experience, Taylor has a strong background in content creation and storytelling. Prior to joining PS in 2021, she worked at Cosmopolitan.
