Atlantis The Royal, Dubai – Hotel Review

The Atlantis The Royal hotel cuts an imposing figure on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah island. Architecturally avant-garde – appearing as a stack of giant, mirrored bricks towering over the edge of the Persian Gulf – it certainly has the aesthetics of a flash UAE hotel. Its impressively attentive service and hive of celebrity-chef-backed restaurants from Dinner by Heston Blumenthal to Nobu By The Beach ensures its more than just a pretty face.

Where is Atlantis The Royal?

The hotel occupies a slice of beach on Crescent Road on the western side of Palm Jumeirah, separated from its sister property, Atlantis The Palm, by the hotels’ Aquaventure Waterpark. Arriving here from Dubai International Airport by taxi takes roughly 30 minutes.  

What’s near Atlantis The Royal?

This section of Palm Jumeirah is not suitable for on-foot exploration but taxis can take you to the city’s nearby attractions, such as Riva Beach Club, which is 13 minutes from the hotel, and Mall of the Emirates, famed for its indoor ski slope, just over 15 minutes away. 

Room types

There are a whopping 795 rooms on 43 levels within The Royal’s two trippy, terraced towers. The most coveted, of course, are the suites with private glass-walled pools, as well as the five A-list-worthy signature penthouses, which are bathed in Italian marble and glass. While the 520-square-metre Panoramic Penthouse will set you back an eye-watering $56,000 a night, the Palmscape guestrooms offer a generous amount of space at 55 square metres, including a balcony with views of Dubai’s iconic skyline and the multi-million-dollar villas on the fronds below, for a slightly more achievable $1500 per night (depending on the season).

Restaurants and bars

With 17 dining spots (including eight with ties to a renowned chef), this is where the hotel takes it to another level. Breakfast sets the tone with an opulent, all-you-can-eat spread, with themed cuisine rooms at Gastronomy. A highlight for its romantic interiors and elegant Persian dishes is Ariana’s Kitchen by Iranian chef Ariana Bundy. Meanwhile, the Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal explores the history of English cooking (leave room for the spit-roasted pineapple upside-down cake with links to the late-19th century) and Nikkei cuisine gets a casual beachside glow-up at Nobu By the Beach. Late nights are made for neon-lit Ling Ling on level 23, serving beats alongside Asian bites.

Accessibility

There are eight accessible rooms, plus ramps and elevators around the property. The resort’s vast public areas, wide corridors and internal boulevards are conducive to wheelchair-users. 

Travel for work

There’s free wi-fi throughout the hotel and all rooms have a smart TV as well as a USB charging station. The hotel’s Business Centre features six meeting rooms ranging in size from 29 square metres to 84 square metres for more formal affairs.

Spa and pools

There’s no shortage of places to swim here. This property has a staggering 90 swimming pools (44 of which are housed inside private residences and suites), as well as the longest stretch of private beach in the city. Of those swim spots accessible to guests outside of these rooms, it likely depends on who you want to share the water with: The Royal Pool is where families gather to beat the heat, while the adults-only rooftop Cloud 22, 96 metres up in the air, guarantees exclusivity by requiring a minimum spend to access its infinity pool and sweeping vistas. The sprawling Awaken Spa offers hammam treatments, 24-carat-gold massages, plus a charcoal sauna and chromotherapy LED light beds. The state-of-the-art fitness centre is open from 6am to 9pm.

What you need to know

Got kids in tow? All guests receive daily complimentary entry to the Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. If you’re travelling solo, why not splash out on a suite (or above) and get access to the Royal Club Lounge, where complimentary a la carte breakfast, afternoon tea, champagne, cocktails and snacks, such as freshly shucked oysters and cheese, are served.