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When I saw Beyoncé singing at the resort’s opening a few weeks ago, I knew staying here would be a VIP experience, but this was definitely the first.
The American superstar returned to the stage for the first time in four years, singing in a one-off performance that marked the grand opening of the Royal Atlantis hotel.
This thought kept coming to my mind after staying at Atlantis Royal, Dubai’s newest five-star resort. I thought about it as I soaked in the warm bubbly water of my freestanding tub; I thought about it again as I wrapped myself in that big fluffy dressing gown, slipping between the crisp white sheets of my king-size bed That’s the last thing on my mind.
Atlantis Royal Ocean View Queen Room
I knew staying here would be a VIP experience when I saw Beyoncé sing at the resort’s opening a few weeks ago, but this is definitely the first (pun intended).
There was a lot of fanfare when the hotel opened. Namely, Beyoncé.
The resort, sister hotel to Atlantis, The Palm, is less than 1km from the man-made palm fronds and is huge. From the outside, it looks like a giant is randomly stacking a bunch of boxes one on top of the other. From the inside, soaring ceilings make room for cascading water features, pool-sized aquariums, decadent chandeliers and impressive sculptures that appear to be the same giants falling from a height into the water , freezing in time when it hits the floor, splashes falling everywhere.
This work of art is unbelievable.
With a name like Atlantis, it’s no surprise that the resort embraces the water theme, nodding to that everywhere you look, right down to the puddle-shaped coffee tables in the rooms.
The main selling point of The Royal at Atlantis is the dining options. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another resort anywhere in the world that has so many celebrity restaurants under one roof – Heston Blumenthal, Gaston Acurio, Nobu Matsuhisa and Costas Spiliadis to name a few.
During my three night stay, I bravely tried as much as I could.
One of the incredible cuisines you can taste at La Mar.
First up is La Mar in Acurio, Peru, which promises authentic South American cuisine with a modern twist. I have a Peruvian mother who is known for her culinary prowess, and I was delighted to see that Acurio passed my secret test—authentic ceviche should only be made with lemons or limes, fresh peppers, red onions, and cilantro. A selection of Peruvian pisco cocktails are the perfect accompaniment.
The next night I had a completely different dining experience at a dinner at Heston Blumenthal. The British chef, known for his scientific approach to food, has created a historic menu based on dishes from the 14th to 18th centuries. I almost licked the plate clean with chicken liver parfait (c.1500), chicken with lettuce (c.1672) and their signature drunken cake with grilled pineapple (c.1858).
Dinner at Heston Blumenthal.
Even the meals by the pool were great. Nobu by the Beach offers a selection of bite-sized portions from Nobu’s main menu; I sneaked pool-soaked chicken nuggets, marinated chicken wings, and a truffle Caesar salad.
Slider, courtesy of Nobu by the Beach.
On my last morning, I indulged in the legendary breakfast buffet, aptly named Gastronomy. This buffet includes favorites like the (egg) Benedict Station, a room dedicated to cured meats and cheeses, and a room full of baked goodies.
All these indulgences are nicely interrupted with a visit to the AWAKEN Spa. Of course, it’s Atlantis, and it’s not just any spa. I opted for a local specialty Dubai desert sand and a date sugar infusion to make my skin sing. My monorail thinking quickly dismissed the idea – it smells delicious and is edible.
The pool area…a great place to escape the heat.
Dining 10/10
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Nobu on the Beach are sure to impress, but even the avocado toast at the Club Lounge Also delicious.
Ambience 8/10
All the staff will use the UAE’s classic “hand in hand” greeting, which will always put a smile on your face, and the chic interior atmosphere will make you feel like a VIP everywhere.
Location 9/10
Just 40 minutes from the airport but a million miles from the care center, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful spot in Dubai than the tip of the Palm Jumeirah.
SPA 8/10
You’ll find classic treatments like massages and facials on the spa menu, but local specialties like desert sand scrubs and Gulf salt scrubs are worth trying for a special experience.
3 Important Tips
- Don’t waste your money on Wi-Fi in Dubai, you can use it for free on public transport, bus shelters and most taxis.
- Head to Aquaventure when it’s open to avoid the crowds and lines during peak hours.
- You can’t possibly enjoy everything the gourmet breakfast buffet has to offer, so go to a different section each morning.
Ocean view king beds at The Royal Atlantis start at AED 2,125 (US$ 874)
The author is a guest of Atlantis Dubai
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