We stayed at ... Atlantis the Royal, Dubai

I knew when I saw Beyonce sing at the resort’s opening weeks earlier that a stay here would be a VIP experience, but this was definitely a first.

There’s something quite special about being the very first person to stay in a hotel room.

It was a thought that kept coming back to me again and again after checking in at Dubai’s newest five-star resort, Atlantis the Royal. I thought about it when I sank into the warm bubbly water of the freestanding bath; I thought about it again as I wrapped myself in the big, fluffy dressing gown and it was the last thing on my mind as I slid between the crisp white sheets of the king-sized bed.

A seascape queen room at Atlantis, the Royal

I knew when I saw Beyonce sing at the resort’s opening weeks earlier that a stay here would be a VIP experience, but this was definitely a first (pun entirely intended).

The hotel opened with much fanfare. Namely, Beyonce.

This resort – a sister property to Atlantis the Palm less than 1km down the man-made palm frond – is massive. From the outside, it appears as though a giant has haphazardly stacked a bunch of boxes on top of each other. From the inside, the towering ceilings make room for cascading water features, pool-sized aquariums, decadent chandeliers and an impressive sculpture that looks like that same giant has dropped water from a great height and has frozen in time as it hit the floor, splashing drops everywhere.

The artwork is incredible.

With a name like Atlantis, it’s no surprise the resort embraces a water theme, everywhere you look there are nods to this, right down to the puddle-shaped coffee tables in the rooms.

The main drawcard to Atlantis the Royal are the dining options. You would be hard pressed to find another resort anywhere in the world that has as many celebrity eateries under one roof – Heston Blumenthal, Gaston Acurio, Nobu Matsuhisa and Costas Spiliadis to name a few.

I make a valiant effort to try as many of them as possible during my three-night stay.

One of the incredible meals you can sample at La Mar.

First up is La Mar by Peruvian Acurio who promises authentic South American dishes with a modern touch. With a Peruvian mother who was renowned for her cooking ability, I was thrilled to see Acurio passed my secret test – an authentic ceviche should only be made with lemon or lime, fresh chilli, red onion and coriander. The selection of cocktails made with Peruvian pisco are the perfect accompaniment.

The following night, I have an entirely different dining experience at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal. The British chef renowned for his scientific approach to food has created a historical menu drawing on dishes from the 14th to the 18th Centuries. I all but lick the plate clean with the chicken liver parfait (c.1500), chicken cooked with lettuces (c.1672) and their signature tipsy cake with spit roast pineapple (c.1858).

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Even meals taken by the pool are amazing. Nobu by the Beach offers curated bite-sized portions from Nobu’s main menu; I sneak in chicken sliders, marinated chicken wings and a truffle-topped Caesar salad between dips in the pool.

Sliders, courtesy of Nobu by the Beach.

On my final morning, I indulge in the legendary breakfast buffet, aptly named Gastronomy. This buffet includes delights such as the (egg) Benedict Station, a room just for cured meats and cheese and a whole room filled with baked delicacies.

All this indulgence is nicely punctuated by a visit to the spa, AWAKEN. And of course, it being Atlantis, it’s not just any spa. I opt for the local specialty of Dubai desert sand and date sugar infusion which leaves my skin singing. My one-track mind quickly dismisses the thought – it smells good enough to eat.

The pool area ... a great place to escape the heat.

DINING 10/10

It’s a given eateries like Dinner by Heston Blumenthal and Nobu by the Beach will impress, but even the avocado toast in the Club Lounge is delectable.

AMBIENCE 8/10

The classic Emirati ‘hand on heart’ greeting from all staff will keep a smile on your face and the chic vibe of the interiors will make you feel like a VIP at every turn.

LOCATION 9/10

An easy 40 minute drive from the airport but a million miles from care, you’ll be hard pressed finding a more beautiful location in Dubai than the apex of the Palm Jumeirah.

SPA 8/10

You will find classic treatments like massages and facials on the spa menu but the local specialties like the desert sand exfoliation and the Gulf salt scrub are worth a try for something special.

3 TOP TIPS

• Don’t waste money on Wi-Fi in Dubai, you will find it for free on public transport, bus shelters and most taxis.
• Head to the Aquaventure water park when it opens to avoid the peak middle-of-the-day crowds and queues.
• There’s no way you can enjoy everything the Gastronomy breakfast buffet offers, so tackle a different section each morning.

Rooms at Atlantis the Royal start from AED2125 ($874) for a Seascape King Room

The author was a guest of Atlantis Dubai

Originally published as We stayed at ... Atlantis the Royal, Dubai