Atlantis The Royal Dubai review
Much has been made of the OTT launch of Dubai’s glitzy Atlantis The Royal resort, but how does it shape up as a functioning hotel?
Who would have thought the nomadic Bedouin tribes that traversed thousands of miles across sand dunes in blistering heat in search of water would inspire the levels of luxury found within Dubai’s newest landmark?
But as I arrive at Atlantis The Royal, built on Dubai’s famed man-made Palm Island, home to the notorious Billionaire’s Row and the resort’s sister property, Atlantis The Palm, its connection to some of the oldest inhabitants of the Arabian Desert and their most precious resource is clear. Greeted by countless staff and escorted into the lobby, I spot multiple references to water, notably in the 11m-tall sculpture representing the first drops of rain in the arid landscape. Continuing the theme, water gushes down slabs of Italian marble, pooling beneath glass walkways that are constantly being polished by staff. The multi-level pool, one of more than 90 on the sprawling property, is another example, overlooking a skyline almost always cloaked in a desert haze.
Atlantis The Royal has shifted the dial on the type of accommodation that can be expected in Dubai, a city where wealth and power are unashamedly flaunted. Designed by architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the hotel looks like a particularly gifted child has stacked rectangular building blocks into three towers either side of a wide open gateway, which separates the hospitality side of things from the private residences. Connecting it all is an epic 90m-long skybridge.
With 795 guestrooms across 43 storeys, the accommodation is aimed exclusively at a high-end clientele. Opulent is the key word here, though its execution is elegant, not gaudy. Interiors, by global firm GA Group, are bright and airy. The undulating blues in the plush lobby carpet reflect the hues of the Persian Gulf. Natural light floods through floor-length windows, glinting off the polished gold accents. It feels spacious and calm.
Every guestroom boasts views of either the Gulf or the city skyline. Each has an outdoor space, ranging from a modest balcony to an expansive terrace, some with glass-framed pools. Mine, a King Seascape Suite on the seventh floor of the Sunlight tower (there’s also Sunset and Sunrise), has the former. Sliding doors framed by automated linen drapes draw me outside. On the morning of my arrival, I perch in one of two plush outdoor armchairs to enjoy shakshuka eggs and flat bread, watching dawn turn the city pale pink.
The blue carpet in the lobby is repeated in my 55sq m room, bordered by pale marble. Furnishings include a tufted fabric couch scattered with silk cushions, a coffee table and desk. Timber in the foyer and walk-in robe add natural warmth. From the king bed, dressed in crisp white linen (with a range of pillows available), I can take in ocean vistas accompanied by the distant hum of jet skis and the occasional arrival of a giant cruise ship.
The centrepiece of the bathroom is a freestanding tub behind a glass wall that frosts at the click of a button. Twin vanities and Toto fittings are in polished chrome, and body lotions are by London-based beauty brand Graff. Even the gold vanity kit, which contains a golden toothbrush, comb and razor, has a touch of glamour.
while a drawer is filled with snacks such as potato chips, dried fruits and gummy bears. A kettle and Nespresso coffee machine round out the options.
When shown my room, I’m handed a card with a QR code that declares, “Your butler is just a WhatsApp away”. It enables me to arrange for housekeeping and room services with a single text. Light switches are accessed via a touchpad and the television acts as both entertainment and a hub where I can order in-room dining (available 24 hours), reserve a spot at one of the 17 restaurants and bars, choose from a menu of spa treatments or fitness classes at the wellness centre, Awaken, and book experiences such as helicopter rides over Dubai.
A minibar, which has the usual soft drink options along with Belvedere Vodka and Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial, remains stocked at all times,
Food becomes a fixation during my four-night stay, which coincides with the hotel’s extravagant star-studded unveiling to the world. Thankfully, each evening is marked by one restaurant opening after another, with world-class chefs Heston Blumenthal, Nobu Matsuhisa and Costas Spiliadis joining the line-up. Gastronomy, a series of restaurants within restaurants, seats up to 650 and presents a cornucopia of options. Breakfastgoes global, ranging from lobster and caviar dumplings, crispy barbecue duck bao buns, aromatic curries, traditional pastries such as pistachio maamoul, and continental items, including eggs Benedict. Boxes of caviar and shaved truffle are always on hand, ready to turn a modest slice of avocado toast into something special.
Blumenthal’s famous meat fruit is a culinary highlight, served at his first cocktail bar, Resonance, which complements his fine-dining eatery upstairs. I munch on Nobu’s spicy salmon tacos while lounging poolside at his latest concept, Nobu by the Beach. It has a casual vibe, and guests can walk barefoot from the private pool straight on to the sand. Milos, Spiliadis’s restaurant, offers a seasonal set menu of taramasalata and grilled pita, balik salmon with caviar cream and grilled octopus with Santorini fava. The flavours are in perfect harmony with potted olive trees, oversized urns and fresh seafood display, as though transplanted directly from the Greek Isles.
When it comes to relaxing, guests have the option of two main swimming pools. Most spectacular is the Cloud 22 infinity iteration perched dramatically on the skybridge with a cocktail bar, sunken lounges and cabanas, each with its own mini plunge pool.
Further indulgence happens at Awaken Spa, which guides guests through a series of treatments designed to awaken all the elements: body (earth), mind (fire), emotion (water), and spirit (air). My full-body massage, which combines aromatherapy with Reiki energy healing, starts with the drawing of an affirmation card, a crystal consultation and breathing exercises. The hour-long pampering in one of the centre’s specialty suites focuses on relaxing the major muscle groups. Afterwards, I tour the rest of the facility, comprising long, breezy hallways and a mixture of inside and outdoor areas. A visit to the bathhouse, charcoal sauna, aromatherapy steam loungers and meditation garden tops off the experience.
The piece de resistance, however, is a $33m performance by US superstar Beyonce. Unfortunately the show is a one-off occurrence, unlikely to be repeated for future guests. They’ll have to find their own entertainment. At Atlantis The Royal, they’re unlikely to go wanting.
Imogen Reid was a guest of Atlantis The Royal.
In the know
Atlantis The Royal is open for stays from February 10.
King Seascape Suites from $1888 a night, including breakfast.
The hotel is also a shopping destination with home decor boutiques such as Tangara and luxury brands, including Valentino and British label Orlebar Brown.