The incomparable ATLANTIS THE ROYAL resort, opening its doors in 2023 on the crescent of Palm Island, is a vibrant new landmark in Dubai that focuses not only on the form of the building, but also on the highest level of service and lifestyle that sets a new standard of excellence.
ATLANTIS THE ROYAL is located adjacent to the iconic Atlantis The Palm and has become a new reimagining of this iconic building against the urban backdrop of Dubai’s fast-growing skyline.
Rising 43 floors with stunning views of the Arabian Sea, ATLANTIS THE ROYAL was designed by the world’s leading architects and artists and is the epitome of sophistication and extraordinary luxury.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, one is immediately attracted by the original 11.5 meter high steel installation “Droplets”, reflecting the idea of the first drop of rain in the arid desert, as well as several huge aquariums located along the walls.
As the General Manager Tom Roelens, says: “Atlantis The Royal heralds a new dawn in ultra-luxury travel for Dubai. It subverts the classic stereotype that Dubai + luxury = gold/opulence, moving the very definition to something that is hyper-personalised, something that is so special it must be experienced to be believed. Ultimately, it’s about the service: Atlantis The Royal is more than amazing suites or world-class amenities, it offers 24/7 attention to detail, so that every guest has exactly what they want, when they want, how they want it, before they have even asked for it”.
ACCOMMODATION
ATLANTIS THE ROYAL offers 795 guest rooms, including 44 suites and penthouses, which combine stylish interiors with magnificent outdoor seating areas. Private balconies, large terraces and private pools make you feel like you are sitting amongst the clouds.
We stayed in one of the hotel’s most luxurious suites, the Sky Pool Villa, with a terrace and infinity pool where you can relax on a sun lounger and admire the serene sea.
The room has all the best for a comfortable stay — a large living room in blue and turquoise colors stylishly combines with a spacious bedroom in calmer light colors, a dressing room, a private kitchen with coffee and tea facilities, a mini-bar, a large bathroom with a bathtub and shower.
The bathroom is equipped with exclusive Graff toiletries created especially for ATLANTIS THE ROYAL and perfumes by the famous French brand Hermès.
Cloud 22
All guests staying at the hotel have access to Cloud 22, located on the 22nd floor of the hotel at a level 90 meters off the ground.
Fashion and poolside luxury ascend as Cloud 22 partners with iconic fashion house Dolce&Gabbana and Ounass for Dubai’s most glamorous takeover.
Here, in a combination of blue and white colors, you can enjoy the pool and stunning views of the city. Sunbeds, Lotus and Infinity Floating Beds and 15 private Cabanas are available, as well as a bar with drinks and snacks.
DINING AROUND
The hotel features 18 world-class restaurants, cafes, bars, including 8 celebrity chef restaurants and one Michelin-starred restaurant. ATLANTIS THE ROYAL joins Atlantis The Palm as Dubai’s premier culinary destination, where the world’s top chefs present their gastronomic creations worthy of the highest praise.
“As the leading culinary destination in the region, we continue to attract and join forces with the biggest players in the world of hospitality, — says the General Manager Tom Roelens. 2024 will see The Frantzén Group open two restaurants at Atlantis, The Palm, one of which we will aim to be the first three-Michelin star restaurant in the region, and we are also looking at partnering with several additional global names over the next couple of years. Our aim is always to continue to present our guests with the greatest collection of world-class restaurants and iconic dining experiences in one destination, and I don’t believe there is anywhere on earth that offers its guests and visitors the breadth of culinary experiences, that we do.”
Gastronomy Breakfast
The perfect way to start your day with a sumptuous breakfast served daily from 07.00 to 12.00 in the Gastronomy restaurant.
It is a world of gastronomic wonders, where the finest ingredients and vibrant flavors are transformed into culinary masterpieces to create an unforgettable buffet experience.
The restaurant is divided into different stations, where each guest will find his or her favorites: Mediterranean, Asian, Russian cuisine, healthy food, fruits, vegetables and herbs, freshly baked bread, sweet and salty pastries, desserts, juices and smoothies, coffee bar with its own coffee shop, as well as champagne and cocktails based on champagne, tequila and vodka.
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
In the evening, we went for dinner at this elegant, one Michelin-starred restaurant for a promenade through the cuisines of medieval Britain.
Chef Heston Blumenthal has created a menu that brings historical discoveries and fascinations into new and contemporary cuisine.
We started our dinner with the chef’s iconic dishes:
-Meat Fruit (13th-15th century) — Mandarin, chicken liver parfait & grilled bread (155 AED)
-Lobster & Cucumber Soup (1730 The Complete Practical Cook by Charles Carter) — Lobster salad, smoked onion, rock samphire & sorrel (335 AED)
-Hay Smoked Salmon (1730 The Complete Practical Cook by Charles Carter) — Gentleman’s relish & pickled lemon salad (130 AED)
Wine suggestion: Le Domaine d’Henri, Petit Chablis Michel Laroche & Ses Enfants 2022, Petit Chablis, France
-The Truffle (13 th-15th century) — Truffle, mushroom parfait & grilled bread (190 AED)
Wine suggestion: COS, Ramì Blanco 2021, Terre Siciliane, Italy
Of the main course, the following items caught our attention:
-Cod In Cider (1940 The Good Cook in Wartime by Ambrose Heath) — Chard, onions, mussels & smoked artichokes (320 AED)
-Roast Cauliflower (1661 The Whole Body of Cookery Dissected by William Rabisha) — Smoked brown butter, truffle & macrows (225 AED)
-Fillet Of Wagyu Beef (1830 The Cook and Housewife’s Manual by Mistress Meg Dodds) — Mushroom ketchup & thick cut chips (475 AED)
Wine suggestion: Chandon de Briailles, Corton Grand Cru ‘Les Bressandes’ 2016, Corton Grand Cru ‘Les Bressandes’, France
Also, main course can be supplemented with different Sides:
-Mixed Leaf Salad (55 AED)
-Thick Cut Chips (55 AED)
-Truffled New Potatoes (175 AED)
For dessert we made an excellent choice of Nitrogen ice cream. It is not only one of the most delicious desserts, but also the most spectacular, as it’s prepared right in front of your eyes:
-Nitrogen Ice Cream Trolley (c.1901 Article in The Table by Mrs. Agness Bertha Marshall) (100 AED)
Wine suggestion: Château d’Armajan des Ormes 2016, Sauternes, France
As a final touch of the experience — Chocolate ganache mini-tartlets.
Nobu by the Beach
This place is called “a paradise for relaxation” — by day it is a sophisticated club with a pool and a beach, where you can enjoy a sunny day while pulling up a cocktail.
And in the evening in a relaxed and lively atmosphere you can treat yourself to a variety of delicacies of Japanese cuisine with Peruvian motifs. So we did on one of the evenings.
In order to have a complete idea of the restaurant’s cuisine, we tasted dishes from different sections of the menu:
Cold plates:
-Yellowtail Jalapeño Sashimi (130 AED)
-Chu Toro Mizuna Dressing Sashimi (220 AED)
-Lobster Pineapple Shiso (240 AED)
-Smoked Salmon Club (135 AED)
Warm plates:
-Rock Shrimp Tempura (145 AED)
-Crispy Shiitake Salad Goma Truffle Dressing (95 AED)
And indeed one of the most significant Nobu dishes, in a fresh, reimagined version: Black Cod Miso
Cut Rolls are presented in the variety of combinations, however we found them less interesting than the other dishes (Shrimp Tempura Truffle Tonkatsu, Salmon Avocado Jalapeño, Tuna & Caviar and others)
AWAKEN WELLNESS
The most revitalizing activity we had at the hotel was a visit to the Awaken Wellness Spa Center, which is an innovative holistic therapy combined with modern technology, epitomizing wellness and a new source of inner energy.
It offers various treatments aimed at rejuvenating, strengthening and revitalizing the body — Sensorium hammam, aromatherapy, charcoal sauna, salt rooms, snow room, light therapy, face and body treatments, different massage techniques.
We opted for a general body massage with elements of muscle stretching, and received tremendous pleasure and a great burst of strength and energy as a result.
Tom Roelens: “Nothing about Atlantis The Royal falls in the category of a typical resort. From the incredibly complex feat of building 44 pools in the sky to the innovative architecture of the resort, to hosting Beyonce for our Grand Reveal- everything we do at Atlantis The Royal aims to be category-defining and unique to its core. These surprise and delight moments cannot be found not only anywhere in the region, but in the world”.
Atlantis The Royal
Address: Palm Jumeirah, Crescent Rd, The Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Instagram: @atlantistheroyal
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE