Atlantis, The Palm Hotel Review

Adventure awaits beneath the towering Arabian arch of Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai’s iconic ocean-themed hotel. Inspired by the legend of the Lost City this hotel is a world away from any other 5-star resort you've stayed in. 

From the moment you step foot in the iconic 18-metre high lobby, with its ornate glass sculpture and decorative carved pillars to when you lay your head down on unbelievably soft beds that look out into the aquarium waters, you'll know you've chosen somewhere truly special for your holiday. 

Take a moment to appreciate the fish-shaped door handles and shell patterned carpets in the luxury underwater suites before cooling off at the on-site waterpark with gravity-defying slides and rides. There's even a water slide that shoots you through a tank filled with sharks! 

With everything you could possibly need (or want) from a luxury getaway in one place, you could stay here for weeks and still find more to see and do.  Our Middle East Product Manager, visited this bucket-list-worthy resort and returned home with insider's knowledge of what to expect when you book a stay at Atlantis. 

Why we recommend the Atlantis, The Palm – Something for everyone

As cliché as it may sound, Atlantis offers something for every member of the family. The Lost Chambers Aquarium, that 65,500 marine animals call home, is popular with every visitor while foodies will love wining and dining in the 30 restaurants, bars and lounges. 

A bowling alley and games arcade should rouse up that competitive spirit or you could book a table for brunch – a Dubai 'must-do' activity – at Saffron, where you'll be treated to 20 live cooking stations and music by the resident DJ. Atlantis, The Palm caters to every whim and every style of traveller. 

Best for… families 

Atlantis, The Palm is one of our top picks for a family destination in Dubai thanks to its two excellent clubs. First up: Atlantis Kids Club where little ones are entertained with arts and crafts and supervised activities. While Club Rush is for teens with a dance floor, games lounge and regular movie screenings. 

That means more time for parents to relax, whether that be by the Royal Pool on a sun lounger, browsing what's on offer in one of the many luxury boutiques in the shopping complex (yes, the resort is really that big!) or in the ShuiQi Spa indulging in a state of the art treatment. 

Where is the Atlantis, The Palm located? 

At the very tip of Dubai’s famous Palm Island – the infamous palm-shaped island created on Dubai's coastline – Atlantis, The Palm has one of the best locations in the entire city with incredible views across the Arabian Gulf.

From Dubai International Airport the resort can be reached in just under 30 minutes and is only 25 minutes away from Downtown Dubai where you'll find the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall ready to welcome those ready to shop 'til they drop.  

Attractions near Atlantis, The Palm 

  • Spend an evening at Club Vista Mare – While we don't think it's possible to get bored of the dining options at Atlantis, The Palm, if you do fancy venturing out for the evening stop by this waterfront beach club. You'll enjoy spectacular views of the ocean and Dubai's skyline while you wine and dine on cuisine from around the world. We're big fans of the Ethiopian menu at Gursha where you can order a set menu and sample a range of authentic dishes. If you're a meat-lover, try the kitfo which is raw minced beef marinated in a hot chilli powder. 
  • Sail across Dubai Creek – Travel around half an hour to reach Dubai Creek where you can jump on an abra (a traditional wooden boat) and enjoy a ride across the water. It's a great activity to break up your stay and to see the city from a different perspective. These boats travel on two different routes, with one running 24 hours a day, and cost just AED1 (20p) to enjoy. You could spend the morning shopping in the Spice Souk before jumping on an abra to go and explore Dubai Museum in the afternoon. It's a convenient way of getting across the water, allowing you to see more of Dubai's rich culture up close. 
  • Spend a day at IMG Worlds of Adventure – The world's largest indoor theme park is the ideal place to take the kids to burn off some energy and escape the heat. With epic rides, animatronic dinosaurs and the opportunity to meet some of their favourite characters from the world of Marvel and Cartoon Network, it's the place for families during a visit to Dubai. 

Rooms and accommodation at Atlantis, The Palm 

Our favourite rooms are the Underwater Suites for their floor-to-ceiling views of the Ambassador Lagoon - you’ll be able to lounge on the  king-size bed and watch sharks, tropical fish and rays glide right by. Plus, you’ll have your very own private elevator access and extra perks including complimentary back, neck and shoulder massages and personal butlers – no request is too big or too small.

What to do & where to eat at Atlantis, The Palm 

We've selected just a few of our top picks of things to do and see while staying at Atlantis, The Palm. 

Spend an afternoon at the aquarium 

Spend an afternoon in the quiet of The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Explore the 21 exhibits housing everything from clownfish to sharks. Kids will be mesmerised and parents can enjoy a moment of tranquillity in the calming light of the tanks. 

See ice cream juggling at the Coldstone Ice Cream shop

Need to cool off after a day in the sun? Then drop by the hotel's ice cream parlour where the staff love to sing, dance and throw balls of ice cream around while preparing your order. It's a snack and a show! 

Try underwater yoga 

Don't worry, this class won't require you to don a diving suit and get into the tank, instead, it's held within a secluded area of The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Bend and stretch into your favourite yoga poses as rays and an array of other tropical fish glide by. These classes last for 60 minutes and cost AED125 (around £25) to take part.

Give a new watersport a go 

Get your adrenaline racing with a range of watersports available to try out on the stunning Arabian Gulf that laps Atlantis, The Palm's private shoreline. Hire a kayak for a leisurely couple of hours out on the water or seek thrills with jet skis available to ride around the Palm Island offering an exhilarating tour of the resort.

Snorkel in the Ambassador Lagoon 

Sign up for Atlantis, The Palm's Ultimate Snorkel experience where you don't need to be a pro diver to get up close to some of the aquarium's incredible residents. Swimmers aged six and up can don a mask and float in the water, amongst marine life such as rays and groupers.

Be entertained at Wavehouse 

This purpose-made entertainment venue offers everything from arcade games to a wave rider where you can test out your surf skills. Try to hit a strike at the bowling alley on the state of the art lanes, head to the surf shack-style restaurant for a freakshake or a rainbow slider (burgers with buns that come in shades of red and yellow and pink and green…you know the rest) or stop by to enjoy live music and DJ sets in the evening. 

Good to know 

Upgrade to Imperial Club for access to the Club Lounge with complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks. Plus, you’ll benefit from private check-in and check-out to really make you feel like a VIP.

Atlantis, The Palm FAQs 

Can you visit Atlantis, The Palm if you're not staying there?

While we wholly recommend staying at this bucket list worthy resort you can visit even if you don't have a room booked. The waterpark, aquarium and range of restaurants are all open to visitors, just ensure you book tickets or a table beforehand. 

How many pools does Atlantis, The Palm have? 

Guests at this luxury resort can choose between two pools, plus the variety of ways to cool off at the Aquaventure waterpark. There's the Royal Pool which offers a lagoon-style setting that's suitable for all ages, while the Zero Entry Pool is popular with younger families as it has shallow water and lots of comfy sun loungers. 

How much does it cost to stay at Atlantis, The Palm? 

Prices range depending on the time of year you choose to take your holiday – our guide on when to visit Dubai is a great place to start when deciding which month of the year to plan a trip. We also offer great deals such as free Half Board and kids stay free offers. Speak to our travel experts for more detail.  

What amenities do the rooms have at Atlantis, The Palm? 

It's safe to say that if you want it, you can get it at this luxury resort. As standard, rooms come with king or queen sized beds, bathrobes and slippers, turndown service and a fully stocked minibar (for an additional fee). High-speed internet access is also available if you want to stay in touch with loved ones back home and babysitting services can be booked if you want to enjoy some time as a couple. 

Does Atlantis, The Palm have its own beach? 

Of course! The resort's 1.4km private beach is where you can spend the day soaking up the sun or trying your hand at a number of watersports. 

Discover more hotels in Dubai

Looking for more inspiration? We've reviewed a number of resorts in the spectacular city of Dubai, from Bvlgari Resort Dubai to the One&Only The Palm located on the same island as Atlantis. 

Take a closer look at Atlantis, The Palm and what it has to offer. Speak to our expert team of Dubai travel experts for more guidance and to create a trip tailored to you.