Atlantis The Royal Dubai is in a league of its own

The “water” theme, which runs through the conception of the entire resort, is also taken up in the lobby: the sculpture “Water Droplets” made of stainless steel by a renowned artist symbolizes a raindrop in a dry desert landscape. It is 11.5 meters high and weighs 5.5 tons.

The world’s largest jellyfish aquarium in the lobby

The lobby, framed in light marble, is interspersed with huge bouquets of orchids and the centerpiece, the lobby bar, the world’s largest jellyfish aquarium and three other aquariums in the reception area. In addition to around 4000 moon jellyfish, over 7000 other sea creatures from 32 different species swim here. No wonder The Atlantis runs its own aquatic animal hospital.

And if you take good care of your animals, you won’t be stingy with your guests either. More than 3,000 employees from over 100 nations radiate multicultural flair and read almost every wish from the guest’s lips.

The feel-good factor of my stay doesn’t just begin in the hotel, because the service concept of the resort becomes clear as soon as I arrive at the airport. A very friendly employee waits in the front row, drives me to the resort in a limousine that smells of lotus and hands me directly into the hands of other cordial employees. No matter where I meet the staff during my stay, everyone calls me by my name.

How do they do it? I don’t know it. You’ve got it all here. The VIP care of a young Latvian, who speaks seven languages ​​fluently, goes from table to table and inquires about the well-being of her guests, is professional and unobtrusive. Kudos to the whole team!

Of course, the culinary delights are not neglected either. I’ve only had great food and outstanding drinks here. While the hotel industry in Europe is fighting for managers and specialists, the world seems more than fine here. All 17 restaurants are fully booked. I have another brief chat with the young Latvian who previously worked at the Hotel Le Bristol Paris, which I consider to be one of the best in the world. She confirms my impression. Atlantis The Royal attracts the best professionals in the industry from around the globe.

Everything seems balanced at Atlantis The Royal. An excellently coordinated design, exciting cuisine and a service bordering on perfection: I would like to say that really warm luxury hotels only exist in small boutique hotels. I can’t describe it more precisely: world class.

Atlantis is alive, but is now an absolute top-class resort and is also located on a fabulous island: The Palm Jumeirah and belongs to Dubai. When the Burj al Arab opened its doors at the end of 1999, the marketing spoke of the only seven-star hotel in the world. Of course, just like the Atlantis The Royal, it only has five stars, because that’s where the categorization ends. But if you follow logic, you would have to give at least eight, if not nine, stars here.

Eight restaurants under the direction of starred chefs

I’m considered critical, and I also thought I’d seen everything in terms of the hotel industry. But Atlantis The Royal, which opened earlier this year and is sister hotel to Atlantis The Palm, sets new standards in every respect. So here are a few facts: The spectacular new building covers an area of ​​more than 400,000 square meters, on which 795 rooms, suites and signature penthouses, 17 restaurants, lounges and bars – eight of them under the direction of star chefs – as well as over 90 swimming pools can be found on 43 floors .

44 of the suites have their own infinity pools; the sky pool on the 22nd floor hovers 90 meters above the ground and invites guests to “swim among the clouds”. The site is rounded off with an exclusive wellness facility including a hammam sensorium and the largest water park in the world, the Atlantis Aquaventure, which has 50 water slides in the Guinness Book of Records.

The guests of “The Royal” can also use the facilities of the sister hotel “The Palm”, which means that a total of 50 restaurants are available. Gastronomy is very important here. Nowhere else in the world do I know of this opportunity to use all the facilities of the two resorts together. In both resorts together, more than 6,000 employees look after their guests in over 2,500 rooms.

The view from my suite sweeps happily over the Dubai skyline and the Arabian Sea. The area is surrounded by the finest, privately owned sandy beaches, about two kilometers long, and by turquoise-blue water like on the Maldives. Most of the sand was specially imported from Australia.

I find it extremely difficult to find small errors. After all, as a hotelier you are always looking for small inattentions in the luxurious presentation. During my entire stay I found exactly two small things: My bedroom cannot be completely darkened because two small LED lights shimmer at me when I lie in bed. And although the doors are heavy and massive, you can hear a slight sound transmission through the gap below the door. But I probably only notice it because my Russian neighbors celebrate extensively.

I am compensated for by sleeping comfort in a class of its own. All mattresses used in the resort are handcrafted by award-winning British brand Hypnos and there is a dedicated pillow menu. In advance you can choose between all possible haptic conditions in terms of shape, grip and feeling in order to find the right pillow for you.

At breakfast, too, I have to revise my impressions of the last few years. The best breakfast for me so far was the breakfast at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. But here, too, The Royal is in the fast lane.

Just before check-out, I meet the general manager I worked with years ago. After a short chat, he says goodbye and says: “I have to continue, today I can honor the best of the best employees.” It seems to be a pleasure to work here. The check-out is just as warm, quick and professional as the entire stay. It was awesome. One can only hope that this Atlantis never sinks into the sea like that in Plato’s story.

Rath’s Voyage Rating (current rating in bold)

1. Explicit Travel Warning
2. Better than under the bridge
3. So-so, not oh, là, là
4. Complaining at a high level
5. If only it were always like this
6. Great cinema

insider tips

Restaurants: It is difficult to single out just one restaurant as a tip here. From the Nobu by the beach by star chef Matsushia, known worldwide for his Peruvian-Japanese cuisine, about the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal by the Michelin-starred chef of the same name, who inspires with modern twists on historic British dishes from the 14th century, to Jaleo by Jose Andréswhich was awarded the James Beard prize and presents the rich flavors of Spanish cuisine, there is a highlight for everyone.

Lounge: Cloud 22 is a stunning dance floor location 22 stories above the sea that also serves French-Mediterranean fare. One of the best spots in the entire Emirates to enjoy the sunset with skyline, infinity pool and an unforgettable view over the Arabian Gulf.

Wellness: The Awaken Wellness convinces with holistic, transformative wellness treatments that are combined with the latest technology.

Attractions: The largest water park in the world, the Lost Chambers Aquarium, home to 65,000 sea creatures, or a legendary diving experience in the form of one Aquatrek walk, which leads to the mysterious depths of the sunken city of Atlantis. If that’s not enough, you can through the Ambassador Lagoon snorkel or at the Shark Safari participate.

About the author: As a former grand hotelier and operator of the Travelgrand.ch travel platform, Carsten K. Rath is a professional globetrotter. He travels to all the hotels he writes about for the Handelsblatt on his own account.