Dubai has many iconic hotels with new ones opening up every month. But one hotel which will always be the most famous one and even belongs to the landmarks in the city is the Atlantis The Palm Dubai! In this Hotel Review you’ll find out what lets this hotel stand out from the crowd.

Atlantis The Palm Dubai

LOCATION

The Atlantis is located at the famous Palm Jumeirah which makes it to the perfect location for a relaxing vacation with lots of sunshine. The resort is surrounded by a private beach with multiple pools and of course the big Aquaventure Waterpark. From the airport it only takes a 25-30 mins taxi ride to the Atlantis and in just 20 mins you can reach the Dubai Mall and the famous Burj Khalifa.

Rooms & Suites

During our stay at the Atlantis The Palm Dubai we had the chance to check out two different categories: A King Room with Imperial Club Access and the biggest suite in the whole resort: The Royal Bridge Suite.

Imperial Club King Room

This category is perfect for couples: A big room with a cozy king bed, balcony and my highlight: A luxurious bathroom with a tub which stands right next to a sliding door which can be opened completely to watch the window view through the bedroom. From the balcony we had a great view over the Royal pool & beach and the Dubai Marina skyline behind The Palm.

Imperial Club

Booking a Room or Suite with Imperial Club Access is the perfect idea if you like to enjoy some snacks whenever you’re in the mood for it, a quiet and intimate breakfast atmosphere plus drinks and pre dinner bites in the evening. It’s the biggest lounge we’ve ever seen in a hotel with a private Lobby for Check-In, a huge and well equipped bar, a buffet which changes throughout the day and even a beautiful sunset terrace which is the best place to enjoy some evening cocktails.

Royal Bridge Suite

During our last day at the Atlantis we had the chance to visit their biggest suite which is one of the most expensive suites in the world: The Royal Bridge Suite located at the highest floor of the Atlantis. It is only accessible via a private and well hidden elevator for a maximum of privacy. 3,000 square feet of luxury with several bedrooms, bathrooms, the biggest living room I’ve ever seen, billiard room, dining room and what not! A highlight is the huge and royal balcony which leads one time around the whole suite and offers a panoramic view over The Palm and the Arabian Gulf. The master bedroom has two private bathrooms which are designed like a Turkish Hammam with lots of gold and marble. The Royal Bridge Suite is favored by many stars & Royals visiting Dubai and as soon as you enter it you clearly feel why.

Specials of The Atlantis The Palm

The Atlantis The Palm Dubai is not only a resort but more of a “theme park” for adults & families – they have everything you could possibly look for during your stay: No matter if restaurants, night clubs, shops, kids activities, spa & salons, … So it’s not even necessary to leave the resort at all during your stay if you don’t like to!

The Pool & Beach

As already mentioned above the Atlantis is surrounded by a sandy beach which is only accessible for hotel guests. The water is very shallow and usually warm which makes it to a great place to practice some stand up paddling or simply relax in the sun loungers. All together the Atlantis has three pools: The biggest one is the Royal Pool which usually also has the most visitors. If you want to relax I would suggest you the Zero Entry Pool which is designed like a lagoon with shallow water and the Nasimi Restaurant right behind it. All Pools have sun beds and towels which are of course included for all hotel guests. The third pool – an infinity pool – with a view right at The Palm and the Marina Skyline is located at the WHITE Beach Club.

The WHITE Beach Club Dubai

This is one of the newest and most stylish Beach Clubs in Dubai which gave us a total Tulum vibe! We loved the design of the WHITE Beach Club, the live DJ, the atmosphere and of course the amazing view from the infinity pool right at the beach. The drinks and snacks from the WHITE Restaurant are incredibly fresh & delicious! My favorite has been the avocado & truffle pizza – definitely don’t miss it if you’re coming. The entry is only for adults 21+ and the fee is AED 150 (40 USD )which you get back on a food & drinks during your visit. On Thursdays the have special offers with unlimited food & drinks which you can find here! I can highly recommend to book your lounger in advance since the seats are limited and booked out quickly – especially Thursdays & Fridays.

Aquaventure Waterpark

What makes The Atlantis The Palm Dubai so famous is not only its unique shape but also the extensive waterpark. Guests who stay at the Atlantis can enjoy a free entry throughout the entire stay which is incredible! So you can split your visit of the park and discover all areas on different days or simply use your favorite slide as often as you want! I can highly recommend to visit the waterpark right at the opening hour 9.45 am – that’s how you will have the park almost to yourself and don’t have to wait in lines at the slides. It usually only gets full during midday.

The Lost Chambers Aquarium

Another attraction which is free for hotel guests are the Lost Chambers Aquariums to discover the maritime life. The highlight is without any question the Ambassador Lagoon: a 11-million-litre aquarium which is home of a large number a sharks, rays and fish. All species living here can be found in the Arabian Gulf as well but unfortunately many of them are endangered. The Atlantis has several maritime biologists which do research about the animals and helps to spread awareness about the shrinking population of sharks & rays all around the globe! At the same time they have a breeding program which releases sharks & rays back into the gulf to repopulate it.

P.S. If obscuring these gracious animals through a glass wall isn’t enough for you, the Atlantis offers snorkeling and diving sessions in the Ambassador Lagoon. We did the snorkeling session on our last day and absolutely loved to see the lagoon and its inhabitants from this perspective.

Breakfast & Restaurants

Due to its extensive size the Atlantis has a whopping 30 restaurants, bars and lounges! With big names like NOBU or Gordon Ramsey to Beach Bars and small restaurants for a quick lunch. Even for breakfast hotel guests have different options to decide from:

Breakfast at the Atlantis The Palm Dubai

You can find two breakfast buffet restaurants at the Atlantis – one at each tower. They offer a wide selection from international cuisine, Arabian specialities and Asian options. A highlight for me was the chocolate fountain – what a way to start the day! This buffet definitely has the right choices for EVERYONE.

Due to our included access to the Imperial Club we also had the option to enjoy our breakfast there. The atmosphere is more quiet and calm with a smaller but still amazing selection of breakfast choices. If you like to start your day a bit more laidback than I can highly recommend you to enjoy your breakfast in the lounge. But plan at least one morning to check out the immense variation of the Kaleidoscope or Saffron Breakfast Buffet Restaurant too! If you come early it will still be quiet

Seafire Steakhouse & Bar

Choosing the right restaurant of so many options wasn’t an easy decision but we followed a recommendation and went to the Seafire Steakhouse – which really surprised us! The interior is stylish & elegant but still rustic & cozy with an open kitchen to watch the chef, a wine cellar and a vintage Bar. The centerpiece of the restaurant is the excellent beef with the finest cuts and quality. After an Amuse Bouche from the chef we ordered two of their signature starters which both have been amazing plus a beef tenderloin & beef cheeks with several sides. The taste has been incredibly flavorful and the size of the portions very generous. For the dessert we got surprised with a collection of all their desserts. Together with a pairing bottle of wine it’s been our favorite & most memorable restaurant visit in Dubai! I highly recommend the Seafire Steakhouse for an unforgettable dinner experience! P.S. They also have great veggie options on their menu

RÉSUMÉ

Wow! The Atlantis The Palm is definitely more than just a regular resort in Dubai – this place feels like stepping into another world full of enjoyment, relaxation & pleasure for all kind of travelers: No matter if families with kids, couples who enjoy fine culinary or friends who like to party! We only stayed here for two nights which clearly wasn’t enough to explore the whole complex to the fullest but now we know that the Atlantis The Palm Dubai is the most famous hotel in Dubai for a good reason!

Click here to organize your own stay The Atlantis The Palm Dubai

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We had a sponsored stay at the Atlantis The Palm Dubai

Dubai is a bustling metropole which never sleeps. For travelers it’s important to be close to the heart of the city and to have the best views at the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world. But at the same time it’s nice to have a relaxing place with delicious food options to return after an exhausting day. The Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai covers it all! This is my hotel review about our stay:

Shangri-La Dubai Review

LOCATION

Located in Dubais International Financial Centre, the Shangri-La is located just some minutes away from the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. Due to this amazing location, the views from most rooms and from other hotel areas like the pools or the terrace are absolutely mind blowing!
Taxis are waiting in front of the hotel all day long so it’s easy to get a quick ride to the Burj Khalifa instead of walking in the midday heat. If you wanna take the train to a more remote area then you can find the train station just a quick walk away from the hotel.
Even though the Shangri-La is located very central it’s just a 15 mins taxi ride away from the international airport DXB.

The Lobby

Walking in the Lobby you instantly step into the elegant world of Shangri-La combined with Arabic elements. The Lobby Lounge is the ideal place to relax or meet up with clients. My favorite part about it was definitely the amazing selection of cakes they offer for an afternoon tea – which is just perfect for a sweets lover like me!

Our Room

Deluxe Burj Khalifa View Room

With all together 302 rooms and suites the Shangri-La Dubai offers different room categories for families or couples. Not all rooms have a view at the Burj Khalifa so make sure to book the Deluxe Burj Khalifa View Room if you wanna admire the tallest building in the world right from your sofa. The higher the floor the better the view! We had our room at level 35 of all together 42 floors.

The Rooms are very spacious with a cozy bed, a desk and a sofa at your window with Burj Khalifa view! The interior is timeless and elegant with many wooden details. The bathroom is also very spacious with a shower and bathtub.
All deluxe rooms are equipped with many amenities you could possibly need during your stay and with a boiler with a great selection of tea and instant coffee.

Spa & Pools

CHI, The Spa

The Shangri-La Dubai is like an oasis in the middle of this bustling metropolis. The Spa Area CHI is the perfect place to unwind and calm down. The massages and treatments are inspired by Asian natural healing methods. I had a one hour full body massage and felt completely renewed afterwards. Spa Facilities like steam rooms and saunas can be used after your treatment free of charge.
Due to the current situation all massage therapist and guests have to wear their masks during the treatments so everyone can feel safe.

Health Club & Indoor Pool

Located on the 42th floor with an incredible view over the Financial Centre and the Burj Khalifa is the Gym located as well as the indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. Thats definitely an incredible place to work out or simply to refresh in the cool pool.

Outdoor Pool Area

No matter if you want to soak in the warm Arabian sun or to relax in the shadow while sipping a fresh cocktail, the outdoor pool area of the Shangri-La is the ideal place for a lazy day. Beside the main pool with pool bar you’ll find a kids basin and hot jacuzzi. It gets quite busy during the day but in view to the current situation all sun loungers are located at least 2m from each other to keep distance.
We loved to come down to the pool for a swim before breakfast and to enjoy the lovely view of the Burj Khalifa right from the water.

The View

As you may already have noticed in my hotel review: The Shangri-La Dubai is all about incredible views. That’s why it’s a famous location for photographers and Instagrammers just like myself. If you wanna get the iconic shot, head up to the 42th floor and you will see two terraces with the famous Burj Khalifa view. I especially loved the sight right after sunset when all the lights started to blink and the city get’s a surreal atmosphere!

Private Dining with a view

If you’re maybe planning your Dubai visit for a special occasion like an anniversary, birthday or engagement, I can highly recommend you to book a private dining at the 42th floor. The Shangri-La team will arrange a beautiful individual setup on the right terrace which will be reserved just for you. Especially a sunset dinner or private breakfast will definitely be an unforgettable memory! Sitting on top of Dubai, eating pancakes and overlooking the tallest building in the world was an absolute “Pinch me!” moment that I’ll never forget!

Breakfast & Restaurants

Main Restaurant Dunes Café

Dunes Café is the all day dining restaurant of the Shangri-La with an elegant design and a lovely terrace to sit in the shadow. Breakfast is served daily until 11 am at the buffet with a great selection of international, Asian and Arabic dishes. Due to Covid-19 the items of the buffet can’t be taken by yourself but will be served by one of the staff members to avoid close contact of the food with many people. Additionally you can order fresh egg dishes which will be served to your table.

The Shang Palace

Our favorite restaurant of the Shangri-La Dubai is the Shang Palace with an authentic traditional Chinese cuisine. We tried different starters which all have been amazing! Their signature dish is crispy Peking duck which will be cut right at your table and served with several sauces, cucumber and spring onions to wrap them in traditional pancakes. It’s one of our all time favorite dishes and we have been amazed by the quality here at the Shang Palace! Make sure you don’t miss this incredible restaurant when you’re in Dubai – it’s also open for non hotel guests.

Hoi An

The third restaurant serves Vietnamese delights and traditional dishes like summer rolls, Pho soup or Banh Mi. Make sure you don’t miss the evening Khai Vi Brunch and enjoy a selection of all their dishes from appetizers to desserts every Friday and Saturday from 7-11 pm.

RÉSUMÉ

The Shangri-La Dubai is one of the best hotels in the city! The combination of the incredible hospitality, ideal location, amazing dining possibilities and of course the mind-blowing views make it to the perfect accommodation for a sunny holiday or business trip. You will have an amazing stay for sure!

→ Click here to book your stay at the Shangri-La Dubai

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We had a sponsored stay at the Shangri-La Dubai