No need for witchcraft or black magic to feel attracted by Atlantis, The Palm. The first-class location, atop the crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure and 1539 luxurious rooms are just some of the magic dimensions of this resort in Dubai.
Just like the Chinese Wall and the Palm islands, the fireworks displayed during the opening of Atlantis were visible from space. At least that’s what some say. Rumours aside, one thing is certain. Atlantis, The Palm – the result of a US$1.5 billion investment – was the first resort opened on the Palm Jumeirah. Perfect for a family holiday, Atlantis, The Palm welcomed its first guests on September 24th 2008, quickly becoming one of the most sought-after resorts in Dubai. The true scale of this Kerzner International project – 46 hectares, of which 17 are dedicated to Aquaventure – can be appreciated only from the air.
Are you into water sports & fun? Then try Aquaventure, the biggest and most dynamic aquapark in Dubai.
It contains 18 million litres of fresh water, a 2.3 km long river, rides with fast bends (ascending/descending) and pools. Using advanced technologies, the system uses over 750000 litres/minute to create waves that reach up to two metres in height. The coolest ride of Aquaventure, visible from the shore, is The Ziggurat, a 30 metres tall structure. Spanning 3 levels, this pyramid represents the starting point for 7 exciting rides of different complexity, two of them ending in the shark pool. Not for the faint hearted, Leap of Faith drops, almost vertically, from a height of 27.5 metres. Before you know it, you end up amongst the sharks in just a few seconds! Afterwards, to calm down your beating heart, head to Dolphin Bay. Here, on a 4.5 hectares area with three pools and a beach, you can interact with the dolphins, guided by trained instructors.
At the end of a day spent on the private beach or at Aquaventure the culinary experience comes as a natural choice.
Atlantis, The Palm prides itself with 17 restaurants, four of them with celebrity chefs. At Ronda Locatelli, surrounded by a decor which blends the rustic side of Italy with Dubai modernism, celebrity chef Giorgio Locatelli amazes with his dishes, completed by a rich wine selection. For breakfast, lunch or dinner in a traditional French surrounding, Rostang, The French Brasserie is the perfect spot. Here, the experience of Michel Rostang – two Michelin stars – can be seen in every culinary delight. Atlantis guests can also opt for the first Nobu outpost in the Middle East, where Nobuyuki Matsuhisa’s innovative menu is backed by a sushi-bar and the wooden furnace. Moreover, Spanish celebrity chef Santi Santamaria – three Michelin stars – is the person who makes wonders with the menu from Ossiano.
All 1539 rooms and suites in the Royal Towers come with a private balcony, offering breathtaking views across the Palm or the Gulf.
The two Lost Chambers Suites are very popular amongst the guests, overlooking directly into the Ambassador Lagoon. A huge marine habitat, with 11 million litres of water and hundreds of species, the aquarium also includes some ruins which recall the mythical Atlantis. The Bridge Suite (924 sq m) represents the height of luxury, connecting the East and West Tower. Located on the 22nd floor, the Bridge Suite offers a private elevator, three bedrooms, floor-toceiling windows, gold covered dining table for 18 persons, 6 plasma TVs ranging from 82-116 cm in size. Moreover, guests who opt for the Bridge Suite are welcomed by a CD/DVD player, a high-end sound system and an universal remote for absolute control.