Atlantis The Royal, Dubai...Crazy in Love
Crazy In Love, one of Beyonce’s biggest hits, is how I would sum up my feelings about The Royal Atlantis Dubai. Perfectly connected with the resort as Beyonce headlined its recent opening. I know that she will have been treated like the ‘Queen B’ she is because this boy from Yorkshire - now a proud Londoner - was treated like a King during my stay. My excellent treatment and above-and-beyond service started as soon as I left my home in London as all my arrangements were made by The Luxury Travel Club who simply leave nothing to chance and take care of every detail.
Upon arrival in the vast foyer of the Atlantis, The Royal, I was checked in and shown to my gorgeous room on the 18th floor. Overlooking the palm and the beaches below, I enjoyed effortlessly combined comfort and luxury that was brought together in a contemporary design. My room was one of those rooms that you just wish you could spend longer sitting and relaxing; but, with so much to explore across the resort, time was something I didn’t have on my side. I feel very blessed to have been able to stay in this magnificent place, in the first few weeks of its opening, to both experience and appreciate this immaculate version of luxury.
This resort is unlike anywhere else on Earth. Numerous swimming pools dot the resort, but my favourite is the Cloud 22 pool, located on the 22nd floor of the hotel. It is simply spectacular. As I walked around the corner for the first time, the skyline and infinity pool revealed themselves in the most breathtaking manner. I could do nothing for a moment but look. Fortunate enough to have a cabana for the afternoon, I enjoyed a social meeting before lounging in the sun, swimming and taking in the view across Palm Island.
A passionate diner I was completely spoilt for choice, with Dubai further fuelling its reputation as a leading gastro city. My tastebuds travelled many miles without leaving the hotel, as all the international cuisines you could desire are well celebrated. There are 17 restaurants, 8 of which are celebrity chef restaurants - including one of my favourites, Heston Blumenthal. I managed to visit Malibu 90265, where I had the best burger I have ever had, enjoyed a multiple-course breakfast in Gastronomy, and had beautiful fish in Milos. Ling Ling was amazingly fun and beautifully designed, while La Mar was alive and serving excellent authentic Peruvian food.
This luxury and much-anticipated resort was eight years in the making. Designed with a distinctive exterior that some of us compared to a jumbo game of Jenga, 43 storeys reach 178 metres into the sky. This hugely imposing structure has a footprint on the Palm that sprawls over 50 hectares. However, as expansive as the resort is, the architects still found a way to ensure the venue feels, in parts, like a boutique hotel. The resort has three distinct, separate towers, respectively called Sunrise, Sunlight and Sunset. The towers connect across a main gallery, with linking promenade levels filled with restaurants and luxury stores, such as Valentino and Graff.
As someone who loves a spa, I was disappointed not to get the chance to visit the Awaken spa. With a full range of health and beauty treatments on offer for those that love to invest in how they feel, make sure that you set aside some me-time to enjoy at the spa. I most certainly will be booking appointments for my next stay.
I did prioritise some of my activities, visiting Nobu by the Beach for relaxation. The first beachside Nobu in the world, this place is exquisite. I didn’t dine – although their food is world-renowned - but instead I enjoyed a cold beer and people-watching in the comfort of the cabana.
My time at Atlantis The Royal was all too short, but it will not be my last. My two-day stay could and should have been at least 4 or 5 days to enable me to experience more of this amazing resort. I feel blessed to have been there and I can’t wait to visit again.
Thank you, The Luxury Travel Club and thank you Atlantis, The Royal…. unforgettable.
