Luxury Redefined: Exploring the Extravagance of Dubai's Premier Resort

Indulge in free-flowing champagne, pamper yourself with a 24-karat gold facial, and relax in a VVIP cabana with a suspended plunge pool at one of the Middle East's most luxurious resorts.

Located in Dubai, Atlantis, The Royal opened last year next to the brand's flagship resort on The Palm. The hotel made a splash with a three-day opening party featuring performances by Beyoncé and Swedish House Mafia, solidifying its status as one of the region's most iconic resorts. Just nine months later, it earned a spot on the inaugural World's 50 Best Hotels list, making it the only hotel in the Middle East to achieve this prestigious recognition.

“The guest rooms and suites at The Royal are truly raising the standard for the industry. But beyond that, there’s also the collection of restaurants that offer a great location for entertainment and dining,” says Tom Roelens, general manager at The Royal and managing director at Atlantis Resorts.

There are a total of 90 swimming pools available for guests to enjoy at the resort.

Atlantis, The Royal, is known for its abundance of bathing spots, with 90 options to choose from. These range from a 300-foot-long sky pool to private cabana plunge baths.

CNN had the opportunity to visit the hotel in March, just before the city was unfortunately affected by devastating floods in April.

The resort’s highlight is Cloud 22, the infinity pool on the 22nd floor. You can relax on sun loungers under stylish Dolce&Gabbana parasols while enjoying breathtaking views of the Palm islands. Fancy a cocktail or some caviar bruschetta? Head to the swim-up lotus bar for a treat. Another pool on the same floor offers a view of the Arabian Gulf, and you can also find private cabanas along the deck.

The VVIP Cabana on the Cloud 22 pooldeck overlooks the Arabian Gulf, with a glass plunge pool suspended from the second floor.

The VVIP Cabana on the Cloud 22 pooldeck overlooks the Arabian Gulf, with a glass plunge pool suspended from the second floor.

Rebecca Cairns / CNN

When private isn’t enough, there’s the VVIP duplex pool cabana. Used by Kendall Jenner for the launch party of her tequila brand, this luxurious pool pad features two lounge areas for entertaining and its very own glass-bottomed dipping pool, suspended from the second floor.

In the resort’s sky pool villas and signature suites, guests also have access to pools on their private terrace, up to 43 floors high, according to Roelens.

"We have transformed the traditional horizontal layout of a resort into a vertical design," explains Roelens. This innovation offers a truly distinctive experience, allowing guests to enjoy stunning views of The Palm and Dubai's skyline while also ensuring privacy."

High Society, the new champagne bar at The Lana, a Dorchester Collection hotel

High Society, the new champagne bar at The Lana, a Dorchester Collection hotel

Tina Hillier

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There are more water features in this hotel than just pools.

The interior designers drew inspiration from the Bedouin, the nomadic people who lived in the Arabian desert and relied on water wells for navigation, incorporating elements of their history into the design.

The theme of water is prominent at the resort. "Droplets," a 37-foot-tall stainless-steel structure in the lobby, symbolizes the first drop of rain in the desert.

Water is also featured in various ways throughout the resort. Glass elevators surrounded by 3,500 gallons of cascading water and three floor-to-ceiling aquariums housing 7,200 marine animals continue the theme.

Atlantis Royal Dubai, March 2024.

Atlantis Royal Dubai, March 2024.

Rebecca Cairns / CNN

Gold-gilded glamor

The hotel’s 795 rooms feature luxury amenities including designer items from Graff, bathrobes from Frette, and specially designed gold toothbrushes, combs, and brushes.

Guests staying in the “Royal Club” can enjoy all-day champagne service, daily afternoon tea, and canapes. In such a dry environment, water is a precious commodity, but Atlantis, The Royal offers an abundance of dining options.

Situated next to the Bulgari Hotel and Resort, residents of the Lighthouse will enjoy access to the resort's amenities and their own private pools. This digital rendering by ACPV ARCHITECTS and Neverending Studio showcases the luxurious surroundings.

Situated beside the Bulgari Hotel and Resort, residents at the Lighthouse will have access to the resort's facilities as well as private pools, pictured in this digital rendering by ACPV ARCHITECTS and Neverending Studio.

Bulgari Hotels & Resorts

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The resort boasts an impressive 17 dining options, featuring a wide range of celebrity chef restaurants. Roelens describes it as having the largest collection of such restaurants in the world. Additionally, venues like Nobu Beach Club, the only beach club of its kind for the luxury hospitality brand, are solidifying the resort's reputation as a place to see and be seen.

For a relaxing break, you can visit the 32,300 square-foot (3,000-square-meter) spa. Here, you can enjoy a luxurious gold facial and a unique "golden hour massage" which includes gold-dipped hot volcanic stones and gold-infused aromatherapy oil. The spa also offers therapies inspired by Arabic wellness traditions such as desert sand and date sugar exfoliations, as well as Gulf salt and date seed scrubs.

The Royal Mansion penthouse suite has designer amenities made by French fashion house Hermès, as well as bespoke gold toothbrushes, combs, and brushes.

The Royal Mansion penthouse suite has designer amenities made by French fashion house Hermès, as well as bespoke gold toothbrushes, combs, and brushes.

Atlantis, The Royal

A luxurious penthouse perfect for royalty (B)

The Royal Mansion is the main attraction for the wealthy elite, boasting a spacious 11,840-square-foot (1,100-square-meter) four-bedroom suite that spans over two levels. This is where Beyoncé and Jay Z resided during the grand opening performance.

The duplex at the resort, accessed through a private elevator and entrance adorned with 100-year-old olive trees that the resort has "adopted," offers stunning "360-degree views" of the Palm and the Gulf, according to Roelens. Guests can enjoy their own infinity pool, luxurious amenities from French fashion house Hermès, a triple-height library, a home-cinema room, and three dining spaces, providing them with a one-of-a-kind experience.

Atlantis, The Royal: The Royal Mansion — an 11,840-square-foot (1,100-square-meter) four-bedroom, split-level suite — at Atlantis, The Royal, is the most expensive hotel room in Dubai, with price-on-request starting from around $100,000 per night.

Atlantis, The Royal: The Royal Mansion at Atlantis, The Royal is the most expensive hotel room in Dubai. It is an 11,840-square-foot four-bedroom, split-level suite. The price for this luxurious accommodation starts from around $100,000 per night.

Atlantis, The Royal: The duplex suite, located on the 18th and 19th floors of the hotel, provides 360-degree views across The Palm and the Arabian Gulf and has housed famous guests, including Beyoncé and Jay Z, royalty and heads of state.

Experience luxury at Atlantis, The Royal with their duplex suite located on the 18th and 19th floors. Enjoy stunning 360-degree views of The Palm and the Arabian Gulf. This suite has welcomed famous guests like Beyoncé and Jay Z, as well as royalty and heads of state.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: The formal dining room seats up to 12 guests, and chefs from any of the resort's kitchens — including its celebrity venues — can be requested to cook for a private dining experience.

Atlantis, The Royal: The formal dining room can accommodate up to 12 guests. Guests can request chefs from any of the resort's kitchens, including its celebrity venues, to create a personalized dining experience for them.

Atlantis, The Royal: The double-height bar is perfect for sunset cocktails — although you won't be making your own drinks, as there's a 24-hour bartender ready to make your favorites.

At Atlantis, The Royal, the double-height bar is ideal for enjoying sunset cocktails. You won't need to mix your own drinks, as there is a 24-hour bartender available to craft your favorite cocktails for you.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: The suites rooms are all connected via a mobile app, allowing guests to control their room's thermostat, lighting, and television remotely.

Atlantis, The Royal: The suites rooms are all connected via a mobile app, allowing guests to control their room's thermostat, lighting, and television remotely.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: The triple-height library provides a secluded space to work, read or relax.

Atlantis, The Royal: The triple-height library provides a secluded space to work, read or relax.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: The entertainment room is kitted out with a 98-inch LED screen for a home cinema experience.

Atlantis, The Royal: The entertainment room is kitted out with a 98-inch LED screen for a home cinema experience.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: The suite comes with 24-hour butler service, including services such as unpacking luggage and pillow selection from the luxury pillow menu.

Atlantis, The Royal: The suite comes with 24-hour butler service, including services such as unpacking luggage and pillow selection from the luxury pillow menu.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: Every room has stunning views — including the marble-clad bathrooms.

Atlantis, The Royal: Every room has stunning views — including the marble-clad bathrooms.

Atlantis, The Royal

Atlantis, The Royal: Guests can enjoy designer amenities made by French fashion house Hermès, as well as bespoke gold toothbrushes, combs and brushes.

Atlantis, The Royal: Guests can enjoy designer amenities made by French fashion house Hermès, as well as bespoke gold toothbrushes, combs and brushes.

Atlantis, The Royal

Inside one of the world's most expensive hotel suites

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"We have added some exciting features to the suite such as backgammon games by Baccarat and a Louis Vuitton ping pong table," he mentions.

The luxurious interiors are accompanied by top-notch service: guests are greeted at the airport where staff take care of their luggage, and designer brands like Graff and Valentino are brought into the suite for a personalized shopping experience. Guests can have chefs from any of the resort's restaurants, including its celebrity venues, cook for them in the suite's private kitchen. Additionally, 24-hour butlers and bartenders are available for any needs.

"Ultimately, our focus is on providing exceptional service. We strive to anticipate and fulfill the needs and desires of our guests, even if they are not aware of what they are seeking," Roelens explains.

The Sky Blaze fountain combines 1,200 lights with pyrotechnics and dancing water jets.

The Sky Blaze fountain combines 1,200 lights with pyrotechnics and dancing water jets.

Atlantis, The Royal

Indulge in luxury

Experience the high-life with room rates that begin at approximately $1,300 per night during peak season. For the ultimate indulgence, the city's most exclusive penthouse suite is available for a staggering $100,000. Luxurious living comes at a premium cost.

According to Roelens, there are more accessible ways to enjoy the resort. One example is the Sky Blaze fountain, located in the resort's expansive grounds, which puts on a dramatic show every hour from 12pm daily.

The fountain is located near Elements Lounge, a terrace bar that serves sunset cocktails, and Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis, a Greek restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating. The business lunch menu at the restaurant costs just 200 dirhams ($55) - a great price for dining next to the fountain at the Middle East's best resort.

Editor's P/S:

Atlantis, The Royal, located in the heart of Dubai, epitomizes luxury and opulence. This architectural marvel has set new standards in the hospitality industry, offering an extraordinary experience that caters to the discerning tastes of its affluent clientele. From the moment guests step into the grand lobby, they are enveloped in an atmosphere of unparalleled splendor, where every detail has been meticulously crafted to create a sense of awe and wonder. The resort's abundant bathing options, including its sky pool and private cabana plunge baths, provide ample opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Beyond its luxurious amenities, Atlantis, The Royal, offers a culinary haven with an impressive array of celebrity chef restaurants and dining venues. Guests can indulge in exquisite culinary creations while basking in the vibrant ambiance of the resort's social spaces. The hotel's commitment to exceptional service is evident in every aspect of the guest experience, with personalized amenities and attentive staff dedicated to fulfilling every whim and desire. With room rates that reflect its exclusive status, Atlantis, The Royal, caters to a clientele who demand the very best and are willing to pay a premium for an experience that transcends the ordinary.