Dubai / Atlantis The Royal

Widely recognised for its feats of architecture and illustrious establishments, Dubai certainly doesn’t do things by halves. And this might be its most soaring and extravagant venture yet.

Making its mark on the skyline in early 2022, Atlantis The Royal is an architectural feat that promises a whole new, and honestly quite staggering, level of modern opulence. The magnitude of the resort is enthralling enough – resembling a giant game of Jenga, it stands 43 storeys high and houses an eye-opening 90 swimming pools in total across resort and residences. The expansive infinity sky-pool, sky-courts and sky-terraces bring about an indoor/outdoor living, normally associated with low-rise mansions, up from the ground and into cantilevered towers above the gulf.

The lobby sets the tone with a cascading water feature that erupts into flame-like fountains. Unrestrained 24 carat gold gilded floors and walls are dotted throughout and the interiors are meticulously handcrafted – think delicate porcelain pieces, the finest textiles and bespoke embroidery. Reinventing the traditional guesthouse concept, Atlantis The Royal aims to create a community with a strong sense of home. The result is a residence and hotel concept that combines the best aspects of urban city living and a beachfront holiday resort. With rooms, suites and the signature penthouses all designed impeccably, it’s almost difficult to single out which of these homes and rooms are the most exclusive.

Travel notes:

• 795 hotel rooms; 231 luxury apartments
• The largest stretch of privately owned beachfront in Dubai
• 17 restaurants and bars and an unprecedented collection of celebrity chefs under one roof, including Heston Blumenthal, José Andrés, Costas Spiliadis and Ariana Bundy
• 3,000 sq metre wellness centre with an outdoor yoga lawn
• Access to activities and experiences at Atlantis, The Palm