This Glitzy Hotel in Dubai Is the Ultimate Vibe
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
There’s vacationing, and then there’s vacationing à la Beyoncé. Back in January, the A-list celeb legit broke the internet after performing for the first time since 2018 at the Atlantis The Royal Dubai's grand opening ceremony. So, naturally, when the opportunity came for me to attend the concert-slash-cultural reset *and* get to stay at the new hotel, I immediately texted every single group chat I've been a part of since middle school and shoved all of my desert-friendly 'fits into my carry-on (okay, it was a massive checked luggage, but whatevs! When in Dubai...).
^ IRL footage of me legit tracking how close we were to landing at the airport.
Now that I've officially recovered from my epic experience, I can confirm that, yes, every single celeb and influencer imaginable was there to check out the hotel's opening weekend (Chloe and Halle Bailey? ✔️ Ellen Pompeo? ✔️ Kendall Jenner? ✔️✔️✔️ I mean, did you not see the pics?!). And, yes, the venue IRL was just as opulent and lavish as they say. Enter: My hot takes on absolutely everything you need to know about the Atlantis The Royal Dubai, including all of the amazing places to see and be seen in quite possibly the most spectacular city I've ever been in (sry, New York). Let's get into it!
(P.S. Just FYI, the writer received comped accommodations, transportation and meals in order to write this story.)
STAY:
As I pulled in towards Dubai’s human-made Palm Jumeirah island, I was able to almost immediately identify the Atlantis The Royal. I mean, after all, there's no other building on the island's dazzling skyline that looks legit like a Lego creation—but don't worry, it's on purpose.
Designed by renowned New York City-based architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, the stacked boxes that make up the hotel actually represent a deconstructed skyscraper. Now, usually I'm a little too busy soaking up the sun while on vacation, but I couldn't not talk about the design of the hotel itself simply because it's that cool. Considering the hotel refers to itself as the “most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world,” I knew that what was inside was bound to somehow (?!?!) get even better...
And that it did! As I made my way inside the hotel, I found that it was not only glamorous, but truly so massive that it felt like an endless palace. The entryway is lined with waterfall walls that—I kid you not—spout plumes of fire, and leads into a large lobby decked out in white Calacatta Oro marble and gold accents. Just beyond are tons of restaurants and attractions, but more on those later! And if you're just as obsessed with fashion as I am, prepare to be beyond thrilled for yourself/terrified for your credit card because the hotel houses truly *chef's kiss* stores, including Valentino and Graff.
P.S. Aside from the chic lobby, private beach, and amazing outdoor lounging areas, Atlantis The Royal is home to the impeccable Awaken Spa, which boasts an incredible array of facilities, including:
A chromotherapy room
A Himalayan salt sauna
A steam room and a hammam
Outdoor and indoor relaxation lounges
A vitality pool
TL;DR: It's was impossible not to feel relaxed by the end of my stay.
Rates at Atlantis The Royal, a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, start from $400 per night.
PLAY:
Kyma: Though I had been familiar with Kyma's other outposts in New York, nothing could have quite prepared me for their Dubai location, which can be described as nothing short of paradise. The hotspot is roughly 10 minutes away from the hotel and features everything from an infinity pool and plush cabanas for laying out right by the beach to a drool-worthy Mediterranean menu perfect for sharing with friends. My ultimate rec? Don't skip the pasta and truffle dish, and make sure you get to see the fire dancers at sunset.
AYA: An immersive entertainment center, AYA takes its guests through an expansive, 40,000 square foot space of interactive experiences via 12 rooms that combine art and technology. Once I received my “passport” to guide me through the 12 rooms and find out where they got their inspo from, I was on my way to starting one of the coolest experiences on the trip.
Sky Views: Perched on top of the Address Sky View hotel, this attraction comprises three distinct offerings—the Observatory, the Glass Slide, and the Edge Walk—for those of you who aren't afraid of a thrilling experience here or there. And, as someone who has never even been on a roller coaster, I can personally attest that you, too, can probs handle it.
Hatta: A 90-minute drive from Dubai's bustling center is Hatta Mountain Reserve, a secluded, yet totally action-packed adventure complex that offers visitors and locals alike a dose of nature with everything from kayaking and rope courses to paragliding and mountain bikes. As more of a city girly myself, I was honestly shocked by how much fun I had and how fast the day flew by after axe-throwing, archery, and even tube sliding.
Cloud 22: If stunning views and Insta-ready spots are more your thing, you don't have to go too far to get to Atlantis The Royal's Cloud 22 rooftop. Once I reached the space on the 22nd floor, I was amazed at the OMG-worthy views of the iconic Palm island and the Arabian Sea just beyond. This was def my go-to spot for when I wanted to feel like I was at a beach club without ever leaving the hotel.
EAT:
Ling Ling: Hakkasan offshoot Ling Ling is located on the 22nd and 23rd floors of the hotel and is the ultimate destination for pretty much every vibe imaginable. From a sexy din spot—culinary highlights fuse Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean dishes, and, yes, there really is a caviar and gold leaf-topped sushi roll—with your squad to a nightclub buzzing with activity, this place made me feel like I was in Miami, Vegas, and NYC all at the same time. Chaotic? Yes. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.
Nobu by the Beach: I'm still dreaming about this place, tbh. Nobu’s outpost in the Atlantis The Royal is giving beach club glam with all of Nobu's iconic bites. Not only was I able to lounge by the pool and drink my absolute fav lychee martini, but I was able to legit walk a few feet over to the actual restaurant to feast on at least 2 pounds worth of the delectable miso cod and crispy rice. A true win-win if you ask me. Oh, and getting an autograph from *the* Nobu Matsuhisa himself was pretty cool, too.
Amazónico: If the Rainforest Cafe grew up in Spain and then became a Dubai transplant, that would be how to best describe the vibe of this place. And to say I was obsessed would be a literal understatement. Located at the center of Dubai in an area known as the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre), entering Amazónico feels like walking right into a Latin American rainforest. Come for the ambiance, but def stay for the incredible food, which is meant to be shared family style—aka my preferred kind of setup. And when you're done, make your way up to the gorg rooftop for amazing views and music to keep the night going!
Estiatorio Milos: During the Beyoncé concert (sry, it's just that I know I won't be able to say that line too many more times in my life) a stunning glass building caught my eye and I just had to know what it was. I went on to find out that it was actually Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos, whose Dubai location is an ethereal, transparent structure that appears to float. The restaurant serves all of its quintessential dishes, with an expansive raw bar with highlights that include Greek wild oysters, whole-fish sashimi, and fresh tartar.
LPM: Needless to say, you can never go wrong with LPM. Unlike many of the newer restaurants and bars, this venue opened up back in 2010 in the DIFC and has remained one of the city's top destinations since. The first time I visited during my trip, the kitchen was no longer open, so I grabbed a seat at the bar and had *the* most incredible drink ever (the Pablo for all my fellow gin lovers out there). The place was buzzing even into the late hours of the night, the staff was easygoing and conversational, and by the end of my visit, everyone seemed to be conversing almost as though we were at our own cocktail party. 10/10 would recommend without hesitation!
Your Packing List:
Bonus Tip
Atlantis, The Palm—a stunning resort only minutes away from The Royal—offers similar views and equally OTT accommodations for a fraction of the price, with some rooms priced at a rate lower than $300 per night. It's also a bit more family friendly, for those of you who want to enjoy the glitz and the glam of Dubai with access to enjoyable activities for the little ones.
You Might Also Like
