Atlantis, The Palm

★★★★★Palm Jumeirah, DubaiPo Box 211222, Crescent Road, The Palm, 211222Specialist pick

Overview

Atlantis, The Palm is the giant marine-themed resort at the very tip of Palm Jumeirah, the first hotel built on the island back in 2008. It's built for families doing a big weekend out, with Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium bundled into the room rate rather than sold as extras. It suits a special-occasion staycation far more than a quiet couples' break.

On the ground it's full-on in the best sense: a proper stretch of private beach, several pools, and a kids' club with multiple play zones that can run all day if you let it. Staff are entirely used to children everywhere, from the buffet to the sushi counter. Corridors, lifts and the waterpark queue all feel busy, especially over Eid and school holidays, so patience helps.

This isn't a hushed retreat, so skip it if you want an adults-only pool and silence by the water. Summer heat means the waterpark and beach are best tackled early morning or after 4pm, with the afternoon spent in air-conditioned pockets; winter months (November to March) let you spend a full day outside without a break. Book knowing the site is large and a lot of walking is involved.

private beach
aquaventure waterpark included
lost chambers aquarium access
dedicated kids club
teen zone
shuiqi spa
multiple pools
30-plus restaurants and bars
michelin-starred dining on site
imperial club lounge option

Rooms

Good to know

Meal plans: Room only · Bed & breakfast · Half board
Paid at the hotel: The tourism dirham fee and any security deposit
Cancelling: Each room shows its own terms; cancel online from My trips while they allow

Eating and drinking

Nobu — Japanese cuisine with a Peruvian twist, plus a sushi bar and sake lounge, set in The Avenues area of the resort. More suited to older children and teenagers than toddlers, and geared towards dinner rather than a quick family lunch.
Hakkasan — Modern Cantonese cooking in an elegant, dimly lit setting, one of the resort's Michelin-recognised restaurants. Works best for older children and adults on an evening when you want a proper sit-down meal rather than a casual one.
Ossiano — The underwater seafood restaurant with views straight into the Ambassador Lagoon, seating a limited number of guests each evening. A memorable dinner for older children who'll enjoy watching the fish, though it's a formal, slow-paced meal.
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar — Gordon Ramsay's British and European menu in a lively, casual dining room with a busy bar. Comfortable with children, good for a relaxed family dinner without the fuss of fine dining.
Ronda Locatelli — Giorgio Locatelli's Italian restaurant, known for wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta in a warm, family-friendly setting. An easy choice with fussy eaters at the table, open for dinner.
Seafire Steakhouse & Bar — A steakhouse with a family-friendly atmosphere and early seating options, so you can get a proper grill dinner in before younger children need to be in bed.
Kaleidoscope — The resort's international buffet, covering breakfast and dinner with a wide spread to suit different tastes and ages. The practical, low-stress choice when you've got a mixed group and don't want to negotiate a menu.
Wavehouse — An all-in-one entertainment venue with bowling and arcade games alongside a casual food menu of pizzas and burgers. Built for children and teenagers, so it doubles as an evening activity rather than just a meal.

Getting there

It's roughly a 30-45 minute drive from Dubai Marina or JBR depending on traffic on the Palm crescent road, and closer to an hour from Downtown or Dubai International Airport. From Abu Dhabi it's around 90 minutes without traffic. Valet parking is available on site, and given the causeway traffic on Fridays and Sundays, a private transfer is worth arranging rather than driving yourself if you'd rather start the weekend relaxed.

Ask about Atlantis, The Palm

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