Tried & Tested

Hotel Check: Atlantis, The Palm

1 Nov 2016 by Neha Gupta Kapoor
Atlantis, The Palm - lobby

BACKGROUND

A 5-star property situated on Dubai’s Palm Beach, Atlantis opened eight years ago in September 2008. It plays multiple roles from being a hotel to a waterpark, beach, aquarium, venue for shopping, fine dining and fast food, as well as a MICE destination.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Just opposite the lobby entrance is a large fountain with a glass sculpture by American artist Dale Chihuly. Colours of the sculpture represent earth, water, fire and air. The upper skirting of the walls illustrates all seasons of the year through a series of paintings. Pillars have etchings of fins, gills and scales.

Inside the lobby that is designed to the theme of The Lost City of Atlantis, there are three granite desks for five receptionists each. On the other side is the concierge desk manned by three to four personnel.

There is a separate check-in room in the same space – Royal Majlis – for guests of the suites and the Imperial Club. Majlis means living room and this one has an Arabic décor with complimentary Arabic coffee, dates and water.

From the lobby are two corridors, crowded with boutiques and tourists, which extend to the East and West wings. Room categories are divided between the two wings. The former holds the large aquarium and majority of the restaurants. It is better suited for vacationers. Business travellers usually prefer the West wing because it has the conference and business facilities in the same tower.

Atlantis, The Palm: Regal Suite Bathroom

WHERE IS IT?

It is on Palm Beach, a 40-minute drive from Dubai International Airport.

ROOM FACILITIES

I stayed at the Ocean Deluxe room in the East wing. My room has a clear view of the ocean. Just as you enter, on the left are free water bottles, a fruit basket, espresso machine, and a minibar. There is also a cupboard with room slippers, iron and ironing board and an electronic safe. You walk past the bathroom door and into a spacious room with an LCD television, well-sized work desk and a balcony. The bathroom has a separate rain shower and a bathtub. These facilities are common to all rooms and suites of the hotel.

In the Deluxe rooms, a glass wall, common to the bathroom and the room, allows a view of the television while you soak in the bathtub. Opposite the bathroom door is a full-length mirror, which works well if dressing in the dry area of the bathroom. There are adequate sockets around the room, which makes it easy to charge multiple gadgets at a time.

Guests of the Imperial Club and luxury suites are greeted with a selection of Patchi chocolates apart from the fruit basket, and have access to the Imperial Lounge that serves breakfast, afternoon tea with snacks, and has cocktail hours in the evenings.

Additionally, these suites (inclusive of Imperial Club) have a dining table inside the room and on the balcony, a television in the living room and bedroom each, separate “his and hers” basins, a walk-in cupboard and a dressing room.

Most rooms on the property are interconnected. It is best to request for a corner room that isn’t interconnected, thus receiving less noise in case of neighbours who are clearly audible if slightly louder

than usual. Also, the West wing is quieter than the East wing.

Wifi is free and receives good speed throughout the property.

Atlantis, The Palm Spa: Spa

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

There are 23 F&B outlets on the property. Of these, three are internationally acclaimed restaurants: Bread Street Kitchen & Bar by Gordon Ramsay, Nobu by the namesake celebrity chef, and Ronda Locatelli by chef Giorgio Locatelli.

MEETING FACILITIES

On the property are 14 meeting rooms, three ballrooms and two boardrooms. Its Atlantis Ballroom is the largest with a capacity for 2,000 guests.

LEISURE FACILITIES

Spa, salon, gym, two pools, private beach, Dolphin Bay, Sea Lion Point, Adventure Waterpark, aquarium, and a number of boutiques give you enough to fill free time.

VERDICT

It is a self-sufficient property where one doesn’t need to go far for adventure and beach activities. Travellers on business will find it convenient to bring their families to the property, as there are ample experiences for them to enjoy while they work.

FACT FILE

HOW MANY ROOMS? 1,342 rooms and suites.

HIGHLIGHTS The large aquarium on the ground level of the East wing.

PRICE Internet price for a mid- week stay in November started from AED 1,492/ ₹24,984.

CONTACT Crescent Road, The Palm, Dubai; tel: +971 4 426 2000; atlantisthepalm.com 

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