I spent eight hours at the best waterpark I have ever been to (Image: Tom Hutchison/Atlantis Dubai)
Many Brits choose tried and tested go-tos for winter sun: the Canaries, Madeira, Cyprus or Egypt. But Dubai should make that list — it’s a resort with guaranteed sun, top hospitality, the world’s best water park and the most wonderful food. Im talking about the flagship Atlantis, The Palm hotel in Dubai. It sits at the centre of the crescent of The Palm, that famous tree-shaped archipelago of artificial islands – a jewel in the crown of the city’s offerings.
Towering over sun-kissed shores and sandy beaches, the coral pink ocean-themed resort looks like it is rising out of the sea. Spanning 46 hectares, this mammoth Middle Eastern hotspot is home to 1,544 rooms and suites across 22 storeys. There are four swimming pools, a private beach comparable to the best of the Caribbean, and 35 on-site restaurants including Michelin-starred food and luxury shops.
And that’s before we’ve even got into the Aquaventure water park, Lost Chambers Aquarium and ridiculously fun kids’ play areas. A highlight of the United Arab Emirates, you can fly there in six-and-a-half hours from the UK and the locals’ desire and admiration for all things British means we are the top nationality at almost any given time staying at the hotel.
The hotel is an astonishing sight (Image: Getty)
Atlantis is comprised of colourful wings connecting lavish hotel rooms and is awash with five-star amenities. The rooms are huge, having recently benefited from an extensive renovation since its opening year in 2008. These are modern homes-away-from-home for families keen on busy days out and creature comforts at night.
They either face inwards towards the other Palm resorts, with a beautiful vista of the neon city skyline as night falls, or offer a straight out-to-sea view that’s as calming as any spa session.
We had our own big bathtub and separate shower, two queen-sized beds and the obligatory 49in TV, Nespresso coffee machine and a mini bar.
With our Imperial Club room, we got access to the superb Imperial Club too – a swanky downstairs space with a daily breakfast, Dorchester-like afternoon tea as well as a cocktail happy hour in the evenings with canapes. You feel like a VIP stepping from your room into this calm retreat with its white marble floors.
The remarkable hotel seen at twilight (Image: Atlantis The Palm)
Staff are keen to be the first to greet and seat you before offering up a varied menu. Breakfast is continental by design but there’s plenty of cereals, omelettes and yogurts to uncover with a little hunt around the sprawling display.
The kids have their own dedicated area to watch movies like Inside Out 2 while, on different days, you get visitors such as glitter tattoo artists that gets them squeaking in delight.
Afternoon tea is scones, sandwiches, salads, fruit, cheese and biscuits and breads. And the Happy Hour drinks are also worth the wait, with all kinds of colourful, tasty creations.
You can switch up your breakfast routine at the nearby Kaleidoscope restaurant where you get an even bigger selection, including the full English experience as well as Arabic, Asian and continental favourites.
There are 105 slides, a Guinness World Record (Image: Atlantis The Palm)
Aquaventure: the world’s best waterpark
Stepping out of the comfort of the VIP zone, you’ll find yourself surrounded by amazing things to do in the wider hotel.
A must is the 22.5 hectares of water park Aquaventure. The best waterpark I’ve ever been to, we spent eight hours here, at the side of the main hotel, and still didn’t get through all the rides on offer.
There are 105 slides to try, making this the official Guinness World Record title holder for the most waterslides in a waterpark, and they’re split over multiple themed areas, such as Trident Tower, Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove.
The stars are the family rides where you can all go on together, spinning down huge tunnels in a single circular family dingy, giggling and screaming. Towels are on tap for hotel guests, which is a massive space-saver, and the hi-tech locker room means everything is controlled and kept safe by waterproof wristbands, including any purchase you want to make on your hotel room number.
There’s a Wave Rider as well, which is a constant artificial wave that you get to surf or bodyboard on with an expert guiding you. Within minutes I was up on my knees, copying him in acting out the Macarena dance.
And it has its own bespoke beach with watersports, so you can hire a kayak and go wading out into the bath-like UAE waters. There are more than 1,000 sun loungers and 44 private cabanas, which are well worth the extra money because you get to bag your own little spot of paradise.
There is lots for families to do here (Image: Atlantis the Palm)
Other things to do at Atlantis The Palm
Hotel guests also have access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways “providing a journey through ancient Atlantis”.
In practice, what that means is the biggest fish tank you’ll ever see, packed full of sharks. It is home to more than 250 species and 65,000 marine animals across 21 exhibits, including moon jellies, moray eels and eagle rays.
Those seeking a drier experience can’t go wrong with the hotel’s Dubai Balloon. This is a 10-minute hot air balloon journey straight up from the beach, which offers incredible views of the entire resort as well as a great vista of the Palm, looking back to downtown Dubai’s skyscrapers.
You can point out distant landmarks such as the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, as well as the Palm Monorail that takes you from the resort into the heart of city life via the Dubai Tram network. Your dedicated captain guides you through the lift off and landing bumps and a photographer will take family pictures at the highest point for a picture that deserves to be framed and not forgotten on your phone.
Kids will also love the Warehouse fun hub, a sprawling complex for families that houses an excellent four-lane bowling alley. Upstairs they also have a large arcade that immediately transports you to the classic British seaside.
Food and drink at Atlantis The Palm
Food-wise, I must give a big shout out to Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street kitchen, which is a Dubai version of the celebrity chef’s popular British chain of high-end restaurants. The Sunday roast (£50) was out of this world.
There are fun, party vibes at En Fuego, a Mexican-themed restaurant, if you’re looking for a lighter-hearted evening meal. Here you could be sitting right in front of the DJ, while sparkly dancers do their best salsas, sambas and cha-cha-chas on plinths at your side.
That, combined with chilli beef nachos, lobster tacos and Wagyu burritos, means you’ll go home for the night full in both belly and spirit. Three-hour food and drink Saturday party brunches come in at just under £100pp.
It’s also worth mentioning the more traditional Lebanese-style dining experience at hotel restaurant Ayamna (£100pp). Seated in the stunning marble dining room or out on the lantern-lit terrace, you’ll feel overwhelmed by the flavour packed traditional mezze.
Plate after plate of delicious sharers were served up for the family to enjoy with houmous, kebab meats and fish alongside tagines, eggplant Fatteh and colourful vegetables.
The Atlantis is a high-level hotel offering the ultimate in water activities, luxurious home comforts and entertainment – and food on tap.
But at its heart it is also an incredible family-centred resort that builds a once-in-a-lifetime holiday around the simple pleasures that we sometimes forget about.
Giggles from the children as they jump in the pool. Smiles on your partner’s face as they relax over a cocktail while being waited on hand and foot. Even the heart-filling crack of the bowling ball as you nail a strike.
It’s an absolute brilliant winter sun destination, with sunny highs rarely dropping below 25C. And definitely one to consider when you feel like you’ve exhausted the usual holiday destinations and desire a more luxurious trip. You won’t regret it.
There is a wide selction of amazing food at the resort (Image: Atlantis The Palm)
Book the holiday
Emirates flies to Dubai from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle, starting at £545 return. emirates.com
An Ocean Queen Room (sleeps 2 adults and 2 children) at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai starts at around £243 a night, including access to Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium.
atlantis.com/atlantis-the-palm
More info at visitdubai.com/en
