You’ve probably shared stories with your kids about the lost city of Atlantis. It’s a tale that spans years and generations. Now you can make these stories come to life while watching over 65,000 marine animals, walking along a half-mile of white-sand beaches and slipping down seven thrilling waterslides. And it all takes place in the middle of the desert, in one of the most modern and fast-growing cities in the world.
Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai is the size of a small city itself. Enter the Chihuly-ladden lobby and get ready to explore. The two iconic towers of Atlantis are divided to suit travellers of all types, including some of the most luxurious in the world. Although guests have access to all parts of the resort, room and suite location makes a difference when there is so much to see and do.
The Towers
West Tower: Stay here if you’re with a significant other. It tends to be on the quieter side since it has the Shuiqi Spa, salon and fitness center. There is easy access to a number of pools and beaches, as well as a small dining room for Imperial Club members.
East Tower: Stay here if you have the family with you. Over 23 restaurants and cafes are within a three-minute walk from the ground floor of the elevators, meaning you can get your hungry kids to breakfast, lunch and dinner without a fuss.
Once you’ve checked in, head to your rooms and let the adventure begin. All rooms (that’s over 1,250!) have connecting doors so families can stay together without all having to cram into one space. You’ll want to take some time to get your bearings around the resort so you don’t miss a minute of fun. Take the time to grab a map and do a quick tour.
You’ll want to make note of the Imperial Club Lounge for Imperial member perks, Kaleidoscope for family buffet-style meals, Aquaventure Water Park for a splashing good time and the Lost Chambers Aquarium for endless marine life.
The Imperial Club
Head here if you added on Imperial Club access when you booked your stay. You’ll get complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and happy-hour drinks every day, as well as the ability to skip the water park entrance line by hitting the wristband pick-up desk in the West Tower. Club members also get a designated piece of the resort’s beach, with personal service attendants, two-for-one deals at the spa, and easy access to Aquaventure.
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Relax by the Water
Atlantis The Palm offers two beautiful pools overlooking the beach and Persian Gulf. Walk outside from the main lobby, or Imperial Club Lounge in the West Tower, and you’ll be at the Royal Pool. Relax in this iconic spot right between the two towers, and don’t forget your Instagram photo!
If you’re looking for a little more fun in the sun, head to the Zero Entry pool, which is equipped with a volleyball net, basketball hoop and features both shallow and deeper areas for splashing around.
If the kids are itching to build a sandcastle, you only need to take a few steps and you’ll be right on the beach. Royal Beach is the go-to for water-related activities like kayaking and surf lessons. Visit the towel hut before you leave the Zero Entry pool for a schedule of the day’s events.
Hang Out with the Fish
The Lost Chambers Aquarium is where Atlantis, The Palm plays up its name. Grab your tickets and head inside to explore the story of the lost city. Kids can learn all about the mythical civilization while watching sharks, albino alligators and seahorses.
The aquarium offers special activities for families who love fish. Go on a Fish Tales tour for a full explanation of the story of Atlantis and a behind-the-scenes look at how fish are cared for and raised from birth. At the end of the tour all-ages are welcomed to participate in a fish feeding!
If your family is looking to get even closer to the fish, the aquarium also offers in-water activities. If you love scuba diving, jump in a wet suit and go for a swim. Or, if a snorkel is more your style, try Aquatrek. A guide will hook you up to an oxygen tank and helmet and then lead you along Ambassador Lagoon, where you can get up close to thousands of fish.
The Avenues
Shop till’ you drop. This piece of the resort is open to the public, as well as those with a room. There is something for every budget and every taste. Look at jewelry, beach wear and souvenir shops.
If the kids need a snack while shopping, stop at one of the many cafés located on the Avenues. We’re impartial to the Illy Caffè where you can get one of the best underwater views of the aquarium. You’ll see sharks, jellyfish and schools of “Nemo,” and if you’re lucky, a scuba diver cleaning the tank and posing for photos.
Restaurants
Atlantis, The Palm is home to some of the best chefs and dishes in the world. There are 23 restaurants and cafes to choose from, and you’ll want to try as many as you can.
Easy for the Family
Kaleidoscope is the go-to restaurant for easy family buffet-style meals. Atlantis knows people from all over the world come together at this resort, so there is food for all palettes. Try the classic American breakfast options, Indian pancakes and chocolate fountain and candy bar. Check out Saffron for another easy family dining option.
Master Chef’s Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen and Bar is a perfect stop for an English lunch or dinner. If you’re a fan of Ramsey, you’ll want to order the famous Beef Wellington on the menu.
Ronda Locatelli is a great stop for endless pizza and pasta, all made fresh and fast.
Special Occasion
Ossiano is an experience. Make sure to book a reservation at a table right next to the mesmerizing aquarium we keep talking about. You can watch the fish and sharks swim by as you indulge in a five-course meal made by Chef Grefoir Berger, named the tenth best chef in the world at The Best Chef Awards.
Fun Night Out
A fun family dinner means rolling up your sleeves and digging into food everyone can enjoy. Head over to Ayamna, a Lebanese restaurants featuring all over the dips, hummus, lamb, bread and salad you can imagine. This is a family-style restaurant, meaning big plates of food come out for everyone to share. Make sure to pace yourself through the meal, because there is a lot of delicious food here!
Insider tip: Make sure to check the hotel guide at Atlantis, The Palm for age and dress requirements at each restaurant.
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Aquaventure Waterpark
If you’re looking to slip and slide your way through a vacation, look no further than Aquaventure. Hailed as the “Middle East’s Leading Waterpark, 2016” by the World Travel Awards, you’ll find a splashing good time around every bend. There are seven crazy waterslides that offer steep drops, sharp turns and even two-person tubes! Don’t miss the Zoomerango, an eight-person slide that takes you up high and then back down to the ground on some rushing waters.
After a few rounds on some of the best slides in the world, everyone will have worked up an appetite. There are 15 restaurants and cafés for a quick bite within the waterpark. After you refuel, pick up a tube and cruise along the lazy river. You’ll get a tour of the entire park and some good views of the Aquaventure Beach. Pop off your tube any time and catch a taxi-kart to your next destination.
Have daredevils in your family? Before you leave Aquaventure, make sure to check out Poseidon’s Revenge, the newest addition to the park, that plummets riders through the Tower of Poseidon at a speed of 40 miles an hour!