Atlantis, The Palm

This hotel is, first and foremost, a luxury resort. You can feel that grandeur upon arriving, where the massive salmon-hued building gives way to the towering Dale Chihuly glass sculpture, eye-catching fountain, and nautically themed columns in the hotel's lobby. And while there are plenty of luxury properties in Dubai that cater to party-seeking adults (which this resort also does), things are a bit different here and kids are spoiled for options here too. Families are frequent guests thanks to the aquarium and water park, while adults (both groups and couples) come to enjoy the dining options, the beach and pools, and the spa. Design elements riff on the nautical Atlantis mythology, but the overall the property doesn't necessarily feel as overtly branded as the big-ticket resorts of Las Vegas or Disney World. The palette throughout most public spaces and rooms combines the brand's iconic salmon hue and the blues of the nearby Arabian Sea. Even so, it's a bit whimsical, and you’ll often find bathing suit-clad children running around the property. Adults might be better off in the West Tower -- home to the spa, fitness center, and conference center -- which is much calmer than the East Tower. The latter has direct access to the water park, aquarium, the majority of the restaurants, the Avenue shopping center, and the the kids’ club. During the day, the property exudes the lively family-friendly atmosphere that you might find in a theme park. In the evening, expect several of the restaurants to have a clubby atmosphere that draws in adult guests and locals looking to party. The water park and aquarium are open to the public and draw huge crowds year-round. However, security prevents the public from entering the main hotel grounds. Kids can definitely be boisterous around the pools and on the beach, and even at night, the Nasimi Beach Club is likely to bump with loud music. If you're looking for true peace and quiet, the spa will be the best adult-centric escape to be found.

The hotel is located at the very tip of the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island shaped like a palm tree. The island is split between luxury resorts and residential complexes, with few other attractions nearby. As of 2018, the island is also still very much under construction, though the Atlantis is secluded enough that this won't disturb you. If you do want to venture off property to visit sights like the Burj Khalifa, the hotel is well to the southwest of Downtown Dubai and the airport (an approximately 25- and 30-minute drive, respectively). A monorail station at the hotel that connects the property with the rest of the Palm Jumeirah and the mainland, but there isn't yet a connection to Dubai’s main metro lines. Thus, you’re best off taking a car, taking a taxi, or hailing an Uber. It's a 15-minute drive to the Mall of the Emirates or the buzzy Dubai Marina, and around 25 minutes to the Dubai Mall. Dubai's Miracle Gardens and the Dubai Zoo are closer to a half-hour away by car, as are the souks of Al Ras.

There are a wide range of room types here, from the entry-level Deluxe Guest Room to the Royal Bridge Suite. As of our 2018 visit, the hotel is in the middle of a several-year renovation that will refresh decor in all of the guest rooms. We didn't notice any noise or disruptions from the renovations during our visit. The older rooms feature pastel salmon-and-teal hues with oceanic design elements, like coral-patterned throw pillows and seashell-inspired artwork on the walls. Newer rooms include subtler ocean motifs with more modern touches like leather headboards and bolder orange and turquoise elements. The result is sleeker and less beachy than the older rooms. Keep in mind that rooms facing Nasimi Beach Club do sometimes pick up noise from parties until late at night.Amenities across all room types include minibars, electric kettles, and cable or satellite TVs, while upgraded rooms have extra features like in-room iPads. In-room Wi-Fi is available -- but it’s free if you book directly through the hotel. All rooms also feature balconies with full or partial views of the Palm Jumeirah or the Arabian Sea, as well as separate soaking tubs and showers. Deluxe Guest Rooms have a king or two queen beds, sleeping up to two adults and two children or three adults and one child. About 90 percent of the rooms here connect, benefitting families traveling together. There are also Family Deluxe Guest Rooms that sleep up to six in two adjoining rooms. Imperial Club upgrades offer access to the Imperial Club Lounges that are loaded with freebies and perks detailed below. Suites at the hotel range from Club Suites -- with one to two bedrooms, a living area, and one-and-a-half bathrooms -- to Signature Suites, which include the Underwater Suite. This jaw-dropping triplex includes a lounge, kitchenette, and floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows that look into the aquarium. The sprawling Royal Bridge Suite features a guarded private elevator, a butler and chef, three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, and balconies on both the Palm Jumeirah and Arabian Sea sides of the hotel. Of course, these suites are significantly more expensive than the other guest rooms, but they are some of Dubai's biggest go-big-or-go-home offerings.

Split into East and West Towers, the Atlantis packs in a ton of features that make this property a destination in its own right. Keep in mind that the vibe in the two towers is different, with the West Tower being a bit quieter than the East Tower. The West Tower includes the ShuiQi Spa, which has private treatment rooms, a whirlpool, and steam rooms and saunas. There are also separate men’s and ladies’ salons, and a fitness center with modern equipment and exercise classes. Water, towels, and headphones are free to use in the gym and classes are available. In the East Wing, an all-levels yoga class is offered at the aquarium as well. It costs extra, and we recommend making reservations well in advance.The kid-friendly zero-entry pool is located outside the West Tower as well. This area definitely caters more toward families with children, and can get loud and rambunctious. It's surrounded by sports courts, a children’s playground, and the Nasimi Beach restaurant. The Royal Pool is the hotel’s flagship pool, and is directly behind the lobby. While children are allowed there, the atmosphere is much calmer than at the zero-entry pool. A kids' club provides an extensive selection of activities and games, though keep in mind that unless you're an Imperial Club guest, you'll have to pay extra to use it. There are also children's summer camps and a teen club that's slated to reopen in 2018 (so check ahead with the resort if this is a concern).While the Atlantis has 23 restaurants and bars, you'll find a number of them in the East Tower, including all three of the celebrity-chef-helmed options. Those include Nobu Matsuhisa’s Nobu, Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, and Giorigo Locatelli’s Ronda Locatelli. You'll also find the underwater restaurant Ossiano here, as well as the Vegas-like N’Dulge nightclub. All-inclusive rates are not available. Other dining options range from extensive buffets to Middle Eastern and Asian options. Room service can be ordered around the clock via an app. Those staying in Imperial Club level rooms have access to the Club Lounges, which serve free breakfast, free afternoon tea, and free cocktail hour with alcoholic drinks and canapes. This is a great perk, as the main restaurants can get crowded with long lines, while the lounges remain calm. However, it's a significantly pricey upgrade.Travelers who'd prefer to spend a bit of cash on retail pursuits can head to the Avenue shopping center, which has high-end stores like Tiffany & Co. and Porsche Design. The concierge can arrange off-site tours, including yacht cruises and helicopter tours, which do depart from the property. There are 14 meeting and events spaces, including ballrooms, and event planning and wedding services are both available. While Wi-Fi is offered, it's only free with direct bookings. 

The aquarium and water park are arguably the centerpieces of the resort -- and both are free to access for travelers staying here (though they are also open to the public). The Lost Chambers Aquarium is home to 65,000 sea animals, many of which are housed in the Ambassador Lagoon, a nearly three-million-gallon tank that is one of the largest aquariums in the world. For a fee, guests can snorkel, scuba, or AquaTrek (a combination of snorkeling and scuba) through the lagoon, which is home to fish, sharks, and rays. If that’s a bit too adventurous, you can watch the lagoon action from the 33-foot pane in a public area of the hotel. Intertwined with the aquarium is a maze of chambers that have smaller tanks and decor inspired by the ruins of Atlantis. Visitors can book a behind-the-scenes tour to see how all the animals are cared for as well.The sprawling water park covers 42 acres and has multiple water slides, including the famous Leap of Faith body slide that goes through a shark tank. There's also a long river ride that combines a lazy river with a rapids. Dolphin and sea lion encounters and zip lines are offered, and the water park even has its own beach. The whole area can be crowded year-round, thanks to the hot temperatures of Dubai, and lines are often long for some rides. 

Royal Beach is about a two- to five-minute minute walk from both towers of the hotel and faces the lagoon of the Palm Jumeirah Island. It's most appropriate for families, though none of the beaches here are exactly tropically perfect (they're manmade, after all). For an adult-only alternative, Nasimi Beach Club is a 21-plus beach area with a bar that hosts parties during the day and night. Those parties can occasionally go until quite late, and you'll have to pay a food-and-drink minimum is you want a lounger during the day. Imperial Club guests have their own exclusive portion of the beach as well, which includes full beachside service plus free loungers. The water park's beach is open to hotel guests as well as other visitors who have paid admission to the park. Towels are free at all beaches, except in the water park, where travelers who aren't staying at the hotel will have to pay extra for them.