BY NAMITA GUPTA
Atlantis, The Palm is a luxury haven if you’re looking to indulge in a plush luxurious stay with unparalleled views. The luxury quotient doesn’t just end there. You can also continue your luxury escapade with some luxury retail therapy and Michelin star exquisite dining.
Located at the centre of the crescent of The Palm in Dubai, Atlantis, The Palm is the first ocean facing entertainment resort destination that will literally sweep you off your feet with its breathtaking views. It is something everyone must experience to really know the true epitome of indulgence. If you’re a lover of the fine things that life has to offer, then you will not give this a miss on your next trip to Dubai.

It’s the little things that make a big difference and Atlantis has all the little luxuries you can ever imagine and how. Step in as you marvel at the jaw-dropping architecture with sun-kissing spires, Moorish archways, Arabian-inspired lamps and palm-shaped pillars tied together with accents of traditional Middle Eastern vernacular architecture such as hand-wrought iron columns of flowers, leaves and buds. The design incorporates classical Arabian architecture in both the interior and exterior of the 23-storey hotel, with semi-precious stones, intricate fossilised shells and ‘fish’ stones included throughout.
The resort’s 1,544 rooms and suites range from Ocean and Palm Beach rooms to a series of larger suites. Interiors are fashioned in an elegantly understated contemporary décor of earth tones, while vibrant splashes of colour bring the ocean indoors.

Culinary Haven
Atlantis, The Palm is truly the culinary destination in the region where we were spoilt for choice with a bouquet of 35 world-renowned restaurants including Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Street Pizza, Hakkasan, En Fuego, Nobu, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar and the underwater restaurant, Ossiano. Atlantis is also home to a buzzing nightlife scene with entertainment destination Wavehouse offering something for everyone, while WHITE Beach is the perfect place to unwind with a drink as the sun slips into the Arabian Sea.

Imperial Club is a must for the discerning traveler, raising the bar of VIP experiences and transforming a splendid stay into an unforgettable getaway. The jewel in this particular crown? That will be the ultra-elegant Imperial Club Lounge, a refined retreat with convenience, comfort and style embedded in every strand. The two buffet restaurants Kaleidoscope and Saffron laid out one of the most sumptuous and lavish breakfasts the city has ever seen.

Delectable Dining
Mention Atlantis, The Palm and you can instantly picture it as the go-to place for an unrivalled, exciting, and diverse culinary experience. With 35 individual restaurants, bars and lounges, offering world class meals at Michelin star restaurants, Hakkasan and Ossiano, to signature dishes created by celebrity chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Gordon Ramsay, there’s never a dull moment here.

Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Gordon Ramsay’s renowned British-themed eatery at Atlantis, The Palm, is where we had our first meal after our check-in at Atlantis, The Palm. This Michelin star meal clearly upped the ante of the trip ahead. We had to try the restaurant’s signature dish that exceeded all expectations – the Beef Wellington. Chef Gordon Ramsay modernises the classic Beef Wellington recipe with his trusty cast iron skillet, which gives the beef fillet colour, depth, and flavour. Dijon mustard tenderizes, marinates, and gives a gentle kick to the filet mignon. Layers of prosciutto, savory chive crepe, a mushroom mixture, and puff pastry literally seal the deal. We also loved the luxurious Lobster Tagliolini.

Mirroring the casual cool warehouse feel of the legendary London original, Bread Street Kitchen& Bar, the Dubai restaurant champions contemporary British dishes with influences from Europe and beyond. Heralded by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and helmed by Chef de Cuisine Cesar Bartolini, the menu consists of a selection of British classics and Gordon signatures including, the Beef Wellington, Lobster Tagliolini, and Gordon’s favourite, the Tamarind Chicken Wings.

En Fuego:

Our evening began with a bang at Dubai’s favourite South American hotspot En Fuego. There were live performances in full swing that evening and we grabbed a table with a vantage view, while savouring the delicious flavours of South America. It was tough to pick from the many tempting starters on the exhaustive menu including the mouthwatering Fried tortillas, delicious Prawn aguachile, indulgent Salmon toast, or the classic Chicken al pibil. We tried them all. For mains we tried some Shrimps Chaufa rice, Mushrooms sizzling fajitas, Grandma’s enchiladas and ended our evening on a sweet note with their ever-so-tasty Tres leches. Helmed by Chef de Cuisine Chef Daniel García, En Fuego is a vibrant and exciting venue that celebrates the food and culture of South America.

Just like the food menu, the En Fuego team has curated a selection of theatrical beverages that celebrate the spirit of South America. Echoing the continent’s renowned fervent enjoyment of life and penchant for a party, En Fuego delivers a multi-sensory-driven, all-encompassing destination that breathes new life into the social dining definition. Our first evening in the city that never sleeps couldn’t have been more alive – what with En Fuego’s bright colours, electrifying acts, and ceilings featuring hundreds of quirky artefacts and distinct curios, transporting us to a fantasy land. The multi-sensory-driven, all-encompassing destination breathes new life into the social dining definition and is an entity of energy, bringing the unexpected with fire performers, aerial hoop artists, an energetic tango duo and gravity-defying aerial acrobats. Buena onda!

Wavehouse:

Let the good times roll at Wavehouse, Dubai’s home of fun, food, and family entertainment. A first of its kind in the region, there is nowhere else in the city to experience live music, gaming, bowling, great food and chilled drinks overlooking a state-of-the-art wave machine, all under one roof. Boasting a mouth-watering menu of lunch, dinner and snack options, Wavehouse restaurant caters for both the health-conscious and the comfort-food-seekers, serving up everything from gourmet burgers, mega shakes, and pizzas to fresh salads and light bites. Or for those seeking a light refreshment, a sun-soaked terrace featuring live tunes, swinging seats, and a festival vibe is the perfect place to kick back and relax.

We tried the Squids, Tenderloin and the Fish & Chips and each of these dishes retained their classic flavours and were truly a delight. We picked up an ice cream cone on our way out as we headed to the pool for a quick swim before it was time for another adventure – the Hot Air Balloon Ride. Before taking off on an adventure ride on the Dubai Balloon Experience at Atlantis Aquaventure beach, we sipped on our cappuccino at The Dubai Balloon lounge with a relaxed view of the beach.

Hakkasan:
The best was saved for the last! Hakkasan Dubai continues to retain its Michelin star serving timeless signature entrees, mixed in with their own locality’s flavour, and added decades of collective expertise to design a curated Cantonese menu only to be found at Hakkasan. We tried their special four-course menu, with two dishes served per course, represents each of the culinary masters. Don’t miss their signature dish: Supreme dim sum platter, a basket full of flavours – Kaffir lime lobster har gau, abalone and chicken shui mai with caviar, truffle Chilean seabass, Wagyu beef preserved mustard dim sums. We tried Dim sum two style with lobster and cheese bean curd wrap, gratin scallop dumpling, spicy curry sauce, Wild freshwater king prawn salad with sakura cress, pickled purple and orange carrot, plum and sweet chilli dressing, Supreme snow crab saffron soup, urchin king crab dumpling, Peking duck duet includes Peking duck with caviar, black truffle roasted duck puff, Wok-seared wild John Dory with flying fish roe, selection Kristal caviar, heirloom carrot conflict and carrot broth, Sauteed seasonal asparagus, seasonal mushroom with fermented black bean and Lo Gan Ma chilli, Braised Wagyu short rib with baby onion and pickled mustard, Supreme stock ribbon noodle, soft-boiled egg with Nameko mushroom and shaved black truffle.

The menu is a modern interpretation of authentic Cantonese cuisine, using the finest ingredients and expert traditional techniques to create timeless yet innovative signature dishes such as the Grilled Chilean Seabass and Crispy Duck Salad. Hakkasan’s atmosphere is vibrant, intriguing and inviting, with the music in sync with the classy and elegant vibes here.

Aquaventure Waterpark
We felt like mermaids at this ocean-themed resort surrounded by some of the most gorgeous marine and entertainment attractions at Atlantis Aquaventure. It is home to the biggest waterpark in the world and one of the largest open-air marine habitats, with thousands of marine animals in lagoons and displays, including The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis.

Get an adrenaline rush at the Aquaventure Waterpark with 105 thrilling waterslides and attractions, including several world record-breaking slides and two river rides, tidal waves and pools, water rapids and white-water chargers. Dolphin Bay, the unparalleled dolphin conservation and education habitat, and Sea Lion Point is where you can interact with some of nature’s most friendly mammals.
With the addition of the brand-new Trident Tower, Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove, Aquaventure is just the perfect place for thrill-seekers who can enjoy Odyssey of Terror; the world’s tallest waterslide with a Double TornadoWAVE, Shockwave; the longest family rafting water coaster in the world, Medusa’s Lair; the first dueling PIPElineBLAST Water Coaster slide in the region and Immortal Falls; the first Cliff jumping in the region. We also relaxed at the private beach post the water park excitement before heading to Wavehouse for our lunch.

Atlantis Aquaventure also comprises one of the largest open-air marine habitats in the world, with more than 65,000 marine animals in lagoons and displays including The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways providing a journey through ancient Atlantis. Lost for thousands of years deep beneath the sea, the ancient ruins of The Lost City of Atlantis have finally been uncovered. With daily complimentary access offered for all guests of Atlantis, The Ambassador Lagoon and The Lost Chambers Aquarium combined are home to over 250 species of marine animals including Moon Jellies, Moray Eels, Lobsters, Eagle Rays, and Arabian carpetsharks.

The resort boasts an impressive collection of luxury boutiques and shops as well as extensive meeting and convention facilities.

Infact, there’s so much to do at Atlantis, The Palm, that we did not want to entertain any thoughts of stepping out to explore Dubai even for a bit. This resort is definitely a must visit on your next trip overseas, not just to experience luxury at their palatial and comfortable ocean facing suites that are a class apart, but also to indulge in its many culinary delights and get an adrenaline rush at the Waterpark. The countdown is on for the New Year’s Eve celebrations at Atlantis, The Palm, where Sting will be performing Live.