Is Atlantis, Dubai worth it!?
Discussion
Thinking about going to Dubai in May for 9 nights. Ideally would like to stay somewhere that has it’s own beach and enough ‘stuff’ to do for 5 days just bumming around the hotel including breakfast, lunch & dinner. The rest of the time we plan to do stuff outside the hotel such as dune bashing, Burj Khalifa etc…
I just wondered if anyone had stayed at Atlantis for more than a few nights and how they found it. I thought if we’re going to go to Dubai, Atlantis is THE place to stay so we might as well do it properly and stay there. I’ve read in places that an upgrade to ‘Imperial Club’ is worth the cost but no idea what it actually gives you.
We definitely want to stay on the palm so I also considered W Hotel but according to reviews it’s a bit of a chav magnet. Sofitel looks alright but not sold on it.
Any ideas or thoughts?
I just wondered if anyone had stayed at Atlantis for more than a few nights and how they found it. I thought if we’re going to go to Dubai, Atlantis is THE place to stay so we might as well do it properly and stay there. I’ve read in places that an upgrade to ‘Imperial Club’ is worth the cost but no idea what it actually gives you.
We definitely want to stay on the palm so I also considered W Hotel but according to reviews it’s a bit of a chav magnet. Sofitel looks alright but not sold on it.
Any ideas or thoughts?
I have stayed there (two week family holiday) and would not bother going back. I thought the rooms were very average, the pool areas not great and the choice of food (on a half board arrangement) was fairly limited. The waterpark was good however, as was the aquarium.
I would always choose the Madinat Jumeirah now - although this is not on the Palm. The Jumeirah Al-Naseem is excellent and there is plenty to do - it felt much more upmarket than Atlantis.
On the Palm, the Zabeel Saray is very nice but much more geared towards adults than families if that is a consideration
I would always choose the Madinat Jumeirah now - although this is not on the Palm. The Jumeirah Al-Naseem is excellent and there is plenty to do - it felt much more upmarket than Atlantis.
On the Palm, the Zabeel Saray is very nice but much more geared towards adults than families if that is a consideration
^ This...
Totally overrated and at times the restaurants are more akin to cattle markets and it’s a pain in the ass to get on and off the Palm to go anywher.
Been a couple of times, second time made our decision to never go back and now we stay at Le Royal Meridian. Fantastic staff, great location and amenities & a vast choice of better quality restaurants.
Totally overrated and at times the restaurants are more akin to cattle markets and it’s a pain in the ass to get on and off the Palm to go anywher.
Been a couple of times, second time made our decision to never go back and now we stay at Le Royal Meridian. Fantastic staff, great location and amenities & a vast choice of better quality restaurants.
Think it totally depends if a) you have kids and b) how old they are.
I am heading over to the Atlantis (Imperial Club rooms you mention) at the end of Feb with a 3.5 year old and a 8 month old. With kids that age, the last thing I want to be doing is going around the Mall of Emirates or up the Burj. Nice hotel with stuff for the kids = sorted.
I am heading over to the Atlantis (Imperial Club rooms you mention) at the end of Feb with a 3.5 year old and a 8 month old. With kids that age, the last thing I want to be doing is going around the Mall of Emirates or up the Burj. Nice hotel with stuff for the kids = sorted.
I’ve been to Dubai in excess of a dozen times. Honestly you couldn’t pay me to stay on the palm. If I were wanting a decent hotel with a nice beach and stuff to do in the vicinity I’d probably pick the Meridien at the JBR.
Full disclosure I don’t go there as a proper tourist, my father lives there so I visit a couple of times a year for a max of 3 nights at a time, he avoids the palm like the plague because it’s frankly terrible unless you’re planning on staying in your hotel/resort the whole time.
You might not consider it constructive advice but honestly at that time of year I’d be more inclined to visit the Caribbean. It’s better in every way and the flight times are not much different. Dubai isn’t exactly cheap any more either which used to be one of its selling points.
This thread will get the usual divisive stuff: it ain’t safe you’ll get a prison sentence for holding hands etc and some expats who live there telling you that’s it the best place on Earth. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. If you’re already committed honestly I wouldn’t bother with the palm.
Full disclosure I don’t go there as a proper tourist, my father lives there so I visit a couple of times a year for a max of 3 nights at a time, he avoids the palm like the plague because it’s frankly terrible unless you’re planning on staying in your hotel/resort the whole time.
You might not consider it constructive advice but honestly at that time of year I’d be more inclined to visit the Caribbean. It’s better in every way and the flight times are not much different. Dubai isn’t exactly cheap any more either which used to be one of its selling points.
This thread will get the usual divisive stuff: it ain’t safe you’ll get a prison sentence for holding hands etc and some expats who live there telling you that’s it the best place on Earth. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. If you’re already committed honestly I wouldn’t bother with the palm.
r1flyguy1 said:
^ This...
Totally overrated and at times the restaurants are more akin to cattle markets and it’s a pain in the ass to get on and off the Palm to go anywher.
Been a couple of times, second time made our decision to never go back and now we stay at Le Royal Meridian. Fantastic staff, great location and amenities & a vast choice of better quality restaurants.
I always stay at LRM (9 times!) taking everything into account it can’t be beaten. Go to the Atlantis for a Dolphin swim but get back to LRM for some style and class. Totally overrated and at times the restaurants are more akin to cattle markets and it’s a pain in the ass to get on and off the Palm to go anywher.
Been a couple of times, second time made our decision to never go back and now we stay at Le Royal Meridian. Fantastic staff, great location and amenities & a vast choice of better quality restaurants.
On the basis you are sold on the Palm as your base, I would then go with your thoughts on it and what you want.
Another one on the Palm is:
1. Five Palm Jumeriah - could be worth looking at, lovely hotel with beach and pool access looking into the Marina.
2. Anantara - Never been but heard good thing (May be priceyish)
The one thing about the Atlantis Hotel is they might do a package deal to include Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark if that was something you wanted but then again you could a lovely hotel elsewhere and still do the water park. Each to their own.
But as said by others above you have options outside of that such as ares like JBR / Madinat Jumeirah - just bare in mind with JBR the traffic can be a nightmare getting in by car around JBR and the marina but that is manageable by timing etc.
Hotel such as La Meridian & Habtoor Grand Hotel (Nice set up with beach and pool access- family pool aswell depending on who you're travelling with) both lovely.
Just a note and something to consider, you mentioned you are intending to do this trip in May. Which falls in around the time of Ramadan (approx dates April 23rd to May 23rd) which isnt a massive deal (Im used to it by now) but restaurants will have their windows blacked out and no music will be played until after sunset in respect of people fasting during Ramadan - just something to factor in your considerations. And it will be starting to heat up a bit in May.
All the best with you holiday planning.
Another one on the Palm is:
1. Five Palm Jumeriah - could be worth looking at, lovely hotel with beach and pool access looking into the Marina.
2. Anantara - Never been but heard good thing (May be priceyish)
The one thing about the Atlantis Hotel is they might do a package deal to include Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark if that was something you wanted but then again you could a lovely hotel elsewhere and still do the water park. Each to their own.
But as said by others above you have options outside of that such as ares like JBR / Madinat Jumeirah - just bare in mind with JBR the traffic can be a nightmare getting in by car around JBR and the marina but that is manageable by timing etc.
Hotel such as La Meridian & Habtoor Grand Hotel (Nice set up with beach and pool access- family pool aswell depending on who you're travelling with) both lovely.
Just a note and something to consider, you mentioned you are intending to do this trip in May. Which falls in around the time of Ramadan (approx dates April 23rd to May 23rd) which isnt a massive deal (Im used to it by now) but restaurants will have their windows blacked out and no music will be played until after sunset in respect of people fasting during Ramadan - just something to factor in your considerations. And it will be starting to heat up a bit in May.
All the best with you holiday planning.
I've stayed at the One&Only on the Palm, Rixos and Dukes in the last few years.
I prefer to stay in the marina area rather than the Palm, but hasn't always been my choice! All have had a fair bit to do, Dukes is the closest to the city which is quite helpful as I've seen and heard of nightmare traffic getting from the end of the Palm to the city
I prefer to stay in the marina area rather than the Palm, but hasn't always been my choice! All have had a fair bit to do, Dukes is the closest to the city which is quite helpful as I've seen and heard of nightmare traffic getting from the end of the Palm to the city
Re upping this... have been to the Atlantis a few times, and agree that it is probably not quite the luxury experience you get at some of the Jumeirah hotels, but it is still great for families.
We are heading back to Dubai in a couple of months- staying at the new Atlantis Royale, which on paper sounds great. Brand new hotel and sounds like they have spent £££ on decor so let's see how it shakes out.
Anybody been?
We are heading back to Dubai in a couple of months- staying at the new Atlantis Royale, which on paper sounds great. Brand new hotel and sounds like they have spent £££ on decor so let's see how it shakes out.
Anybody been?
Atlantis is a bit of a zoo. Hordes of people and very hectic.
There are loads of English/Russian chavs dripping in designer logos staying there so it also feels a bit tacky.
It’s also very expensive to stay and buy food and drinks.
The palm generally is a pain to get around on, though Atlantis is a bit better because you can take the Monorail. Taxis though would be a very long time.
It is however an experience to stay there once. It’s impressive in its scale and I had fun even though it wasn’t classy at all.
The included water park is good and takes the sting out of the hotel cost.
My advice is to stay there for a few days to tick it off then move. Two weeks would be my idea of hell.
The WestIn Mena Sehayi is a better option. Gorgeous hotel, nice food (go half board), nice pool and beach areas and much better located for the Marina and JBR.
Looooove Dubai.
There are loads of English/Russian chavs dripping in designer logos staying there so it also feels a bit tacky.
It’s also very expensive to stay and buy food and drinks.
The palm generally is a pain to get around on, though Atlantis is a bit better because you can take the Monorail. Taxis though would be a very long time.
It is however an experience to stay there once. It’s impressive in its scale and I had fun even though it wasn’t classy at all.
The included water park is good and takes the sting out of the hotel cost.
My advice is to stay there for a few days to tick it off then move. Two weeks would be my idea of hell.
The WestIn Mena Sehayi is a better option. Gorgeous hotel, nice food (go half board), nice pool and beach areas and much better located for the Marina and JBR.
Looooove Dubai.
Edited by globaltraveller on Saturday 19th August 04:57
I was at the Royal a couple of weeks ago for 2 nights as a guest of someone else - its very nice - but not for me (but I am not a fan of Atlantis, its just not my thing at all). I was in a Sky Terrace and my host was in a Sky Pool Villa. The rooms and appointments were very nice (only been open a matter of months, so as expected really)
Im not an Instagram-type person and as its so new there was a reasonable number of selfie taking people, as youd expect - and this was the problem for me, in more high-end resorts you normally tend to get less of this (and expect less too) that wasnt the case here.
The Royal Club was good, but I stand by the Exec Lounge in the Conrad (on SZR) is better. Not sure if youll have access as you didnt say if you are staying in a Royal Club room or higher.
The Royal is trying (IMO) to channel the vibes and atmosphere of the Burj al Arab, which is amazing and worth every penny, but it just doesnt have the exclusivity or the cache that the BAA has - and in fairness all my past stays at the BAA have been less than the price to stay in a suite here.
Dont get me wrong, you wont be disappointed, but I expected BAA type levels of service and exclusivity and it just wasnt that.
Im not an Instagram-type person and as its so new there was a reasonable number of selfie taking people, as youd expect - and this was the problem for me, in more high-end resorts you normally tend to get less of this (and expect less too) that wasnt the case here.
The Royal Club was good, but I stand by the Exec Lounge in the Conrad (on SZR) is better. Not sure if youll have access as you didnt say if you are staying in a Royal Club room or higher.
The Royal is trying (IMO) to channel the vibes and atmosphere of the Burj al Arab, which is amazing and worth every penny, but it just doesnt have the exclusivity or the cache that the BAA has - and in fairness all my past stays at the BAA have been less than the price to stay in a suite here.
Dont get me wrong, you wont be disappointed, but I expected BAA type levels of service and exclusivity and it just wasnt that.
Edited by x5tuu on Saturday 19th August 12:09
We have stayed several times in the Atlantis, we go to Dubai for the Race to Dubai golf and of course all the other attractions of Dubai.
The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
Kenty said:
We have stayed several times in the Atlantis, we go to Dubai for the Race to Dubai golf and of course all the other attractions of Dubai.
The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
Imperial is regular Atlantis, not Royal Atlantis.The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
x5tuu said:
Kenty said:
We have stayed several times in the Atlantis, we go to Dubai for the Race to Dubai golf and of course all the other attractions of Dubai.
The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
Imperial is regular Atlantis, not Royal Atlantis.The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
Kenty said:
x5tuu said:
Kenty said:
We have stayed several times in the Atlantis, we go to Dubai for the Race to Dubai golf and of course all the other attractions of Dubai.
The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
Imperial is regular Atlantis, not Royal Atlantis.The water park is great, it is huge and free to residents (usually £65pppd). there is sea swimming and beach alongside the park as well. The aquarium is also free.
Avoid crowds by staying in the Imperial rooms, a little more but you get use of the imperial lounge for breakfast, afternoon tea and up to 7pm, free drinks.
We don't use the two buffet restaurants as there are plenty of others where you get an allowance on the free 1/2board that is part of the deal when we book through Kenwood travel.
Yes it is busy in the day but in the evening it quietens down.
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