Atlantis The Royal
uae, uae · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Atlantis The Royal is the most ambitious hotel opening Dubai has seen in a decade — a 795-room ultra-resort on the crescent of Palm Jumeirah that replaced the Middle East's grammar of luxury with American-scale spectacle. Beyoncé played the opening residency in 2023. The 17 restaurants roster is arguably the deepest in any single hotel anywhere in the world: Nobu by the Beach, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Ariana's Persian Kitchen by Ariana Bundy, Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, Gastronomy by Jose Andres, Milos, La Mar, Estiatorio, and more. Add 231 pools distributed across Sky Pool suites and main decks, the Skyblaze choreographed fountain-and-fire show at sunset, and a Spa 22 Bar that feels like a private members' club. For honeymooners who want scale, dining theatre, and the most Instagrammed new property in the Gulf, Atlantis The Royal is the definitive 2020s Dubai address.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Want direct beach access
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
89/100
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
The Sky Pool Suite with its own cantilevered 9-metre pool projecting out from the building is the honeymoon-defining category — one of the most photographed rooms in Dubai. For more intimate scale, the Seascape Suite pairs a large balcony with full Arabian Gulf views and the same level of in-suite service.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $2,300/nt) | $16,100 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $24,150 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $3,220 |
| Total estimated | $46,470 |
Book Your Stay
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Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival at The Royal
Thirty-five-minute private transfer from Dubai International takes you along the length of the Palm Jumeirah and up to the ceremonial Atlantis The Royal porte-cochère. Check-in in the 90-metre atrium, orientation to the 17-restaurant roster, and a first sundowner on your Sky Pool terrace as the Skyblaze fountain show begins against the sunset.
Nobu Beach & Cloud 22
Morning at the adults-only Cloud 22 pool on the 22nd floor — reservation-only daybeds with a panoramic Palm Jumeirah view. Lunch at Nobu by the Beach on the sand, and dinner at Heston Blumenthal's Dinner by Heston — the UK classic brought to Dubai, with meat-fruit, tipsy cake, and the full tasting menu.
Ariana's & ShuiQi Spa
Full-day couples' experience at ShuiQi Spa at the main Atlantis — hammam, couples' suite, and signature oud-oil treatment. Evening dinner at Ariana's Persian Kitchen by Ariana Bundy — one of the best openings in Dubai's new wave, a warm, modern Persian kitchen on the Royal's upper dining level.
Private Yacht Charter
Four-hour private yacht charter from the Palm Marina — cruising around the Palm fronds, past the Burj Al Arab, and along the Dubai Marina skyline with lunch on board. Return for sunset swim in your Sky Pool and dinner at La Mar by Gaston Acurio — ceviche and Peruvian plates on a beachfront terrace.
Hell's Kitchen & Skyblaze
Morning at the adult-only pool and a lazy spa afternoon. Dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen Dubai with blue-team / red-team seating and a wellington-led tasting menu. After dinner, the best view of the nightly Skyblaze show is from your Sky Pool terrace with champagne.
Atlantis Aquaventure & The Lost Chambers
A playful day at Aquaventure Waterpark and The Lost Chambers Aquarium — both next door at the original Atlantis and included for The Royal guests. Late brunch at Gastronomy by Jose Andres — the most dramatic dining-theatre experience on the property.
Farewell on the Crescent
Last morning in the Sky Pool with breakfast served on the terrace. A slow spa session and a late-afternoon departure. Atlantis The Royal is a honeymoon resort for couples who want to be at the centre of Dubai's new gravity — the scale, the dining, and the Skyblaze theatre make it a stay you remember in concrete individual scenes.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The resort is very large (795 keys) and popular — expect evening wait times at the most-in-demand restaurants and a busier overall atmosphere than smaller-footprint Dubai luxury.
The aesthetic is unapologetically maximalist and celebrity-chef-heavy — couples seeking quiet minimal design should consider Bulgari Resort Dubai or One&Only The Palm instead.
Palm Jumeirah's traffic can be heavy during weekends — request an airport transfer at off-peak times and plan restaurant reservations inside the hotel to avoid long returns.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking inquiry — Atlantis The Royal Dear Atlantis The Royal team, My partner and I are planning our honeymoon and would love to stay with you from [DATE] to [DATE] ([X] nights). We are particularly interested in: [Seascape Suite / Sky Pool Suite] Could you please confirm: - Availability for our dates and any honeymoon package - Restaurant reservations at Dinner by Heston, Nobu by the Beach, Ariana's Persian Kitchen, and Hell's Kitchen - Cloud 22 adult-only pool daybed reservations and ShuiQi Spa couples' treatments Thank you for your time. [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Atlantis The Royal good for honeymooners?
Yes — the Sky Pool suites, celebrity-chef restaurant roster, Cloud 22 adult-only pool, and the Skyblaze fountain show make it one of the most spectacular honeymoon settings in Dubai, particularly for couples who want dining theatre as a central part of the trip.
Is this the same as the original Atlantis?
No — Atlantis The Royal is the newer, higher-end sibling property that opened in 2023 next door to Atlantis The Palm. The Royal is an adults-leaning ultra-luxury resort; the original is the family-oriented pink aquarium hotel.
Is it adults-only?
No. Atlantis The Royal welcomes families, but Cloud 22 pool is 21+, the 17-restaurant roster is largely adult-oriented, and the Sky Pool suites and Skyblaze-view terraces skew strongly to couples.
What's the best suite for a honeymoon?
The Sky Pool Suite with its cantilevered private pool is the definitive honeymoon choice and one of the most-photographed rooms in Dubai. The Seascape Suite is the best alternative at a slightly friendlier price with full Gulf views.
How do we get there?
Fly into Dubai International (DXB) — 35 minutes by private transfer along the Palm Jumeirah. Al Maktoum (DWC) is 50 minutes. The resort arranges both.
What should we book in advance?
Nobu by the Beach, Dinner by Heston, Ariana's, Hell's Kitchen, and Gastronomy by Jose Andres all book out weeks ahead — reserve at booking. Cloud 22 pool access is daybed-reservation only and should be pre-confirmed.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
