05 November 2025
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What’s it like to stay at the only Three MICHELIN Key hotel in the Middle East, and the winner of the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Architecture and Design Award? In short: it’s everything you’d expect — and more. Glamorous, grand, and, as its name suggests, royally refined. But beyond the luxury and scale of Atlantis The Royal, it’s the attention to design and detail that truly reigns supreme. From its stacked architectural silhouette overlooking Dubai’s skyline to a breakfast hall sculpture made entirely of fruits and vegetables resembling Poseidon, this is a hotel where every inch is intentional.
SIMILAR: All the MICHELIN Key Hotels in Dubai
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A Royal Welcome: First Impressions from the Palm
You spot it from afar, turning right on the Palm’s crescent. The humidity may blur the view, but the stacked blocks of Atlantis The Royal are unmistakable. As you pass two roundabouts and the neighboring Atlantis The Palm, the sheer mass and scale of this new icon become clear. Its cubic design evokes nostalgic memories of Lego creations — only now, they’re life-sized and luxurious.The porte-cochère is a spectacle in itself. A lineup of luxury sports cars and SUVs is parked with precision, flanked by preppy valet attendants. You hand off your car to a smiling gentleman and step toward the revolving doors, passing glass waterfall walls that appear to be simultaneously ablaze.
Inside, the lobby is a sensory overload — in the best way. A reflective water droplet sculpture draws the eye upward, while a sea of drop-like lights cascades from the high ceiling. Marble flooring, waterfall elevators, aquariums teeming with colorful sea life, and a regal fragrance fill the space. It’s buzzing with energy, and unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Check-In: Personalized Luxury
Check-in is seamless. If you’re lucky, Hosni, a smiling Moroccan man in a tailored blue uniform, welcomes you at the gold-clad desk. He’s chatty, but never intrusive — his warmth feels genuine. After handing you the room keys, he personally escorts you to the elevator of your designated tower.When Design Flows: A Journey Through the Hotel
Down the marble and golden hallways, temptation is everywhere. Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Level Shoes, and Tanagra have all taken residence here. Each of the three towers has its own elevator, and each wall is adorned with artworks inspired by water’s movement — a theme that flows throughout the property.The room is located in the Sunset Tower, the last of the three, and 36 floors up. The scale of the hotel continues to impress. Inside, the room is spacious with a sea view. The rug flows into the horizon like a shoreline. Sandy-toned walls echo the coast of Palm Jumeirah. Even the smallest details whisper of the sea.
Exploring the hotel’s over two million square foot property, you begin to notice how every corner was expertly curated. Cubic, clean lines meet marble waves. On one side of the hallway, large brushstroke paintings in blue and orange guide your path; on the other, water features — like a floating cubic LED pool and elevators encased in waterfall tubes — add a sense of motion and serenity.
Art Meets Fashion: Louis Vuitton’s Playful Touch
Beyond the hotel’s own artistic flair, Louis Vuitton leaves its mark in more ways than one. The brand’s Vivienne mascot appears in two gigantic forms — one in the lobby and another between the boutique and MICHELIN-selected Ariana’s Persian Kitchen. These statues are not just photo ops; they’re playful, fashion-forward installations that feel right at home in this design-centric space.
Sunset Spectacle: Fire, Water, and Skyline Views
Outside, a forest of palm trees frames the building’s stacked façade. You feel small beneath its towering structure, but that sensation quickly turns to awe — especially as the sky shifts to a light orange hue. The fiery fountains begin their musical performance, perfectly synced to Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire”, with the Dubai Marina skyline glittering in the background.
Cloud 22: Sky-High Style and Serenity
On the 22nd floor, the aptly named Cloud 22 Skypool is a visual feast. Dolce & Gabbana’s iconic majolica print adorns the lounge chairs, matching the pool’s mosaic tiles. The views are uninterrupted and nearly panoramic, with the Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa visible in the distance. Even in a city known for its skyline, this vantage point feels uniquely elevated.
Fine Dining Meets Fine Arts
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal: A Culinary Stage
Naturally, the only Three Key hotel in the region hosts a MICHELIN-starred restaurant. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal is nestled in a space that blends modern art deco with whimsical charm. At the entrance, wooden walls carved with quirky, fantastical creatures set the tone for what’s to come.Inside, the main dining room is dimly lit, with black-painted brick interiors creating a cozy yet dramatic ambiance. A mechanical pineapple — a nod to Blumenthal’s famed tipsy cake — slowly opens and closes, as it connect to the real pineapples caramelizing on a spit roast in the open kitchen. Leather quilted booths and suede green chairs surround a mix of circular and square tables, completing the theatrical setting.
Gastronomy: A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For
Every morning from 7:00 am to noon, Gastronomy offers one of the most extensive hotel breakfasts imaginable. There’s a bakery section with over 15 types of pastries, a cheese monger offering around 20 varieties, an eggs benedict station with customizable toppings, a raw fish counter, a dumpling station, a pizza oven, and more. You’re absolutely spoiled for choice.But it’s not just about the food. The design and décor elevate the experience, marrying marble elegance with industrial chic. One of the most striking features? A wall sculpture resembling Poseidon, crafted entirely from fresh produce. As you approach, you realize the face is made of bananas, avocados, tomatoes, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. It’s a whimsical, artistic start to the day.
Atlantis The Royal isn’t just a hotel — it’s a living gallery, a culinary theatre, and a design masterpiece. Every detail, from the stacked architecture to the produce-based Poseidon, reflects a commitment to excellence. It’s not just a place to stay — it’s a place to be inspired.
