The Atlantis Dubai hotel, or Atlantis The Palm to give it its full name, is a large resort at the tip of Palm Jumeirah that combines a hotel, a beach, a water park, an aquarium and a wide choice of restaurants. It suits families who want to spend much of their holiday inside the resort, but it pays to understand the location, the room types and the extra costs in advance.
This guide gathers what to check before booking: the difference between Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal, what awaits in the water park, which room to choose, how to get there, what matters for families and kosher travellers, and when the price can be worthwhile.
Which Atlantis Dubai hotel are you looking for?
Two hotels in the Palm Jumeirah area carry the Atlantis name:
- Atlantis The Palm: the older, iconic hotel with the pink building and the great arch. This is usually what people mean when they search for the Atlantis Dubai hotel.
- Atlantis The Royal: a newer luxury hotel next door, with modern design, high-end restaurants and impressive pools. See our guide to Atlantis The Royal.
They are two different hotels with different rooms and prices. Before paying, check carefully that the name on the booking confirmation is Atlantis The Palm if that is the one you wanted.
Why is Atlantis The Palm so popular?
Its main advantage is that it is far more than a place to sleep. A family can spend several days here with the water park, beach, pools, aquarium, kids’ club, restaurants and water activities. For children, simply being in the resort can be the heart of the trip.
The hotel stands at the outer edge of Palm Jumeirah, relatively far from Downtown Dubai and from some of the malls. If you are planning busy days at the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall and the old city, factor in the travel time.
The attractions inside the resort
Aquaventure World water park
Aquaventure is one of the main reasons to stay at Atlantis. According to the official site, the park has more than 105 slides and attractions, family play areas, rivers, fast rides and a private beach.
Many accommodation packages include park entry for hotel guests, but check the exact terms of the room and rate you choose. A cheaper price that leaves out a particular benefit will not always be the better deal.
Families should check height and age limits for each ride. Children under 12 need adult supervision in the park, and some rides are not suitable for shorter children or for non-swimmers.
The aquarium
The aquarium, now known as the Lost World Aquarium, holds more than 65,000 marine animals, according to the official site, with walkways designed as an underwater world. Entry may be included in your stay, but here too it is worth checking the booking details.
It is a good choice for a hot day, for the hours when children need a break from the water rides and for families with little ones. Additional marine experiences can be booked separately and are not necessarily included in the room price.
Rooms, families and food
Which room should you choose?
Rooms and suites differ in size, view, floor and benefits. Before booking, check the following:
- View: rooms face the Gulf, Palm Jumeirah or the Dubai skyline.
- Occupancy: make sure the room is approved for the actual number of adults, children and infants.
- Beds: find out whether children sleep in existing beds, on a sofa bed or in an extra bed at a charge.
- Meals: a rate with breakfast can be convenient, but check that it fits your kashrut needs.
- Lounge access: some rooms and suites include additional benefits.
- Cancellation policy: read the last date for cancelling and the charge if you change your plans.
Do not assume that two rooms with similar names come with the same conditions. Check the full details before paying and keep a screenshot of the terms.
Is the hotel suitable for families?
Yes. Atlantis The Palm is very well suited to families who love water parks and active resorts. There are children’s areas, pools, a beach and plenty of activities. Bear in mind that the hotel is big, and walking between your room, the restaurants and the attractions can take a while.
With young children it is worth bringing a stroller, changes of clothes and water shoes. On arrival day you do not always get your room straight away, so keep pool gear in an accessible bag and not in the suitcase. For alternatives, see Dubai hotels with water parks.
Food and restaurants
The resort has a large choice of restaurants, from a family buffet to chef-led dining. Some are in high demand, and it is advisable to reserve ahead, especially at weekends and during holidays.
Food prices in the hotel can be high compared with restaurants outside the resort. Families planning to spend most of the day on site should budget for meals, drinks and snacks.
Kosher food at Atlantis
Kosher-observant guests should not rely on the label “kosher style” or on old information online. Before booking, check with the hotel and with a recognised kashrut authority which kosher meals are available, who provides the supervision, whether advance ordering is needed and where the meals are served.
Dubai has kosher restaurants and catering services, but what is on offer and the opening hours change. Consolidated information is available on the Chabad of the UAE website, and in our piece on kosher restaurants in Dubai. For Shabbat, arrange meals, a key that does not require electrical operation, leaving and entering the room and other needs with the hotel in advance.
Location and getting there
The hotel is at the tip of Palm Jumeirah. The drive from Dubai International Airport varies with traffic and can take a long time at busy hours. A taxi or private car is usually the most direct option.
You can also arrive on the Palm Jumeirah monorail, at the Atlantis Aquaventure station. The monorail is not directly connected to the metro, so you normally change from the Metro to the Tram and then walk to the Palm Gateway station. Our guide to public transport in Dubai explains the network.
Is it worth renting a car?
If most of the holiday is spent at the hotel, a car is not essential. Taxis are easy to find in Dubai and spare you the trouble of parking. A car can be useful for a family planning many trips around the city or to Abu Dhabi.
Day guests coming to the park or the restaurants should check parking arrangements in advance. The hotel publishes details of dedicated parking and internal shuttles according to the type of visit and how much you spend on site.
When to go and how long to stay
The most comfortable weather is usually between November and March. Prices in that period can be higher, especially at Hanukkah, during winter holidays and around international holidays.
In summer prices may be lower, but the heat and humidity are heavy. The water park brings relief and the hotel has air-conditioned areas, yet it is wise to plan your time outdoors and to drink plenty and protect yourself from the sun.
For a family that wants to enjoy the water park and the resort without rushing, two to four nights can work well. If you are in Dubai for a full week, you could combine a few nights at Atlantis with a hotel in a more central area, and enjoy both the resort and easy access to the city’s sights.
Before splitting hotels, think about the time spent packing, travelling and checking in again. Sometimes the extra cost of staying put is worth the convenience.
How to find a good price
- Check several nearby dates, not just one.
- Compare the room price with and without breakfast.
- Check whether entry to the park and the aquarium is included.
- Compare a flexible rate with a non-refundable one.
- Enter the children’s exact ages in the search.
- Look at the final price including taxes and local charges.
Check prices and availability at Atlantis The Palm.
Flights to Dubai
Direct flights from Israel to Dubai usually take a little over three hours. Before booking, check flight times, included baggage and change conditions. For a family staying at an expensive hotel, an early landing and a late return can add useful holiday time, but check the check-in and check-out hours.
Tzayad HaTisot (Flight Hunter) lets you compare flights to Dubai for the dates that suit you.
Atlantis Dubai FAQ
Is the water park included in the hotel price?
Many accommodation packages include entry to Aquaventure, but you must check the terms of the rate and the room before booking.
Are Atlantis The Palm and Atlantis The Royal the same hotel?
No. They are two separate hotels in the Palm Jumeirah area, with different rooms, facilities and prices.
Is Atlantis suitable for young children?
Yes. There are pools, play areas and family attractions, though some water rides have height and age limits.
Can you visit Atlantis without staying at the hotel?
Yes. You can buy tickets to the water park and the aquarium or book a restaurant, subject to availability and the venue’s terms.
Is there kosher food at the hotel?
Check directly with the hotel and a recognised kashrut authority what is available on your travel dates, what the supervision is and whether you need to order ahead.
How far is the hotel from the centre of Dubai?
The hotel is at the tip of Palm Jumeirah. The travel time to Downtown and Dubai Mall depends heavily on traffic.
Who is the hotel for?
Atlantis The Palm suits families, couples and travellers who want a big resort with attractions on site. It is less suitable for anyone looking for a small, quiet hotel or planning to spend most of the day in Downtown Dubai.
Facilities, opening hours, benefits and prices may change. Check the terms of the room and the package on the hotel’s website or the booking site before paying.
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