Located at the point at which luxury reaches the stratosphere, Dubai’s magnificently eccentric Hotel Atlantis can be named, without any trace of hyperbole, one of the world’s most awe-inspiring.
The figure behind this outrageous project, South African entrepreneur Sol Kerzner, has already been responsible for some memorable establishments; his fabulous Palace of the Lost City in the famous South African casino resort of Sun City is an H. Rider Haggard novel come to life.
Yet not even this homage to excess can prepare guests for the lofty extravagance of the Hotel Atlantis, Dubai.
A class of its own
From its dramatic position on a 113-acre private island just off the coast of Dubai to the outstanding quality of its interiors and the celebrity chefs that create the dishes in its many restaurants, this resort hotel is in a class of its own.
Kerzner has teamed up with top Dubai developer, Nakheel, to create this £800 million architectural masterpiece, a creative partnership that has proved a resounding success. The opening party alone was so outrageous that it attracted the undivided attention of the international media. For this lavish three-day celebration two thousand guests from around the world were flown in. Stars such as Kylie Minogue and Nawal performed while royalty (His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the Duchess of York and Dubai’s royal family) rubbed shoulders with commoners (Boris Becker, Charlize Theron, Lily Allen, Agyness Deyn, Janet Jackson and Robert DeNiro).
Kerzner had hired international pyrotechnics expert, Grucci, to ensure that the party went with a bang and the entire 520km of the Palm Jumeirah had been wired for fireworks. The resulting display cost millions and could be seen from space. The total amount spent on the opening party eventually amounted to £20 million.
Yet once the smoke had cleared it was essential that the hotel should continue to impress. In the hands of such a professional organisation as Kerzner International it’s hardly surprising that the feedback from guests has been universally positive.
Outstanding features
This fabulous place has so many outstanding features that it’s difficult to know where to start, but much press attention has been paid to the huge aquarium, which can be enjoyed from various locations in the hotel, including the Mediterranean-themed Ossiano Restaurant to the Lost Chambers suites, where you can wake up to the sight of a stingray swimming past less than a metre away from your bed.
It takes foresight, vision and a certain amount of courage to create a structure that stands out in a city so full of futuristic buildings, yet the Atlantis Dubai certainly achieves this.
From its position on the crescent of the now iconic Palm Jumeirah it dominates Dubai’s coastal profile, a monument to the human desire for ever higher standards of fun and enjoyment.
