Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

     The Atlantis Hotel in Dubai is extraordinary.  But, even more astonishing is the island on which it’s built, the Palm Jumeirah.

     The Palm Jumeirah isn’t your typical exotic island with pristine white beaches and sparkling azure water.  This island is unique because it’s an incredibly large MAN-MADE, palm tree shaped island in the Arabian Gulf built from reclaimed sea sand.  Truly an architectural wonder and one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks known as the 8^th Wonder of the World.  Prime real estate with every property having desirable beachfront access and water views - spectacular villas, condos and high rise apartments.

Location, location, location...  Who said you can’t make beach front property? 

YOU CAN, if you have enough money.  It’s so mind boggling to think that we were driving on an artificial island in the Arabian Gulf.  And, la ti da, we drove all the way to the Atlantis Hotel next to a chauffeur-driven silver Rolls Royce.   

     The Atlantis, which cost 1.5 billion dollars and opened in 2008, is located on the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah situated on 113 acres.  This ocean-themed resort features “Aquaventure” – a 42-acre waterpark with the “Zigguret” Centerpiece that touts a 27.5 metre-vertical drop and “The Lost Chambers” – where you can journey through a labyrinth of chambers to experience its fascinating underwater world with over 65,000 fish. 

     So, how much are you willing to pay to have your own personal aquarium view through a large window in your hotel suite just to watch the creatures of the sea?  The price tag is hefty.  Or, you can do what Bill and I did – just gaze at the aquatic view from one of the hotel’s many unique restaurants.   

      Ali Al Marzouqi, our Emirati friend, however, took his wife, three children and two nannies for an overnight stay at the five-star Atlantis.  They had a sea view and an aquarium view – a three-bedroom suite with an enormous window looking into the giant aquarium.  They loved the luxurious rooms and their children had a great time at the waterpark.  Can you afford $2,500 per night for a suite?  But, with 1,539 rooms, you could have a less expensive stay for about $800 - $1,000 per night.  [I don't think Bill and I will be staying overnight at the Atlantis Hotel anytime soon with those prices].

     The hotel lobby reminded me of a majestic European museum graced by a 10-meter high Dale Chihuly multi-colored abstract sculpture with over 3,000 pieces of hand blown glass surrounded by a round water feature or reflection pool which looked like a fountain with a glass centerpiece. 

     What was really ironic was that Bill and I had lived in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly’s hometown and the Museum of Glass.  His distinctive, imaginative and vibrant sculptures are known worldwide.  Several bars and restaurants in Tacoma had his early art work hanging or sitting on shelves, Chihuly having given them to his friends.  

     But this Chihuly glass sculpture had graceful trumpet figures and delicate, flowing shapes reminding me of the sea anemones with intense colors of turquoise, indigo, cerulean, sea green, yellow green, scarlet, yellow, red and orange glass of various sizes traveling up as far as you could see against a ceiling of gold leaf.  I remember feeling so small standing in front of it.  Everyone wanted to capture their own image in front of this unique glass sculpture, so cameras were flashing all around us.

     The highlight of the hotel was the massive, open air aquarium inside the Atlantis.  Of all the aquariums I’ve seen, such as the Marineland in Florida, the Monterrey Aquarium, and in the Dubai Mall, this was my favorite.  I felt like I could reach out and touch the thousands of fish zipping by.  Watching over 65,000 fish, stingrays and other sea creatures swimming around the aquarium through several gigantic two-story viewing windows was such a treat.  There is also a dolphinarium with more than two dozen bottlenose dolphins flown in from the Solomon Islands. 

      You’re never far from a shopping experience in Dubai.  So, we strolled through the upscale boutiques on “The Avenues”, a 7500 sqm. retail and entertainment complex.  I did a lot of window shopping at Tiffany’s, Chopards, Harry Winston, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.  I just told myself that I already had enough shoes and handbags.  I also know the difference between ‘want’ and ‘need’.  So, I kept the Visa card in my wallet and just pressed my nose against the stores windows looking for something on sale!  Not a chance!