THERE'S something thrilling about going from scraping frost off the car in the morning to an evening sipping drinks by a pool in 33C heat.
Many Brits choose tried and tested go-tos for winter sun - the Canaries, Madeira, Cyprus or Egypt. But Dubai should make that list, and a resort with guaranteed sun, top hospitality, the world's best water park and the most wonderful food - the flagship Atlantis, The Palm hotel, Dubai. It sits at the centre of the crescent of The Palm, that famous tree-shaped archipelago of artificial islands - a jewel in the crown of the city's offerings.
Towering over sun-kissed shores and sandy beaches, the coral pink ocean-themed resort looks like it is rising out of the sea. Spanning 46 hectares, this mammoth Middle Eastern hotspot is home to 1544 rooms and suites across 22 storeys.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/jhtApfYhN1742628331324.jpg?timestamp=1742628468402]
There are four pools, a private beach comparable to the best of the Caribbean, 35 on-site restaurants, including Michelin-starred food, and luxury shops.
And that's before we've even got into the Aquaventure water park, Lost Chambers Aquarium and ridiculously fun kids' play areas. A highlight of the United Arab Emirates, you can fly there in six-and-a-half hours from the UK and the locals' desire and admiration for all things British means we are the top nationality at almost any given time staying at the hotel.
Atlantis is comprised of colourful wings connecting lavish hotel rooms and is awash with five-star amenities. The rooms are huge, having recently benefited from an extensive renovation since its opening year in 2008. These are modern homes-away-from-home for families keen on busy days out and creature comforts at night.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/1394911116.jpg]
They either face inwards towards the other Palm resorts, with a beautiful vista of the neon city skyline as night falls, or offer a straight out-tosea view that's as calming as any spa session.
We had our own big bathtub and separate shower, two queen-sized beds and the obligatory 49in TV, a Nespresso coffee machine and a minibar.
With our Imperial Club room, we got access to the superb Imperial Club too - a swanky downstairs space with a daily breakfast, Dorchester-like afternoon tea as well as a cocktail happy hour in the evenings with canapes.
You feel like a VIP stepping from your room into this calm retreat with its white marble floors.
Staff are keen to be the first to greet and seat you before offering up a varied menu. Breakfast is continental by design but there are plenty of cereals, omelettes and yogurts to uncover with a little hunt around the sprawling display.
The kids have their own dedicated area to watch movies like Inside Out 2 while, on different days, you get visitors such as glitter tattoo artists that gets them squeaking in delight.
Afternoon tea is scones, sandwiches, salads, fruit, cheese and biscuits and breads.
And the happy hour drinks are also worth the wait, with all kinds of colourful, tasty creations.
You can switch up your breakfast routine at the nearby Kaleidoscope restaurant where you get an even bigger selection, including the full English experience as well as Arabic, Asian and continental favourites.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/3331411639.jpg]
Stepping out of the comfort of the VIP zone, you'll find yourself surrounded by amazing things to do in the wider hotel.
A must is the 22.5 hectares of water park Aquaventure. The best waterpark I've ever been to, we spent eight hours here, at the side of the main hotel, and still didn't get through all the rides on offer.
There are 105 slides to try, making this the official Guinness World Record title holder for the most waterslides in a waterpark, and they're split over multiple themed areas, such as Trident Tower, Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove.
The stars are the family rides where you can all go on together, spinning down huge tunnels in a single circular family dingy, giggling and screaming.
Towels are on tap for hotel guests, which is a massive space-saver, and the hi-tech locker room means everything is controlled and kept safe by waterproof wristbands, including any purchase you want to make on your hotel room number.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/1439346141.jpg?timestamp=1742628521737]
There's a Wave Rider as well, which is a constant artificial wave that you get to surf or bodyboard on with an expert guiding you.
Within minutes I was up on my knees, copying him in acting out the Macarena dance.
And it has its own bespoke beach with watersports, so you can hire a kayak and go wading out into the bath-like UAE waters. There are more than 1000 sun loungers and 44 private cabanas, which are well worth the extra money because you get to bag your own little spot of paradise.
Hotel guests also have access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways "providing ...
Many Brits choose tried and tested go-tos for winter sun - the Canaries, Madeira, Cyprus or Egypt. But Dubai should make that list, and a resort with guaranteed sun, top hospitality, the world's best water park and the most wonderful food - the flagship Atlantis, The Palm hotel, Dubai. It sits at the centre of the crescent of The Palm, that famous tree-shaped archipelago of artificial islands - a jewel in the crown of the city's offerings.
Towering over sun-kissed shores and sandy beaches, the coral pink ocean-themed resort looks like it is rising out of the sea. Spanning 46 hectares, this mammoth Middle Eastern hotspot is home to 1544 rooms and suites across 22 storeys.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/jhtApfYhN1742628331324.jpg?timestamp=1742628468402]
There are four pools, a private beach comparable to the best of the Caribbean, 35 on-site restaurants, including Michelin-starred food, and luxury shops.
And that's before we've even got into the Aquaventure water park, Lost Chambers Aquarium and ridiculously fun kids' play areas. A highlight of the United Arab Emirates, you can fly there in six-and-a-half hours from the UK and the locals' desire and admiration for all things British means we are the top nationality at almost any given time staying at the hotel.
Atlantis is comprised of colourful wings connecting lavish hotel rooms and is awash with five-star amenities. The rooms are huge, having recently benefited from an extensive renovation since its opening year in 2008. These are modern homes-away-from-home for families keen on busy days out and creature comforts at night.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/1394911116.jpg]
They either face inwards towards the other Palm resorts, with a beautiful vista of the neon city skyline as night falls, or offer a straight out-tosea view that's as calming as any spa session.
We had our own big bathtub and separate shower, two queen-sized beds and the obligatory 49in TV, a Nespresso coffee machine and a minibar.
With our Imperial Club room, we got access to the superb Imperial Club too - a swanky downstairs space with a daily breakfast, Dorchester-like afternoon tea as well as a cocktail happy hour in the evenings with canapes.
You feel like a VIP stepping from your room into this calm retreat with its white marble floors.
Staff are keen to be the first to greet and seat you before offering up a varied menu. Breakfast is continental by design but there are plenty of cereals, omelettes and yogurts to uncover with a little hunt around the sprawling display.
The kids have their own dedicated area to watch movies like Inside Out 2 while, on different days, you get visitors such as glitter tattoo artists that gets them squeaking in delight.
Afternoon tea is scones, sandwiches, salads, fruit, cheese and biscuits and breads.
And the happy hour drinks are also worth the wait, with all kinds of colourful, tasty creations.
You can switch up your breakfast routine at the nearby Kaleidoscope restaurant where you get an even bigger selection, including the full English experience as well as Arabic, Asian and continental favourites.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/3331411639.jpg]
Stepping out of the comfort of the VIP zone, you'll find yourself surrounded by amazing things to do in the wider hotel.
A must is the 22.5 hectares of water park Aquaventure. The best waterpark I've ever been to, we spent eight hours here, at the side of the main hotel, and still didn't get through all the rides on offer.
There are 105 slides to try, making this the official Guinness World Record title holder for the most waterslides in a waterpark, and they're split over multiple themed areas, such as Trident Tower, Splashers Lagoon and Splashers Cove.
The stars are the family rides where you can all go on together, spinning down huge tunnels in a single circular family dingy, giggling and screaming.
Towels are on tap for hotel guests, which is a massive space-saver, and the hi-tech locker room means everything is controlled and kept safe by waterproof wristbands, including any purchase you want to make on your hotel room number.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1583517504/1742610876/articles/fTvI3SFqlidLQB5fxAsys/1439346141.jpg?timestamp=1742628521737]
There's a Wave Rider as well, which is a constant artificial wave that you get to surf or bodyboard on with an expert guiding you.
Within minutes I was up on my knees, copying him in acting out the Macarena dance.
And it has its own bespoke beach with watersports, so you can hire a kayak and go wading out into the bath-like UAE waters. There are more than 1000 sun loungers and 44 private cabanas, which are well worth the extra money because you get to bag your own little spot of paradise.
Hotel guests also have access to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, a maze of underwater corridors and passageways "providing ...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 22, 2025