Atlantis Hotel Dubai

The Atlantis Hotel is one of the newest iconic landmarks in Dubai, situated on prime real estate at the far end (top) of the sprawling offshore Palm Jumeirah development. Before my trip I had seen some breathtaking pictures of the property and thought I would pop over for a look in person. I hadn't realized some of the best parts were off limits to all but guests, and I wasn't staying there. Thankfully I was not deterred easily; after having come so far to see the place, I managed to convince a sympathetic guard to let me pass...

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View of the Atlantis Hotel from the main road on the Palm.
The raised highway on the left is the island's monorail track.

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Closer shot of the hotel exterior.

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Fantastical roof paintings are everywhere. The hotel not only has some amazing unique architecture, it's built in such a way that you not only feel like you're in the lost city, you feel like you're underwater. Really mesmerizing effect on the eyes...

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In the "Lost Chambers" part of the hotel, various aquarium displays consist of fish swimming around supposed Atlantis relics.

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Multiple large aquariums give a feeling that the entire hotel is underwater, just like its namesake Atlantis.

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Part of creating the illusion of being underwater is not just the ceiling to floor aquariums, but also blue lights from above. The whole thing creates the most amazing effect.

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Looking straight up at the illusion of being underwater.

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This part of the ground floor is the only area in the main hotel building that is open to the public. The balcony seen here and everything else on the upper floor is for hotel guests only.

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The forbidden staircase. Entry beyond is only for those staying on the property.

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At the top of the staircase heading towards the lobby, my first glimpse at the restricted area of the hotel. Gorgeous!!

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The palacial centerpiece of the Atlantis lobby. That giant blue sculpture in the middle is made entirely of interconnected, twisted glass tubes.

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Closeup of some of the detail of the massive glass lobby centerpiece.

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The palatial centerpiece of the Atlantis lobby. That giant blue sculpture in the middle is made entirely of interconnected, twisted glass tubes.

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All 360 degrees of the circular roof in the main lobby were covered with detailed murals.

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Top of the balcony looking down at the aquarium at the first level below.