The hotel's impressive structure at dusk
The hotel's impressive structure at dusk
The hotel's impressive structure at dusk
The hotel's impressive structure at dusk

What is it like to stay at Dubai's Atlantis The Royal?


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Atlantis The Royal is defined by its size. The hulking 795-room hotel dominates The Palm Jumeirah skyline, extending 43 storeys and 178 metres upwards, as well as 500 metres across, totally dwarfing its not insubstantial sister property Atlantis, The Palm.

The Royal's distinctive form consists of six towers shaped like a stack of individual blocks. Its scale is striking as you approach at ground level, almost driving the entire length of the property before entering the grounds. One of the first things you see is a cascading water feature, which sets the tone for the hotel’s aquatic theme.

The arrival experience is suitably dramatic. During the property’s grand preview weekend, a line of parked Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons, Rolls-Royces and Ferraris act as a visual nod to the event’s distinguished guestlist, as does the red carpet leading into the lobby.

This is flanked on either side by another of the hotel’s eye-catching water features — this time, two walls of water that are interspersed with bursts of fire at specific intervals. This same juxtaposition of elements defines the Skyblaze fountain, a 28-metre-high feature on the grounds of the hotel, which combines water, fire bursts, lights and performative music.

  • An artwork titled Droplets is the centrepiece of Atlantis The Royal's grand lobby. All photos: Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai
    An artwork titled Droplets is the centrepiece of Atlantis The Royal's grand lobby. All photos: Getty Images for Atlantis Dubai
  • Water is the central theme of the hotel, with plenty of water features scattered throughout the common areas
    Water is the central theme of the hotel, with plenty of water features scattered throughout the common areas
  • The hotel's impressive structure
    The hotel's impressive structure
  • The hotel's three towers are named Sunrise, Sunlight and Sunset
    The hotel's three towers are named Sunrise, Sunlight and Sunset
  • Inside one of Atlantis The Royal's pool suite villas
    Inside one of Atlantis The Royal's pool suite villas
  • The 11.5-metre-tall sculpture, Droplets, sits in the lobby
    The 11.5-metre-tall sculpture, Droplets, sits in the lobby
  • The resort's external water features
    The resort's external water features
  • The lobby features marble floor with bronze accents
    The lobby features marble floor with bronze accents

Despite the size of the property, the interior doesn’t feel overwhelming. There’s a statement, 11.5-metre-tall sculpture in the lobby depicting water droplets, the expansive use of monochromatic marble and water tanks that will eventually house jellyfish — but the space itself still feels manageable.

The ground floor of the hotel is dedicated to high-end retail, with Level Shoes, Valentino and Tanagra boutiques, as well as restaurants, which include Heston Blumenthal’s first venue in the UAE, Ling Ling, Estiatorio Milos and the all-day dining venue Gastronomy.

The hotel is divided into three towers Sunrise, Sunset and Sunlight, with separate lift lobbies leading to each. Rooms are understated, decorated in muted hues, with dark woods, blue carpets and the odd gold accent. This, no doubt, has been done on purpose so as to not detract from the main event — sweeping views across the sea, The Palm and the skyscrapers of Dubai Marina, framed by Burj Al Arab on one side and Ain Dubai on another.

Rooms are fitted with balconies to maximise the views for guests, and the natural curvature of the building means spaces feel private, in spite of the enormous number of guest rooms. Balconies also afford views of the property’s grounds, which are home to two large swimming pools and a Nobu Beach Club.

The hotel’s main pool, the Royal Pool, feels spacious, surrounded by comfortable loungers and private cabanas. Palm trees offer shaded spots, while those wanting sunshine can make use of several in-pool loungers.

Despite the hype, the property is, on the whole, unexpectedly restrained. Except for the odd indulgence, that is — Graff amenities and gold-hued toothbrushes, razors and loofah brushes in the bathrooms — just to keep things royal.

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

if you go

The flights

Etihad, Emirates and Singapore Airlines fly direct from the UAE to Singapore from Dh2,265 return including taxes. The flight takes about 7 hours.

The hotel

Rooms at the M Social Singapore cost from SG $179 (Dh488) per night including taxes.

The tour

Makan Makan Walking group tours costs from SG $90 (Dh245) per person for about three hours. Tailor-made tours can be arranged. For details go to www.woknstroll.com.sg

EXPATS
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How to help

Call the hotline on 0502955999 or send "thenational" to the following numbers:

2289 - Dh10

2252 - Dh50

6025 - Dh20

6027 - Dh100

6026 - Dh200

8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21

  1. Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
  2. Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
  3. Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
  4. Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
  5. Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
  6. Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
  7. Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
  8. Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Countries recognising Palestine

France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra

 

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Chelsea 1 (Hudson-Odoi 90 1')

Manchester City 3 (Gundogan 18', Foden 21', De Bruyne 34')

Man of the match: Ilkay Gundogan (Man City)

India cancels school-leaving examinations
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site

The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.

Updated: September 04, 2025, 7:35 AM