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.

Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

What is a Ponzi scheme?

A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

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Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Company%20Profile
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Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
Essentials

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours. 

The package

Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Napoleon
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Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea

Rating: 2.5/5

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Northern Warriors v Team Abu Dhabi, 3.30pm
Bangla Tigers v Karnataka Tuskers, 5.45pm
Qalandars v Maratha Arabians, 8pm

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1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush

Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”

A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.

“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”

Updated: September 04, 2025, 7:35 AM