I spent 8 hours at the best water park I've ever been to (Image: Tom Hutchison/Atlantis Dubai)
Many British chose goats that were tried and tested for the winter sun: Canary, Madeira, Cyprus, or Egypt. But Dubai needs to make that list. It is a resort that guarantees the sun, top hospitality, the best water parks in the world, and the most amazing food. I'm talking about the flagship Atlantis, the palm hotel in Dubai. It is located in the heart of the palm crescent moon, a famous archipelago of the artificial island, a crown jewel of urban offerings.
Towering on the coast and sandy beaches with a kiss in the sun, the coral pink sea-themed resort appears to be rising from the ocean. Spanning 46 hectares, this Mammoth Middle Eastern hotspot features 1,544 rooms and suites, 22-storey building. There are 35 on-site restaurants, including four swimming pools, a private beach comparable to the Caribbean Sea, and Michelin-starred cuisine and luxury shops.
And that's before we entered the Aquaventure Water Park, lost the Chambers Aquarium and entered the ridiculously fun kids' play area. The highlight of the United Arab Emirates is that you can fly there in 6.5 hours from the UK, and the desire and admiration of the locals for everything about the British means that we are the best nationality in almost every time we stay in the hotel.
The hotel is an amazing sight (Image: Getty)
Atlantis is made up of colorful wings connecting luxurious hotel rooms and is filled with five-star amenities. The rooms are huge and have benefited from a major renovation since the opening year of 2008. These are away from modern homes for enthusiastic families on busy days and are the comfort of creatures at night.
They head inward towards other palm resorts to give you a beautiful view of the neon city skyline in the evening fall, or off the straight line as calming as any spa session before offering a view from SEA to Sea.
We had our own large bathtub and separate shower, two queen size beds, a mandatory 49-inch TV, a Nespresso coffee machine and a minibar.
In the Imperial Club room we also had access to the Super Bray Imperial Club. A stylish downstairs space with daily breakfast, Dorchester-like afternoon tea and a cocktail happy hour with canapes. You feel like a VIP stepping into this calm hideaway with a white marble floor from your room.
Notable hotels to see in Twilight (Image: Atlantis in the palm)
The staff are keen to be greeted and sitting first before serving a variety of menus. Breakfast is continental in design, but there are plenty of cereals, omelettes and yogurt to hunt and discover around the vast display.
Children have their own dedicated areas for watching movies like Inside Out 2, but on various days visitors like Glitter Tattoo Artists will be delighted to be clean.
Afternoon tea is scones, sandwiches, salads, fruits, cheese, biscuits and bread. And Happy Hour Drinks are also worth the wait, with all sorts of colorful and delicious pieces.
You can switch breakfast routines at a nearby Kaleidoscope restaurant. Here you will find an even bigger selection, not just Arabic, Asian and Continental favorites, but also the complete experience of English.
There are 105 slides that are Guinness's world record (Image: Atlantis in the palm)
Aquaventure: The World's Best Water Park
Getting out of the comforts of the VIP zone reveals you are surrounded by what you need to do in a larger hotel.
A must-see is the 22.5 hectares of Water Park Aqua Venture. The best water park I've ever been to, we spent 8 hours here on the side of the main hotel and still didn't go through all the rides offered.
There are 105 slides to try, making this the official Guinness World Records title holder for the most water slides in the Water Park and is divided into multiple themed areas, including Trident Tower, Splasher Lagoon, and Splasher Cove.
The stars are family vehicles, spinning huge tunnels with the dim, laughter and screams of one circular family that you can all move on together. The towels are tapped for hotel guests. Hotel guests save a lot of space. High-tech crocker rooms mean everything is controlled and kept safe by waterproof wristbands, such as purchases you want to buy with your hotel room number.
There is also a wave rider. This is a constant artificial wave that will surf and arrive on your bodyboard with the experts who will guide you. Within minutes I stood on my lap and copied him by performing a macarena dance.
And it has its own bespoke beach with water sports so you can hire a kayak and walk to the UAE waters like a bus. There are over 1,000 sun loungers and 44 private cabanas. This is worth the extra money as you bag your own little spot paradise.
There's a lot to do here for my family (Image: Atlantis in the palm)
Things to do with the palm of Atlantis
Hotel guests also have access to Lost Chambers Aquarium, a labyrinth of “traveling through ancient Atlantis,” a labyrinth of underwater corridors and corridors.
In fact, what that means is the biggest aquarium you've ever seen, full of sharks. There are over 250 exhibits, including over 21 species, including the Moon Jerry's, Morey Eel's, and the Eagle Rays.
Those looking for a dry experience are not wrong with the hotel Dubai balloon. This is a 10-minute hot air balloon journey that rises straight from the beach, offering incredible views of the entire resort and stunning palms, looking back at Dubai's downtown skyscrapers.
You can point out the tallest buildings in the world, the far landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Monorail that takes you from the resort to the heart of urban life through the Dobaitram network. Your dedicated captain will guide you through lift off and landing ridges. Photographers take family photos at the best of points for unforgettable photos on their mobile phones.
Kids will also love the delightful hub of the warehouse, a vast complex for families that houses an amazing four-lane bowling alley. Upstairs you will find a large arcade that will quickly transport you to the classic British seaside.
Atlantis food and drink in the palm of your hand
When it comes to food, you have to scream loudly into Gordon Ramsay's Panty Street Kitchen. This is the Dubai edition, the Dubai edition of the popular British fine dining chain of famous chefs. Sunday roast (£50) was out of this world.
If you're looking for a light dinner, En Fuego, a Mexican-themed restaurant, has a fun party atmosphere. Here you may be sitting right in front of the DJ, but the sparkly dancers will do the best salsa, sambas and cha cha cha on the pedestal by your side.
That, coupled with chili beef nachos, lobster tacos and wagyu beef brittles, means going home all night long, both in your belly and in your spirit. The 3-hour food and drinks Saturday party brunch is just under £100.
It is also worth mentioning a more traditional Lebanese-style dining experience at the hotel's restaurant Ayamna (£100pp). You'll feel overwhelmed by the traditional flavor packed mezze, whether you're sitting in a stunning marble dining room or on a lantern-lit terrace.
The plate after the delicious co-owner plate was served for the family to enjoy with corn, kebab meat and fish, along with tagine, eggplant fatte and colorful vegetables.
Atlantis is a high-level hotel for ultimate water activity, luxury home comfort and entertainment, and tapping on food.
But at its heart, it is also an incredible family-centric resort that builds a once-in-a-lifetime holiday around a simple joy we sometimes forget.
They laugh as the kids jump into the pool. Smile on your partner's face and relax with a cocktail while waiting with your hands and feet. Even the heart-firing crack of the bowling ball when you're nailing the strike.
It is an absolutely fantastic winter sun destination, and sunny highs rarely fall below 25c. And you should consider it when you feel like you run out of your usual holiday destination and want a more luxurious trip. You will never regret it.
The resort has a wide range of great food (Image: Atlantis in the palm)
Book a holiday
The Emirates will fly from Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle to Dubai and start with a 545 pound return. emirates.com
The palms of Dubai, the Ocean Queen Room in Atlantis (two adults and two children), start at £243 per night, including access to the Aquaventure Water Park and Lost Chamber Aquarium.
atlantis.com/atlantis-the-palm
More information on visitdubai.com/en
