Atlantis The Royal: How the new icon of Dubai is meeting demand

“Resorts like this only come around a handful of times each decade,” Timothy Kelly, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Atlantis Dubai, told Aspire earlier this year.

The hotel group, which already owns Atlantis, The Palm, will welcome its much-anticipated second property, Atlantis The Royal, early next year – and the buzz around it is palpable. Luxury tour operators and travel agents have reported a flurry of interest from clients since the property went on sale on October 31.

Designer Travel said it had made multiple sales within 48 hours, while other operators have reported making bookings worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. Dan Salmon, owner of Never A Wasted Journey, said clients had been asking about the hotel months before it went on sale. “One lady has been messaging me each month since the start of the year as she’s so excited,” he says. “Others have been to Dubai, seen it and want to stay when they go back. The demand is there.”

First come, first served

In a world where affluent travellers are increasingly well catered for, what is so alluring about Atlantis The Royal Salmon believes a desire to be one of the first to stay at the world’s hottest new property is driving a large chunk of interest.

“People want to be the first to visit, to experience something more than the norm,” he says. “Atlantis The Royal will offer exactly that. Who wouldn’t want to stay in their own pool suite up in the clouds ” Tour operator Carrier agreed bragging rights could be a top driver. Head of product and commercial Simon Jeffries says: “Atlantis The Royal is one of those once-in-a-generation new products that transcends the destination it’s in.

The design is highly innovative and their focus on culinary experiences is what a certain segment of the luxury market is looking for. We know our clients have a strong desire to ‘be the first’ so it’s important that we’re ready to service that demand. It’s been a long while since an opening created so much interest.”

James Weaver, managing director of trade-only tour operator Lusso, agreed it had seen “keen interest” from a number of its agent partners with high-net-worth clients “looking for the next place to try”. The operator is currently working on an enquiry worth between £300k and £400k – a figure Weaver says “shows its appeal for those keen to experience Dubai’s hottest new hotel”.

Infinite choice

But Weaver admits more is at play enticing high-end clients toward The Palm’s glitziest new hotel. “In short, ‘choice’ is what the modern-day luxury traveller is looking for, whether that be location, room or suite style, or the dining and activities on offer.

Atlantis The Royal is targeting those clients at the highest end of the market, and is set to go head-to-head with the world’s finest hotels and resorts.” Rebecca Turner, head of product at Elegant Resorts, agrees, highlighting a recent client survey that shows today’s affluent traveller “continues to value high[1]quality food and drink, outstanding service and immersion in unique experiences, as key factors”. She says this will “not only be met but exceeded” by Atlantis The Royal.

The wellness trend also continues to be of importance and Sheena Sumner, founder and managing director of Wonderluxe Travel, believes the innovative wellness haven, AWAKEN, will be a key in the property’s success. “Before the pandemic and more so now, wellbeing is at the forefront of people’s minds,” she says.

“This is where Atlantis The Royal has nailed it. Their wellness programme looks insane.” There are countless reasons your clients will want to book Atlantis The Royal, and one thing is for sure: they won’t be disappointed.

Ask the expert

Designer Travel co-founder Amanda Matthews (pictured) went on a hard-hat tour of the property during the homeworking agency’s 2022 overseas conference in Dubai in September. “It was mind-blowing,” she says. “It’s almost like the impossible becomes possible. Even day-time restaurant Gastronomy, for example, is like a Harvey Nichols or Selfridges food hall.

Even though it’s a very big hotel, because of how it has been built, it didn’t ever feel you were in a big hotel. Everything about it is immaculate. It’s got all of the newness and funkiness, but you’ve also got the waterpark (Aquaventure), which is good for adults and children, and the Dine Around options with all the beautiful restaurants at Atlantis, The Palm, so they’ve kind of captured the market.

Most of the enquiries we have had so far are inquisitive people who like to be in the place to be seen – the trendy couples, young or old.”