Atlantis The Palm Dubai: Everything to Know Before You Go

I'm Kelsey Barbario for Parade Magazine, and I'm currently on a hot air balloon in Dubai

and these are some of the best activities to do if you're coming on the trip here. So I finally made it to Atlantis the Palm in Dubai. Dubai has been on my bucket list for ages

and let me tell you, it's even more surreal in person. From the moment you arrive, you get why

this resort is such a big deal. Celebrities like the Kardashians, the Real Housewives of Beverly

Hills, and The Bachelor's Act shall cross have been known to love it for a reason. But the real question is, does it live up to the hike? Let's find out

The lobby alone makes a statement. It's got these massive high ceilings, elaborate designs

and right in the center, this insane hand-blown glass sculpture that's over 32 feet tall

The whole vibe is very underwater palace in its luxury hotel. But honestly, I was just excited to

drop my bags and start exploring. My room had an amazing view of the Palm Tumera, which by the way

is one of the coolest things to see from above. Waking up to this, not bad at all. I also had the

opportunity to take a tour of one of Atlantis the Palm's most fabulous suites, the Grand Atlantis

Suite. It has an elaborate entryway featuring two fountains. The suite itself is two bedrooms

and comes with 24-hour butler service. Our sources say celebrities have definitely been

known to stay here in the past. It starts at roughly $6,500 per night. If you stay in Atlantis

you get free access to Aquaventure, which happens to be the world's largest water park

and let me tell you, this place is huge, as in over 55 acres

You could easily spend the whole day here and not deport. They have some serious slides here

The Leap of Faith, absolutely terrifying. You drop almost straight down and shoot through a tunnel

surrounded by actual sharks. I may or may not have avoided that one But there are also tons of options for fun yet less scary slides The park has 105 slides in total so regardless of how thrill you might be you should be fine here

Not into death-defying slides? There's a massive lazy river that's actually not that lazy

It has rapids that push you along, so it's a nice balance of chill and fun. I wasn't expecting much from the aquarium, but honestly, it was one of my favorite parts

The whole thing is designed to feel like the lost city of Atlantis and it's packed with some of the coolest sea creatures

Definitely worth checking out, especially if you need a break from the sun. We did a sound bath meditation inside of the aquarium and it was incredibly peaceful

Okay, let's talk food. atlantis has over 30 restaurants so choosing where to eat is kind of overwhelming

i went with nobu because well it's nobu the black cod worth every bite we did a tasting menu and

enjoyed every single thing we tried nobu also has a terrace overlooking the city of dubai which is

pretty spectacular. For something more laid back, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen is a solid

choice. They have a menu featuring everyday favorites like Caesar salad and burgers, but also

have some ultra fun and Instagram-worthy cocktails. Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime memorable dining

experience? Aseano overlooks Atlantis' giant aquarium and features all kinds of ornate fish

dishes in a nautical-inspired setting. It has a Michelin star and we can clearly see why

Hakkasan is Atlantis' Cantonese restaurant and it's the epitome of lux and class

The menu features uber fancy cocktails like caviar martinis in loads of luxe dishes

After spending the day at Aquaventure Wade House is a very fun option both for kids and adults The menu is filled with casual comfort food like nachos chicken fingers and colossal milkshakes Plus they have a really fun cocktail menu with shareable options like this giant watermelon drink For something a bit fun En Fuego is bright and

colorful and practically begging you to have a margarita. They also have a party brunch

and from what we hear, it really turns up at night. Iamna is Atlantis the Palm's Lebanese

food destination. They'll ensure you're filled up with loads and loads of dips. Craving a classic steakhouse experience, look no further than Seafire

They've got all the steakhouse mainstays with some incredible mashed potatoes. You even have the chance to choose your own knife to go with your steak

As for breakfast, I had the buffet experiences of my life at Atlantis the Palm

The resort has multiple high-end restaurants serving elaborate buffets. And these buffets are massive

Think every type of cuisine that you can imagine. Perfect if you're indecisive, picky, or just really, really hungry

We won't judge you if your plate ends up kind of weird. Plus, several of the breakfast restaurants offer mimosas with the cost of entry

You can't come over to Dubai and not check out the Dubai Mall. The place is a beast

It's actually the second biggest mall in the world. It's over 1 million square meters in size and has over 1,200 stores

But it's not just about shopping. They have an actual indoor ice rink, an aquarium, and even a waterfall inside the mall

Casual. Whether you're into high-end shopping or just want to window shop at stores you can't afford at the moment

same here, it's an experience. but fair warning this place is so big that you might actually get lost. You'll want to plan your

trip because things are not close together. Excitingly enough we did get our hands on some

of that viral pistachio chocolate while visiting though. As much as there is to do here sometimes

the best part is just unwinding. Atlantis the palm has several pools and man-made beach. Keep

in mind it gets incredibly hot in Dubai often up into the 100 degree plus territory in the summer so bring your sunscreen and probably be sure to snag a chair under an umbrella The beach club here is next level White sand crystal clear water and private cabanas if you

want to go full luxury mode. I spent most of my afternoon just lounging, sipping on a cocktail

and soaking in the views. It was easily one of my favorite parts of the entire trip

The best part? Beachside service. There's nothing better than having an ice drink brought to you

while you relax under the sun. After all the action, I needed some serious relaxation

Enter Awaken Spa. This place is unreal. Think dim lighting, calming music, and that fresh spa scent

that instantly makes you feel like you're on vacation. They have tons of treatments to choose from

but I went with a deep tissue massage because, well, after all those water slides and the travel, I needed it

They also have cold plunge pools, use at your own risk, steam rooms, and even a relaxation room

featuring those fancy red light masks. It was easily one of the best spa experiences I've ever had

For an activity somewhere between chill and adventurous, we highly recommend a trip on the Dubai Balloon

We went at sunset and it was absolutely magical. From the hot air balloon, you'll get views of the resort, the city, and across the water

We went on our last night and it was the perfect way to wrap up the trip. So, is Atlantis the Palm worth it

Honestly, yes. It's not just a hotel, it's an experience. If you love adventure, amazing food, and more than a little bit of luxury, this place is definitely one for the list

but I come back in a heartbeat. There's a reason why celebrities love it so much

Dubai is known for its luxury and its opulence and it's not the most popular location

for American travelers which I think makes it one of the coolest. That's it for this adventure

Let us know in the comments. Would you visit Dubai? And don't be afraid to let us know

where we should head to next