Article:
ISSUE No. 13 November - December 2008

Atlantis
The sunken City emerges in Dubai

More than 2,000 years ago, the philosopher Plato claimed to have discovered a sunken city between Spain and Morocco. Atlantis was the name and according to Plato it was a sea power that ruled large parts of Europe and Africa. Legend says that Atlantis sank in one day and one night during an earthquake and storm surge. But on September 24th Atlantis rises again under the sunny skies of Dubai when it will welcome the first guests to the luxury hotel on the Palm Jumeirah.

The hotel is situated on a 46 hectare area and offers 1,373 rooms along with 166 suites, 17 restaurants, bars and lounges. Special attractions are the giant aquariums, a shark and dolphin pool and the “Lost Chambers”, a replica of the lost city of Atlantis. Visitors will be taken into the mysterious world of Atlantis at the “Ambassador Lagoon” and the “Lost Chambers” where they can witness the life of sea creatures among many sunken relics. The shark pool, also called “Shark Lagoon” can be crossed via a tunnel and in “Dolphin Bay” guests can swim with the dolphins. The dolphin pool is also the first mammal rescue and rehabilitation center in Dubai. There are a total of more than 65,000 fish and sea creatures in the marina which represent 250 different species.

Another highlight is the 17 hectare water park “Aquaventure” which offers seven waterslides and a 2.3 kilometer long navigable river, thus making it the largest water park in Dubai. The “Ziggurat” is the heart of Aquaventure. It has seven slides that come from a 30 meter Mesopotamian style tower. Among them is “Shark Attack”, a slide that drops 13 meters before reaching a glass tunnel which is surrounded by sharks.

Atlantis also offers its guests the “Royal Pool” and the “Zero Entry Pool” as well as a 1.4 kilometer white sandy beach.

After letting of steam in the water park, guests can visit “Avenues”, a shopping promenade which also features restaurants and a night club aside from the stores. There are 17 restaurants ready to cater to small or large appetites; four of them are run by the world renowned chefs Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, Giorgio Lotcatelli, Michel Rostang and Santi Santamaria.

Evenings can be spent relaxing in the hotel rooms with private balconies. The “Imperial Club” offers more than 150 rooms with exclusive service and a private club lounge. The “Bridge Suite” on the 22nd floor has a fantastic view of the Palm Jumeirah Island and the Arabian Gulf.

Atlantis, The Palm, is a long awaited attraction in Dubai which will give this dazzling and well-known city even more fame, and lure more visitors from all over the world to the desert metropolis. This unique hotel is not only a welcome refuge for people, it is also home to many water creatures, thus making it a special project that offers fun, information and relaxation.

 

More information: www.atlantisthepalm.com