Helicopter tour Dubai Palm Jumeirah view

Atlantis, The Palm
Interactive map of the Atlantis, The Palm area
Hotel chain	Atlantis, The Palm
General information
Location	Jumeirah Palm, Dubai
Construction started	2006[1]
Opening	September 24, 2008 (2008-09-24)
Management	Kerzner International Resorts
Height	93.0 m (305.1 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	22
Design and construction
Developer	Kerzner International Resorts
Other information
Number of rooms	1,544[2]
Number of suites	Suites (Regal, Terrace, Executive) Super Suites (Royal Bridge, Grand Atlantis, Underwater, Presidential)
Website
www.atlantis.com/dubai/atlantis-the-palm
[3][4][5]

Atlantis, The Palm is a luxury hotel resort located at the apex of the Palm Jumeirah in the United Arab Emirates. It was the first resort to be built on the island and is themed on the myth of Atlantis^[6] but includes distinct Arabian elements. The resort opened on September 24, 2008 as a joint venture between Kerzner International Holdings Limited and Istithmar World.^[7]

The 1,544 room nautically themed resort has two accommodation wings, consisting of the East and the West Tower. It is complemented by the Aquaventure water park and the Lost Chambers Aquarium, home to over 65,000 marine animals. Atlantis, The Palm is also known as the culinary destination in the region where guests can take their pick from a collection of 35 world-renowned restaurants including Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Street Pizza, Hakkasan, Nobu, En Fuego, Seafire Steakhouse & Bar and the award-winning underwater restaurant, Ossiano.^[8]

The Poseidon and Neptune Underwater Suites at Atlantis The Palm are two of only a tiny handful of underwater hotel rooms around the world, and regularly appear in lists of the world's most unique accommodation.

Measuring 165 m² (1,780 sq ft) in total, the upper, entrance floor is at ground level while the master bedroom and en-suite bathroom are submerged. The almost floor to ceiling windows in both the bedroom and bathroom face out on to the resort's Ambassador Lagoon, home to a multitude of exotic sea creatures.^[9] The floor-to-ceiling windows includes 65,000 marine animal aquarium in Dubai and will be amazed as sharks, rays and fish glide right past your bed.^[10]

Atlantis The Palm, opened on 24 September 2008 as a joint venture between Kerzner International Holdings Limited and Istithmar World. In April 2012, Istithmar World acquired Kerzner's 50-percent stake in the property for US$250 million. The property continues to be managed by Kerzner International Resorts. The conceptual design architects were Northpoint-South Africa. The architect of record was design firm Wimberly, Allison, Tong and Goo (WATG) an international firm specializing in Luxury Hotels. The principal contract for the project was awarded to Laing O'Rourke,^[11] a multinational construction firm based in United Kingdom. Laing O'Rourke was responsible for the design and construction phases of the 23-story hotel and water park.

The hotel was officially opened on 24 September 2008.^[12]

Days before the opening ceremony, the hotel's grand lobby caught fire^[13] and became engulfed in flames which caused concern over the hotel's opening. Work was done to repair the damage caused and the hotel opened on time.^[14][15]

As part of the opening, a light show of moving images was illuminated onto the hotel. 100,000 fireworks, around seven times the amount that were used for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, were let off, lasting 15 minutes. The display of fireworks across the full 5 km (3.1 mi) stretch of The Palm lit up the entire island and Atlantis, The Palm. Custom-made shells shipped in from across the globe created a light spectacle taking off from the 716 firing locations around the island, including 400 balconies at the resort. Display creator Fireworks by Grucci claims the display set a new world record, but records curator Guinness World Records has yet to announce the status.^[16] The launch party costed an estimated £15m in total, with Kylie Minogue earning £2m for a 60-minute performance for the hotel's 2,000 guests.^[17][18]

The Telegraph gave the hotel a 8/10, commending the underwater theme and facilities available.^[19] A 2024 review by The Sunday Times gave the hotel a score of 9/10, complimenting the architecture and appeal to all age groups.^[20]

In October 2007, the hotel received a shipment of 28 bottlenose dolphins from the Solomon Islands, to be used as part of their aquarium exhibit, called Dolphin Bay. The move was decried by several environmental groups, particularly for the fact that the export of dolphins had earlier been banned by the Solomon Islands government (after a similar controversial shipment to Mexico). Hotel managers have said that though the dolphins are being trained to interact with visitors, they will not appear in any sort of show or circus-like performance. They have also stated that the health of the dolphins is paramount; because the bottlenose is not an endangered species, their shipment did not pose a problem. The deal was done with the approval of the United Arab Emirates and Solomon Island governments, through the company Solomon Islands Marine Mammal Education Centre and Exporters Limited (who had overturned the earlier ban in court). The amount of money paid for the dolphins has not been disclosed.^[21][22]

The hotel faced controversy in 2010 following the captivity of a whale shark, nicknamed Sammy, in an aquarium exhibit for 18 months.^[23] The female juvenile was caught off a coast in Jebel Ali in August 2008 after appearing in distress.^[24][25] At the time, whale sharks were listed in appendix 2 of CITES, stipulating that they can "only be held for scientific purposes provided that it does not harm the survival of the species". The captivity sparked outrage among animal rights groups and activists, including PETA and actress Pamela Anderson.^[24] Gulf News launched a campaign with thousands of supporters calling for the release of the shark.^[26] Atlantis would release a press release, stating:

"After several months of planning, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai has returned a female whale shark to the waters of the Persian Gulf from where she was rescued. The Atlantis Fish Husbandry Team utilised their experience and skill to save the animal in compliance with all CITIES regulations."

Ali Bin Saqr Al Suwaidi, president and founder of the Emirates Marine Environment Group, another group involved in the campaign, confirmed the shark was set to be released.^[23] Scepticism surrounding the release persisted afterwards due to a lack of images being circulated, with Steve Kaiser, vice president of Marine Science and Engineering at Atlantis, denying the claims of Sammy still being held in captivity.^[25]

• 
  Aerial view of Atlantis The Palm and nearby artificial islands
• 
  Aerial view
• 
  Daytime exterior view
• 
  Atlantis The Palm at night
• 
  Lobby Lounge
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  Lobby Corridor
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  Hotel aquarium
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  Aquaventure Beach
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  Aquaventure Water Park
• 
  Ocean-side aerial view of Atlantis, The Palm

• Dubai World
• Atlantis The Royal, Dubai
• List of hotels in Dubai
• Atlantis Paradise Island – similar looking hotel by Sol Kerzner
• Atlantis Sanya
• Atlantis Resorts

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Atlantis The Palm.

• Official website

Palm Jumeirah

Native name: [1] نخلة جميرا Nickname: The Palm
Satellite view of The Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah Location within the Emirate of Dubai
Geography
Location	Persian Gulf
Coordinates	25°07′05″N 55°08′00″E / 25.11806°N 55.13333°E / 25.11806; 55.13333
Administration
Dubai  United Arab Emirates
Demographics
Population	25,550[2]

The Palm Jumeirah (Arabic: نخلة جميرا) is an archipelago of artificial islands on the Persian Gulf in Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is part of a larger series of developments called the Palm Islands, including Palm Jebel Ali and the Dubai Islands, which, when completed, will together increase Dubai's shoreline by a total of 520 kilometres (320 mi).^[3] It has a population of over 25,000^[4] as of 2022.^[5]

The islands were created using land reclamation. They were created to resemble a palm tree when seen from the air, and are roughly divided into three areas: "trunk", "fronds", and "outer crescent". The trunk is a mixed commercial and residential area, the fronds are reserved for residential homes and villas, while the outer crescent is used for luxury and upscale resorts.^[6]

The Palm Jumeirah was constructed by a Dutch specialist dredging company, Van Oord. The same company also created The World Islands.

Construction of The Palm Jumeirah Dubai island began in June 2001 and the developers announced handover of the first residential units in 2006.^[7]

In October 2007, 75% of the properties were ready to hand over, with 500 families already residing on the island.^[8] By the end of 2009, 28 hotels were opened on the Crescent.^[8]

In 2009, The New York Times reported that NASA's laser altimeter satellites had measured the Palm as sinking at the rate of 5 mm (0.20 in) per year.^[9] In response the developer, Nakheel Properties said they had received no reports of structural problems of a type that would be expected if there were any subsidence, and pointed out that the laser satellites had a measurement resolution of only 50 mm (2.0 in).^[10]

The Palm Jumeirah Monorail is a 5.4-kilometre-long (3.4 mi) monorail connecting the Atlantis Hotel to the Gateway Towers at the foot of the island.^[11][12] The monorail connects The Palm Jumeirah Dubai to the mainland, with a planned further extension to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro.^[13] The line began operating on 30 April 2009.^[14] It is the first monorail in the Middle East.^[15]

According to a study published in the journal Water in 2022, the construction of this island has had an effect on increasing water-soluble materials, changing the spectral profile of water and also increasing the temperature of the water surface around the island.^[16]

The outer breakwater was designed as a continuous barrier, but by preventing natural tidal movement, the seawater within the Palm became stagnant. The breakwater was subsequently modified to create gaps on either side, allowing tidal movement to oxygenate the water within and prevent it from stagnating, albeit less efficiently than would be the case if the breakwater did not exist.^[17][18]

In the summer seasons, jellyfish frequent the beaches surrounding the Palm.^[19] In early 2020, due to the reduction of human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in wildlife, such as dolphins, around The Palm Jumeirah was observed.^[20]

After launching the project, it was revealed that the developer increased the number of residential units on the island (with a concomitant reduction in the amount of physical space between individual properties) from the originally announced 4,500 (comprising 2,000 villas purchased early in the expectation of greater separation between properties^[21]). This increase was attributed to the developer miscalculating the actual cost of construction and requiring the raising of additional capital, although they had never commented publicly on the matter.^{[citation needed]} The New York Times reported in 2009 that many people had bought houses before they were built and are furious about the space available now and the way they seem to be living on top of each other.^[9]

Palm Jumeirah has a varied array of buildings, ranging from townhouses to hotels to apartments and villas. The apartments are mostly concentrated on the Trunk, while the Fronds are bordered with villas.

Apartments range in size from 375 to 11,774 square feet (34.8 to 1,093.8 m²), from studios to 6-bedroom layouts. Each apartment normally has a large living space, en-suite bathrooms, fitted kitchens, and balconies or patios.

The community has villas with sizes between 4,000 and 35,000 square feet (370 and 3,250 m²) ranging from 2 to 10 bedrooms. There is direct beach access from these villas, which range in style from classic Arabic designs to modern high-tech alternatives.^[22]

• Grigory Anikeev, one of the wealthiest deputies of the Russian State Duma, bought a $13 million penthouse apartment in the Serenia Residences of Palm Jumeirah in March 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[23]
• Mykola Zlochevskiy, a Ukrainian oil and natural gas businessman and oligarch who was Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources in the Viktor Yanukovych administration, owns two apartments in the W Residences worth $11 million.^[24] Ukrainian authorities accused Zlochevskiy of embezzlement, leading him to plead guilty while transferring ownership of the properties to his daughter.^[24]
• Balvinder Singh Sahni, Indian businessman^[25]
• Joseph Johannes Leijdekkers, a Dutchman who goes by the name 'Chubby Jos', and is on European Union's Most Wanted List for alleged narcotics trafficking, is a resident in the Grandeur Residences of Palm Jumeirah.^[26]
• Danilo Vunjao Santana Gouveia, a Brazilian who goes by Dubaiano, and was indicted in Brazil for fraud and moneylaundering in relation to a Bitcoin pyramid scheme, is a resident in the Palm Tower Dubai.^[26][27]
• Obaid Khanani, a Pakistani national who was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2016 for alleged moneylaundering for drug traffickers and organized crime groups, is a resident in Five Palm Jumeirah.^[27]
• The ruling Aliyev family of Azerbaijan owns multiple properties in the Palm Jumeirah.^[28][29]
• Samuele Landi, an Italian fugitive businessperson, owns a villa in the Palm Jumeirah.^[30]
• Rasul Danialzadeh, an Iranian steel magnate sentenced to 16 years in prison for bribery, owns a villa in the Palm Jumeirah.^[31]

As of 2024, The Palm Jumeirah Dubai has around 30 hotels, located in the trunk and outer crescent of the palm.

• Adagio Premium The Palm
• Andaz Dubai The Palm
• Cheval Maison The Palm Dubai
• Dukes The Palm, a Royal Hideaway Hotel^[32]
• Fairmont The Palm
• FIVE Palm Jumeirah Hotel
• Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah
• Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah Dubai
• NH Collection Dubai The Palm
• Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah
• The St. Regis Dubai The Palm
• Voco Dubai The Palm

• Aloft Palm Jumeirah^[33]
• Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
• Atlantis, The Palm
• Atlantis The Royal, Dubai^[34]
• C Central Resort The Palm
• Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
• Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah
• One&Only The Palm
• Raffles The Palm Dubai
• Rixos The Palm Hotel & Suites
• Royal Central Hotel The Palm
• Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa
• Taj Exotica Resort & Spa The Palm Dubai
• Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort, Vignette Collection^[35][36]
• The Retreat Palm Dubai, MGallery by Sofitel
• W Dubai The Palm
• Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah^[37]
• Wyndham Residences The Palm

• Al Ittihad Park
• Choi Bar
• Club Vista Mare
• Golden Mile Galleria
• Nakheel Mall^[38]
• Palm Views West and East
• The Boardwalk

• Palm Islands
• The World (archipelago)
• The Universe (Dubai)
• Tourism in Dubai
• Palm Grandeur
• Jumeirah Islands
• The Taj Exotica Hotel & Resort
• Longshore drift

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Palm Jumeirah Dubai.

• The Palm Islands Multimedia website
• The Palm Tower website