When you first see Atlantis The Royal, you know it’s different.
It doesn’t look like a normal building. It looks like a stack of giant, futuristic blocks, with a massive hole in the middle. It is part building, part sculpture.
As a Dubai travel expert, I’ve watched this building rise from the sand. The design is a masterpiece of engineering. It’s one of the most complex hotel structures in the world.
But why does it look like this? What is the story behind the art?
Let’s explore the design.
The Concept: A Stack of Blocks
The hotel was designed by a world-famous New York firm, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF).
The big idea was to “deconstruct” a normal hotel tower. Instead of one big block, they designed it as a stack of smaller, individual blocks.
Why? Two reasons:
- Private Pools: This design creates hundreds of private terraces. This is where they built the famous “Sky Pool Villas,” each with its own private, glass-walled infinity pool.
- Light and Air: The gaps between the blocks let sunlight and air flow through the entire building. It makes the giant structure feel light.
The two main towers are connected by a 90-meter-long bridge. This is the “Sky Bridge,” and it’s where you find the exclusive Cloud 22 skypool.
The Theme: Fire and Water
The entire resort is built around the theme of fire and water. You see it everywhere.
The Skyblaze Fountain: This is the icon of the theme. It is the first fountain in the Middle East that breathes fire.
- It’s a huge water fountain that shoots water 28 meters high.
- At night, it suddenly shoots massive fireballs into the air, all set to music.
- It’s a spectacular show that happens every night.
The Water Features: There are 12 other water and fire features in the resort. The entire entrance is a series of “water walls” that lead you to the lobby.
The Art Inside: “Droplets” and Jellyfish
The moment you walk into the lobby, you see the main art piece.
It’s a massive, 11.5-meter-tall sculpture called “Droplets.”
- It weighs 5.5 tons and is made of polished stainless steel.
- It is designed to represent the first drop of rain in a dry desert. It’s a beautiful, powerful symbol.
To the left and right of the lobby are two of the world’s tallest privately-owned aquariums. They are not filled with sharks. They are filled with over 4,000 jellyfish.
The sight of these jellyfish, combined with the “Droplets” sculpture, creates a calm, underwater-like feeling.
The Materials: Pure Luxury
This building is a statement. The materials used are some of the finest on earth.
- Acres of polished marble cover the floors and walls.
- Gold leaf is used in the suites and lounges.
- Every light fixture, piece of furniture, and door handle was custom-designed for the hotel.
This level of detail is usually reserved for royal palaces or private jets. It is a level of quality that many high-net-worth individuals seek when looking for investment opportunities in Dubai. The hotel itself is a showcase of the city’s commitment to ultimate luxury.
Guests arriving via private jet services or in luxury car rentals feel right at home in this environment.
The Final Verdict
The architecture of Atlantis The Royal is not just a background. It is part of the experience.
The building was designed to “wow” you at every turn. From the fire fountains to the private pools in the sky, it is a place of spectacle.
To truly see all the hidden art and design elements, you need to explore. This is why planning your stay and knowing what to look for is so important.
It is a new icon for Dubai, and a new global standard for hotel design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who designed the Atlantis The Royal hotel?
A1: The architecture was designed by the American firm Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). They are famous for designing some of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers.
Q2: What is the giant sculpture in the lobby of Atlantis The Royal?
A2: The 11.5-meter-tall steel sculpture is called “Droplets.” It was designed to represent the first, precious drop of rain falling in the desert.
Q3: What is the Skyblaze Fountain?
A3: The Skyblaze Fountain is the resort’s main fountain show. It is the first and only fountain in the Middle East that combines spectacular water jets with massive bursts of fire, all synchronized to music.
