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The Irish Sun

Inside Dubai's famous Atlantis The Palm with it's own aquarium, fine dining and world's largest waterpark

DRIVING into the five-star Atlantis, The Palm, set on the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, was breathtaking. The sprawling resort captures the mythical lost city of Atlantis theme, blended with beautiful Arabian elements. I really felt like I was entering another world. 9 Atlantis, The Palm has something for all the family Credit: COLLECT 9 Atlantis Aquaventure is the world's largest waterpark Credit: 9 The Dubai Balloon boasts the best views of the resort Credit: COLLECT 9 Atlantis has 34 world-renowned restaurants Credit: COLLECT When I walked into the exquisite lobby, I couldn't take my eyes off the grandeur and beauty of this magnificent resort. We were delighted to get an early VIP check in at 10am. The staff were very welcoming and spent time explaining all the facilities we could avail of on our stay. The magnificent aquarium, thrilling aquatic theme park, four swimming pools, beaches, a beach club, water sports, spa, the Dubai Balloon, Atlas Village, the AquaTrek Xtreme experience and 38 restaurants, lounges and bars - we were so excited for it all. As we walked into our Palm View Queen room we instantly felt a sense of excitement and adventure. I was drawn to the large windows overlooking the iconic Palm Jumeirah and the tranquil ocean beyond. The spacious room was elegantly decorated with touches of the undersea theme from gorgeous coral artwork to the shell-style mirror. And the elegant bath and walk-in shower were a major plus. Every time we arrived back to our room, there were little surprises from chocolate desserts to cute charger accessories added onto our phone cables. AQUAVENTURE WORLD The first thing we did was hit Aquaventure World, the world's largest aquatic theme park in the world as confirmed by Guinness World Records. Spanning over 22.5 hectares, this aquatic wonderland has over 105 slides, rides, and attractions. The River Rapids was the perfect way to take in the sights of the extensive aqua park. The Leap of Faith got my heart pounding as I plunged vertically down the slide - it was the size of a nine-story building. The world's tallest waterslide of its kind, The Odyssey of Terror, swept us up in all ways we could imagine. The Lost Chambers Aquarium, with over 65,000 marine animals, makes Atlantis a very special resort. We gazed at the vibrant colors and exotic species every chance we got. The mesmerising aquarium was the perfect place to unwind after all the excitement of the waterpark. AQUATREK One of the most unique experiences I have ever had was the AquaTrek Xtreme Experience. I wore a high-tech helmet that receives a continuous supply of air, allowing me to walk around the bottom of the aquarium breathing normally. As I wandered around the bottom of The Ambassador Lagoon, colourful fish, stingrays and even baby sharks swam by me. Aquarium onlookers waved in as I cautiously explored the undersea world. It was a surreal experience, swimming in the lost world of Atlantis. I was even given a trident for the ultimate underwater pic. The guided underwater tour surprisingly made me less nervous around strange fish and ginormous rays. Another first I tried during our stay was surfing. I did a lesson at the Surf's Up Waverider. My instructor guided me from lying on the body board to eventually standing up. As the waves kept crashing down, he gave me funny poses to master while riding the waves. I was very thankful to be learning how to ride the waves in the hot Dubai sun as it's certainly not as easy as it looks. A great way to take in the beauty of the resort is by kayak or paddle board. I jumped in a kayak and began my own little adventure. I ventured up and down the beaches, found myself people watching and even switched off. A FOODIES HAVEN After all our aqua adventures, we hit the Wavehouse for a much needed lunch. This vibrant spot was decked out with a funky interior, arcade games and swinging chairs. Another fun restaurant for a bite to eat was the electrifying Mexican restaurant En Fuego. The singers and dancers were just as spicy as the food. Dining at Ayamna Lebanese Restaurant was a feast for the senses. Indulging in endless dishes outside on the lantern-lit terrace was pure bliss. The dishes kept coming as we filled our bellies with some tasty Lebanese favourites including kebbeh mabroumeh (minced lamb) and baked spinach fatayer. And the Lebanese wine, Massaya Beqaa Valley, was divine. We were spoiled for choice when it came to breakfast. The buffets at Saffron and Kaleidoscope were on another level. They had all types of breakfast foods from all over the world. The chocolate fountain was a great option to set me up for a fun filled day. A major plus during our stay was that we had access to the exclusive Imperial Club Lounge. We could pop in for breakfast, all-day refreshments, afternoon tea and happy hour. On top of that, we had access to the private Imperial Club Beach. ATLANTIS, THE PALM HIGHLIGHTS As the first resort to open its doors on Dubai's revolutionary man-made island, in September 2008, Atlantis, The Palm is described as the gateway to Dubai. The resort spans 46 hectares and is home to 1,544 rooms and suites across 22 storeys. Guests can relax on the largest privately-owned beachfront in Dubai at over 2km. Atlantis, The Palm has 34 restaurants, lounges and bars, featuring seven by celebrity chefs including Nobu, FZN by Björn Frantzén, Studio Frantzén, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen and Street Pizza and two Michelin Star restaurants: Hakkasan, and underwater restaurant, Ossiano. Guests can enjoy fun and adventure at every turn, including the world's deepest Aquatrek experience, world-class marine educational experiences, and diving at night with 65,000 marine animals Adults and children alike can enjoy entertainment at every turn including bowling and gaming at Wavehouse, live music across all restaurants every night of the week and world-class concerts and events at the world-class beach club, WHITE Beach. RELAXATION My favourite place to unwind and catch some rays was WHITE Beach. The atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, and the chic boho look made it the perfect place for some holiday snaps. The staff always seemed to appear just at the right time for a refreshing cocktail or poolside snack. Dining at the beachfront White Restaurant was a treat. Lobster linguine, octopus, wagyu tenderloin, lamb chops, mushroom and truffle pasta... The food choices were endless. Another spot to catch some R&R is the AWAKEN Spa offered numerous massage therapies and treatments. For those who like to shop, the luxuriously colourful souk called The Avenues is the perfect place for some retail therapy. THE DUBAI BALLOON Taking a ride on The Dubai Balloon on Aquaventure Beach took our stay to new heights. We were given our 'flight' boarding pass and within a few minutes, we were suddenly floating high into the sky. The experience was perfectly timed and organised so smoothly, I'd no time to worry about my fear of heights. Ascending 300 meters above the ground, the breathtaking panoramic views of the Palm Jumeirah and the intriguing city of Dubai was amazing. Floating above the Dubai skyline really felt like a special moment for us. We stayed on that high all throughout our stay. The hospitality was impeccable, and every moment was carefully curated to ensure our visit was extraordinary. Thrilling water rides, captivating sea creatures, exquisite dining - Atlantis really does capture the perfect blend of luxury, thrills, relaxation, fine dining and magic moments. I'm dreaming of our next adventure in the majestic Atlantis, The Palm. GETTING THERE Plan your stay: GET THERE: Emirates. STAY THERE: Atlantis, The Palm Sept rates from €263 (1,130 AED). DO THERE: Aquaventure World, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, AquaTrek Xtreme, Dubai Balloon. EAT/DRINK THERE: Ayamna Lebanese Restaurant, WHITE Restaurant, En Fuego, Wavehouse. 9 There's a selection of watersports to choose from Credit: COLLECT 9 The waterparks sits on 22.5 hectares Credit: COLLECT 9 The resort is surrounded by the Arabian Sea Credit: COLLECT 9 Aquaventure has over 105 record-breaking slides Credit: