Atlantis, The Palm - Dubai

November 20 marked the grand opening of the most ambitious hotel property in the world, Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai (the sister property to the famed Bahamas hotspot). Where else but Dubai could such an ambitious project garner so much attention while flying in the face of the world’s economic crisis? The amount of detailed and coordinated planning that went into the grand opening party may have just set the bar at its permanent height.

PALM JUMEIRAH ISLAND
Rising from the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf, this ultra-luxurious resort was built on 113 acres of reclaimed land, perched atop the revolutionary Palm Jumeirah. The Palm Jumeirah, a series of manmade islands designed to assimilate a 17-frond palm tree, spans five kilometers (3.35 miles) and is regarded by many as the eighth wonder of the world.

THE RESORT
Boasting 360 degree views of the ocean, restaurants from acclaimed chefs and an incredible marine habitat that is home to more than 65,000 exotic sea creatures, Atlantis, The Palm, is already considered amongst the most luxurious resorts in the world. Offering something for everyone, this resort features “Aquaventure” – a 42-acre waterpark with the “Zigguret” Centerpiece that touts a 30 yard vertical drop; “The Lost Chambers” – where you can journey through a labyrinth of chambers to experience a fascinating underwater world, the 11-acre “Dolphin Bay” with its innovative Education Center, and the “Ambassador Lagoon” with hundreds of species of exotic marine life. Atlantis, The Palm also offers an array of fun-filled activities for children of every age and its Spa and Fitness Center offers treatments from all over the world.

Between the Royal Towers, Imperial Club, and Lost Chambers Suites, the property boasts nearly 1,400 guest rooms, 166 suites, 17 bars and lounges and a myriad of aquatic activities from beaches, pools, waterfalls and water sports. While the innovative Neptune and Poseidon Suites feature underwater accommodations with stunning aquatic views, it’s top floor Bridge Suite costs around $26,000 per night!

For your meeting needs, The Atlantis Conference Centre comprises more than 18,000 square feet of floor space. The largest area, The Atlantis Ballroom, is a flexible space that can divide into five separate areas. Two junior ballrooms, two boardrooms, a traditional Majlis (gathering) area and a generous pre-function space provide ideal venues for small groups or break-out areas for larger conventions.

THE GRAND OPENING PARTY
A week before Thanksgiving, 2,000 VIP guests gathered in the lobby of the Atlantis to sip Dom Pérignon and enjoy a spectacle that no one could have imagined. Outside, A-list celebrities from Robert De Niro, Lindsay Lohan to Michael Jordan walked the red carpet and took in the opulent surroundings.

The festivities, produced by renowned event pro Colin Cowie, kicked off with an unprecedented HD video projection sequence introduced by Bollywood star, Priyanka Chopra, who rose from the stage as The Goddess of Atlantis.

Designed by Jean Michel Jarre in Paris, the visual display used the 200 yard-wide Royal Towers as a screen to visualize the story of Atlantis, making it the most ambitious HD video projection on a standing surface to date. You must CLICK HERE to see the AMAZING video of the festivities (best viewed in full screen mode-you will be captivated).

Pop-singer Kylie Minogue, reportedly paid $4 million to perform, took the stage just before the sky lit up with the world’s largest fireworks display, large enough to be seen from outer space. The stunning exhibition, designed and created by international pyrotechnic experts, the Grucci family, stretched across the full 320 miles of Palm Jumeirah landscape, lighting up the entire island and Atlantis resort, creating a display visible from space. It has been estimated that the fireworks ceremony was anywhere between seven to ten times larger than those of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony! Custom-made shells had been shipped in from across the globe, creating a light spectacle, set off from over 716 firing locations around the island including 400 balconies at the resort.
Guests can also venture off-property to experience the Region’s largest Indoor Ski Resort, Ski Dubai, located in the Mall of the Emirates, or Dubai’s other waterpark, Wild Wadi in Jumeirah Beach. Other nearby sites to see are the Burj Al Arab, the world’s only 7 Star Hotel and the iconic structure that epitomizes Dubai, Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, and the famous Dubai Marina.

While room rates are most certainly going to be quite high compared to other proerties around the world, the experiences offered and the memories gained will surely make the Atlantis, The Palm is an ideal selection for an unforgettable incentive.