Atlantis, The Palm Dubai is one of Dubai’s most famous resort destinations, known for its dramatic architecture that can be spotted as you enter the Palm Jumeirah area of the city. A stay at this iconic 5-star resort is elite in and of itself; however, a stay in an Imperial Club room elevates my stay in Dubai even further. Though the resort has over 1,500 guest rooms and suites, only around 300 or so have access to this elite club. Here’s how my stay in this premium-level room turned a massive Dubai resort into a calm, convenient, luxury escape.
The Imperial Club experience
Emily Caldwell / The Manual
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai’s sheer size sets it apart from your typical hotel. Situated on over 110 acres, the guest rooms at this hotel are split into two seperate towers. Those staying in rooms with Imperial Club access will stay in rooms on floors 11 through 15 in the East Tower, providing quick and easy access to the Imperial Club Lounge right by the tower elevators. Regular rooms at this hotel start at a minimum of $325 per night, compared to a minimum of around $520 per night for Imperial Club rooms.
Guests not staying in Imperial Club rooms can’t access this specialty lounge — allowing for an exclusive, relaxed, and attentive experience for those who do have access. The Imperial Club serves as an all-day lounge, bar, and terrace space that includes everything you could need during your stay. One of my favorite parts about the club lounge was the sunset terrace, where you can soak in all the Palm views and watch the sun go down.
Since the hotel reserves rooms on higher-up floors for Imperial Club stays, you can expect a premium view from your hotel room. From my room, I could see the entire Palm area and the popular Dubai Balloon. In a city like Dubai, where everything is luxurious — a little splurge on an extra amenity like the Imperial Club can go a long way to creating a memorable luxury getaway.
How Imperial Club changed my Atlantis, the Palm Dubai hotel experience
Atlantis, The Palm Dubai
During my stay in an Imperial Club room, I found myself using the amenities of this club-level room as much as possible — from grabbing specialty coffee in the morning to attending the Sunset Happy Hour before heading to dinner reservations. I first encountered this space right upon check-in, as Imperial Club rooms receive private check-in here. With private check-in, you can save time and avoid the hectic lobby area, which allowed me to spend more time exploring Dubai and less time waiting around in the lobby.
As a coffee lover, the included morning breakfast, mimosas, and specialty coffees were a huge perk. For families staying here, this perk is especially helpful for a quick breakfast without having to walk through to the other end of the hotel.
What I loved most about the space was its perks that made my hotel stay seamless, such as private Imperial Club beach access (no waiting around for beach chairs or cabanas). In a massive Dubai resort, access to this club allows for a more personalized stay and enhances my overall convenience while staying here.
I visited the daily happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. with pre-dinner drinks and appetizers included. When you enter, you’re treated like royalty — just as you’d expect when staying at a hotel like this. Staff come around and offer you endless cocktails with stellar service, setting the tone for a great evening.
