Atlantis, The Palm

Atlantis rises at the very tip of the Palm's crescent, its grand arch visible from across the bay. It's a destination in its own right, and many guests barely leave. When you do, the Palm Monorail runs from the resort down the island's trunk to connect with the city's tram. Allow about 20 minutes by car to Dubai Marina or the Mall of the Emirates, and closer to 30 minutes to Downtown.

Every stay includes unlimited access to Aquaventure, the world's largest waterpark, with more than 105 slides, rides and attractions. It also includes the Lost World Aquarium, home to over 65,000 marine animals. The resort's beach and pools are yours too, so you can always do something without leaving the resort.

You'll have room to breathe from the start: rooms measure 45 square metres, each with a balcony, a bathtub, and an indoor seating area, and many overlook the sea or the Marina skyline. At the top end, the Underwater Suites look straight into the aquarium, with sharks and rays gliding past the bed, while the Grand Atlantis Suite has its own hot tub on a balcony facing the skyline. Families are well looked after, with family rooms and family suites that sleep up to six, plenty of interconnecting rooms, and the Atlantis Explorers Club for children aged 4 to 12.

Dining here is a destination in itself, with more than 20 restaurants led by globally acclaimed chefs. Nobu serves Japanese-Peruvian cuisine with views of the Palm and the Marina skyline, Hakkasan specialises in contemporary Cantonese, and at Ossiano, dinner comes with an underwater view of the Ambassador Lagoon. Michelin-starred menus, beachside venues, Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen and family favourites mean there's something for every age and occasion.

AWAKEN Spa offers exclusive signature journeys, couples' rituals, energy therapies designed to realign body and mind, Reiki-certified treatments, and advanced facials. Its retreat is a space to reset, with a sauna, aromatherapy steam, a vitality pool, a cold plunge and a plant-powered relaxation lounge.