The star-studded, invite-only reveal of Atlantis The Royal in January 2023, can frankly only be summed up as one hedonistic memoir of raw and riveting, experiential extravagance right in the beating heart of Dubai’s iconic Palm Islands.
A three-day Champagne soaked rendezvous of unrestrained, round the clock gratification, couture clad invitees had wallowed in a cocoon of grandiosity within the resort’s slick trappings clad in gold and marble, as they mollycoddled their appetites on mountains of butter rich caviar, haute-cuisine galas and bona fide Moët and Chandon vending machines, before THAT legendary return to the stage from 32-time Grammy award-winning superstar, Beyoncé.
As we edge over to the climax of 2024, this statuesque, sculptural skyscraper seeks to soar over and above its fellow lavish-living resort siblings in both height and bon ton stature, having bagged that luminous Forbes Five-Star rating within a year, courtesy of its pleasure-seeking billionaire playground of grandiose lodgings, libertine gourmet encounters and sultry beach clubs posing high in the dizzying skies.
With fearless poise, on top of the cloudy heights of Atlantis The Royal’s 22nd floor, rests the bedazzling beach club and sky pool experience of the aptly titled, Cloud 22. A glittering aqua retreat of lofty luxury towering 96 meters above The Palm, Cloud 22 looks to stand above its fellow luxe poolside clan since its glamorous debut, exhibiting a visual feast to the eyes of its bronzed beaus and belles, all dressed to kill in their beachwear prêt-à-porter.
Entering this rooftop café society oasis truly makes for a stop-in-your-tracks moment, with high fashion meets poolside glitz siting as the core spirit of this infinity pool paradise, courtesy of the formidable fashion house collaborations that is, ‘Dolce&Gabbana x Ounass by Cloud 22’. Unveiling a chic slice of the Italian La Dolce Vita in this avant-garde UAE city, the space of Cloud 22 found itself beautified with Dolce and Gabbana’s distinct motifs dotted throughout the club’s space, with gleaming show white loungers, towels, parasols and even floaties, all enriched in majolica prints bearing an exquisite sapphire blue pigment.
Elevating the sassy designer settings of Cloud 22 was the imagination of award-winners GA Group and their slick 16-metre high getup of the Lotus Bar. Inspired by the curves of the delicate graceful flower sketched out to be accessed via glass bridges journeying across the warm aqua, it serves as an idyllic swim-up oasis for those midday aperitifs. Also flaunting their shapely aesthetics were six colossal trumpets singly enveloped in a swirl of airy vapour clouds, bejewelled in 110 flowers incorporating 330 intricately handblown, scarlet red glass pieces nestled in bordering presence to a sparkling garnishing of floral crystal chandeliers, and metallic hued DJ booth bearing the fascinating bionic like image of a mirrored face.
For all of their glimmering trinkets and ornate facades, these ritzy embellishments still paled in comparison to the club’s true master showpiece; the jewel blue, 90 meter carpet of vanishing edge lagoons, adorned with an intricate lotus mosaic below. Jet set visitants can luxuriate in the tranquil waters under balmy sun kissed rays, all the while looking from the top of the surreal aerial high point vistas to gaze away to Dubai’s twinkling blueprint.
Cloud 22 plays host to sixty sleek sun loungers, fifteen floating beds and exclusive private cabanas. The peak of unabashed debauchery at AED 8,000 (GBP 1,600) belongs to the Duplex Pool Villa, boldly parading two lounge rooms, private pool plus a jaw-dropping plunge pool suspended in the cloudless sky, not to forget the VIP doorway to those majestic full circle panoramas of Palm Jumeirah to soak up over a bottle of Champagne and fresh fruit.
Maestros in the realm of lavishing their invitees in barefaced indulgence, the modelesque Cloud 22 clique had deemed it satisfactory to firstly have me basking on the bounteous hovering cradle, of the infinity pool floating bed. Designed to thumb one’s nose at the theory of gravity, imposing blue and white cabanas sculpted in the signature lotus make-up fluttered over my delightfully sizeable bed, which literally appeared to levitate above the shimmering turquoise ripples of the infinity pool making for a trouble-free dip into the warm waters.
Relishing a perfectly chilled flute of golden Champagne bubbling away fiercely, I then proceeded for a leisurely swim over to the fringe of the pool, to drink in that iconic palm silhouette sketched out below, as the mellow yet infectious beats from the DJ rung throughout the air.
Refusing to be notorious merely for their pretty blue and white face, the culinary line-up at Cloud 22 have been unshakeable in their endeavour to serve to their bon vivant connoisseurs a wholesome yet refined Mediterranean gourmet encounter fuelled with toothsome flavours, and moreish ingredients to rival their native nouvelle cuisine powerhouses.
Specially hand-picked from the Dolce & Gabbana X Ounass Menu with my favourite Cosmopolitan cocktail in hand, a crusty soft centred bruschetta bustled with ripe sweet tomatoes, uplifted with a touch of peppery basil leaves. Moving on to the crispy calamari, smooth mild rings were immersed in a lightly spiced flaxen coating and rapid twist of fresh lemon juice to give it that extra pizzazz, not to neglect a mention to the fluffy flatbread crowned with vibrant locally sourced smoked salmon, bearing a mild flavour and satin like cream cheese topped with a luxe conclusion of Oscietra five-star caviar.
Highly influenced to indulge in the wagyu steak offering whilst savouring a subtly fruity glass of pale rosé wine, a small, yet delightfully hearty cut sliced like creamed butter to unearth a delicate but full bodied profile, and deep caramelised juices from the intense marbling all of which synced beautifully, with the sweet tangy tomato relish cutting through the richness.
Certified as the perfect sidekick were the golden crisp fries handsomely adorned with sprinkles of earthy black truffle, neighbouring the smooth burrata revealing lashings of silkened cream topped yet again, with fine flakes of truffle. The sweet conclusion rested with the simple yet thirst-quenching fruit burst from strawberry popsicle, doubling up as a refreshing palate cleanser as my suave host took it on himself to serve up a second rosé serving, while the DJ revved up the flow a notch or three.
Not ones to be satiated simply with their offering of daylight poolside revelry, every Thursday to Saturday from the hours of 7pm to 11pm, the clique at Cloud 22 have risen high to the occasion having their glossy sirens trade in their noontime finery, for fresh off the catwalk bikini glad-rags and bejewelled Jimmy Choos to experience the twilight sorcery of the club’s legendary, Moonlight Sessions. An unparalleled dusky encounter unthinkable to duplicate, nocturnal devotees are immersed under the jet-black blanket of the sky dotted with blazing stars, as they hover away in a feather-light mindset immersed the steady water ripples, before retreating for a nightcap in the pulsating ambience of live music theatrics.
With my request to retreat from the realm of Cloud 22 declined without defence, the team took to chaperoning me into the beach chalet shelter of the Gulf View Cabana presenting to me an intimate asylum bedecked in wood carved doors, drape curtains and art-deco lighting, while bearing private sun loungers seated by but another, magnum of champagne chilling away in the ice laden bucket.
To swim beneath the star soaked sky truly made for a mystical adventure as I glided out into the under-lit glowing pool, warm from the high noon sun-soaked rays as the DJ powered up his high-octane tunes a tempo or three, in sync with the top-drawer violinist. Eerily in sync of my craving for my current oceanic appetite, an ample serving of meaty lobster encased in a feather light tortellini coating soaked up the last intoxicating hours of the day, finished off with a flute of golden champagne before I finally decamped from this infinity skyward Shangri-La.
In a nutshell
A paradisal image dripping in unconventional decadence, this luxe lido utopia rescripts the dictionary term of the lavish poolside lifestyle, flaunting the epitome of Dubai bling that seamlessly mingles riveting music, libertine dining and elegant fashion.
With a voguish backdrop and piquant epicurean dalliances all the while doused a photogenic swimming nirvana, Cloud 22 has hustled with zealous passion to be true-blue in sheltering their boujee clients within the celestial heights of luxury, and have one floating in an infinite, euphoric cloud nine state of mind.
Factbox
Sun lounger experiences start from approximately AED 300 (£72) excluding food and beverages. With floating beds starting from AED 2,350 (£487) and Cabanas from AED 3,500 (£726). Rates may vary during peak seasons
Address: Atlantis The Royal, Crescent Rd, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971 4 426 2700
Website: atlantis.com/dubai/dining/cloud22
