DUBAI – The US$1.5-billion resort Atlantis, The Palm, has opened its doors for early birds.
The spectacular resort in Palm Jumeirah’s crescent, developed by Kerzner International and Istithmar, will hold a gala party, with a performance by pop diva Kylie Minogue for 2000 guests, on November 20.
When the resort opened to visitors on Wednesday, final repairs were being carried out on the resort’s dome that was damaged in a fire three weeks ago.
The Khaleej Times reported that the preview guests “threw themselves into the adventure of the resort’s 17-hectare amusement park, featuring adrenalin-pumping water slides – two of which catapult riders through shark-filled lagoonsâ€.
Atlantis, The Palm will help to alleviate the huge demand for rooms in Dubai. The city’s hotel occupancy rate was over 90 percent in 2007 with seven million people visiting during the year.
Atlantis will provide 1,539 rooms as well as extensive meeting and convention facilities.
There are 17 restaurants, bars and lounges and the resort’s world-renowned chefs share six Michelin stars between them.
