Atlantis The Royal Cloud22 Rooftop Pool Review

Atlantis The Royal – Cloud22 Rooftop Pool

Let’s be honest, few places in Dubai—or anywhere, really—do luxury like Atlantis The Royal. It’s got 90 pools, a fire and water fountain that breaks records, and 17 fancy restaurants.

And up on the 22nd floor, you’ll find Cloud22, one of Dubai’s most talked-about spots. This sparkling 90-metre infinity pool was once exclusive to hotel guests, but since December 2023, it’s open to the public. That said, getting in isn’t exactly budget-friendly. Day passes start at AED 495 and go up to a jaw-dropping AED 10,000 if you’re feeling extra.

But what if you don’t want to fork out for a full day pass? Good news—it is possible to visit without committing to the whole day. Here’s how we pulled it off.

 

Mission Cloud22

After an amazing meal at Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (yep, it was that good, read our review here), we wanted to end Christmas Day on a high. Cloud22 had been on my radar for ages—it’s got Dolce & Gabbana vibes, jaw-dropping views, and it’s all over Instagram. Basically, I had to see it.

Our first attempt to get up there was… well, optimistic. We strolled to the lift, only to find out you need an access card to even press the button. A small crowd of equally confused people kept trying and failing. Rookie mistake.

Not giving up, I headed to the Cloud22 check-in desk and asked (very hopefully) if we could go up just for drinks. To my surprise, they said yes—but with one catch.

Minimum spend: AED 300 per person. Gulp.

 

Going Up

Fueled by Christmas cheer (and maybe a little madness), we decided to go for it. Once we confirmed our spend, the staff whisked us up to Cloud22, and wow—just wow.

The venue is stunning. It’s not as high as Aura Sky Pool (review here) or Zeta77 (review here), but the views of Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis The Royal’s iconic design were breathtaking. The sun loungers were decked out in Dolce & Gabbana prints, a DJ was spinning chilled-out tunes, and the vibe said, “You’ve made it—or at least faked it for the day.”

 

Drinks, Views, and People-Watching

We were escorted to a high table by the bar overlooking the pool. The drinks menu wasn’t too bad (for Dubai standards, anyway), and the cocktails were absolutely worth it—delicious, beautifully presented, and surprisingly strong.

We hadn’t hit the minimum spend after two cocktails each, so we ordered a couple of beers to round it out. (The food menu looked tempting, but after Heston’s feast, we were way too full.)

 

The Royal Atlantis – Cloud22 Service

The staff were incredible—attentive, friendly, and even surprised us with complimentary fruit ice lollies, which was such a thoughtful touch. We stayed until sunset, sipping drinks, snapping photos, and enjoying some seriously good people-watching.

Would I Go Back to The Royal Atlantis – Cloud22?

Absolutely. This visit was the perfect little intro, and I’d happily go for a half-day or full-day pass next time. Sure, it’s pricey, but for a slice of Dubai’s iconic luxury, it’s worth it. If you’re after amazing views, a chilled vibe, and some serious glamour, Cloud22 is the place to be. Just remember—it’s 21+ only, so leave the kiddos at home (or with the nanny, because this is Dubai).

 

The Details

Cloud22 
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
Daily 10 AM to 8 PM

Reservations can be made on their website – Here

📞 +971 4 426 2700
📸 Instagram: @cloud22dubai