It's 11.30pm and the temperature is still pushing 30°C by the time we reach our destination. The place is awash with beautiful people, and their equally beautiful cars, bags, shoes... and anything else that carries a label. We head in haste to the nearest reception desk, trying not to be seen in our crumpled T-shirts and jeans.
Navigating through the 20-odd porters, we're stopped in our tracks by a man proffering cold towels. We accept, if not to wipe away the hours of travel, then to prepare us for our experience at the architectural marvel that is Dubai's Atlantis The Palm. The £1 billion, 1,539-room hotel, created by Sol Kerzner, opened in 2008 with the world's glitziest party and crowned the crest of the man-made Palm Island. It's evident that no expense has been spared to create something truly impressive.
Drew, my son, is beside himself with excitement and heads straight for the 10m-high Dale Chihuly glass sculpture, the lobby's centerpiece. Narrowly avoiding him taking a late-night dip in the water feature, we head to our room on the 21st floor, where the oversized pillow on the oversized bed is the only thing on my mind.
The next morning our wake-up call comes bright and early. 'Swimming pool! Swimming pool!' Explaining to a six-year-old that 6.30am is a tad early for a swim isn't the simplest of tasks, but the promise of a chocolate croissant does the trick. On reaching the breakfast room the croissants pale into insignificance in the face of a 5ft chocolate fountain. Drew's eyes are bigger than saucers.
Atlantis has ensured every gastronomic requirement is catered for by shipping in some of the world's finest chefs. You want Japanese? They've got dishes by Nobu Matsuhisa. Spanish? Try three-Michelin-star chef Santi Santamaria's fare. Bank account permitting, you could eat yourself around the world. But I'd recommend a lighter option if your itinerary includes the hotel's 42-acre outdoor Aquaventure.
