Atlantis The Royal has climbed to fourth place in The 50 Best Hotels 2026, announced at a ceremony in Paris. The Dubai resort, which opened in 2023, also retained its titles as Best Hotel in the Middle East and Best Beach Hotel for the second consecutive year.
The awards, held at Les Salles du Carrousel, brought together leaders from across the global hospitality sector. Atlantis The Royal, a landmark on Dubai's skyline, continues to push the boundaries of luxury with its 760 rooms, suites, and signature penthouses. Guests can enjoy sky-pools and dine at a roster of celebrity-chef restaurants, cementing its appeal for high-end travellers and MICE groups alike.
Recognition amid a competitive landscape
Kym Barter, Managing Director of Atlantis, said: “To be recognised among The 50 Best Hotels for the fourth consecutive year is an extraordinary achievement, but to rise from No. 6 to No. 4 this year makes this recognition even more special.” Barter credited the resort's team for delivering exceptional guest experiences, a key factor in the property's sustained performance.
The 50 Best Hotels list, launched in 2023, is compiled by a panel of 800 experts, including hoteliers and travel journalists. Faye Huggett, Director of Community for The 50 Best Hotels, noted that the Paris event celebrates hotels shaping the future of travel. “The list not only highlights extraordinary places but also the people behind memorable guest experiences,” she said.
Atlantis The Royal's rise comes as Dubai's hospitality sector continues to expand. The emirate has seen a wave of new openings and renovations, including the 2026 upgrades across Palm resorts announced by Atlantis Dubai. This investment reflects a broader trend of luxury properties vying for top rankings and traveller loyalty.
For travel professionals, the ranking underscores the importance of brand differentiation and service excellence. As competition intensifies, properties like Atlantis The Royal are setting benchmarks that others in the region—and globally—will need to match. The resort's success also highlights Dubai's appeal as a destination for high-end leisure and business travel, supported by infrastructure developments such as the Etihad Rail link between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Industry observers note that such accolades can influence booking decisions among luxury travellers and corporate clients. The recognition also boosts Dubai's profile as a hub for hospitality innovation, a factor that could attract more international events and conferences.
Atlantis The Royal's achievement is part of a broader narrative of growth in the Middle East's hotel market. With new properties opening from Saudi Arabia's Red Sea projects to the UAE's urban centres, the region is becoming a hotspot for luxury travel investment. The unified yacht services across AMAALA and Shura Island exemplify this trend, offering seamless experiences for affluent travellers.
As the industry faces challenges such as staffing shortages, highlighted in recent reports on the global hotel staffing crisis, properties like Atlantis The Royal demonstrate that investment in people and facilities pays off. The resort's rise in the rankings is a testament to its team's dedication and the enduring appeal of Dubai as a world-class destination.
