Atlantis Dubai marks two milestones in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection

Atlantis The Royal has retained the MICHELIN Guide's highest hotel distinction, Three MICHELIN Keys, for a second consecutive year, remaining the only hotel in the UAE to hold the accolade, according to Atlantis Dubai. Atlantis, The Palm has been included in the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection for the first time.

The 2026 MICHELIN Key selection, covering the Middle East, Africa and India, was announced in mid-September. Atlantis The Royal's continued Three-Key status was independently confirmed by Emirates 24/7's report on the selection, which named it the UAE's only Three MICHELIN Key hotel.

The MICHELIN Key is the hotel equivalent of the MICHELIN Star for restaurants, introduced across 15 countries before expanding into a global selection in 2025. Properties are assessed across five criteria: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for the price, and contribution to the guest experience. The distinction has three tiers – One Key for a very special stay, Two Keys for an exceptional stay, and Three Keys for an extraordinary stay.

Atlantis The Royal first won Three MICHELIN Keys in October 2025 at the Guide's inaugural global Key Selection ceremony in Paris, where it also received the inaugural MICHELIN Architecture & Design Award, one of four special awards presented that year, according to The National and MICHELIN Guide's own coverage of the event.

A strong month for Atlantis Dubai

The MICHELIN recognition follows Atlantis The Royal's rise to No. 4 in The World's 50 Best Hotels 2026 list, up from No. 6 in 2025, according to the awards' own website and The National. The resort was also named Best Hotel in the Middle East 2026 and received the Best Beach Hotel Award 2026 for the second consecutive year.

Kym Barter, managing director of Atlantis Dubai, said: "This is an incredibly proud moment for Atlantis Dubai. To see Atlantis The Royal retain Three MICHELIN Keys for a second consecutive year, while remaining the only hotel in the UAE to hold the Guide's highest hotel distinction, is a tremendous recognition of the passion, dedication and consistency of our colleagues."

Barter added: "To also see Atlantis, The Palm join the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection for the first time makes this recognition even more special. Both resorts offer very different experiences, but they share the same commitment to creating extraordinary moments for our guests."

Atlantis The Royal has 760 rooms, suites and penthouses, including 44 with private infinity pools, and 16 restaurants, lounges and bars, including La Mar by Gastón Acurio, estiatorio Milos, Nobu by the Beach and CARBONE Dubai. Atlantis, The Palm, which opened in 2008, spans a 46-hectare site including the Aquaventure waterpark and features 34 restaurants and bars, including the three-Michelin-starred FZN by Björn Frantzén and Michelin-starred Hakkasan and Ossiano.