Dubai has never been shy about borrowing glamour from the world’s most storied addresses. But to simply borrow is one thing; to alchemize is another. The latest sleight of hand on The Palm? A sun-drenched daydream where the French Riviera collides with a Moroccan sunset, all filtered through the exquisitely ironic lens of a Parisian fashion house. Atlantis, that temple of aquatic exuberance, has played host to a most elegant coup: the Casablanca Beach Club, a collaboration with Ounass that trades the thrill of water slides for the slow, sweet burn of a perfectly curated afternoon.
It is a mirage of the highest order, and I mean that as the sincerest form of compliment. The name alone – Casablanca – is a masterstroke, conjuring not just a city, but an aura of timeless, cinematic chic. This is not merely a place to sunbathe; it is a stage set for the art of leisure, draped in the signature pastels of the brand – a palette so soft it seems to lower the volume on the world. Forget the dramatic arcs of the Aquaventure slides; here, the most thrilling ascent is the journey from a Riviera Sun Lounger (a rather civilized AED 250 on weekdays, with AED 150 redeemable against sustenance) to a floating sky bed (starting from AED 800), a glass of something chilled in hand. The pricing, much like the ambiance, is tiered to perfection, offering a clear hierarchy of repose for those who understand that elevation – both social and physical – is a worthy pursuit.
This philosophy of curated escape extends to the architecture of privacy. The ten private cabanas are sanctuaries in their own right, with the Maison category offering a starting point of AED 1,500 for a secluded retreat, while the coveted Pool Island cabana, at AED 3,000, is a veritable sovereign state for the day. Each price, notably, includes a generous redeemable credit on food and beverage, a clever detail that transforms a simple fee into an investment in the entire experience. It’s a system that acknowledges a simple truth: true luxury is the luxury of not having to think about the bill until tomorrow.
As the sun begins its descent, the atmosphere shifts subtly. The beach club, an exclusive enclave for the 21-and-above set from 10 am to 8 pm, gracefully transitions at the restaurant. After 6 pm, the space opens to all ages, allowing the evening’s elegance to become a more familial affair. It is here, under the soft glow of twilight, that the curated menu truly shines – a symphony of Gillardeau oysters, black truffle flatbread, and a signature sushi tower that justifies every dirham of the redeemable credit.
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The entire endeavour, open daily from 10 am until 8 pm, is a masterstroke in experiential luxury. It proves that in Dubai, the pursuit of pleasure is an ever-evolving art form. As the stars appear over the Atlantis skyline, one appreciates this new chapter not as an escape from the city’s energy, but as its most refined expression. It’s a Casablanca dream, and thankfully, for those of us here, the passport is merely a short drive down The Palm.
