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⚠️ Currently temporarily paused — Atlantis Dubai paused this venue in April 2026. Reopening TBC. Read on for our review of the original concept and what to expect on return.
Fredrik Filipsson·Updated May 7, 2026·8 min read
⏸️ Closed for Refurb · Review 2026

Cloud 22: The Royal's 22nd-Floor Sky Pool (Refurbishing)

Atlantis closed Cloud 22 for refurbishment in April 2026. Our review of the venue, the pool, and what to expect on return.

⭐ 8.5 / 10⏸️ Refurbishing 2026🌊 Day Club📍 Atlantis Royal
CuisineDay-club / Mediterranean
StatusCLOSED FOR REFURB (April 2026)
LocationAtlantis The Royal, 22nd floor
Was PricingAED 250–500pp + cabana
ReopeningTBC by Atlantis
ConceptSky pool / day club

Status update: Cloud 22 — the 22nd-floor infinity sky pool and day club at Atlantis The Royal — was closed for refurbishment in April 2026. The venue is currently inaccessible. Atlantis has indicated the closure is for upgrades rather than concept reset.

Cloud 22 launched with the property in late 2023 and quickly became one of the most-photographed spots in Dubai. The infinity-edge pool projecting from the 22nd floor faces the Palm fronds and the Dubai skyline; the cabana program runs at the high end of Dubai day-club spending.

We've spent four pool days at Cloud 22 across 2024–25. This review covers the experience and what we expect on return.

The Setting: Infinity Edge, 22 Floors Up

Cloud 22 infinity pool 22nd floor Atlantis Royal sunset

Cloud 22 occupies the entire 22nd-floor crown of Atlantis The Royal. The infinity pool projects out over the edge of the building, giving the visual sensation of swimming directly into the Dubai skyline. The cabana program — 18 cabanas across two levels — was the most expensive cabana booking in Dubai when operating (AED 3,000–8,000 minimum spend depending on day, position, party size).

The bar program ran at high-end day-club level — bottle service for groups, signature cocktails, light Mediterranean menu. DJ programming was Thursday through Saturday from 1pm.

Atlantis hotel-guest access was free; non-hotel-guest day passes ran AED 500pp.

The Food: Mediterranean Day-Club Menu

The pre-closure menu was deliberately light — designed for poolside snacking rather than full meals. Mezze, sushi platters, ceviches, salads, light pastas, plus a dedicated cocktail program. The kitchen was supplied by Atlantis Royal's main F&B team, with most dishes pulled from sister restaurants' menus.

The Three Things That Made Cloud 22 Worth It

Cloud 22 infinity pool 22nd floor view Dubai
★ The View

Infinity Pool, 22nd Floor

AED 500pp day pass (was)

The reason people came. Floor-to-edge infinity pool projecting from the 22nd floor over the Palm. Sunset visible from the West side; Dubai skyline framed from the East.

Cloud 22 cabana booking Atlantis
★ Cabana Theatre

Premium Cabana Booking

AED 5,000+ min spend (was)

Eighteen cabanas across two tiers. Premium cabanas (positions 1–4) sat directly on the infinity edge with private bottle service, dedicated waiter, separate menu access. Most expensive cabana minimums in Dubai.

Cloud 22 sunset cocktail hour
★ Sunset Hour

Sunset Cocktail Hour

From AED 95 (was)

5–7pm sunset hour was Cloud 22's peak — cocktails, low-energy DJ programming, the West-facing pool turning gold for 90 minutes. The single best Dubai sunset spot if you could get a booking.

The Menu — What to Order, What to Skip

💡 Pro Tip * Pricing pre-closure. The cleanest play (when reopens): Atlantis hotel-guest stay → free Cloud 22 access → 5pm sunset cocktail hour. Non-hotel-guest cabana booking only justified for celebrations.

The Verdict

Cloud 22 was Dubai's most expensive and most-photographed sky pool. The view earned the spend; the cabana pricing was steep but consistent with the high-end day-club Dubai market. The April 2026 refurbishment closure is short-term; we expect it back by end of 2026.

Our Scorecard

Food Quality8.0 / 10
Setting & Atmosphere9.6 / 10
Service8.6 / 10
Value for Money7.8 / 10
View / Setting9.8 / 10
8.5
Best sky pool in Dubai when operating. Refurb expected to enhance.

Why It's Worth It

  • Best 22nd-floor view in Dubai
  • Atlantis hotel-guest access was free
  • Sunset hour 5–7pm was unbeatable
  • Cabana program at the city's high-end
  • DJ programming Thu–Sat well-curated
  • Light Mediterranean menu was sufficient

Things to Know

  • Currently closed for refurbishment
  • Reopening date TBC
  • Cabana minimums highest in Dubai
  • Non-hotel-guest day pass AED 500pp
  • Food was supporting cast, not headline
  • Hot in midday summer — uncomfortable

The closest currently-operating peer is Cove Beach at Bluewaters for sunset and pool, or the West Beach by Atlantis at the same property. Both lower altitude, both currently open.

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How to Book / Get There

Currently closed. Cloud 22 closed for refurbishment in April 2026. Reopening timeline TBC by Atlantis.

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Fredrik Filipsson — Founder of Where To Eat Dubai
Fredrik Filipsson
Founder & Lead Critic — Where To Eat Dubai

Fredrik has dined at Atlantis The Royal restaurants extensively since the property opened in 2023. His reviews are independent, paid for out of his own pocket, never sponsored. How we rank →

🏙️ 8 Years on Palm Jumeirah🍽️ 1,000+ Dubai Restaurants✈️ Dined in 40+ Countries📰 Independent Since 2020

Your Questions Answered

Is Cloud 22 open?

No — closed for refurbishment in April 2026. No reopening date announced.

When will it reopen?

Atlantis has not announced a reopening date. Refurbishments at this scale typically take 4–8 months; we estimate end of 2026 at the earliest.

What was the day-pass price?

AED 500 per person for non-hotel-guests. Free for Atlantis Royal hotel guests.

Where can I find a similar Dubai sky pool while Cloud 22 is closed?

CÉ LA VI Dubai at Address Sky View has a high-floor pool (lower altitude). Five Palm Jumeirah's pool program is also strong. Neither matches the 22nd-floor infinity edge of Cloud 22.

Is the refurbishment a concept reset or just upgrades?

Atlantis indicated upgrades rather than a concept reset. Expect cosmetic improvements, possibly an enhanced cabana program, and potentially a refreshed menu — but the same 22nd-floor sky pool experience.

Was the cabana booking worth the spend?

For special occasions, yes — the position-1 to position-4 cabanas had infinity-edge pool access and dedicated service. Standard cabanas had a less differentiated experience.

More Reviews & Guides

Internal links: Atlantis Royal pillar · Palm Jumeirah guide · Beach club / day club cuisine · Best fine dining · Currently closed