Lounging in luxury: indulgent breaks in Dubai

Nowhere does luxury quite like Dubai. Sumptuous hotels, indulgent restaurants and chic bars populate the towering skyscrapers and extravagantly themed shopping malls, and customer service reaches a standard so undreamt-of that a new star rating is necessary.

Welcome to the oasis of opulence, a city so forward-thinking the rest of the world can’t quite understand it. Here everything is larger than life and better than before –not to mention a whole lot grander.

Dubai holidays are nothing if not extravagant so pick a hotel to match. Dubai hotels are lavish, no-expense-spared affairs, built to dazzle and designed to cater for your every whim and the Atlantis Dubai is no exception. Stay here and you’ll have access to an incredible range of unique attractions, including thrilling water park

Aquaventure, Atlantean-themed underwater world The Lost Chambers and Dubai’s first and only marine animal rescue and rehabilitation centre, Dolphin Bay. Swim with the dolphins, pamper yourself with a treatment at the Atlantis Spa and shop ‘til you drop in the Avenues, before dressing up for an evening of indulgence in one of the hotel’s 17 restaurants and bars. The Atlantis is home to the region’s first Nobu, the Japanese/South American fusion restaurant from esteemed celebrity chef Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa. Dine on delights such as black cod in miso and seared salmon sashimi before heading to exclusive nightclub the Sanctuary to sip delicious cocktails on the terrace.

Atlantis may have the marine theme nailed but the stunning wave design of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel is perhaps even better, affording every single room a floor-to-ceiling sea view. Stay here and you’ll get free admission to the Wild Wadi Water Park as well as access to the beautiful private beach where watersports such as sailing, waterskiing, kayaking and scuba diving are on offer. Back on dry land join the Segway tour or scale the six-metre climbing wall before chilling out with a massage or aromatherapy in the spa. More than 20 restaurants are waiting to serve you come dinnertime, including Latitude, where meals are cooked live in front of you. Plan in advance and get your names on the guest list of 360˚, the sophisticated adults-only rooftop terrace where hand-mixed drinks are served and music played until late to end your day in style.

But it’s not just the hotels that are luxurious here. Dubai is perhaps the best city in the world for designer shopping, boasting several megamalls packed with top-name boutiques and international stores. Try the Egyptian-themed Wafi complex which offers exclusive brands in art, food, fashion, entertainment and lifestyle or give your wallet a real work-out at the monster Dubai Mall, home to over 1,000 shops – not to mention an ice rink and aquarium.

However you choose to spend your time in the capital of luxury, end your day on a high at one of the numerous rooftop bars. Drink in the view at Uptown Bar on the 24th floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and raise a glass to this intoxicating city of excess – just don’t forget your credit cards!