Everyone tells you how much your life is going to change once you have children and you listen but do not really take it in. My son Jack was born on 12 November 2010 and by the following April my wife and I (especially my wife) were more than ready for a holiday now Jack had started sleeping through the night. We wanted a holiday with sun where my wife would be pampered and I would not have to worry about anything other than beach/pool or burger/salad. I did the usual reviews and we decided on the Atlantis hotel in Dubai. We booked this through Virgin Holidays as we had heard good reports about the "little extras" they provide to make sure the holiday goes without a hitch. Without exception everything I could think of was taken care of over and above our expectations. The flight was my biggest fear before going but ended up being seamless with everyone making a fuss of my wife and Jack. We were given the special seats with the cot in front and Jack slept for the entire flight!! On arriving we were picked up in a limousine with a specially arranged baby seat and taken straight to the hotel. My wife was very impressed with my organisation. Thanks Virgin!! The Atlantis is something to behold - an amazing Las Vegas style hotel situated at the end of the palm. It is true luxury with exemplary service though at times outrageously expensive (Fish and Chips for £30 anyone?). We stayed in the bog standard room which at any other hotel would be a suite with amazing views over Dubai. We played tennis, went to the spa, swam in the sea/pool, went to the water park (yes there is the best water park I have ever been to actually in the hotel), fed the dolphins which Jack loved, went to the gym, visited the aquarium and shopped in the hotels mall. The attraction for us is that we did not have to leave the complex all week as we had plenty to do. The food was great and there was plenty of choice. I must mention the service as the standout though. The staff were excellent and could not do enough for us to the point where when they saw us coming they would build a shaded area for Jack using towels and sun loungers by the pool every morning. Very sweet!! All in all the holiday achieved exactly what we wanted it to with us all returning allot more relaxed. As a package it was more expensive than I usually would have wanted but ended up being true value for money as all the hassle was taken out of the trip by Virgin and the staff at the Atlantis. Thanks very much!!

This amazing iconic hotel takes your breath away as you approach its famous facade from the centre of the Palm island. Have your car valet parked and walk through a palm-tree festooned entrance to the immense lobby. Staff greet you with welcome cold lemon flannels as you walk in. The hotel is far from stuffy. Its luxury comes second to family fun here, and you see people wandering through the lobby with their kids in swim gear, tourists taking photos and it's a generally very relaxed and holiday atmosphere. We visited Rocunda Locatelli the michelin-starred Italian restaurant with funky red and black decor and wonderful pizzas cooked freshly in the pizza oven. Very child friendly staff and the Italian chef is, too. The kids club here is like a whole new world for children. Professional and cheerful staff (and Eliot the Atlantis bear mascot) greet you. There's a huge theatre area for watching movies, and circular portholes which look directly into enormous fish tanks - part of the brilliant 'Lost Chambers' aquarium (free entrance when you stay overnight as a hotel guest). The kids club also has a command centre (think computers, games and all things gadgetry, with bean bags) and an arts and crafts area. We were very impressed. The Aquaventure water park is also part of this hotel deal - or worth a visit on its own. It's home to the Burj Surge water slide (not for the faint hearted) and a huge toddler section with lots of slides, climbing areas and huge buckets of water ready to tip at any second... We visited on a day when it was 43 degrees outside, so the refreshing chilled water felt great and cooled the kids down! Some of the hotel rooms also have windowns through to the aquarium fish tanks. You can do diving here, and there are several swimming pools of various depths and one that's shallow for the children. Golf buggies transport people around, and there's also a diving centre offering speed boat trips (go Around 'the World' in 8 minutes) and excursions. The beach and beach bars are fabulous and see if you can spot the Sheikh's yacht complete with helicopter on board while you relax on a lounger. Can't wait to go back one day. Or maybe to its identical twin in the Bahamas?