Aura Skypool Review: Inside The Iconic Party In the Sky

For the full Dubai experience, you can’t miss a visit to the city’s highest pool party. But securing a spot for a swim in the sky can be tough without a few insider tips. This Aura Skypool review covers everything you need to know about visiting, including how to get the best beds, what to wear, the best time of day to book, and the typical prices you’ll pay. 

It also includes a full overview of the experience when we visited, including what the food was like, how the service was, and some insight into the overall vibe. 

Aura Skypool Review: In Brief 

Perched on the 50th floor of the Palm Tower, this futuristic, infinity pool offers once-in-a-lifetime views of the Dubai skyline to all points of the compass. It’s known for being the highest 360-degree infinity pool in the world.

While expensive, the views and vibe certainly make up for it. You’ll need to book well in advance, especially during peak season when the best beds get snapped up months beforehand. Whether you’re planning a hen do in Dubai or just a romantic weekend away with your partner, this spot is a must-visit!

The day is separated into 3-hour time slots, so you can choose what time of day you want to visit and where you’d like to be seated. You can also opt for the full pool day from 10am – 7pm.

I personally think the best is the afternoon slot (3pm – 7pm) with 1st-row sofa seating on the Burj al Arab view side. 

While you won’t get a direct view of the sunset here, you can still easily see the sunset once you jump into the pool. What’s more, you’ll have a front-row seat to the skyline view without paying a premium for a bed or cabana. 

We found the sofa seating was actually far more practical if you’re planning to have some snacks and drinks. We also spent a lot of time soaking up the views from the pool itself, so paying extra for the very best beds wasn’t necessary!

Read on for the full Aura Skypool review, more insider tips, and some ideas for where to stay during your visit to Dubai. 

Aura Skypool Review: Where to Stay

Aura Skypool is located on the ‘trunk’ of the iconic Palm Jumeirah island, in the shimmering city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Palm is where you’ll find some of the city’s most popular nightlife and beach clubs.

The Palm is also close to the Dubai Marina, where the majority of visitors to Dubai stay. This area boasts a fantastic selection of hotels, restaurants and bars. 

It’s a short drive from Downtown Dubai (where you’ll find the famous Mall and Burj Khalifa), but the best spot to base yourself if you want to enjoy those iconic views of Dubai from the beach. 

If you want to stay right in the same building as Aura Skypool, simply book the St. Regis, which promises a luxurious stay with sensational views from sleek, white-washed bedrooms. 

The hotel also has a sunbathing terrace and a private pool for residents (separate from the Skypool), along with free bikes available to help you explore the delights of Dubai with ease. 

Some other nearby hotel options include: 

NH Collection Dubai the Palm: Within walking distance of Aura Skypool, this mid-range hotel boasts its own stunning infinity pool along with direct beach access and even an on-site sports bar. 

Voco Dubai the Palm: On the Palm’s coveted West Beach, this smart four-star hotel offers luxury on a budget, with beautiful views of the Dubai skyline. 

Jumeirah Living Marina Gate: A little bit further away, this hotel is right in the heart of Dubai’s vibrant marina, where you can wander along the waterfront and window shop for superyachts. A stylish yet family-friendly choice. 

Aura Skypool Review: In Detail 

Food & Drink 

I have to admit, I was kind of expecting the food to be a little sub-par as it usually is at any place with a decent view, but we were pleasantly surprised! We only had a few snacks since we were there from 3pm to 7pm, but everything we tried was delicious. 

We had the Korean fried chicken, which had just the right amount of kick, the gochujang cauliflower popcorn, which was to die for, and the Vietnamese rolls, which offered some much-needed colour to our order. 

It all came out incredibly quickly after we ordered. On the one hand, this was great because we were hungry, but also gave me the impression pretty much everything was pre-prepared. Very enjoyable nonetheless!

As you might expect, the drinks were very expensive. However, I would say they were on par with many of the other upscale beach clubs in Dubai, and you are paying for the view as well as the booze. 

As there were three of us, we found it most cost-effective to share cocktail pitchers. They had several options here. All were very drinkable and did seem pretty strong and not watered down at all. 

We particularly liked the rosé sangria, which cost 325 AED (£70) and probably gave you at least 6 decent glasses worth. 

This worked out at just around £12 a glass, although it’s worth mentioning that this was one of the cheapest options on the menu in terms of drinks. 

A signature cocktail or glass of wine was around 80 AED (£17), with a spirit and mixer setting you back about 100 AED (£21), and a small bottle of beer costing 55 AED (£12). 

A 5% VAT and 10% service charge are also added to your bill at the end. 

Atmosphere 

If you are used to the wild pool pirates of Ibiza and Marbella, then you’ll find Aura Skypool a little more low-key. 

While it’s perched on one of the highest buildings in the city, the vibe is distinctively laid-back, with most people relaxing and sipping cocktails – rather than spraying champagne. 

I personally loved the atmosphere. The music was at just the right volume to enjoy without being overpowering, and the majority of people were there to soak up the views rather than get sloppy drunk. It’s the perfect place for a girls’ trip to Dubai!

Because the pool is so large and wraps around the entire deck, you often feel like you have your own little corner to yourself, especially when looking out over the expansive views. 

Facilities

All of the facilities were of the high standards you would expect for this kind of establishment, with clean and spacious toilets as well as changing rooms and showers for visitor use. The only small annoyance was that the toilets were a little bit of a walk (and down some stairs) away. 

They also have a boutique by the toilets where you can buy Aura Skypool merchandise. You get a free beach bag and fan with your seat anyway, so we didn’t feel any additional shopping was necessary! The seats at Aura Skypool also come with a towel, so no need to bring your own. 

Obviously, the main amenity here is the showstopping 360 infinity pool. The pool was perfectly clean and kept at a nice warm temperature so you never felt cold. 

There are no additional wellness facilities like a hot tub, sauna etc – although if you stay at the St. Regis in the same building, this hotel has those kinds of things, as well as a gym for guest use. 

Aura Skypool does occasionally host events for things like sunrise yoga and movie nights, so keep an eye on their experiences page for more details. 

Service 

Honestly, I felt the service could have been better considering the overall price paid. We had to flag down a server several times when we wanted another drink. Once we had managed to give our order, things came out sporadically. 

The food seemed to arrive almost instantaneously, while one of the cocktail jugs we ordered took a lot longer than expected. Perhaps the servers pay more attention to the higher-paying clients in the cabanas. 

Nevertheless, everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming and these little hiccups did not take away from our enjoyment of the experience!

Aura Skypool Prices 

The prices for a 3-hour timeslot at Aura Skypool vary from 225 AED (£50) to 700 AED (£150) per person, depending on the time of day and seating type you choose. These prices are for your seating only and do not include any additional food or beverages.

You can expect to pay more for special events such as the 360 Pool Party and New Year’s Eve. A full day at the highest 360 infinity pool (10am – 7pm) starts from 675 AED per person (£144).

See detailed rates and availability on the Aura website. 

Aura Skypool Review: FAQs 

Which bed should I book? 

I recommend booking a 1st-row bed, sofa or cabana, depending on your budget. We had the 1st row Burj Al Arab sofa seating and it offered great value for money, with a front-row seat to those sensational skyline views. 

The daybeds and cabanas were more expensive, but since we spent most of the time eating or in the pool, the sofa seating was perfect for us. 

If you want to see the sunset right from your seating area, you’ll be best off booking a 1st-row bed on the Palm or Marina view sides. For a sunrise view, it’s the opposite. 

I personally don’t think the 2nd and 3rd-row seats offer the same experience, even though they can be significantly cheaper. The main attraction of Aura Skypool is the incredible view, so you want to make sure you have direct access to it. 

The 2nd and 3rd-row seating felt a bit crammed in to me and obviously, your view is somewhat spoiled by those sitting in front of you. 

You might only be in Dubai once, and if there’s one thing to splash out on, it’s this! 

Aura Skypool also has an indoor lounge which you can book for drinks, brunch or dinner, and your reservation fee is redeemable against food and drinks. While you are allowed to pop outside and admire the view, these tickets do not include pool access or outdoor seating.

When is the best time to go?

The best time to go to Aura Skypool is during the sunrise or the sunset session when you can make the most of the incredible skyline views as the sun paints the sky pink. 

If you are a morning person, the sunrise session (6am – 9am) offers great value for money, while the sunset session (3pm – 7pm) has a livelier vibe. 

The best time to visit Dubai is generally during winter in the northern hemisphere (October – April). Between May and September, temperatures can soar to an unbearable 41°C (106°F). 

How to get to Aura Skypool? 

Dubai is a large, sprawling city which is not particularly walkable. The best way to get to Aura Skypool is to drive (they have valet parking) or jump in a taxi. 

You can also use public transport to navigate to the Palm Gateway, where you can hop on the clean and convenient monorail. It stops at Nakheel Mall, which is a one-minute walk to Aura Skypool and the St. Regis Hotel. 

What to wear to Aura Skypool? 

Ladies should wear their favourite swimsuit or bikini with a nice coverup and sandals, and men can wear swimming shorts with a button-down shirt. 

If you’re female, you may also want to bring a more modest dress or long pants to wear before you go in. If you are early for your reservation, you will wait in a queue at the bottom of the building, outside the hotel. You may feel a little exposed here in just a cover-up. 

Can Anyone Go to Aura Skypool?

You must be 15 years or older to go to Aura Skypool before 7pm. After 7pm only those aged 21 years old or over will be allowed entry, and proof of identification is required.

I hope this Aura Skypool review has given you all the information you need before booking your bed, but if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments!