Cloud 22 Reimagined By Dolce&Gabbana

Picture this. You step out of the lift, the breeze is warm, and Dubai’s skyline opens up like a postcard someone forgot to put away. Cloud 22 has always felt like a little theatre in the sky, but right now it is dressed for a party and it knows it. The sky pool is wrapped in Dolce and Gabbana’s carretto siciliano print, all sun soaked colours and Mediterranean flair, and for a second you almost feel like you have stepped out somewhere along the Italian coast instead of on top of a resort in Dubai. Add in the collaboration with Ounass and a poolside menu made for lazy grazing and long conversations, and you realise you are in one of those places where time does not really behave the way it usually does. 

Give yourself a moment just to stand there and look. The print spills across cushions and parasols, there is a shimmer on the water, and the city stretches out in layers of glass and light. You hear clinking glasses and a low murmur of voices. It is social but not overwhelming, the sort of atmosphere where you can come with friends and still find quiet corners, or arrive as a couple and feel like the whole place is a backdrop for your own little story. Cloud 22 has always been dramatic, but the Dolce and Gabbana takeover softens it in a fun way. It feels dressed up without taking itself too seriously, and that is really the sweet spot.

Let us talk floating beds. If you want the full I am on top of the world moment, book one. They sit just off the edge of the terrace, hovering above the water, and you get this slightly surreal feeling of floating above Dubai while still being perfectly comfortable. You can lie back, watch the clouds move and the tiny boats crawl along the shoreline, and every now and then you look up and remember just how high you are. The view is the sort that makes you breathe a little slower and speak a little softer. If that sounds a bit too much, or you just prefer your feet on something solid, the striped loungers are a mood of their own, perfect for dipping in and out of the pool and drying off close by in the sun.

Mornings at Cloud 22 are gentle. The light is soft and golden, the water is calm, and you have that blissful feeling of being ahead of the day rather than chasing it. This is the time to stretch out, order a coffee or a fresh juice, and let your shoulders drop. The music sits in the background rather than trying to dominate the mood, and there is plenty of space to do nothing in particular. If you like to start the day with a long swim or some quiet sun, this is your window.

By early afternoon the mood shifts in a good way. The energy lifts, the sun sharpens, and the pool takes on that high spirited glow you secretly hope for when you book a sky pool day. You will see the full mix here. Friends celebrating, couples stretched out side by side sharing menu items, solo guests with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Naps and long swims share equal billing. Service is polished but relaxed, which is exactly what you want in a place like this. Staff somehow appear just when you are ready to order again, but never hover or fuss.

If you stay into late afternoon there is a lovely in between moment where the heat eases off, the light softens and the skyline slowly starts to glow. This is when the Dolce and Gabbana print really comes to life. The colours warm up, the parasol stripes stand out against the sky, and you get that cinematic feeling you cannot quite capture properly on camera. It is worth hanging around for that, even if you promised yourself you would leave earlier.

Treat this like a proper date with yourself or with the people you love, not something you squeeze in between other plans. Reserve your spot in advance, especially if you have your heart set on one of the floating beds. Think honestly about who you are on a pool day. Are you a bed in the water person who wants that bit of theatre, or a lounger and a book person who prefers a stable base and occasional dips to break things up.

Dress the part in a way that feels like you but also a little elevated. Smart swimwear, a light cover up, maybe a shirt you can throw on or a breezy dress that works for both poolside and photos. This is a very visual space with a strong sense of style, and you will enjoy it more if you lean into that mood. Think of it as getting dressed for your own mini holiday, even if you came from twenty minutes away.

Your sun strategy matters up here. The breeze can fool you into thinking the sun is softer than it is, so bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and reapply without overthinking it. Hydration sounds basic but makes a big difference. Alternate sips of water with something chilled and you will last longer in the heat and enjoy the day more. The food is made for sharing, perfectly in tune with the social vibe of the setting. Order a few plates for the table, try a bit of everything, then go back for the dish you keep thinking about.

And yes, you will take photos. Everyone does. Just be camera kind. Snap your memories, but be mindful of the people around you. Some of the best photos happen in the quieter pauses, just after a swim when your shoulders are loose and the city looks almost painted on the horizon.

What makes this takeover work is how complete it feels without tipping into chaos. The carretto siciliano print brings a cheerful, collectable energy to every corner. Parasol stripes flirt with the skyline. Even the shadows on the deck look like someone thought about them. There is a sense of play without noise, a feeling of luxury without fuss. You notice small details. The way a drink arrives with a garnish that suits the setting. The way the staff clock whether you are in a chatty mood or just want to be left in your own world. That balance is what keeps you lingering.

Rates start from around Dhs335 on weekdays and Dhs400 on other days for non redeemable access, and can shift depending on the day and the spot you choose. It is worth confirming the latest rates and your seating preference when you book. If you already know exactly where you want to be, say so. The team is very good at setting the scene if you give them a bit of direction. Think of it less as a basic pool day and more as booking a few hours in your own cloud level living room.

Stylists at heart will feel instantly at home here. If you enjoy a setting with personality and you notice prints, textures and little design choices before anything else, this takeover will quietly make you very happy. The slow down crowd will love it too. If your idea of a perfect day involves gentle music, attentive but unpushy service and long swims with nothing urgent attached, Cloud 22 in its Dolce mood delivers that. Then there are the celebrators. Birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, or just because afternoons somehow feel bigger when the whole city is at your feet and the backdrop looks like a magazine spread.

Takeovers come and go in Dubai, but this one genuinely suits Cloud 22. Dolce and Gabbana’s joyful print amplifies the setting rather than competing with it. The Ounass touch adds that curated, fashion forward gloss that makes the whole experience feel thought through rather than gimmicky. The result is a sky pool that feels familiar and fresh at the same time. If you have not been in a while, this is the perfect excuse to reacquaint yourself. If you have never been, it is a very photogenic introduction.

Most of all, it is a reminder to press pause on the busy week and allow yourself a day that is purely about pleasure. There is something grounding about floating in a pool high above a city that never sleeps. For a few hours, emails shrink back into the background and the to do list quietens down. You listen to the breeze, watch the light move across the buildings and realise you have not checked your phone for longer than you thought.

If you are reading this and wondering whether to book, take it as your sign. Choose your spot, clear a day, and let the skyline do the rest.