Compare experiences
Are The View at The Palm and Aura Skypool the same attraction?
What do you do at The View?
The Palm Tower houses The View's Palm Jumeirah Exhibition and 360-degree viewing deck. Visitors learn how the island was made, then take the lift to level 52 for an open-air look across the fronds, sea and Dubai skyline. The focus is sightseeing; there is no swimming. See the The View admission options if the deck is the experience you want to reserve.
What do you do at AURA?
AURA SKYPOOL is a separate pool-and-lounge venue on level 50. You can choose a pool deck session, a longer pool visit or an indoor lounge experience. Indoor lounge access does not include pool access. Seating choices affect where you sit, though AURA says pool guests can move around the 360-degree pool to enjoy the different views. See our Aura Skypool guide for current-style booking considerations and guest rules.
Do you need two reservations?
Yes, if you plan to enter both venues. The View uses its own observation-deck admission; AURA takes separate reservations for its pool or lounge. A hotel stay in the same building does not automatically grant entry to AURA either, according to AURA's visitor FAQs and arrival guidance. Check each provider's latest confirmation for entry conditions.
The practical differences at a glance
| Planning question | The View | AURA |
|---|---|---|
| Main activity | Exhibition and observation-deck sightseeing | Pool or indoor lounge experience, depending on reservation |
| Main level | Level 52; some tickets add Level 54 | Level 50 |
| Arrival route | Attraction lobby in Palm Jumeirah Mall | St. Regis hotel access |
| What determines access? | Levels and inclusions on the admission ticket | Experience, session and seating on the reservation |
| Swimming? | No | Pool bookings only; not indoor lounge admission |
Which experience suits your group?
For a short sightseeing stop, The View offers a straightforward focus: understand the island, then see its shape from above. AURA is a different type of outing, where a timed session, seating and pool or lounge access shape the day. Neither is a substitute for the other simply because both have skyline views.
For families, compare the actual guest rules before deciding. AURA applies age restrictions and accompanying-adult requirements, and policies may differ by experience. Use the current booking terms for your chosen session instead of assuming every family member can enter. For visitors with mobility needs, assess each venue separately; accessibility at The View does not establish access to AURA's pool.
Can you comfortably visit both?
It can work if you plan around two confirmed reservations. Read our Palm Tower entrance guide, leave time to change clothes if needed, and allow for the transfer between check-in points. Do not book a pool session assuming you can leave and re-enter freely: verify its conditions first.
If the budget or schedule only fits one venue, decide by the activity you actually want. Paying for a longer pool experience is not automatically worthwhile for someone who only wants a few skyline photographs. Conversely, an observation deck will not provide the swimming or reserved poolside seat a leisure visitor expects. Check live availability before building a whole day around either venue.
Which should you choose?
- Choose The View if your priority is understanding Palm Jumeirah and seeing it from a high observation deck.
- Choose AURA if you want a reserved poolside or lounge experience and are happy to plan around its seating, age and dress policies.
- Choose both if you have enough time for two bookings and the transfer between their entrances. Do not assume one reservation bundles the other.
The venues have different purposes, so the better choice depends on whether you want a sightseeing stop or a longer leisure visit. For a broader order of activities, use our Palm Jumeirah half-day plan.