The answer is yes if you believe that what determines the degree of luxury is unapologetic opulence and indulgent personal service that spoils you rotten 24/7. However, the exuberant interior — picture gold leaf, leopard upholstery, embroidered silk wallpaper everywhere — might not suit everyone’s taste.
I was wondering if Burj Al Arab really would live up to its reputation as the best hotel in the world. After all, a mega dose of bling doesn’t necessarily translate into good taste. So when I was recently in Dubai to attend the opening of the bar Gold On 27, the newest addition to the hotel, I decided to check out this legendary place.
If you’re a guest at Burj Al Arab, the moment you arrive at the airport you get swept off your feet by a white Rolls Royce — that is, if you decide not to arrange a helicopter transfer from the Dubai International Airport and land on the rooftop of the hotel (on the helipad at 212 meters (696 feet) above sea level where Roger Federer once played).
One of the world’s largest fleet of Rolls Royces.
The helipad.
By the time your chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce crosses a bridge to the man-made island the hotel is built on, you will notice that this architectural gem of a hotel offers quite a sight. Structured in the shape of a billowing Arabian dhow sail in a nod to the country’s seafaring heritage, Burj al Arab has become a symbol of Dubai just as the Statue of Liberty is to New York and the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.
There’s nothing usual about this building, as it’s founded on sand, not on rock. It’s standing at 280 meters (920 feet) tall on 250 concrete columns, each of 1.5 meters in diameter, that go 45 meters (148 feet) under the sea.
Burj Al Arab standing on the man-made island.
If you get dizzy at the thought of these columns holding up the entire building, you’ll quickly be distracted by the lavish interior. The marble adorning over 258,000 square feet of walls and flooring are the rarest (and most precious found in Italy) Statuario marble — the kind used by Michelangelo to create his masterpieces.
Whether or not it’s your cup of tea, it’s hard not to be blown away by the sheer luxury. Call it flashy, bold, over-the-top if you wish, but you don’t often come across such richness thrown at you. All that glitters is actually gold at Burj Al Arab. Real 24-carat gold leaf covers approximately 22,000 square feet of the interior, including the TV screens.
All 202 rooms are duplex suites boasting spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf. The rooms are so big (the smallest one is 1,830 square feet) that it took a while for the butler to show me around and explain how to operate all the buttons and knobs. Should you decide to stay in one of the two Royal Suites (each measuring 8,400 square feet) it gets more interesting with revolving beds that, surrounded by mirrors, slowly spin around at a push of the button.
Inside the Royal Suite.
One of the bedrooms at the Royal Suite.
The super king beds in each suite are covered by Egyptian cotton sheets and you have a selection of 17 types of pillows. I started going through the brochure to decide but gave up by the time I reached the third page. It turned out that being the Princess and the Pea is a full-time job.
The spacious bathrooms are decorated with mosaics and come with a big jacuzzi. On the huge sink are laid a set of 14 his-and-her full-size Hermes toiletries, including perfume and eau de cologne.
The bathroom in the Royal Suite.
Once I was done unpacking (which my butler offered to do for me but I said no, as I was feeling conscious that there were no Agent Provocateur lingerie, sky-high Louboutin heels and Alaia evening dresses in my suitcase), I was out of my room to look around.
Each time I was on my way out I had to walk past the private butler who would greet me and recognize me, as he had my photo on the computer screen. There is a butler on each floor and the hotel is known for its extremely dedicated and unrivaled private service. These butlers have a reputation for being able to do anything. A bit like a genie in a bottle, I suppose.
The award-winning Talise Spa was my first stop, which was perfect after a long flight. The treatment rooms, unlike most spas, have big windows overlooking the ocean. If you like a dimly lit atmosphere you might find it too bright but they’ll draw the curtains at your request. They use products such as La Prairie. There are also four swimming pools — both indoor and outdoor — including a pool only for women.
If you’re a romantic type, you can book the “Romantic Moonlight Swim.” They prepare the swimming pool for two with rose petals and you can spend a night surrounded by the views of the Arabian Gulf while enjoying the moonlight, champagne and strawberries, all in complete privacy.
The infinity pool.
The hotel has nine restaurants and bars. For breakfast, I liked Bab Al Yam on the ground floor, as whether you sit inside or outside you have splendid ocean views. The food is served buffet-style, mainly European but also some Middle Eastern. For lunch, take an express panoramic elevator and go up to Al Muntaha(meaning, “The Highest”) on the 27th floor. Situated 200 meters above sea level and with windows from ceiling to floor, it’s easy to understand why this ever-popular restaurant gets booked up all the time. While I was having my lunch there I noticed people walking in just to take photos and admire the view. The Skyview Bar is equally in demand for its setting to enjoy afternoon tea or drinks.
At dinnertime, something mysterious and magical might be required. In that case, book a table at the legendary Al Mahara (meaning, “Oyster Shell”). As you enter through the golden arch entrance the impressive gigantic blue aquarium comes into view. All the tables are arranged around this sea-water tank filled with exotic fish. They told me that the aquarium often gets dubbed as a place for marriage proposals: a diver will appear with a sign while you’re dining. It seems like a choking hazard but nevertheless it’s a popular package, I was told. They serve solid seafood dishes which will improve further in September when the British Michelin-starred chef, Nathan Outlaw brings his expertise and collaborates with resident chefs.
Al Mahara restaurant at Burj Al Arab.
As if all these are not enough, a new exquisite bar opened on the 27th floor, which was why I was in Dubai in the first place. Named Gold On 27, the opening of this uber-hip bar was highly anticipated by both locals and international visitors as it’s taken the standards for Dubai nightlife to another level. If you’re a smoker you’ll like the smoking-permitted policy. Apart from the stunning view across Dubai, it offers “progressive cocktails” using unusual ingredients. Some of the creative blends include Light Sweet Crude (using foie gras and blackened truffle oil), Scent of the Souk (using oud oil, rosemary and spices) and A Ghaaf, a Goat and a Camel (using goat cheese foam).
The interior has a soft, warm and sensuous glow throughout as it’s bedecked with gold. As you may have noticed already, gold is the most ubiquitous material at Burj Al Arab. If being surrounded by gold is not enough you can drink it in the form of a cocktail: order Element 79 (79 is also the atomic number for gold), an alcohol-free sparkling grape drink with copious amounts of golden dust. Sipping a cocktail at sunset and gazing at the dramatic view while internationally acclaimed resident DJ Darko De Jan creates a sophisticated mood is possibly the most glamorous thing you can do while in Dubai.
Inside the new bar, Gold On 27.
Inside the new bar, Gold On 27.
By the time you leave Burj Al Arab you sort of get it: you can see why this hotel has earned a reputation as the most luxurious hotel in the world. Of course all this pampering and dreamy indulgence come at a high price. The One Bedroom Suite starts at AED 10,000 ($2,700) per night and the most luxurious Royal Suite is AED 70,000 ($19,000) per night. Is it worth it? It’s the question that you should answer to yourself after checking your bank account.
What’s for sure is that staying at Burj Al Arab is having a taste of a fantasy life of extreme wealth and glamour. After all, Dubai is becoming — already has become — a place for “destination travel” for the most extravagant and sumptuous experience. So, Burj Al Arab, purposefully designed in such an extraordinary manner with the intention of recreating the glory and splendor of the Arabian heritage, might be quite an apt choice for creating your own Arabian nights.
OTHER FACTS TO KNOW WHILE STAYING AT BURJ AL ARAB:
As a guest at Burj Al Arab, you have access to the private beach on the other side of the bridge. Sunbeds, mineral water facial sprays and refreshments are all complimentary. You can easily hop on a buggy outside the hotel for a two-minute drive to the south side of the bridge.
–While you’re on the other side of the bridge, check out Madinat Jumeirah. Along the 2 kilometer beach (the longest in Dubai) are lined a series of other Jumeirah hotels forming a private luxury “village” (“madinat” means village in Arabic). From the Madinat, you have the splendid view of Burj Al Arab at all times. It also has 40 restaurants that you have access to no matter which hotel you’re staying.
The view of Madinat Jumeirah: a “village” of hotels and private villas along the 2 kilometer coast on the Arabian Gulf.
So the next time you return to Dubai, you may want to stay at Jumeirah Al Qasr (“the palace” in Arabic) if you want to feel like a royal. Built in the style of a Sheikh’s residence, it thoroughly offers a wow factor with tall ceilings, blindingly opulent chandeliers and marble flooring.
For families, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam is the best option as it’s a gateway to explore all corners of the resort either through walkways or man-made canals. There are ten restaurants including a fun Mexican restaurant and five swimming pools including an adult-only pool. The biggest attraction for children is the large pond where the endangered turtles are kept as part of the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP). Read more about it here.
If tranquility and peace are what you’re after Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is the place. It’s the complete opposite of Burj Al Arab: the sophisticated muted colour palette dominates the property and the quiet courtyard is designed in the manner of old Arabian houses. During your stay, everything is arranged through butlers. These villas can be rented by room or as an entire house.
If that is not enough privacy and you want to be completely invisible, then there is the Jumeirah Malakiya Villas. This most luxurious accommodation within Madinat Jumeirah has private pools, 24 hour butler service in the complete secluded location surrounded by lush garden. It has its own direct and private access to souk, beach and abras.
-Friday brunch is the highlight of the week for locals. People dress up for a get-together with families and friends and eat all afternoon, normally from 12:30 to 4 p.m.. Jumeirah Al Qasr offers one of the biggest brunch menus in Dubai, with all kinds of international cuisine from Arabic to Japanese to Jamaican. The prices starts at AED 250 ($70) for a child and goes up to AED 595 ($160) if bubbly and cocktails are included.
Jumeirah Mina A’Salam also offers Friday brunch with international and Mexican dishes. It also has a separate children’s area with fun entertainment.
Tables get fully booked every Friday so book in advance.
Friday buffet at Al Qasr.
–Take an Abra tour. It starts outside the souk. Buy the tickets at Abra Souk Station and hop on the traditional boat to explore the resort.
The Abra at Madinat Jumeirah.
–Visit Madinat Souk: Don’t imagine anything like chaotic souks in Morocco with pungent smell of cow hide and pickpockets. It’s a replica of an old traditional market with over 95 boutiques. You wouldn’t need to go there for antique hunting but its air-conditioned ambience is convenient to shop for things such as Vilebrequin swimsuits or to watch shows at Madinat Theatre where they present musicals, ballets and children’s shows, often brought from London’s West End. There are also cafes and restaurants.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
–Have lunch at Shimmers on the Beach: Located outside Mina A’Salam right on the water, I found it the best restaurant within the Madinat Resort to feel most like you’re on vacation, with spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and Burj Al Arab, sea breeze and light Mediterranean food.
Shimmers on the Beach.
-Sinbad’s Kids Club for children ages 2 to 12: the area covers 1,1178 square meters and offer both indoor and outdoor play areas. There are outdoor swimming pool, small soccer field, indoor rock climbing area, face painting activity among others.
The outdoor pool at Sinbad’s Kids Club.