He hotel, which opened in 1999, declared itself the world’s first seven-star hotel — even though that rating technically doesn’t exist. It is over-the-top in every way possible.
From the first time I saw a picture of the Burj al Arab, I dreamed of visiting it. But the hostel is closed to visitors, and there’s no way in hell I could ever afford to stay there.
This is where being a professional travel blogger comes in. I emailed the resort and asked if I could drop by for a visit. Now 15 years old, the 56-floor, 321 metres-high sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, a multiple winner of Telegraph Ultratravel’s’best hotel in the world’ award, is still a potent as ever symbol of Dubai’s brash opulence. The hotel is situated on its own artificial island opposite sister property the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. It’s on the coast of the affluent, mainly low-rise neighbourhood of Jumeirah, home to Dubai’s best beaches, the Wild Wadi waterpark and Madinat Jumeirah, an entertainment, dining and hotel complex. The area is served by public buses, but most visitors use taxisThe hotel is deceptively large, housing 202 duplex suites, the smallest of which measures 169 square metres(around 1, 829 square feet). The bold colour scheme - blue patterned carpets, gold leaf and white, blue and green paint - may not be to everyone’s taste, but this is an exciting building to be in. The atrium slopes like the hull of a giant ship.Each floor of the hotel has a desk of butlers to service the suites on that floor. You can’t go anywhere without seeing staff, so this isn’t a place to feel anonymous, though their manner is pleasantly understated. The hotel has its own helipad attached to the roof, four swimming pools(two indoor pools on the 18th floor, including a separate one for women, and two outdoor pools), plus its own Talise spa and beach. There are nine bars and restaurants.All suites are an opulent ensemble of red upholstery, marble floors, grand staircases, gold-plated TVs, thick wooden doors and mirrors over the beds - giving the ordinary person an extraordinary insight into a life of fantasy and wealth. Views of the Dubai coast are unique and spectacular. Each room has its own full-size iMac and you can borrow a gold-plated iPad. Bathrooms have whirlpool baths, with the feel of a Roman spa, and Hermes toiletries are full-size. My room lacked slippers and the bedspread smelt ever so slightly musty.I didn’t have time to have dinner in any of the restaurants, so I treated myself to a room-service margherita pizza, which for Dh100(£19) I thought would be amazing, but it looked and tasted like a cheap frozen variety. I attended an event later on in the evening at which the canapés were exceptional. For breakfast, there is a choice of Western, Asian or Arabic buffets. I chose the Asian, which had plenty of choice, but wasn’t as good as the type you find in Asia’s best hotels. The Burj Al Arab branded red wine, a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon, which comes with the room, was delicious.Double rooms from £925 including taxes and Wi-Fi, but excluding breakfast - this is priced at Dh 355(£67) for the Asian breakfast, Dh325(£62) for continental, and Dh295(£56) for Arabic.There is one two-bedroomed suite equipped for disabled guests, and most parts of the hotel are wheelchair-accessible.Yes, the hotel has a family atmosphere, there is a family swimming pool and free access to the Wild Wadi waterpark.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
00 971 4 301 7777
jumeirah.com