Jumeira Road, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | (888) 240-0568
Stunning location set on its own island, near the coast of Dubai
Opulently decorated rooms with computers, iPads, and interactive TVs
Private beach in addition to outdoor and indoor pools
Gigantic fitness center overlooking sea
Private butler on every floor of hotel
Seven on-site restaurants
Free access to Wild Wadi Water Park with hotel stay
Kids' club with large play area and organized activities
Some have noted inconsistent and disorganized service
Atmosphere not for everyone; hotel can feel overwhelming and stuffy
Billing itself as the “world’s most
luxurious hotel,” Burj Al Arab is a destination unto itself. Situated just off
the coast of Dubai on an independent island, visitors can access the grounds by
attending high tea in the afternoon or dining in one of seven restaurants.
Almost every aspect of the property is meant to evoke extreme decadence, from
the butler assigned to each of the 60 floors to the 24k-gold iPads in two-story suites. Some guests have felt the phenomenally expensive prices to be
unjustified for the food and the service, which can occasionally be disorganized,
though most are happy to shell out for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
One of the most photographed structures in the world, with a towering lobby
Stand and look up while visiting the lobby
of the Burj Al Arab -- whose building was designed in the shape of a billowing
Arabian Dhow sail -- for a dizzying view of the terraced atrium. The room
floors, which overlook the entrance area, have been painted in a jewel-tone
color fade for an added element of visual mathematics. Visitors have noted that
the lobby, with its multi-level water-fountain wall, double
escalator, and lounges on multiple levels, has a cavernous feeling despite the
light pouring in from the waterfront-facing windows and thus seems a bit like a
hushed corporate lobby. The common area also has a helipad, three aquariums,
and the world’s tallest atrium. This unbelievably quiet space is generally only
disturbed by guests taking photos.
Location
On its own man-made island with a private causeway to the hotel
Situated about 1,000 feet from the coast of
Dubai via a short causeway, the hotel, which sits in shallow turquoise waters
and is ringed on the gulf side by a private beach, is within walking distance
of other complexes of the Jumeirah Group, giving guests plenty of options for
leisure and dining. The property is also close to the Wild Wadi Water Park, a seven-minute walk northwest along the footpath lining the causeway. (The hotel runs buggies there as well.) Downtown Dubai is about 15 minutes northeast
via car; guests can also arrive there via helicopter or private limo if they so
choose. Dubai International Airport is a 25-minute drive northeast. Keep
in mind that only guests and those attending one of its eating establishments
are allowed at Burj Al Arab.
Rooms
Opulently decorated split-level suites with whirlpools, gold-plated iPads, and gargantuan bathrooms
The
rooms here are more accurately described as luxury apartments. All are split
into two levels, some with double-curved staircases separating one floor from
the next, others with elevators. The hotel was built in the ‘90s and the
decor throughout the rooms reflect that era’s take on exotic opulence -- namely, carpets,
drapes, and wall coverings
that could best be described as the Middle East meets Baroque aesthetics. In
smaller rooms, a red, white, and blue, slightly nautical theme is reinforced
through wall murals. Larger rooms have runner carpets combining leopard print
with floral curlicues and ceiling lights recessed behind gilded panels. Bathrooms
have marble walls and vanities, ornate gold decorative sconces, mosaic-tiled showers, and rain showerheads. Mirrors abound throughout the rooms,
including over beds. All
suites have iMacs and 24k-gold iPads that serve as direct links to the
service concierge, as well as bathrobes and slippers, stocked mini-fridges or bar
areas, separate floors for additional guests, seating
areas with plush couches, and abundant amounts of throw pillows. Other perks
include views of the Persian Gulf through floor-to-ceiling windows, whirlpools,
and multiple phones.
Features
Private beach, two small outdoor pools, and multiple restaurants, among other luxuries
There
are a plethora of services and facilities available at Burj Al Arab. Some
notable ones include the private, white-sands beach that separates the hotel
from the water; two outdoor pools situated on different levels of the building;
an extensive fitness center with large windows, wood floors, and several rows
of machines; a spa with wet and dry saunas, a whirlpool, and a gigantic lounge
area; seven restaurants; and a kids’ club that offers a play area
with video games, plush toys, and supervision from early in the morning to
relatively late at night. While the property is clearly a super-luxurious space with many features, some guests have occasionally complained that things can feel disorganized, from mistaken drink orders to long waits at tea to undelivered morning newspapers.
