A complete introduction to Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Where is Burj Al Arab?

This luxurious tower is located in the United Arab Emirates. The magnificent hotel is built on an artificial island, 280 meters off the coast of Jumeirah and adjacent to the waters of the Persian Gulf. Its unique design and exceptional location have made it a prominent symbol of modern architecture in the region.

History of the Burj Al Arab Hotel Construction

The Burj Al Arab was commissioned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. His goal was to leverage Dubai’s geographic location and transform it into a leading destination in the tourism industry.

Construction of the tower began in 1994 and took 5 years to complete—2 years for the construction of the artificial island and 3 years for building the hotel. Sheikh Mohammed wanted the Burj Al Arab to open before the start of the third millennium (before the year 2001), but this event took place earlier than expected, on December 1, 1999.

How tall is the Burj Al Arab?

The Burj Al Arab once held the record as the tallest hotel in the world, standing at 321 meters. With 53 floors and 202 luxurious suites, it is one of the most opulent hotels in the world. The tower is only 3 meters shorter than the Eiffel Tower and 60 meters shorter than the Empire State Building. On the other hand, there is a height difference of 500 meters between it and the Burj Khalifa, which stands at about 828 meters.

The Burj Al Arab remained the tallest hotel in the world until 2007, when its record was surpassed by buildings such as the Rose Tower and Jumeirah Tower.

Exploring the Interior of Burj Al Arab

The Sheikh of Dubai requested a decor that had never been seen anywhere else in the world. He wanted the hotel to symbolize the wealth of Dubai and showcase the grandeur, luxury, and opulence of the country to its visitors.

The interior design was entrusted to Khuan Chew, a Chinese decorator and designer. She designed the suites and atriums based on the four elements: water, fire, air, and earth. Additionally, she had to take into account the tastes of the Emiratis, as more than 50% of the hotel’s clientele was expected to be from the UAE. In the following sections, we will explore some parts of the interior of this iconic tower.

1- Exploring the Entrance Hall and Lobby

As soon as you enter the lobby of the Burj Al Arab, a sense of awe and wonder will overwhelm you. The ceiling height is 180 meters, and the atrium is adorned with golden columns, massive aquariums, and fountains. The entire hotel is designed in the Baroque style, an Italian architectural method that emphasizes the grandeur of the tower, built at the command of a king.

2- A Look at the Hotel Suite Facilities

Burj Al Arab offers only luxurious suites. These rooms are designed in the Baroque style, with marble floors and unique mosaics. The beds in these suites are all king-size, adorned with goose-down comforters and Egyptian cotton linens. Every detail of the hotel is crafted to ensure comfort and convenience for the guests.

Where is the Best View of Burj Al Arab?

We know that few tourists can afford to stay in the Burj Al Arab, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t include a visit to this hotel in your Dubai travel itinerary!

This iconic landmark of Dubai and the UAE deserves a spot in every visitor’s photo collection! To capture the best view and take the most beautiful pictures, here are several special locations you can visit:

• Go to the ocean beach, right next to Wild Wadi Waterpark, where you’ll get a complete view of the hotel.
• For the best selfie and a stunning shot of the skyscraper, you can rent a boat or hire a jet ski.
• At the end of the Madinat Jumeirah market, you’ll find a beautiful view of the market with Burj Al Arab perfectly framed in the background.

Burj Al Arab Beach

Near the tower, there are some of the most beautiful beaches in Dubai, including the public beach, Kite Beach, and Jumeirah Beach. Guests of the hotel can easily access these beaches and enjoy their unparalleled beauty.

Who Owns the Burj Al Arab?

The management of this towering building is handled by the Jumeirah Group. The Jumeirah Group is part of Dubai Holding and is a global luxury hospitality company that operates a collection of 25 properties across the Middle East, including the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Which is the Most Expensive Room in Burj Al Arab?

The most expensive room in the Burj Al Arab is the Royal Suite. This suite is recognized as one of the most luxurious and expensive accommodations in Dubai.

The hotel’s private elevator takes guests directly to the 25th floor, where the Royal Suite is located. This suite covers an area of 780 square meters. It includes a private dining room for 12 people, a library, a cinema, a jacuzzi, and rain showers, among other luxurious amenities. The cost for one night in this suite is approximately 24,000 USD.

Cost of Staying at the Burj Al Arab

One of the ways to access the interior of the Burj Al Arab hotel is by booking a room there. By now, you can probably guess that staying in one of the suites at this hotel comes with a very high price tag.

The cost of the suites at this tower depends on their size. To get a better idea of the costs for one night's stay at this hotel, take a look at the table below:

How many stars does the Burj Al Arab hotel have?

The only 7-star hotel in the world is the Burj Al Arab! However, it's important to note that the best hotels globally can officially receive no more than 5 stars. Critics considered this hotel so exceptional that they believed awarding it only 5 stars would be unjust. As a result, they decided to designate it as the world’s only 7-star hotel.

Who is the architect of the Burj Al Arab?

The British architect Tom Wright was chosen to design the plans for this hotel. He had to create a building that, on one hand, would symbolize the history and identity of the UAE, while on the other, represent a vision of Dubai's bright future.

The project he proposed was a massive structure in the shape of a giant sail, seemingly lifted by the wind, as if it had risen from the waters of the Persian Gulf. An artificial island was created 270 meters off the Jumeirah Beach in the Gulf waters, connected to the shore by a pier. The island is 7.5 meters above the water level, giving the impression that the building is floating on water.

To stabilize the building on the artificial island, 230 concrete piles, each 40 meters long, were driven into the sands of the sea. In total, over 70,000 cubic meters of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel were used to construct the building.

Exploring the Burj Al Arab Aquarium

The Burj Al Arab features three aquariums: two on either side of the hotel lobby and one inside the Al Mahara restaurant.

The entryway aquariums have a capacity of 250,000 liters of water and play an essential role in welcoming guests and guiding them into the main atrium area. These aquariums contain over 4,000 fish, including 40 rare species.

Discovering the Restaurants of the Burj Al Arab

For those who may not have the opportunity to stay at the Burj Al Arab, the second best way to experience this iconic hotel is by enjoying a meal, lunch, or dinner at one of its restaurants. The hotel boasts a total of 9 restaurants.

Most of these restaurants offer services to visitors who are not staying at the hotel. Below is a list of the restaurants at the Burj Al Arab:

1. Scape Restaurant: Located on the terrace of the building, this restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine to its guests.
2. Bab Al Yam: Situated on the ground floor, this restaurant offers European cuisine.
3. Al-Ayvan Restaurant: Located on the first floor of the Burj Al Arab, the atmosphere of this restaurant perfectly complements the Arabic dishes served here.
4. Al Mahara Restaurant: rving Northern European and seafood dishes, this restaurant is located on the ground floor of the hotel.
5. Al Muntaha Restaurant: One of the most unique restaurants in the Burj Al Arab, it is located on the 27th floor and primarily serves French cuisine.
6. Sahn Eddar Restaurant: This restaurant serves international dishes and is located in the hotel’s atrium.
7. Gold on 27: Known for its unique golden decor, this restaurant is located on the 27th floor of the hotel.
8. Skyview Lounge: Offering light meals, this lounge is the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon tea. It is located 200 meters above sea level.
9. Junsui Restaurant: Located in the hotel lobby, this restaurant serves Asian cuisine.

The Best Time to Visit the Burj Al Arab in Dubai

The best time to visit the Burj Al Arab in Dubai is between November and December or in March. The ideal time for a daily visit to the Burj Al Arab is during sunset. Watching the sunset from a height of 321 meters offers a mesmerizing view and an unforgettable experience.