It’s certainly one of the most distinctive hotels in the world. Designed to resemble a billowing sail, the Burj Al Arab hotel soars to a height of 321 metres, dominating the Dubai coastline. At night, surrounded by choreographed colour sculptures of water and fire the hotel offers an unforgettable sight.
The Burj Al Arab Hotel is part of The Jumeirah Beach Resort complex, situated on Jumeirah Beach Road, a leisurely half hour drive from Dubai International Airport. Soaring 321m, Burj Al Arab towers above the renowned Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Wild Wadi Water Park. This unique sail-shaped building stands proudly on a man-made island some 280m offshore, linked to the mainland by a slender, gently curving causeway. Burj Al Arab’s doors officially opened on 1 December 1999 after the architect, Tom Wright of WS Atkins, took on the challenge of creating this groundbreaking superstructure in 1993. The brief was to be extravagant and luxurious, a reflection of its Arabic heritage and traditions of hospitality, a beacon to light the city’s future.
Construction of this architectural and engineering marvel commenced in 1994 and it took two years to reclaim the island in the shore waters of the Arabian Gulf, drilling 250 foundation piles 40m deep into the seabed. A further three years were needed to complete the magnificent landmark. The aim of the architects and designers was to create a totally unique structure that would become the icon of Dubai.
At 321m high, Burj Al Arab is the world’s tallest hotel building, taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 60m shorter than the Empire State Building. With its helipad on the 28th floor and a restaurant seemingly suspended in mid air, this hotel has become a landmark and icon on the Dubai skyline.
Designed in the shape of a billowing Arabian dhow sail, the façade represented an astonishing technical challenge, featuring a double-skinned Teflon-coated woven glass fibre screen. It is the first time such technology has been used vertically in such form and extent in any building worldwide. It is dazzling white by day and used as a canvas for a rainbow of spectacular light displays at night, providing a brilliant entrance to the marvels that await the guest inside.
At the entrance, fireballs 2.5m in diameter are propelled 8m into the air from each of the four towers, created by releasing a controlled amount of non-toxic propane gas. The result is a spectacular optical illusion, with the flames reflecting in the hotel’s glass exterior. Bursts of fire are also incorporated into the Ellipse fountain at the hotel entrance, combined with 20,000 litres of water and orchestrated into the most unique and dramatic visual symphony.
An all-suite hotel standing 27 double-height storeys high, Burj Al Arab comprises 202 duplex suites. Convenience, luxury and a highly personalized service are available for every traveller, enhanced by private reception desks on every floor, as well as in-suite check-in and a brigade of exclusive butlers that provide around the clock assistance to each and every guest.
Numerous services and functions can be managed by the television and remote control, including the ability to view any visitor to the suite and give access without leaving the comfort of your armchair, and every suite has a minimum of 6 telephones.
Every suite benefits from a range of unique first-class flourishes, including an extensive selection of complimentary Hermes amenities and a pillow menu with 17 options, including some for children. A special bath menu is also available and the butler will be glad to explain the different options: from the refreshing Mint Bath to the most decadent Extreme Indulgence, including caviar, champagne and strawberries.
The two Royal Suites span the entire 25th floor, where palatial surroundings reach unsurpassed peaks of luxury, including a private elevator, private cinema, rotating beds, Majlis (Arabic meeting room) and extremely spacious dressing rooms.
If you fancy a stay in the best hotel in the world here’s how you get in touch:
P.O Box 74147, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +9714 301 7777
Fax: +9714 301 7000
Email: BAAfeedback@jumeirah.com
Web: www.burj-al-arab.com
Tags: arab, burj, dhow, dubai, east, Hotels, inspiring, luxury, middle, sail
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