The Burj Al-Arab Hotel

The World's Tallest - and only "7 Star" - Hotel, A symbol of Dubai.

by Michael Lundell

You arrive at the airport, blinking in the sweltering heat of the Dubai desert, not looking forward to either finding a taxi or looking for the phone to call the hotel you are staying at. If luck (and dollars) will have its way though, you have reservations at the Burj Al-Arab (Arabian Tower) Hotel. You either find a chauffeur waiting for you to whisk you and whoever you are staying with away to cruise the streets in style (a Rolls Royce Seraph kind of style) or a pilot, ready and waiting to avoid traffic congestion by shuttling you to the hotel's helipad via helicopter. And that's just the beginning...

As you approach the hotel, its distinctive features cut a sharp edge through the tan sandy surroundings. Standing on a manmade island just 180 feet shorter than the Empire State Building - and being the tallest hotel in the world - the main structure appears to billow in the wind. It is a white, sail (as in boat) shaped building standing 54 commanding stories above the Arabian Gulf.

Each of the 202 duplex suites are an architectural dream. Details such as stone (granite) from Brazil, and marble and glass from Italy, and the finest Irish linens are painstakingly gathered here to paint a picture of luxurious excess. Each suite comes with its own butler, wall to wall views of the gulf, and the latest in television and technological additions (Internet access, an outside video monitoring system which allows you to both see who is at the door and open the door without ever leaving your bed). There are 164 one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, and six three-bedroom suites available for your comfort. And that's just the low end.

The Burj Al-Arab also has a higher (if possible) standard of comfort in rooms available. Two Grand Suites and Two Special Suites top the Everest of comforts found throughout the world's hotels. Each suite is spread over 2340 square feet, and each of them contain two floors connected with elevators. The perks include rotating beds, private cinemas, private Mosques, and bedroom sized changing rooms. The most expensive room runs in the ballpark of $7,000 a night.

For those not staying in the hotel, you can pay an entrance fee (somewhere around US$75) which can be applied toward a dinner in one of their world class restaurants. The hotel offers the Al-Mahara underwater seafood restaurant for diners wary of heights. The seafood restaurant is accessed by a 12 seater submarine taken from the lobby and features a shark filled aquarium running along the walls.

Or, if one chooses, you may dine amongst the stars at their Al-Muntaha restaurant. At 600 ft. above sea level the restaurant offers stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and the night sky. The hotel also includes five other world class restaurants ranging in themes (ballrooms) and prices.

Another attraction of the hotel is their Assawan Spa on the 18th floor. Facilities include two swimming pools with views over the Gulf, two diving pools, 18 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy baths, oriental massage, standup solarium, sauna, steam rooms and Jacuzzi. Many of their facilities have a women or men only policy, meaning there may be specific times when only one of the two sexes are allowed in an area (though they also have men and women centered themed spas).

Needless to say, the hotel has become a main attraction for the city. People lucky enough to stay overnight will never feel the same about comfort again. For more information and to make reservations and check the latest prices, go to their web site at http://www.jumeirahinternational.com/ or contact your local travel agent.