The Burj Al Arab is a luxuriant hotel, located in Dubai, UAE. It stands at an impressive height of 321 meters or 1053 feet. It is the tallest structure in the world for an exclusive hotel. Its design makes it one of the most distinct and unique hotels in the world. The structure is created on an artificial island, nearly 280 meters from the beach on the Gulf of Persia. The hotel is connected to the mainland through a curving path. The curves are extreme, with many corners at 90 degrees.
Construction work on the hotel began in 1994. The hotel was thrown open to guests on December 1, 1999. The hotel was constructed so that it would resemble the sail of a dhow, which is a kind of Arabian vessel. The hotel is constructed so beautifully that its shadow does not fall on the beach. The Burj Al Arab is replete with a large helipad. It extends on one side of the hotel. It is supported by a cantilever. The most innovative feature of the hotel is the outer wall of the atrium. This wall is constructed out of a fiberglass cloth that is Teflon-coated and woven.
The Burj Al Arab Dubai does not have standard rooms. It has 202 duplex suites. 169 square meters is the area of the smallest suite. The largest suite is spread over an area of 780 square meters. The Burj Al Arab is the costliest hotel in the world for a stay.
The cheapest suites are priced between $1000 and $6000 per night. The costliest suites can go up to $15000 per night. It is unlikely that the hotel may draw in healthy profits. The Burj Al Arab was designed to be a primary landmark in Dubai. It was not considered to be a source of income. The entire cost for building and furnishing the hotel has not been disclosed to the public.
The hotel has the tallest atrium lobby in comparison with other hotels in the world. The lobby stands at an impressive height of 180 meters. The lobby can accommodate the World Trade Center of Dubai, which is only 38 stories in height.
The following are some interesting facts related to the Burj Al Arab:
- The hotel is the only one in the world with a seven-star rating.
- Some consider the hotel’s 7-star status to be an exaggeration. This has been seen as an attempt to counter many hotels that have a six-star rating. Most premier travel guides stipulate a maximum rating of five stars.
- Al Muntaha, which means highest or ultimate, is a restaurant situated nearly 200 meters above the Gulf of Persia. It offers splendid views of Dubai from that height. The elevator is panoramic. Natbir Singh owns the restaurant.
- Al Mahara is another famous restaurant. It means ‘the oyster’ in Arabic. It can only be accessed through a submarine voyage that is simulated. It features a mammoth aquarium that holds nearly 35,000 cubic feet of water. The tank has been constructed out of Plexiglass. This reduces its magnification effect. It is 7.5 inches thick.
- The external lighting of the building can change from white to various colors. It changes every half an hour. There is a light show at periodic intervals.
- It is the tallest structure in the world when it comes to a membrane façade. It is the tallest hotel in the world, and the first hotel with a five-star rating to cross 1000 feet.
