Burj Al Arab, Dubai - Cranley Report

The Cranley Report®: Burj Al Arab

Burj Al Arab, Dubai

Hotel Address

Jumeirah Beach Road
PO Box 74147
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Cranley Rating

Burj Al Arab

Photo 1 of 17. Click to enlarge

Hotel Summary

Category	Hotel
Awards Won	Burj Al Arab has won countless awards all over the world. Most recent 2005 World Travel Awards announced on 13 November 2005: - World's Leading Hotel - World's Leading All-Suite Hotel - Middle East's Leading Hotel

Hotel Opened	1999
Refurbishment	Continuous Programme

Cranley Summary

Burj Al Arab aims to be the world’s most luxurious and exclusive hotel, winning numerous awards including several times the award for World’s Leading Hotel. It is a landmark on the Dubai coastline standing taller than the Eiffel Tower on a man-made island 280 meters offshore. Exceeding service and quality are foremost at the all-suite Burj Al Arab with an exceptionally high staff-to-suite ratio. All suites are laid out over two floors and the smallest of these starts at a spacious 170 square metres. Every suite enjoys unobstructed and enviable views of the Arabian Gulf and is furnished with the most modern amenities and specifications with a private guest services and butler service available on every floor. Burj Al Arab enjoys the benefit of a private beach, the Assawan Spa & Health Club and guests are able to use all the facilities of the adjoining Jumeirah Madinat Resort and Jumeira Beach Hotel which are just a short buggie ride away. There are a choice of fine dining restaurants, bars and lounges including the award-winning Al Mahara seafood restaurant. Personalised service sets Burj Al Arab apart from its competitors and guests benefit from strict reservation control over public access to hotel restaurants.

Hotel Location & Layout

Location Description

Situated less than 20km south of Dubai City along Jumeirah beach, Burj Al Arab is a landmark on the Dubai coastline. It stands on a man-made island about 280 meters offshore and is linked to the mainland and beach area by a slender purpose-built bridge. Immediately onto the mainland are two substantial Jumeirah resorts either side of the bridge; the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Jumeirah Madinat Resort. Guests of Burj Al Arab are free to use the facilities at these resorts, including the Sinbads Children’s Club and the Madinat Six Senses Spa, while the Jumeirah Wild Wadi Water Park is a short ride away by complimentary transport. The Mall of the Emirates, new ski dome and several golf courses are also within short driving distance.

Airports
Distance	25 km
Airport Transfers	Airport transfers are arranged from a fleet of 14 Rolls Royce and several BMW vehicles. Helicopter transfers from the private Helicopter pad at Burj Al Arab are also available.

Cities and Sights
Distance	15 km
City/Sight Transfers	Transfers are arranged from a fleet of 14 Rolls Royce and several BMW vehicles.

Layout Description

Burj Al Arab stands 321 metres tall, making it the world’s tallest hotel and taller than the Eiffel Tower. It has its own private helicopter pad on the 28th floor as well as the Al Muntaha restaurant and famous Skyview bar in a seemingly suspended protrusion from the main structure, overhanging the Gulf. Burj Al Arab is built on a triangle base in the shape of an Arabian Dhow ship vessel that stands upright, with a glass exterior on the Gulf side and a Teflon sail façade on land-side. At its base are the private pool area and Bab Al Yam restaurant, while the private beach is a short walk or buggie ride across the purpose-built bridge. Inside the hotel are a number of restaurants and bars and a health club. Guest access to Burj Al Arab is restricted to those with confirmed suite or restaurant bookings only.

Lobby & Guest Relations

Open Hours	24 hours
Languages Spoken	Several International Languages
Payment Methods	American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard
Foreign Exchange	All major foreign currency exchanged to UAE Dirhams
Taxis Arranged	A private fleet of 14 Rolls Royce and several BMW vehicles are available or local arrangements can be made
Tours Arranged	Scenic helicopter flights can be arranged (45 minute flights) as well as any of the other classic Dubai tours including Tours of Dubai City, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah and Ajman, Dinner Cruises, Safari's to the Desert, Wadi Hatta or Hajar Mountains, a Night at the Races, Camel Riding, Sand Skiing, Snorkelling or Scuba Diving

Guest Relations	A private check-in service is available on every floor. Guest preferences are recorded on the reservations system (e.g. pillow choices) for subsequent visits.
Concierge Services	Private concierge, guest services and butler service are available on every floor with essential business facilities such as printer, fax, copier and internet.
Medical Facilities	A 24 hour paramedic is available at the hotel and a doctor is on call. The hotel also has a good relationship with the local hospitals.
Parking	Valet parking available

Cranley Comment

The lobby area entrance is adorned with a rolling water embankment between ground and mezzanine level set between tall pillars plated in 22 carat goldleaf and a 32 meter fountain on the Mezzanine level rising into the world’s tallest atrium of 180 meters. At night the lobby and atrium light up to become a spectacle of grandeur through a mixture of water, coloured light, gold and a unique fire display. An in-house florist supplies fresh flowers to the whole of the hotel every day. Public access is restricted to the lobby and mezzanine floor and to the Al Muntaha and Skyview bar, accessible by separate direct lifts. There is also a separate entrance for delegations.

Shops & Amenities

Description

Ground Floor: Europcar Desk, newsagents and book shops.

Mezzanine Floor: ATM and Banking through the Commercial Bank of Dubai (open half days and closed on Friday). Various Retail Shops including Chopard, Bvlgari and Prima Gold for Jewellery, Rodeo Drive for designer clothing, Al Barajeel for Persian carpets, Al Qurashi for perfumes and various other boutiques.

18th floor: Assawan Spa & Health Club and the Frank Provost Hair Salon, together with a snooker table in the Diwania Lounge

Cranley Comment

A range of sophisticated shops and amenities are available for guests on the ground and mezzanine levels as well as the spa facilities on the 18th floor in keeping with the overall regal style of the hotel. At the adjoining Madinat Resort there is a Souk (shopping mall) with some 75 shops and restaurants and a further range of shops and restaurants at the adjoining Jumeirah Beach Hotel, giving guests ample choice for shopping within a short buggy ride or walk of the hotel.

Rooms, Suites & Villas

Number of Floors	54 Floors (duplex suites - 27 Lift Stops)
Total Rooms	202
Elevators	6 (plus 2 to Panoramic level)
Rooms per Elevator	34
Total Staff	1500
Staff per Room	7.4

Check-in Time	14:00
Check-out Time	12:00
Late Checkout	Flexible, subject to availability
Smoking Rooms	Non Smoking Suites available
Room Service	24 hour fully comprehensive service from any of the hotel’s menus as well as any tailor-made menus.
Laundry Service	24 hour laundry service available
Unique Features	Butler Services: 24-hour personalised butler service to assist guests during their stay by offering laundry, unpacking and packing, restaurant and spa bookings, provide information on Dubai and provide special services for anniversaries by decorating the suites, champagne and flowers, special bath (chosen from the bath menu), to mention only a few.

Cranley Comment

Burj Al Arab is an all-suite hotel where all suites are set over two floors, which means there are 27 lift stops rather than 54. All suites have floor to ceiling wall-to-wall windows with unobstructed Gulf views either toward the Jebel Ali area or the Dubai area, depending on which side of the hotel the particular suite is located. All suites are equipped with the latest technology, laptop computer and internet access. There is a dedicated butler and full Guest Services desk on every floor with printer, fax and copier. Internally the rooms are decorated to the highest standard of opulence, starting with imported granite and marble for walls and floors.

Type of Room, Views & Facilities

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
One bedroom Deluxe Suite	142	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	Dining Area and Sofa Business desk with Laptop complete with high speed internet, private fax, printer and copier 42-inch plasma TV’s Video on Demand 93 cable channels and 2 hotel information channels DVD System Door-entry video system Remote-controlled lighting, curtains, televisions Air conditioning Personal safe Private Bar (full size bottles) and 1 in-suite mini-bar 2 telephones Speaker surround system TV control panel Walk-in Shower Jacuzzi/Spa bath Hermes amenities (full size bottles) Bath Menu: prepared by the butler comprising selections of bath oils and music Pillow Menu: 13 options available such as goose down Special gift-box shoeshine service Children’s Amenities Suites are serviced 2 times a day	2 Adults & 2 Children, or 3 Adults	170

Cranley Comment

Deluxe suites are one bedroom duplex suites and are decorated in an opulent Arabian style, arranged over two floors with floor to ceiling windows and views over the Arabian Gulf. Guests enter the suites from the atrium gallery. On the ground floor there is a spacious lounge and dining room with a dining table to seat 4, a study and a guest washroom. An ornate spiral staircase leads to the first floor bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with Jacuzzi bath. The bedroom has a mirrored ceiling and technology that controls everything from the TV to the curtains.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Panoramic Suite	18	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	As per One bed Deluxe Suite with the added benefit of being larger suites and more luxuriously furnished.	2 Adults & 2 Children, or 3 Adults	225 – 315

Cranley Comment

Panoramic suites are similar to the One bedroom Deluxe Suites, but are slightly larger and enjoy an airy and open split-level internal design. Panoramic suites are located in the corners of the hotel, giving them 270 degree views to the Gulf or the City. Panoramic suites are decorated in an opulent Arabian style with floor to ceiling windows, enhanced by the airy open internal layout design. Guests enter these one bedroom suites from the atrium gallery. On the ground floor there is a spacious lounge and dining room with a table to seat 6, a cocktail bar, study and guest washroom. An ornate spiral staircase leads to the first floor with a loft sitting area, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with Jacuzzi. The bedroom has a mirrored ceiling and technology that controls everything from the TV to the curtains.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Club Suite	4	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	As per One bed Deluxe Suite with the added benefit of being a larger suite, a full size snooker table and partly open plan.	2 Adults & 2 Children, or 3 Adults	330

Cranley Comment

Club Suites are virtually identical to the Panoramic suite except for the addition of a snooker table. They enjoy the same airy and open split-level internal design and are also located in the corners of the hotel, giving them 270 degree views to the Gulf or the City. Club suites are decorated in an opulent Arabian style with floor to ceiling windows, enhanced by the airy open internal layout design. Guests enter these one bedroom suites from the atrium gallery. On the ground floor there is a spacious lounge and dining room with a table to seat 6, a cocktail bar, snooker table, study and guest washroom. An ornate spiral staircase leads to the first floor with a loft sitting area, bedroom, dressing room and bathroom with Jacuzzi. The bedroom has a mirrored ceiling and technology that controls everything from the TV to the curtains.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite	28	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	As per the Club Suite with the added benefit of having: 2 Bedrooms 2 Full Bathrooms Powder Room 2 Lounges Separate Kitchen Separate Butler Entrance	4 Adults & 2 Children, or 5 Adults	330

Cranley Comment

The two bedroom suites are decorated in an opulent Arabian style with floor to ceiling windows with views over the Arabian Gulf and technology that does everything from control the TV to close the curtains. On the ground floor there is a living room with lounge and dining room with a table to seat 6, a cocktail bar, an office with chess table, a guest washroom and separate butler entrance. An ornate spiral staircase leads to the upper level for the master bedroom with dressing room and a second bedroom, both with full luxury marble bathrooms complete with Jacuzzi and another lounge.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Three Bedroom Deluxe Suite	6	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	As per the two bedroom Deluxe Suite with the added benefit of: 3 Bedrooms 3 Full Bathrooms 3 Living areas Study/Library Separate Dining Room	6 Adults & 2 Children, or 7 Adults	670

Cranley Comment

Three bedroom suites are decorated in an opulent Arabian style with floor to ceiling windows with views over the Arabian Gulf and technology that does everything from controlling the TV to closing the curtains. On the ground floor there are 3 living areas, a dining area with a table to seat 8, a bar counter, an office/library, a guest washroom and a kitchen with separate butler entrance. There is a twin bedroom on the ground floor and an ornate spiral staircase leading to the upper level for the master bedroom with dressing room and a third bedroom both with luxury marble bathrooms complete with Jacuzzi.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Presidential Suite	2	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	As per the two bedroom Deluxe Suite with the added benefit of: Reception lounge Library Separate Dining Room Separate Kitchen Separate Butler entrance	4 Adults & 2 Children, or 5 Adults	667

Cranley Comment

The presidential Suite is decorated in an opulent Arabian style with floor to ceiling windows and views over the Arabian Gulf. There is a Majlis reception style lounge and a spacious living area with private bar, a study area and library. The large dining area has an oval shaped table to seat 8 guests and a kitchen with separate butler entrance. An ornate spiral staircase leads to the upper level with master bedroom and second bedroom, each with marble bathrooms complete with spa bath and walk-in shower.

Type	No.	View	Facilities	Max. Occupancy	Size m2
Royal Suite	2	Gulf View and either Palm Jumeirah or The World Islands	As per the Presidential Suite with the added benefit of: Reception lounge Exclusive private elevator Private cinema Rotating four poster canopy main bed	4 Adults & 2 Children, or 5 Adults	780

Cranley Comment

The two stately Royal suites with lavishly appointed interiors are set over the entire 25th floor with private elevator access, private cinema, Majlis (Arabian meeting room), dining area with a round table to seat 12 guests, kitchen and library with over 400 books. They are furnished with mahogany and gold and leopard print tufted carpets and Carrarra marble flooring. In-suite dining with tailor-made menus and wine choices by the in-house sommelier is available. A marble and gold spiral staircase leads to the upper floor with open mezzanine lounge. Both bedrooms have floor to ceiling windows, rotating bed in the master bedroom, a substantial dressing room and marble bathrooms with spa bath, walk-in shower and fine porcelain fittings.

Restaurants & Cafés

Number of Restaurants

Restaurant Comments

There is a good choice of fine dining restaurants at Burj Al Arab lead by the signature award-winning Top 50 in the world Al Mahara seafood restaurant located on ground level with an underwater theme. 54 Floors higher, the Al Muntaha enjoys an unrivalled position in Dubai as it overhangs Burj Al Arab into the Arabian Gulf with envied and unsurpassed views of the ocean and newly developed Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands developments. Wine sommeliers are available at every restaurant to advise on wine choice for an even more sophisticated ambience. There is a strict 'no photography' policy in all restaurants and bars. Visitors from outside the hotel are only allowed entry to the hotel with a confirmed reservation.

Al Mahara

Restaurant Type	Seafood
Restaurant Capacity	86 (plus 2 private rooms at no extra cost seating 12 and 18 respectively)
Opening Times	Lunch: 12:30 - 15:00 Dinner: 19:00 - 24:00
Dress Codes	Smart Casual (no jeans, no T-shirts, no trousers, no sandals (men only), UAE national dress allowed)

Air-Conditioning	Yes
Smoking Policy	Smoking Not Allowed
Children’s Facilities	Children are welcome for lunch only, where a children's menu is available. High chairs are also available.
Breakfast Options	No

Cranley Comment

Al Mahara is the signature restaurant at Burj Al Arab and has won the award as one of the top 50 restaurants in the world. It's an underwater themed restaurant with a simulated submarine ride down a lift to its entrance. A number of sea-life tanks give one a sense of truly being under water. There are also two private dining room areas with a private aquarium. Award-winning seafood dishes are prepared by world-class chefs. There is a strict 'no photography' policy.

Al Muntaha

Restaurant Type	Contemporary European
Restaurant Capacity	120
Opening Times	Lunch: 12:30 - 15:00 Dinner: 19:00 - 24:00