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The Cranley Report: Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Hotel Address
Jumeirah Beach Road
PO Box 74147
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Contact Details
Telephone: + 971 4 301 7777
Fax: + 971 4 301 7000
E-mail
Email hotel's reservation Desk
Cranley Rating

Burj Al Arab: Click to magnify
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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.
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 and 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
 5
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
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 & non-smoking options available
Children’s Facilities Children are welcome and a children's menu is available. High chairs are also available.
Breakfast Options No
Cranley Comment
Al Muntaha, which means 'the highest' or 'ultimate' is linked to the Skyview bar and located on the 54th floor, suspended in a protrudin