LUXURY

Towering 321 metres above the turquoise
waters of the Persian Gulf, the world’s
tallest and most shamelessly luxurious
hotel perches on its tiny man-made island
like the billowing sail of an enormous
yacht. Perhaps it’s no coincidence then
that the Burj has become a symbol of
the winds of change blowing through
Dubai, an increasingly popular stopover
destination as Emirates widens its
worldwide network. At any given time,
two-level suites are occupied, proving that
visitors recognise a compelling proposition
when they see one. And spectacular really
is the only word to describe it. Enter your
suite and you are completely swept away
by the most luxurious décor imaginable.
Everywhere you look intense colours
and luxurious surfaces are accented by
gold, gold and still more gold. Truth be
told, everything inside the suite that is
gold in colour is gold in substance. That
depending on your suite, could include a
door or the mirror above your bed!
Rest assured, this is no über cool Hudson
or minimalist W Hotel. Instead Arabian
Nights and Vegas meet head on with a
level of opulence so overpowering, you
have to blink a few times after entering
a room. The lashings of gold and swirling
kaleidoscope of colours are anything but
subtle, but the Burj brings them together
with such flair and on such a scale that
it works brilliantly. Ranging in size from
169m 2 to 780m 2 , each suite features lavish
living and dining areas and a state-of-theart
entertainment system.
Despite the fact that virtually everything in
the room, including the lighting, curtains
and air conditioning, can be operated by
remote control, your suite comes with
the services of a dedicated butler who
can cater to your every whim at any hour
concierge on every floor so you can check
discreetly into your suite and if you need
to venture out you also have access to a
chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Phantom.
The Burj offers a choice of eight
restaurants and lounges, each with its
own theme, superstar chef and authentic
menu. You can take the virtual submarine
voyage to Al Mahara for superb seafood
surrounded by a magnificent aquarium
or take the elevator to the Sky View Bar
at sunset, for a spectacular view of the
Dubai harbour and Palm Island. Then
there’s Al Muntaha, Arabic for ‘the
ultimate’ or ‘the highest’ – which at 200
metres above the Arabian Gulf offers
a view matched only by its modern
European cuisine. You can also choose to
dine at any of the lounges or restaurants
at neighbouring Jumeriah International
properties; The Jumeriah Beach Hotel or
Your stay at the Burj also entitles you
to use of the Assawan Spa & Health
Club on the 18th floor with magnificent
views over the Gulf. Treatment rooms,
hydrotherapy baths, oriental massage,
stand-up solarium, sauna, steam rooms
and Jacuzzi, two swimming pools, squash
court, two fully equipped fitness studios
and an aerobics floor are all yours for the
taking. You’ll also want to make full use
of your unlimited access to Wild Wadi -
a continuous water park on Jumeriah
property where one ride runs seamlessly
into another for hours of entertainment
leaving you without a chance to dry off.
Unsurprisingly the Burj has plenty of
celebrities, but staff tend to be tight-lipped
about their famous guests. However they
will let on that Tiger Woods hit golf balls
off the heliport into the Persian Gulf for
a photo opportunity. It turns out that the
Burj is one of Tiger’s favourite stops on
Burj Al Arab
at a glance
Category: City Hotel
Suite reviewed: One Bedroom Deluxe
What’s great: The fact that the hotel is all
suites, the building itself, and the most
incredible foyer. The staff were the most
attentive and professional we have ever
experienced. They will always greet you
before you get a chance to... it’s one of
their hallmarks.
more than eighty percent of the Burj’s 202
includes the TV stand, several lamps and,
of the day or night. There is a private
Mina a’ Salam.
tour. Surprise, surprise.
What’s not so great: If we had to fault
something, the pool could have been
slightly more grand.
Editor’s tip: If you’re only staying for 2-3
days, then don’t leave the resort. Stay
around, sample the spa and make the most
of it. Low season is May, but occupancy is
always high. There’s no need to upgrade.
The base suite is nothing short of fantastic.
Rate: From NZ$2800; AU$2200 per suite
per night.
Website: www.jumeirah.com
Reservations: For more information or
enquiries please contact United Travel
on 0800 730 001.
Location
Suite size
Suite interior
Overall service level
Food & beverage
Hotel pool
Business needs
Ftiness facilities
Spa facilities
Value for money
This 7-star
97% property is one
of the world’s best.
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