All Suites!

Our flight to Dubai from Narita arrived not in the early morning, but in the dead of night. It was still 4:30 AM when we reached our first accommodation, the "Burj Al Arab." As a Japanese press group, we were greeted in the lobby by Japanese staff, despite the early hour. We were offered a refreshing oshibori (wet towel) and dates*, then proceeded to our suite for check-in before heading to our room. It turned out that check-in wasn't the only suite experience; this "world's only 7-star hotel" features all 202 rooms as suites.



Opened in 1991, it boasted the title of the world's tallest hotel building at 321 meters. Although it later yielded the "world's tallest" title to the 72-story Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai (355 meters), its internal atrium remains the world's tallest building, registered by Guinness World Records. With a fountain reaching 180 meters, it's clear Dubai's ambitious projects have aimed for global supremacy from the very beginning.



As all rooms at the Burj Al Arab are suites, they are categorized by the number of bedrooms: one, two, or three. Each floor has a 24-hour reception desk with butlers, ready to fulfill any request or whim. We experienced this firsthand upon arrival when we realized we'd forgotten our duty-free shopping from the flight to Dubai. A hotel staff member at the airport handled everything, and thanks to the seamless coordination with our butler, our forgotten items were delivered to our room within 24 hours. Truly remarkable. Now, let's explore the details that make this a 7-star experience, step by step.

Luxury Beyond Expectation

The Burj Al Arab is built on an artificial island extending into the sea, ensuring all rooms offer ocean views. While we stayed in a one-bedroom suite, let's take the Presidential Suite, the top-tier two-bedroom option spanning 667 square meters, as an example to showcase its 7-star splendor. The interiors are opulently gilded, as one might expect, but the sheer level of detail is breathtaking.

The interiors are styled in an Arabic motif, with gold accents gleaming throughout. The first floor features a vast living area, dining space, and a study (equipped with a dedicated Mac, fax, and printer). The second floor houses a living room with a bar counter, two bedrooms, and a massive bathroom. It's a continuous display of luxurious furniture and decor. The curtains for the large windows, offering views of the sea, beach, and Dubai's skyline, are all operated by remote control. It seems the 7-star hotel embraces high-tech convenience.





The expansive bathroom boasts a jacuzzi fit for royalty and double vanities stocked with full-sized Hermès amenities. For women, there's the "Kelly Calèche" perfume, soap, and body lotion, while men receive "Terre D’Hermes" aftershave lotion and deodorant. The separate shower stall also offers full-sized Hermès shampoo and shower gel, ensuring you're enveloped in the scent of Hermès throughout your stay – a clear and luxurious touch. The attention to detail is astounding, with Hermès "Kelly Calèche" bath salts placed beside the jacuzzi. Beyond the bathroom amenities, the nightly turndown service included additional Hermès gifts placed on the bed, truly exceeding expectations.

By chance, we encountered a new service: a 24-karat gold iPad. These "golden" iPads are available to all guests in every room. The surface is coated with a special 24-karat gold finish by "Gold & Co" of London, renowned for its gold craftsmanship. A deposit of 70,000 dirhams (approximately ¥530,000) is required to borrow one, fully refundable upon return. They are slated for sale in the hotel boutique soon, with an estimated price of around ¥1 million.

The 24-Karat Gold-Coated iPad is a Limited Edition from Burj Al Arab

What Lies Beyond the "Iron Gate"?

As the Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island, it is connected to mainland Dubai by a bridge. Security at the bridge entrance is stringent; entry is denied without confirmation of a hotel stay or restaurant reservation. With a private helipad located 300 meters above ground, the hotel frequently hosts state guests from around the world, necessitating thorough and robust security measures.

Despite the "iron gate," many are eager to experience dining or afternoon tea at the 7-star hotel. Even with the high prices, the hotel's restaurants and afternoon tea are fully booked daily. We had lunch at the popular "Al Muntaha Restaurant" on the 27th floor, which was nearly full with local families and couples. Al Muntaha, boasting panoramic views of Dubai, is known for its European cuisine. However, with few main courses or even appetizers priced under ¥10,000, it's recommended for those who don't mind the cost.



Afternoon tea at the lounge in the upper lobby is also popular, but here, a glass ofChampagneis included, making it a luxurious ¥12,000 per person. It has been voted Best Afternoon Tea by "Time Out Dubai," a popular Dubai magazine.

And the buffet-style "Al Iwan," offering Arabic cuisine, is a must-visit. Considering that Dubai has more international restaurants than Arabic ones, and that local establishments do not serve alcohol, enjoying high-quality Arabic food within the hotel is a wise choice. Al Iwan costs just under ¥10,000 for lunch and around ¥11,000 for dinner per person.

Also not to be missed is "Al Mahara," popular as the "world's first aquarium restaurant." It's reportedly fully booked for both lunch and dinner. Tucked away at the back of the restaurant are private dining rooms, "Culinary Flights," where a vibrant aquarium forms one of the walls.



An Indulgent Pool Experience for Adults

Occupying the 18th floor of the hotel is the "Assawan Spa." Meaning "healing stone" in Arabic, this spa features 14 treatment rooms, but its most popular offering is the indoor swimming pool. The secret to its popularity lies not just in swimming, but in the "Romantic Moonlight Swimming" package – a private pool arrangement where candles float on the water, allowing guests to enjoy champagne.



Burj Al Arab
PO Box 74147, Dubai, UAE
Tel. +971-4-301-7777
https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab/

Inquiries
Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
www.myfavoritedubai.com
dubai.japan@aviareps.com