Dubai is one of the world’s most visited destinations by international tourists. Given this, it’s really no surprise that the city’s hotel industry is thriving. The sector records an average of 60 to 80% occupancy year after year, and it’s not majorly declining even in a global pandemic.
Burj Al Arab, one of the tallest and most expensive hotels in the world, is partly responsible for the vast number of tourists visiting Dubai and booking hotels. If you plan to visit Dubai and stay at a hotel dubbed by many as the only seven-star tourist establishment in the world, refer to this guide.
Things to Know Before Visiting Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is more than just a luxury hotel. It also comes with luxury services and some interesting facts. Before you book a room or suite, here’s everything you need to know about Burj Al Arab.
What is Burj Al Arab?
Burj Al Arab, which translates to “Tower of the Arabs” in English, is the ultimate luxury hotel in Dubai owned and operated by the Jumeirah hotel group, an Emirati international luxury hotel chain dominating the hospitality industry in the UAE. With its total height reaching 321 meters, Burj Al Arab currently stands as one of the tallest hotels in the world.
As a luxury hotel, Burj Al Arab is beautiful inside and out. Multinational engineering company Atkins, led by architect Tom Wright, brought their visions to life and built a hotel that looks like a sail of a ship. Inside, the Burj Al Arab holds 28 double-story floors that can accommodate over 200 luxury bedroom suites. Burj Al Arab rooms are some of the largest commercial accommodation rooms in the world—with the largest bedroom suite occupying 780 m2 (8,400 sq ft).
The very top of the hotel, which stands at 689 ft. above ground, functions as a helipad—ready to cater to private air transportation services. The hotel has shuttle services with Rolls-Royces and a helicopter.
Burj Al Arab has attracted the attention of many wealthy tourists around the world. It is now dubbed by many as “the world’s seven-star hotel” and considered by travel companies as one of the most expensive hotels.
Who Can Visit Burj Al Arab
As a hotel, any tourist and resident can visit and book at Burj Al Arab. Guests with booking who need assistance, such as pregnant women and people of determination, can seek help from the attending staff on their date of stay. The hotel has wheelchair and stroller-accessible entrances and exists on all floor levels.
Visitors who aren’t going to book a room or suite can take a quick visit to the hotel through various means. You can book a high tea afternoon, brunch, dinner, or spa treatment to enter the hotel. Alternatively, you can book a half-day guided tour.
Is Burj Al Arab Safe and Regulated?
Part of Burj Al Arab’s impeccable services is implementing and maintaining effective prevention control measures to eliminate and prevent occupational health and safety incidents and injuries inside the establishment. There are multilingual members of the hotel’s security staff every step of the way—from the doors to the lifts—ready to assist and protect visitors.
With regards to security breaches and external threats, Burj Al Arab hotel is also prepared. The hotel has partnered with Aruba Technology, one of the leading global technology companies offering wired, wireless, and SD-WAN solutions for security. The company works with the hotel management to help security personnel respond to security breaches and threats in a quick and timely manner.
Burj Al Arab’s operations are regulated by the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the governing body responsible for licensing and classifying all hotels in Dubai. The DTCM ensures that the hotel owners, staff, and services follow the local and national protocols.
COVID-19 Considerations
All establishments under the hospitality industry in Dubai follow special health and safety measures to combat COVID-19. Burj Al Arab and its independent establishments are required by the World Health Organization (WHO) and local authorities to ensure social distancing among visitors, sanitize publicly-used areas, conduct temperature checks for staff and guests, and promote contactless payments. Some areas and activities at the hotel may limit the number of visitors a day based on local regulations.
Guests, too, are required to follow individual safety protocols. Guests should wear face masks inside the public areas of the hotel, avoid physical contact among staff and other visitors, and submit basic personal information for contact tracing purposes.
When is the Best Time to Stay at Burj Al Arab?
The best time to stay and visit Burj Al Arab coincides with Dubai’s best months and seasons in a year. It’s best to visit Dubai between November and March, during the winter months. Take note, however, that these months are also the busy seasons. Burj Al Arab booking rates are usually high during the winter months and are discounted during the off-season—from June to August.
How Long Should You Stay at and Explore Burj Al Arab?
Hotels don’t really have general rules for length of stay. You can stay at and explore Burj Al Arab for as long as you want—provided that you’re happy to pay for Burj Al Arab booking rates and all its luxury services. You can also take a quick tour of a hotel in one visit. However, if you plan to stay at the hotel as a tourist in Dubai, 4 to 5 days would be sufficient to explore the city and book accommodation.
Where is Burj Al Arab Exactly Located?
Burj Al Arab is on the biggest man-made island of Dubai. Its exact address is at Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It sits in the same area as the Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Burj Al Arab in itself is a huge landmark, so you wouldn’t have a hard time finding it through various means of transportation.
Burj Al Arab Booking Procedures and Preparation Tips
Now that you know a few important facts about Burj Al Arab and what to initially expect before you book your visit, let’s head to the actual preparation and booking process that can make your stay in Dubai comfortable and luxurious.
How to Get to Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is located along the Jumeirah Beach, easily accessible through any means of transportation. Travelers with private or rented vehicles can easily reach Burj Al Arab from the city center or other neighboring areas through Sheikh Rashid Rd/E11 in approximately 25 minutes.
If you want to commute, city buses can take you to the Mall of the Emirates and its surrounding areas. Take buses 8, 81, or X28, depending on your location, then alight at the Wild Wadi – 01 or Umm Suqeim, Etisalat – 01 bus stations. It will take you a 4 to 20-minute walk from these stations to reach Burj Al Arab.
If you want to take the metro, ride the Red Line to the Mall Of The Emirates Metro Station. From there, you can take a 30-minute walk or hire a cab to reach Burj Al Arab.
What to Bring As Guests to Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab provides excellent accommodation in an outstanding place. As such, you can bring all your essentials and valuables to your Dubai trip and have them safely stored at one of the tallest hotels in the world.
Clothing
Your set of clothing during your stay inside the Burj Al Arab hotel and during all your tours around Dubai should adhere to the UAE’s general rule for public dressing. The rule implicitly states that both men and women should wear modest clothing. There are conservative parts of Dubai that prohibit clothing that exposes shoulders and knees.
Luggage and Baggage
Burj Al Arab is known to the world for its dedicated private service, so all your suitcases and luggage will be handled by the staff. As such, you can bring all your essentials and valuables to your Dubai trip. Burj Al Arab rooms are also spacious, so you can store huge luggage in your private space without a problem.
Documents
Don’t forget to bring your passports, identification cards, and Burj Al Arab booking confirmation when you visit the hotel. The staff will need all these documents to verify your identity and confirm your booking.
Is Pre-Booking Necessary?
Pre-booking not only simplifies the booking process but also secures your slot and preferred room. As the most popular hotel in Dubai, Burj Al Arab requires guests to book in advance. Some of their restaurants and services also require advanced booking, even if you’re not staying as a guest.
Where to Secure a Burj Al Arab Booking?
You can directly book a stay through online booking at Burj Khalifa’s official website. Prices vary per room type and change every season. The bookings have an average price tag of 3,672 AED (1,000 USD) a night. Meanwhile, luxury rooms and services can go as high as 88,150 AED ($24,000) a night.
Alternatively, you can look for reputable travel and tour agencies offering discounted Burj Al Arab booking. Here are some websites you can visit and look for discounted rates:
Burj Al Arab’s 28 double-story floors and surrounding spaces not just offer rooms to stay and lobbies to stand by; it also features restaurants, beaches and pools, and various entertainment spaces. Here are the things you should see and try at Burj Al Arab.
Luxury Rooms and Suites
Burj Al Arab rooms have different categories based on sizes, amenities, and location. Here’s a list of luxury rooms and suites you can book during your stay:
Deluxe Marina Suite – a170-sqm suite with overlooking views of the Dubai Marina, king-size or twin bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Deluxe Palm Suite – a 170-sqm suite with overlooking views of the Palm, king-size or twin bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Sky Marina Suite – a 170-sqm suite with ocean views from the upper floors, king-size or twin bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Sky Palm Suite – a 170-sqm suite with views of the Dubai Marina skyline and Palm Jumeirah, king-size or twin bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Panoramic Suite – a 225-sqm loft with views of Dubai and the nearby ocean, king-size bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Club One Bedroom Suite – a 330-sqm suite with panoramic views of the ocean, exclusive bar, snooker table, king-size bed, daily breakfast butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Burj Two / Three Bedroom Family Suite – a 335-sqm suite with ocean view, kids amenities, play area, king-size or twin bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Deluxe Two-Bedroom Suite – a 335-sqm suite with ocean view, king-size or twin beds, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Diplomatic Three Bedroom Suite – a 670-sqm suite with ocean view, luxury airport transfer, 2,000 AED resort credit, in-suite bar, daily breakfast, two king beds and a twin bed, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, access to Burj Al Arab beach, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Presidential Two Bedroom Suite – a 670-sqm stylish room with ocean view, 3,000 AED resort credit, daily breakfast, private library, dressing rooms, two king beds, butler service, 24-hour concierge, access to leisure facilities, unlimited entry to Summersalt Beach Club and Wild Wadi Waterpark, powder room, full-size jacuzzi, 21-inch iMac, Hermès amenities, and remote-controlled appliances.
Restaurants
Burj Al Arab restaurants also offer luxury dining services and cuisines. Aside from the complimentary food options of the hotel, you can also explore all the most recommended dining options inside the hotel for lunch and dinner.
Al Muntaha – a contemporary French restaurant on the 27th floor of the hotel. Al Muntaha features seven-course tasting menus, making it the most-visited Burj Al Arab restaurant.
Sal – a beachside, casual dining restaurant featuring Southern Mediterranean cuisines.
Junsui– a casual dining restaurant featuring Pan-Asian cuisines. Junsui is located on the ground mezzanine floor of the hotel.
Bab Al Yam – a poolside restaurant with cuisines showcasing the fusion of the Middle East and Europe.
Pools and Beaches
As a hotel in Dubai, one of the hottest cities in the world, Burj Al Arab has an array of in-house and partner pools and beaches. These are located inside the primary establishment and near the actual hotel.
The Terrace – Burj Al Arab beach, private pool, and cabana spaces are housed in this 10,000-sqm outdoor luxury leisure facility. All guests are free to visit The Terrace and unwind.
Wild Wadi Waterpark – Burj Al Arab is a longstanding partner of Wild Wadi Waterpark. Guests can have unlimited access to the waterpark, which is located next to the hotel.
Jumeirah Beach – a free-access, white sand beach near the hotel.
Indoor Leisure and Entertainment
Burj Al Arab hotel is not just a place to sleep, come, and go. The hotel also offers indoor leisure and entertainment facilities that can make you stay awhile.
Talise Spa – a special leisure center on the 18th floor of the hotel. Talise Spa has an infinity pool and offers signature spa packages.
Talise Fitness – a state-of-the-art gym located on the 18th floor of the hotel. Talise Fitness offers exercise classes for men and women.
Burj Al Arab Kids Club – an exciting space for children between three and twelve years old. The Kids Club is managed by professional carers and has playrooms, board games, computers, books, and other creative activities.
Final Tips for First-Time Visitors of Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel that can definitely give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It costs a lot of money, so we highly advise first-time guests and tourists to carefully research their Burl Al Arab booking, choose the appropriate accommodation package, and weigh the pros and cons before booking a room.
What to do After Staying at Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab may be a huge hotel with various facilities and amenities, but it’s not the whole of Dubai. There’s still a lot to explore in the city. So, go out and take a walk. We recommend visiting Dubai malls, museums, waterparks, and beaches.
