by Michael Lundell
You arrive at the airport, blinking
in the sweltering heat of the Dubai desert, not looking forward to
either finding a taxi or looking for the phone to call the hotel you
are staying at. If luck (and dollars) will have its way though, you
have reservations at the Burj Al-Arab (Arabian Tower) Hotel. You either
find a chauffeur waiting for you to whisk you and whoever you are
staying with away to cruise the streets in style (a Rolls Royce Seraph
kind of style) or a pilot, ready and waiting to avoid traffic congestion
by shuttling you to the hotel's helipad via helicopter. And that's
just the beginning...
As you approach the hotel, its distinctive
features cut a sharp edge through the tan sandy surroundings. Standing
on a manmade island just 180 feet shorter than the Empire State Building
- and being the tallest hotel in the world - the main structure appears
to billow in the wind. It is a white, sail (as in boat) shaped building
standing 54 commanding stories above the Arabian Gulf.
Each of the 202 duplex suites are
an architectural dream. Details such as stone (granite) from Brazil,
and marble and glass from Italy, and the finest Irish linens are painstakingly
gathered here to paint a picture of luxurious excess. Each suite comes
with its own butler, wall to wall views of the gulf, and the latest
in television and technological additions (Internet access, an outside
video monitoring system which allows you to both see who is at the
door and open the door without ever leaving your bed). There are 164
one-bedroom, 28 two-bedroom, and six three-bedroom suites available
for your comfort. And that's just the low end.
The Burj Al-Arab also has a higher
(if possible) standard of comfort in rooms available. Two Grand Suites
and Two Special Suites top the Everest of comforts found throughout
the world's hotels. Each suite is spread over 2340 square feet, and
each of them contain two floors connected with elevators. The perks
include rotating beds, private cinemas, private Mosques, and bedroom
sized changing rooms. The most expensive room runs in the ballpark
of $7,000 a night.
For those not staying in the hotel,
you can pay an entrance fee (somewhere around US$50) which can be
applied toward a dinner in one of their world class restaurants.
The hotel offers the Al-Mahara underwater
seafood restaurant for diners wary of heights. The seafood restaurant
is accessed by a 12 seater submarine taken from the lobby and features
a shark filled aquarium running along the walls.
Or, if one chooses, you may dine
amongst the stars at their Al-Muntaha restaurant. At 600 ft. above
sea level the restaurant offers stunning views of the Arabian Gulf
and the night sky. The hotel also includes five other world class
restaurants ranging in themes (ballrooms) and prices.
Another attraction of the hotel is
their Assawan Spa on the 18th floor. Facilities include two swimming
pools with views over the Gulf, two diving pools, 18 treatment rooms,
hydrotherapy baths, oriental massage, standup solarium, sauna, steam
rooms and Jacuzzi. Many of their facilities have a women or men only
policy, meaning there may be specific times when only one of the two
sexes are allowed in an area (though they also have men and women
centered themed spas).
Needless to say, the hotel has become
a main attraction for the city. People lucky enough to stay overnight
will never feel the same about comfort again. For more information
and to make reservations and check the latest prices, go to their
web site at http://www.jumeirahinternational.com or contact your local travel
agent.
