My night in the billion dollar hotel: From revolving beds to chauffeur-driven Rolls Royces at my beck and call, is Dubai's seven-star Burj Al Arab all it's cracked up to be?
- There is nothing modest about Jumeirah's luxurious sail-shaped hotel, and that is the whole point
- Gold plated iPads in every room, a revolving bed in the Royal Suite and 17 types of pillow await guests
- The hotel has attracted celebrities, Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, Gigi Hadid, Claudia Schiffer and Kendall Jenner
Gold
plated iPads in every room, a revolving bed in the Royal Suite and 17
types of pillow that can be selected from a menu - there is nothing
modest about the seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
Shaped
like a sail to represent Dubai’s nautical heritage, the hotel's
distinctive silhouette has become a symbol for the nation and an
Instagram favourite for the tens of thousands of Britons who flock
there.
MailOnline Travel was invited inside the luxurious hotel to see whether the hotel was blissfully refined or ridiculously brash.
Seven-star luxury: For the ultimate experience, chaueffeur-driven Rolls Royce's can take you from the airport to the hotel
The palatial 8,395 square foot Royal
Suite is fit for a maharaja, with an exquisite majlis style lounge,
library and cinema room, along with two master bathrooms, each with
full-size jacuzzis and separate five-head rain showers
A bright welcome:
There are 202 suites in the hotel, each spanning two floors and filled
with plush carpets and pristine furniture
Becky's
bathroom came with Hermes products and a large bath tub. A butler even
ran a sumptuous bath - the perfect way to end an unforgettable day at
the hotel (top). Becky pictured in the Royal Suite (bottom)
Driven
from the airport in my own white Rolls Royce, I stepped into the Burj's
spectacular lobby. It's bedecked with fountains that shoot high into
the air and draw the eye upward through the hotel's core to the top.
This
is, I am told, where the hotel's helipad is located, with some guests
opting to shun the Royce's in favour of arriving by air. Noted for next
time.
I
was led past rows upon rows of lavish expensive designer shops, some
selling the ostentatious gold-plated iPads, others jewel-encrusted...
well - everything.
I promptly abandoned all plans to bring back holiday souvenirs for friends at home.
The hotel manager introduced me to my room, which is definitely the wrong word to describe it.
All the accommodation in the hotel comprises duplex two-floor suites - 202 in total - that start at £900 per night.
Each suite housed everything one could ever need... for the rest of one's life.
From
an office space with a Macbook computer, to Hermes toiletries and
perfume - and a huge walk-in closet - this was no ordinary hotel room by
a long way.
'Welcome
to the most luxurious hotel in the world, Becky Pemberton,' I was
modestly told from the TV screen that shot out from a mahogany desk when
I pressed random buttons on a remote I found.
The
same remote controlled the blinds and a number of other things I had no
clue about, but had fun figuring out as various stuff moved and
whizzed.
The full induction of the suite by my butler, yes each room comes with one, took a good while.
(I still managed to forget which button unlocked the front door later on.)
My
helpful guide offered to unpack my suitcase for me which I politely
declined. After all, it wasn't all Prada and Louboutin in that old
thing.
Determined
to take full advantage of the facilities in my treasure trove of a room
I wasted no time in tucking into the complimentary gold leaf
chocolates.
Each room even comes with a computer (mine was an Apple Mac) - but gold iPads are available for the duration of your stay, too
A lavish surprise: Every time I
stepped back into my room, there was a fresh supply of edible goodies
(most adorned with gold leaf), and a handwritten note
The Royal Suite: What room would be
complete without a rotating bed? This lavish suite comes with 'his and
her' rooms, this one being the male side
You can't help but be wowed by the striking lobby - a sea of colour, light and best of all nibbles upon arrival
Knights of the round table: A spectacular meeting room in the Royal Suite with a sky decor above the table
The only thing better than an
immaculate spa is one overlooking the Dubai skyline. However this does
not come cheap. A day pass (lasting three hours) is a whopping 1,495 AED
(£264)
All that glitters: The lavish staircase that connects the duplex Royal Suite was covered in a leopard print design
Lathered
in over 2,000 square metres of golf leaf, the Burj Al Arab was created
to represent the pinnacle of majestic Arabian culture.
Attracting
the wealthiest and most illustrious members of society, the hotel has
been graced with the likes of royalty, movie stars and celebrities.
Roger
Federer has played tennis on the helipad, with Tiger Woods teeing off
there too, and it-models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner are rumoured to
have spent last New Years Eve celebrating there.
It
is no surprise, therefore, that there are 200 members of staff (out of a
total 1,500) dedicated purely to customer service and meeting the most
obscure of demands.
And of course their recruitment and training is rigorous. They even use episodes of Downton Abbey for training purposes.
Although
the hotel manager proved tightlipped when I pressed for some of the
most outlandish requests, rumours are that camels have been provided at
the drop of a hat and someone once brought their own crocodile for the
chefs to cook.
Royal welcome: Becky was met at the airport by a white Rolls Royce, a bunch of flowers and her own personal chauffeur
The opulent golden entrance to the Al
Mahara restaurant, which specialises in sea food. As guests ate food,
soft music was played
Under the sea: Lunch at the Al Mahara was a magical affair, with tiny tables placed surrounding a gigantic aquarium
The exciting Al Maharba is centred
round a mesmerising aquarium filled with colourful fish and plants,
mirroring the Arabian Gulf theme of the Burj Al Arab
When
my fellow guests arrived and had been inducted into their suites as
well we headed to the aquarium-centred Al Maharba, one of Dubai's most
iconic restaurants.
Luxurious
and ethereal, all the tables are placed around a circular aquarium
filled with multitudes of colourful fish and even some sharks.
I presume the food is equally as incredible as the restaurant, but I was too thoroughly transfixed by the view to notice.
It takes a team of seven to maintain the gigantic tank, including the expertise of a full-time marine biologist.
I was told that proposals are a regular fixture at the romantic underwater haven, unsurprisingly.
What
is surprising was that one woman had recently refused a proposal (if
she wanted something grander she will probably never get it).
The
Burj boasts nine signature restaurants in total, each more elaborate
than the last. It's best to let the time of day dictate which you try
when.
The
ocean-front Bab Al Yam was the most relaxed. Flip flops and children
were clearly allowed and welcomed, which was a relief as I had envisaged
everyone sweeping around the hotel intimidatingly in ball gowns from
dawn until dusk.
The al fresco dining and pool area made it perfect for an early morning stint in the sun before the Middle Eastern heat set in.
The striking hotel, showing the
helipad, and Al Muntaha restaurant at the top, with the narrow driveway
leading to the illuminated lobby at the bottom
The colourful Sky View bar in the Al Muntaha boasted incredible views over the Dubai skyline, particularly impressive at night
The food at
the Al Muntaha restaurant at the top of the Burj Al Arab was
colourfully presented, and extremely delicious. Becky's favourite dishes
included Wagyu Beef (top) and surprisingly even a dish that included
caviar (bottom)
The
wow factor restaurant, Al Muntaha, is found at the top of the opulent
sail and best explored at night, as it has stunning panoramic views
overlooking the twinkly Dubai skyline.
The restaurant's name literally translates from Arabic as 'The Ultimate' or 'The Top', and it definitely lived up to its name.
Despite
the exquisite menu and luxurious food it almost continually felt a
waste to have such an opulent suite lying empty below and I admit I was
happy to go back to enjoy it more.
My butler appeared on the scene to offer to run a bath. Apparently there was a skill to it.
Becky's
room (top) had a comfy lounge area, with a chaise longues. Fresh food
was delivered to the room every few hours so there was barely a reason
to leave the room, apart from to relax on the luxurious loungers on the
private beach (bottom)
After
one of the most restful night's sleep, I awoke to a pang of sadness
knowing I had to leave the opulent palace, which was made worse by a
visit to the Royal Suite before I left.
Larger than the average house in the UK - this is the ultimate fantasy apartment.
There was even a revolving bed and his and her suites either side of the gold staircase.
As soon as you step in each room you are hit by a sea of fabrics, colours, sights, smells, furnishing and more besides.
But
perhaps less is more, as it was almost untastefully opulent, as though
someone had splurged on every design they had ever had the urge to buy.
But
then again, this suite represented all the Burj Al Arab is about,
pushing the boundaries of luxury opulence until it nearly teeters off
the edge of obscenity.
I had set out to find out whether the Dubai jewel is blissfully refined or ridiculously brash - somehow it is completely both.
THE CROWNING GLORIES OF DUBAI - WHY NOT TRY ONE OF THE OTHER STUNNING JUMEIRAH PROPERTIES ?
The hotel looked liked an Arabian palace at night time, with multitudes of lights, flowers and plants lighting up its grounds
A deluxe king room at the hotel was golden and glamorous, with a multitude of cushions and plush furnishings
The spa at the Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is
gigantic, with over 42 treatments rooms, each one more opulent than the
last. Becky relaxed in the lounge areas on the left of this central
pool
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray
If you are looking for an exquisite Arabian retreat, look no further than this opulent hotel.
One of the great lures of this hotel is undoubtedly the Talise Ottoman Spa, a palatial escape with over 42 treatment rooms.
Perfect
for a hen do, or large family holiday, the hotel offers large villas
which provide the chance to cook your own meals or spend the day
relaxing round your own private pool.
There is a free entry to the Wild Wadi Waterpark, perfect to keep children entertained.
Rooms at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray start from AED 1800 (£316) per room per night.
Madinat Jumeirah
A ride like royalty: Take an abra ride along the turquoise waterways that flow through the luxurious Madinat Jumeirah hotel
A night to remember: Bedrooms were spacious and sumptuous, with huge TVs and fluffy pillows
Brunch at
the Madinat included unlimited dishes of all varieties. Becky opted to
sample the sweets for one of her multiple trips to the buffet rooms
(top). The hotel created a unique MailOnline edible sign to welcome
Becky to the hotel (bottom), and even the gold frame was edible
Immerse yourself in an Arabian adventure with this magical hotel located just next door to the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Forget walking round this luxurious hotel, take an abra along the turquoise waterways to feel truly royal.
One
of the highlights of the whole Dubai trip was the Friday brunch at
Madinat. Despite it costing around £100 it was well worth the price
tag.
Unlimited exquisite food and cocktails concocted right before your eyes, it truly is a feast for the eyes as well as the body.
Rooms at Madinat Jumeirah starts from AED 1340 (£235) per room per night.
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