While not quite as synonymous with Dubai as the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 828 meters high, the Burj Al Arab is an architectural marvel and one of the most iconic buildings in the Middle East. Built on a man-made island in the Arabian Gulf, the 321-meter glamorous sail-shaped hotel is the 18th tallest building in Dubai and is so striking that, in 2022, it was named the most “Instagrammable” hotel in the world.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is home to several luxurious hotels and resorts (The Palm Jumeirah and Emirates Palace, to name a few), but none are as impressive as the Burj Al Arab. Below are six impressive and interesting facts about the hotel.
1. A List of Its Records
Designed by architect Tom Wright, the seven-star Burj Al Arab was the tallest hotel in the world when it opened in 1999. It has since been surpassed by three other Dubai hotels—Al Attar Tower, Rose Tower, and JW Marriott Marquis Hotel—but has achieved several other world records. Supported by 250 columns, the 321-meter hotel has the world’s tallest atrium (180 meters) and has also broken Guinness World Records for its food service.
In 2008, the hotel set the record for selling the most expensive cocktail in the world at 27,321 AED, which is about $7,400. The cocktail, also named 27.321 after the floor on which it is sold and the height of the hotel in meters, is made with a rare 55-year-old Macallan single malt scotch whisky and ice cubes created from Macallan Distillery water. It is served in an 18 karat gold baccarat glass which, along with a certificate and leather box, is given to the buyer. All 10 of the limited edition cocktails have been sold.
The Burj Al Arab, in 2016, also set the Guinness World Record for the largest tin of caviar. The tin featured 17 kilograms of Empress caviar, an organic variation made from native-raised sturgeon.
2. Extravagant Suites
One night’s stay in one of the Burj Al Arab’s least luxurious suites starts at $1,000, while the Royal Suite, the hotel’s most glamorous room, costs $28,000 per night. The hotel has more than 200 double-floor rooms, each of which features a personal suite and 24 karat gold iPad. The rooms feature in excess of 24,000 square meters of Statuario marble, the same material Michelangelo used to create David and other iconic statues, and Hermès toiletries in the bathroom. Guests can also choose from one of 17 different pillow options, including horsehair and the anti-aging premium down, the latter of which has “traces of vitamins.”
The Royal Suite, meanwhile, is a 780-square-meter room that has a private elevator, cinema, and library, along with a pair of marble bathrooms and spa facilities.
3. The World’s First Beach Terrace
The Burj Al Arab is also home to the world’s first beach terrace. The 10,000-square-meter terrace was built adjacent to a manmade beach and features a freshwater pool with a swim-up bar, saltwater infinity pool, and four jacuzzis. The bottom of the swimming pool has 10 million gold and azure tile mosaics.
4. Home to Three Aquariums
Another impressive feature of the Burj Al Arab is its three aquariums, one of which is a key element of the hotel’s underwater restaurant, Al Mahara. The underwater floor-to-ceiling aquarium, with 7.1-inch thick walls made of acrylic glass, holds nearly 1 million liters of water and diverse marine species. Al Mahara, accessible by a simulated underwater experience, was ranked by Condé Nast Traveler readers as among the world’s top-10 restaurants.
The other two aquariums are located in the lobby and include dozens of exotic fish species, including zebrafish, bamboo sharks, and clownfish.
5. Sporting Events on the Helipad
The Burj Al Arab also has the most famous helipad in the world. The 24-meter wide helipad, suspended more than 200 meters above sea level, can hold up to 7.5 tons despite looking as though it’s floating in the air. It’s often used to transport guests, but has hosted some unique and spectacular sporting events.
Nick Jacobsen, a professional kitesurfer, in 2017 departed from the helipad in a first-of-its-kind stunt. Daredevils have also completed world-record stunts on the helipad, such as skydiving and a BMX drop from a helicopter. Boxer Anthony Joshua held a sparring session in a ring on the helipad in 2017, golfers Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods teed off from the helipad over the Persian Gulf, and Andre Agassi and Roger Federer played an exhibition match on the structure in 2005.
6. World-Renowned Chefs
Service is a priority at the Burj Al Arab. The luxury hotel has a staff-to-guest ratio of 6:1 and employs two of the most renowned chefs in the world in Francky Semblat and Kim Joinie-Maurin, who have been awarded a combined seven Michelin stars. Semblat curated the menu for the experimental modern French cuisine restaurant, Al Muntaha, while Joinie-Maurin created international dishes and appetizers for the Sky View Bar & Restaurant.