Mac Rating: 5.00 | Votes: 1 | Date: 20/06/2026 20:52:00

Built on an artificial island off Jumeirah Beach and shaped like a billowing sail, the Burj Al Arab is one of the most recognisable hotels in the world and a symbol of modern Dubai. It stands on a man-made island around 280 metres offshore, linked to the mainland by a private causeway. Construction began in 1994 and the hotel opened in 1999, developed by the Jumeirah Group and designed by the British architect Tom Wright of the firm Atkins. The project was reported to have cost around a billion dollars, placing it among the most expensive hotels ever built. The building rises about 321 metres over 56 floors, and its sail-like form, a nod to the maritime history of the region, is clad in a double-skinned, Teflon-coated glass-fibre screen that glows when lit at night. For years it ranked among the tallest hotels in the world. Inside, the hotel is arranged as an all-suite property, with just over 200 duplex suites ranging widely in size and served around the clock by butlers. A soaring atrium runs up through the centre of the building, finished in bold colour, gold detailing and a fountain. Its restaurants are a large part of its fame, including Al Muntaha, set high above the Gulf with panoramic views, and the seafood restaurant Al Mahara, reached past a large aquarium. Lounges such as Sahn Eddar serve the hotel's well-known afternoon tea. A rooftop helipad, used over the years for a string of widely publicised stunts, and a suspended tennis court have added to the building's reputation for spectacle. The hotel has appeared in numerous films and broadcasts as shorthand for the city. For non-residents, the hotel sells dining reservations and a guided inside tour, allowing visitors to see the interior without staying overnight. Special occasions such as New Year are marked with firework and light displays around the building. Set beside the Jumeirah coast near the wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the Wild Wadi water park, the Burj Al Arab anchors a stretch of beachfront that has become one of the most photographed parts of the city.