Burj Al Arab-this hotel has joined the list of the most amazing structures on Earth. Everything can be considered amazing here: architecture, height, location, interior, prices.
It is not for nothing that the hotel is called the “Arab Tower” – this is how “Burj Al Arab” is translated – because its height is 321 m.
The silhouette of the hotel, which has the shape of a huge sail, has served as a lighthouse of Dubai since 1999. A unique architectural solution was the reason that “Burj al-Arab” received an unofficial name – “Sail”.
Parus Hotel is located in Dubai, 15 km from the city center. The Burj Al Arab is a symbol of the city and is one of Dubai’s most striking landmarks. It rises above the water, on an island specially built for this purpose, 280 m from the shore and is connected to it by a bridge. Exact location: — Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
At the beginning of the bridge there is a checkpoint with security guards: they let only those who have booked a room enter the hotel. But even if the very high price does not allow you to stay in the hotel, you can still get to its territory. Security guards will let you through if a table is reserved in any restaurant of the Burj Al Arab Hotel. In addition, you can take advantage of another opportunity: many Dubai tourist offices organize excursions to the skyscraper.
Palm Jumeirah-history, recreation and entertainment on the island
History of the Burj Al Arab
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Dubai, is the founder and investor of this unusual hotel. Sheikh Mohammed decided to make the country an exclusive resort in the entire area of Dubai for the richest segments of the World’s population. A very far-sighted plan, given that in a few decades the main source of state income in the form of oil deposits will cease to exist.
The favorable geographical location of the UAE on the coast of the Persian Gulf and the warm climate contributed to the implementation of this plan in every possible way. Among other projects, the Burj Al Arab Hotel has become a very thoughtful step towards ensuring the financial stability of the state in the future.
By the way, the price of such a large-scale project was never announced anywhere. But much is shown even by the number of stars the Parus Hotel in Dubai has, which occupies the first place in the list of the most luxurious hotels on the planet. Officially, it is considered a 5* hotel, but thanks to the luxury that reigns within its walls, it was secretly recognized as the “only 7*hotel”.
Project
A whole team of designers headed by Tom Wright from Britain worked on the project of the future hotel. Tom Wright’s track record previously included only office and school projects, but Sheikh Mohammed was so impressed by the unusual ideas for a new building that he signed a contract with the architect and his team.
The sail building is something completely new and to some extent even challenging. Moreover, for the residents of Dubai, which has a history of sailing, pearl fishing, and even piracy, the sail is an important symbol. To create a complete image, it was necessary that the Burj Al Arab Hotel rose directly above the water and resembled a majestic sea ship. Therefore, it was necessary to build it on the island.Man-made island
Since there was no natural island, we had to create an artificial one. At the same time, Sheikh Mohammed did not care about the price of the issue at all – he agreed to any expenses.
At first, they created a stone embankment, the height of which did not exceed the level of sea water. To give the embankment a beautiful shape and reduce the force of waves, it was overlaid with concrete blocks of a specially designed porous structure. The blocks function like a sponge: during the impact of a wave, water passes through large pores, and in smaller pores, a powerful flow is dispersed into small jets – the wave pours back “exhausted”, losing 92% of the impact force.
In 1995, the first stage of the project was completed – at a distance of 280 m from the shore, the builders built a safe, beautifully shaped island that rises only 7 m out of the water. It became the first artificial island in the world, adapted exclusively for heavy high-rise structures.
Architectural features of Burj Al Arab
Any skyscraper needs a solid foundation. Invisible, but very strong foundation for the foundation of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai became 250 piles of reinforced concrete 40 m high-they were driven into an artificial embankment to a depth of 20 m. The total length of this fortification was more than 10 km. To resist the intense pressure of water pushing the foundation to the surface, a liquid mixture of cement mortar and glue was pumped into the mound using giant syringes.
Fearing that the concrete walls would not hold up the entire structure of the high-rise structure, Tom Wright’s team came up with a very original solution: a steel frame was made that encircled the skyscraper and became the outer skeleton of the building. It is noteworthy that this frame of the strongest cables has a very aesthetic appearance and is considered a distinctive element of the tower.
The huge sail of the legendary hotel is made of fiberglass, which has a Teflon surface – it serves as a reliable protection from dirt. This unusual structure is the world’s largest wall made of fabric. During the day, it emits extremely bright whiteness, and in the dark it is used as a screen for projecting a grandiose light show.
Interior design
The interior was designed by the famous designer Kuan Chu. She did a great job, everyone can see this just by looking at the photo of the Parus Hotel in Dubai.
To emphasize the spirit of wealth and luxury, the most expensive materials were used for the interior decoration of the hotel. The highest quality gold foil alone required 1,590 m2, while Italian and Brazilian marbles were imported to cover three football fields – 24,000 m2. In addition, valuable wood, precious and semiprecious stones, leather of the finest workmanship, velvet fabrics, silver threads were used.
Inside the building there are elegant spiral staircases made of gilded cast iron, marble columns stand, the floor is decorated with mosaics in the Oriental style.
Burj Al Arab Hotel rooms and prices
Despite the impressive size of the skyscraper, it has only 28 floors and 202 rooms. The smallest has an area of 169 m2, the largest-780 m2. All rooms at Burj Al Arab are two-level suites with a royal stop, offering an impeccable level of comfort.
Prices here are very high: they range from $1,200 to $28,000 per room per night. But despite such impressive prices for rooms at the Parus Hotel in Dubai, there are always guests here. Among the vacationers are mostly oligarchs from all over the world, presidents and prime ministers. Sheikh Mohammed also has a favorite residence here.
The hotel has no standard rooms, only suites ranging in size from 169 to 780 m2. An amazing breakfast is included in the price of each one.
- Deluxe Marina — the price includes use of the hotel’s common areas, entrance to beach clubs, guided tour of the building, free access to the water park. This is the cheapest room in the Parus hotel and costs from $1200 to $1600 per night, depending on the season.
- Deluxe Palm Suite-differs from the previous one in its interior, all additional services are the same.
- The two-level Sky Marina Suite, located on the upper floors with panoramic sea views, includes access to many of the hotel’s amenities and additional services, including professional clothing packing/unpacking and shoe cleaning.
- Panoramic Suite. Even more spacious room with an area of 225 m2. The view opens to Dubai and the Persian Gulf, there is access to all the infrastructure of the hotel, most of the entertainment is free.
- Club One Bedroom Suite. The 330 m2 split-level room has panoramic windows with views of the city and the bay and is designed for entertaining guests. Club One also has a customised bar, and a world-class butler can help you solve problems at any time of the day.
- Burj Three Bedroom Family Suite. In addition to standard Burj Al Arab services, this room includes a world-class butler service. There is a separate entrance for staff, a kitchen and a private dining room for 6 people.
- Diplomatic Suite with 3 bedrooms. The huge room of 670 m2 is designed for a maximum of 8 people (up to 5 adults). There is a terrace with access to the pool, 3 spacious bathrooms with a Jacuzzi, and, of course, many small amenities that make life as comfortable as possible.
Burj Al Arab Hotel Service
In the legendary Burj Al Arab, not only the rooms and prices are amazing, but also the unsurpassed level of service and service. For vacationers are provided:
- transfer by helicopter or Rolls-Royce;
- top-level restaurants and bars (9 in total);
- terrace with 3 outdoor and 2 indoor swimming pools, with private beach;
- Wild Wadi Waterpark;
- Talise Spa;
- Talise Fitness Center;
- Sinbad Children’s Center.
In addition, one of the key features of the Parus Hotel is personal service. The hotel has a staff of more than 1,600 people. Each room is serviced by 8 people, and a team of butlers monitors the fulfillment of customers ‘ wishes around the clock. The pinnacle of hospitality is the Marhaba ceremony: Guests who have just set foot in the Burj Al Arab are welcomed by the hotel staff with chilled refreshing towels, dates and coffee.
Transfer service
The island with the” Sail “is connected to the” mainland ” by an elegant bridge – this is where guests who prefer to travel by car can get to the hotel. The hotel has a large-scale fleet of Rolls-Royces that transport guests on the airport-hotel route, as well as sightseeing trips around Dubai. The price of a transfer between Burj Al Arab and the airport varies according to the season, and starts from 900 dirhams one way.
Burj Al Arab is one of the few hotels in the world that has its own helipad, equipped on the 28th floor. The airport is 25 km away, and a helicopter transfer from there takes only 15 minutes. This service will cost 10,000 dirhams for one passenger + 1,500 dirhams for additional passengers (the largest number is 4 people). The hotel also offers aerial tours over the city of Dubai and over artificial islands.
By the way, when no helicopters land on the circular helipad, it is used as a lawn tennis court.
Restaurants
Each restaurant in Parus can be considered special, both in terms of the interior and the range of dishes. But some places are absolutely unique.
- On the 1st level of the skyscraper, there is an Al Mahara restaurant, which is served by a submarine elevator. The institution has a large aquarium filled with sea water in the amount of 990,000 liters (35,000 m3). The reservoir is home to 700 fish of exotic species, which visitors can watch while eating. The menu includes seafood dishes, prices per visitor start from $160.
- Sahn Eddar is also located on the same floor, where you can enjoy not only cuisine, but also” live ” classical music. It serves international cuisine, has an excellent collection of drinks, and organizes tea ceremonies
- Sal-restaurant with access to the pool and beach. Specializing in Spanish and Portuguese cuisine, the menu offers many delicious desserts, oysters and seafood snacks, pizza and pasta. Delicious cocktails are also served here.
- Al Muntaha restaurant is the embodiment of the dream of a vacation in the clouds. Al Muntaha is located on the 27th floor (height 200 m), visitors are taken to it by a panoramic elevator. Both from the elevator and from the windows of this restaurant of the Burj Al Arab Hotel, you can take unique photos: the panoramic views of Dubai and the Persian Gulf with artificial islands are amazing. European dishes are served here, and prices start at $150 per visitor.
- Bab Al Yam is a restaurant that combines the traditions of Arabic cuisine and European taste. The restaurant has been awarded for its signature dishes. Bab Al Yam is open from 7 am to 11 am for Parus Hotel guests only.
- Al Iwan-Arabic cuisine restaurant. Not only the dishes here are oriental, but also the interior — red, gold and black colors predominate in the design. Al Iwan has a good wine list. Regarding prices: the average bill per person is about $125.
Important: Restaurants strictly enforce the dress code. For women, this is an elegant dress or suit, for men-trousers, shoes, shirt and jacket (this part of the wardrobe can be taken at the entrance to the establishment). For breakfast, you can come dressed in casual style.
Water park
Wild Wadi Entertainment complex is recognized as one of the most interesting and impressive water amusement parks in the world. It offers 30 slides and attractions for children and adults, river rafting, and wave pools.
There is an outdoor water park that can be reached on foot or by free buggy.
Guests of the Parus Hotel in Dubai do not have to worry about the prices of water activities: they have the right to freely enter Wild Wadi for the entire duration of their stay.
Spa center
Especially for the guests of Burj Al Arab, Talise Spa has developed a menu with treatments that use rare natural ingredients.
Fitness center
Talise Fitness is a prestigious club that practices an individual approach to each client. For the guests of “Parusa” there are excellent opportunities for fitness classes.
Talise Fitness is open every day from 6: 00 to 22: 00. You can find out the schedule of group classes on the website www.jumeirah.com/ru/ in the “Wellness services” section.
Kids ‘ Club
Sinbad Club is designed for visitors aged from 3 to 12 years. All day the children are looked after by professional tutors. The services of the club’s employees are provided only to those who live in the Parus Hotel, and absolutely free of charge.
You won’t be bored at the Sinbad Children’s Club! The territory with an area of over 1,000 m2 is equipped with swimming pools and spacious playgrounds for active games, rooms for educational and creative activities. For children, there are books, computers, board games, and a large plasma TV with children’s TV channels.
For younger children, there is also a comfortable bedroom with comfortable cots. If necessary, a babysitter can be provided for younger children.
The Sinbad Children’s Club is open from 8: 00 to 19: 00. Burj Al Arab guests can leave their children in the care of Sinbad’s professional staff and enjoy a relaxing holiday.
Interesting facts about Burj Al Arab
- Famous athletes such as golfer Tiger Woods (born in 2004), tennis players Andre Agassi and Roger Federer (born in 2005) and boxer Anthony Joshua (born in 2017) held their training sessions and friendlies on the Parus Hotel helipad.
- In 2008, Burj Al Arab broke the Guinness world record for the cost of a cocktail — 27,321 dirhams UAE.
- At the time of its opening, Dubai’s Burj Al Arab was the tallest hotel in the world. Today it occupies the 18th position among all buildings in Dubai.
- Sahn Eddar Restaurant at Parus Hotel offers coffee with gold (24k gold dust). The cost of a cup of drink is about $30 in local currency. Coffee is served with dessert.
- Over 24,000 square meters of Statuario marble are used throughout the hotel. The Burj Al Arab in Dubai has over 30 different types of Statuario marble for walls and floors. This is the same marble that Italian artist Michelangelo used to create many of his most famous sculptures, including the statue of David.
- In the lobby of the Burj Al Arab hangs a smaller copy of the hotel, made of crystal “Swarovski”. Its height is 32.1 cm, and its weight is 10 kg.
- The main” symbol ” of the aquarium in the underwater restaurant Al Mahara is a zebra shark with blue eyes named Zabidi.
