Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This city is one of the cities in the world which can boast having the most 5* hotels.

So we decided to stay at the Burj Al Arab, often referred to as the world’s only 7* hotel! After watching a documentary about how this incredible hotel was created and built, we vowed to stay some time. So a few years later for our honeymoon we booked it.

This hotel has 9 world class restaurants and bars, 5 swimming pools inside and out, and obviously a spa.
Between £1000-1500 ($1300-2000) per night this hotel is definitely a luxury stay.
You can arrive by a Rolls Royce or flown in by private helicopter, (At an extra charge) or like us by taxi.
The hotel sits on a little island just off the shore and access is by a private 280m road bridge. If you wish to visit this hotel, you will need a room or restaurant booking.

Checking in to the Burj Al Arab

Greeted by an abundance of staff collecting your baggage and assisting in anyway possible.
The enormous 280m atrium astounded us as soon as we walked through the doors into the foyer.
Fountains dance in front of you and the giant aquariums to the sides contain many types of fish.

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Waiters served delicious dates on gold platters to us as soon as we entered into the foyer. Our room wasn’t quite ready so we were served drinks in the bar (complimentary of course.) We got taken to our floor once it was ready.

Our room/ suite

Each room (or I should say suite, there are no rooms!) has its own check-in/concierge desk on their floor. Your personal butler leads you to your suite and shows you around. “Basic” size room is 170 sq. m deluxe 1 bed, 2 story suite. The lower floor consists of a fully equipped office, dining table and a seating area that can seat about 15 people. Also there is another bathroom and fancy sweeping marble staircase.

Upstairs a gigantic bedroom with huge queen size bed, and amazing views out to sea. A walk in dressing room (of which the butler asked if he could unpack for us!)

The bathroom was marble and gold plated fixtures. A double sink, jacuzzi bath and giant walk in shower. We found full size his & hers Hermes products in the bathroom, including perfume and aftershave. We had to ask if these were complimentary as we weren’t sure, and of course they are!

Settling in

Brightly coloured furniture with gold plated accessories, in every room. Windows on both floors are full length looking out towards the sea and coastline. You could see the city skyline with the Burj Khalifa poking out the top (This was 2009 So the Burj Khalifa wasn’t finished). Also the “world” that was being built at the time. The views were magnificent.

Our butler showed us how to use the i pad which controlled everything, from lights, curtains, TV’s, to even calling him in! The butler is on hand to help with anything, even booking excursions.

A gesture from the hotel to us on our honeymoon was a chocolate cake, fresh fruit and a bottle of wine. The waiter left us to explore the suite by ourselves and settle in.

Staff on the concierge desk on your floor keeps tabs on who you are, your room number and what you have planned for the day. So you feel welcomed each time you come or go.

A gift was left for us after the room had been cleaned each day. We had handmade sweets, face products, dates in beautiful boxes and chocolates. All the boxes I took home as a souvenir.

Dining

Breakfast was included in the room price and even though it was a buffet, it contained anything you can possibly want. The food tasted amazing. Waiters topped up your drinks for you and you felt totally pampered. The staff would even get your food for you if you felt lazy. looking up the price for breakfast and it would set you back £95 $130!!

We ate in one of the restaurants, but I have to be honest it was extremely pricey and even though the food was amazing I don’t think it was worth that much. The 3 course meal with 1 glass of wine for both of us came to about £400 $520.

The beach

The hotel also owns part of the beach. So when you want to visit, you’ll get driven along the bridge in a golf buggy to the private beach. Waiters lead you to your own deckchairs with parasols and towels. Bottles of water are on hand (it gets very hot, 40-45°c)

A full bar is available if needed and once you are ready to leave a golf buggy gets called to take you back across the bridge.

Overall the stay was incredible, the staff were so friendly and made you feel welcome and not out of place (which we were, surrounded by very rich people)
Definitely worth a stay, maybe just the once though!