Last November, I had the privilege to visit Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. For the benefit of those who don’t already know, is a shoppers’ paradise! The business center of Dubai has many fascinating high rise buildings, of diverse shapes and architectural design. I found it to be absolutely fascinating and one of the cleanest places I’ve ever visited. Here though, I am only concerned with one of its many luxury hotels. Indeed, its most luxurious.
The Burj al Arab, situated on the outskirts of the city is to be found on Jumeirah Beach, where it sits on its own, man-made private island. It is the world’s tallest hotel and I have to say, the most exotic. To my knowledge it is also the only structure which also has a fabric cover.
Suites in the hotel cost $15,000 a night. It contains 202 suites.
The name Burj al Arab means Tower of the Arabs and it is 321 metres, or 1,060 feet high.
I have, as you will see, included pictures, though I can honestly say that seeing the hotel in reality is far more impressive, particularly at night. The hotel is illuminated in many different colors which change. You could stand in front and be fascinated simply by the color change alone. It is very impressive indeed.
Here is a link for anyone who wishes to know more of the technical and structural details.
http://www.skyscrapers.com/re/en/wm/bu/107803/Not only does the billowing, sail-shaped building have its own submarine ride to an underwater restaurant complete with shark-infested aquarium, it is reputed to have the world’s fastest lifts, travelling at an eye-popping seven metres per second. I can tell you though, that you hardly notice a thing when you’re climbing.
It is a truly amazing place there is reputed to be 9,000 square metres of gold leaf, marble, granite and crystal used within the interior design. I can only speculate that such is true, as I did not take measurements. The hotel also has 40 butlers. In short pure, sheer, unadulterated luxury.
The suites all contain laptop computers, faxes and 42-inch television screens. There are other features which include fire-spouting volcanoes, leopard-skin furniture and the world’s largest atrium. But, if you were thinking of dropping in to witness the Burj al Arab’s opulence at first hand, there is a charge for this also, as the hotel is served by its own private bridge – simply to cross the bridge will set you back around $55. The management see this as part of the privacy afforded to guests, who let’s face it, have paid for the privilege.
The hotel is taller than the Eiffel Tower and is a mere 65 metres shorter than the Empire State Building. It tops the world’s tallest hotel which used to be the Baiyoke Sky in Thailand by some 13 metres. However, it still remains some way short of being the world’s tallest building. That distinction still belongs to the twin Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which soar to 494 metres.
In 2004, however, this will be beaten by the Taipei 101, which is, as the name suggests, in Taipei, Taiwan and I believe it stands at 1,676 feet high, 101 stories. It is, of course, anybody’s guess as to how long this will be the world’s tallest building! The possible rival to this may be the World Financial Center which is expected to be completed in 2007 in Shanghai
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the written word remains.
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