Burj Al Arab
برج العرب
The sail-shaped, seven-star hotel stands 321 metres tall on an artificial island. Non-guests can visit through afternoon tea, its restaurants or an official tour. It is the byword for Dubai luxury.
Burj Al Arab opened in 1999. It stands 321 metres tall on an artificial island 280 metres offshore and is styled after the sail of an Arab dhow. Its exterior of Teflon-coated fibreglass fabric changes colour under lights at night. For a long time it was known as the 'world's only seven-star hotel,' though it is officially rated five-star. Access is restricted to guests and people with reservations, so non-guests cannot simply walk in. There are, however, three ways to experience it: book afternoon tea at the Skyview Bar or in the Sahn Eddar lobby (about AED 500–700 per person, reserved one to two weeks in advance); book a meal at the Al Mahara underwater restaurant or another dining venue; or join the official 'Inside Burj Al Arab' tour launched in 2021 (about AED 250–400, 90 minutes, covering the lobby, a replica royal suite area and an observation deck). For classic exterior photos, try the north side at Jumeirah Public Beach (free, swimming allowed), the south side at the Madinat Jumeirah canal village (an Arab-style shopping street with restaurants, where you can ride a wooden abra boat, with excellent night views), and in front of Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Take the Red Line to Mall of the Emirates station, then a taxi for about 10 minutes, or take a taxi from Downtown for about 25 minutes (about AED 50). Note that the dress code in the hotel is smart casual, so no shorts or flip-flops. The beach sand gets extremely hot at midday in summer. Wild Wadi water park is right next to the hotel and suits families.
Opening hours
Exterior open all day; afternoon tea and tours by reservation
Nearby sights
- Madinat Jumeirah & Souk Madinat
- Ski Dubai
- Kite Beach, Dubai
- Alserkal Avenue
- The View at The Palm
- Palm Jumeirah / Atlantis The Palm
- Dubai Marina & JBR
- Bluewaters Island