Burj Al Arab
Burj al Arab (translated as Arabian Tower) is probably the most famous symbol of the United Arab Emirates, mostly Dubai. It is a luxurious hotel belonging to the Jumeriah corporation complex. It is built on an artificial island about 12 miles south from the city center.
7 stars
Burj Al Arab was built by request of the ruler of the Dubai emirate – sheikh Maktoum. He assigned a clear task to the architects to project a hotel which will have all sorts of bests and which will become a symbol of Dubai.
The hotel was finished in 1999 and it was clear that the ruler’s wish will come true. Burj Al Arab became the world’s highest hotel and thanks to its specific shape (it looks like a giant sail) it became the main symbol of Dubai. It is considered as world’s most luxurious hotel, after all it boasts about seven stars (even though the official hotel ranking allows no more than five). Dubai, that is Burj Al Arab. And vice versa.
The most luxurious hotel
This hotel is 1053 feet high and it is built on an artificial island located about 920 feet from the coast. The foundations of this monumental building had to be sunk up to 140 feet into the seabed. The construction enforced the use of special technologies. One of them is jacketed structure from glass fibers coated by two-ply teflon. By daylight the frontage is white, at night it is lighted up by spotlights. Burj Al Arab has several specific features. On the top floor, there is a restaurant which is like “hung out” towards the sea. But notably there is a heliport which is used by the wealthiest guests.
The real luxury awaits inside. The hotel is richly decorated. Marble, golden or precious stones facing and decorative elements. Giant fountain (computer-controlled) whose flow reaches 32 in high. Besides there are big aquariums with tropical fish and corals, for whose cleaning even divers are necessary. There is no need to mention untypically made elevators and escalators in detail.
202 apartments
The hotel offers in total 202 apartments which are from 1830 to 8400 square feet large. Every apartment offers every possible luxury – several rooms, bar, luxurious bathroom with a whirpool, a study with all possibilities of modern technologies etc. By the way, every floor is operated by its own reception.
There are two restaurants in the hotel. Each in one side of the hotel. One is on the top floor “hung out” towards the water surface. The second is to the contrary on the lowest floor, so it is located under the sea level.