by Andre Sanchez

The Burj al-Arab claims to be the only seven star hotel in the world. Is this a justified claim, or is it a case of each hotel now claiming one more star than the next? There are mixed opinions, but for those for whom money is meaningless, the claim seems to be justified.

Sitting on an artificial island off the Jumeirah beach on the Dubai coast, the Burj El Arab, translated as Tower of the Arabs, is certainly an awe inspiring site. It is shaped like the billowing sail of an Arab dhow and if design and situation were the major factors, this hotel would certainly justify its multi-star claims. Its architecture is unique, both externally and internally, and there is nothing normal about the facilities provided within the stunning exterior.

The service begins when you land at the airport. No airport shuttle buses or taxicabs for you! You can catch the helicopter straight to the hotel’s helipad, or opt for the Rolls Royce, taking the scenic route through Dubai to give a flavor of the city before you begin to wallow in luxury. And luxury it is. Once you get to the hotel you realize why it is that the seven star accolade was claimed. You must be pre-booked or it costs you $50 just to walk through the door, but once you are in the facilities are breathtaking.

In-suite check in: because all rooms here are suites; the cheaper ones have from one to three bedrooms. Not only do you check in within your suit, but you have a reception desk on every floor. Each suite has its own butler, which could end up very expensive in tips, and you have the choice of several restaurants from the very bottom, accessed by means of a submarine, to the very top, which is frequented by the stars that use this hotel whenever they are in this part of the world. The basement restaurant has an aquarium full of sharks taking up one wall, while the others are all based on a specific theme.

If you are a devout Muslim you can have your own private mosque, and the facilities that include umpteen swimming pools, hydrotherapy, and every type of fitness and treatment room that you can think of, have single sex periods to meet the requirements of all religions.

The highest building ever built to be used only as a hotel, the Burj al-Arab was constructed in a shorter time than the three years it took to reclaim the land on which it is built, and is connected to the mainland by a private bridge, a gracious curved construction over 200 meters long. The hotel was designed by architect Tom Wright, of British company W.S. Atkins, to signify the transformation of Dubai from a primarily desert town to a modern urban city.

The Burj al-Arab is the epitome of unparalleled luxury, and the top price of around $7,000 reflects that. Everybody should spend at least one night there if they can afford it: perhaps during their fifteen minutes of fame! It may be a bit detached from reality, but anybody who confesses to not being interested in at least one night in even the least expensive (there is no such word as ‘cheapest’ in the Burj al-Arab) suite, is guilty of not wanting Aesop’s sour grapes, which are just as ‘fabulous’ as this hotel!

The value for money is possibly questionable, since there is a top price for even the most luxurious of rooms and service, and over $60 for a buffet lunch is perhaps stretching things. The lack of complimentary coffee and tea in the room is not good, and the rooms are overpriced for anybody who actually notices and is bothered about these things. This is a hotel where prices are an inconvenience rather than something to worry about.

Without a doubt, as they say of a certain city – Rome I think it is - you must stay here once before you die. It has its faults, but apart from these, it is perfect!

Burj al-Arab Hotel: Sheer Arabian Luxury was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com