Every skyline has its defining landmark, and despite not being the tallest building in Dubai, the Burj Al Arab is undoubtedly one of the city’s most recognisable structures.
It sits on its own manmade island and has been in continuous operation since its original opening back in 1999, but it’s just been announced that the hotel has closed and will not reopen until late 2027.
In late February, the building was hit by an intercepted drone, which damaged the façade and caused a minor fire, but the huge refurbishment was planned way before this.
Recommended: Are airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi open? Here’s the latest on the Middle East airspace closure.
So, what’s actually going to change at the Burj Al Arab? Thankfully, it’s keeping its iconic aquarium, but all 198 suites as well as the hotel spa are in for a major upgrade, according to The Sun.
Tristan Auer, a French interior architect who also worked on the redesigned interiors of the Royal Scotsman Belmond Train, is leading the project, and a statement on the hotel’s site says the aim is to ‘refresh and upgrade the hotel’s iconic decor while preserving its distinctive character’.
Right now, guests are treated to 24/7 butler service, as well as access to a vast, 10,000 square metre terrace and an adults-only infinity pool. Oh, and there’s also a Michelin-starred restaurant, Al Muntaha, on site.
All that doesn’t come cheap, with current rates starting at around £1,000 per night. Stay tuned for more updates on when the hotel will reopen, and what it might look like.
What makes the Burj Al Arab a ‘seven-star’ hotel?
While you’ve heard of three, four, and five-star hotels, a rating based on the quality of service and amenities on offer to guests, the Burj Al Arab has long been considered the world’s only ‘seven-star’ hotel.
Is this a legitimate rating? Well, not really. The term was reportedly coined back in 1999 when a British journalist who visited the hotel pre-opening described the luxury experience as ‘above and beyond anything she had ever seen’.
If you can’t wait for the hotel to reopen, there are plenty more stylish, sexy and ridiculously luxurious new hotels to check out this year.
Did you see that a brand-new luxury train journey through Italy is launching next month?
Plus: The affordable Lake Como ‘dupe’ named the prettiest place in Europe.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
