Bling it on: Afternoon tea in the Skyview Bar at Burj Al Arab

I can't really make out what's so special about it... (To be completely honest & frank). I don't really like afternoon tea service itself, even when included in AMEX FHR or Virtuoso bookings. Not my cup of tea, 😉 so to speak...

I was in Bahrain one year at Christmas and giggled at the abundance of trees and singing figurines at the airport

great pictures and narrative. I look forward to repeating this myself within the next year.

@ janyyc -- Well if you're not a fan of afternoon tea to begin with then it'll be tough to sell you on it (I don't like roller coasters, so no matter how great one is, you won't sell me on it!).

But afternoon tea is the cheapest way to visit the Burj Al Arab, and as far as afternoon tea spreads go it doesn't get more impressive than this.

how do you go about making a reservation for afternoon tea?

The Skyview Bar's decor reminding you of a 90's cruise ship is right. Good God. The Encounter restaurant at LAX is more tastefully decorated.

To expands on Al's question when making the reservations do you get to chose whether you get the lobby bar or the Skyview bar? If so, can you see the availability online or is it more of a guessing game?

@ Al -- You can either call (971 4 3017600) or email them. I emailed them at [email protected] with my exact request.

I have nearly identical pictures of everything except the food! It even looks like you sat in the same spot as me!

@ Papa Smurf -- You can specify which venue you'd like. Often one has availability and the other doesn't. So when I emailed them I was clear to say that I had complete time flexibility, but wanted the Skyview Bar.

Reading your report is enough. I now have no need to spend $122 for this unforgettable experience. Thanks!

150 AED per extra glass of Louis Roderer Brut? Ouch.... that's about 40 USD... what I would pay for a bottle at my local liquor store....

FDW

Is there a time limit?

@ HansGolden -- For sitting there, or what? They have two seats, so I guess that's the main constraint.

There is actually a much cheaper and, IMO, a much better option if you want to visit the Burj Al Arab: Majlis Al Bahar restaurant. It is on the beach. You can visit the hotel and they will take you there when you are ready on a golf cart. My wife and I had dinner there this year and the total was around $150 for both of us. Food was OK, but not spectacular.

@FlyingDoctorWu, yeh I was surprised to see that it was that much. Honestly, I think the $122 isn't too terrible especially since you get what looks to be a pretty full meal, but that champagne per glass is gouging.

Lucky, thanks for the great report! My next big trip will be Dubai and I definitely look forward to afternoon tea @ the Burj. I thought tea at the Crillon in Paris was nice, but the Skyview Bar is a whole other level. Also thanks for the tip about getting there early to get the best seat. Hope I can make it there next year.

Good report. For the doubters, you're paying for a very unique experience. It's meant to be fun. And it's worth it.

What's the dress code for afternoon tea? I suspect you can't roll in there wearing shorts and a visor.

Lucky now that you are living in Seattle. You need to go have High Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC.

Quick tip for others. If you look at the picture 'Our amazing view for afternoon tea' you will see a round building at the end of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel's pier. This is a very good bar / club, no entry charge, and well worth a vist.

I hope you toured Madinat Jumeirah as well whilst at the Burj. I have had drinks in that bar and, frankly, it is all very scary if you have taste!

We just stayed at Dar al Masyaf (the on-land villas in this same complex). What a wonderful stay. Several other families in our little compound were repeat guests and now stay in the villa over the Burj.

2 questions, how much would it cost to stay a night and second, can you visit the view bar if you dont intend to have afternoon tea but have reservation for other dinning venue. the point is to go up there to check out the view. by the way, why didnt you visit the tallest building in DB ?

@ Raffles -- Thanks for the tip!

@ choi -- In the off season rates seem to start at around $1,300USD per night.

I don't believe you can visit the bar unless you have a reservation there.

I also went to the Burj Khalifa. 🙂

@ Randall -- Dress code is smart casual. They describe it as follows:

Gentlemen are required to wear a collared shirt, full-length trousers or elegant jeans and closed shoes (no trainers or sport shoes). Ladies are required to wear a suit or dress, long or short skirt or dressy slack and top. UAE national dress is welcomed. For gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, flip-flops; open and running, gym, tennis, basketball shoes, etc are not allowed.

Were the hotel's sewage issues at all apparent?

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/29/worlds_tallest_and_smelliest_building/

Just to clarify, while the Skybar is on the 27th floor, all of the floors with guest suites (as there are no guest rooms at the Burj) are actually two floors in one. So the acutal height of the 27th floor is much closer to the 54th floor in an ordinary building. It is a spectacular view.

Just to remind everyone: dubai sucks. Take your money to paris or london where it will be better spent in every possible way.

Ben- The Skybar seemed empty when you took the pictures. Did it fill up? Also, how much of the food did you actually eat (as opposed to just taking pictures of it).

@ John -- I took the pictures as we arrived, and we were among the first there. That's why it's so empty. It was full by the time we left.

Between the two of us we managed to finish most of it, though didn't go for seconds.

@ Mike--I'm curious about your criticism. Does it stem from the country's denying rights to and persecution of women, gays, and guest workers, its awful environmental record, or other issues? I've never been to anywhere in the UAE and am both intrigued by a potential visit and appalled by the notion of contributing my scant financial resources to such a political entity.

Great review. Except for the obscene upcharge on that second glass, High Tea in Arabia should be experienced once. Of one is a big fan, perhaps twice. Yes, U$D 122 is a bit dear for a 'late lunch,' but...
The glitz, bling and display produced my major Arab hotels is beyond my understanding. It seems to 'Western Imitation,' by designers who don't quite get it. For the best in foreign comfort, a 4/5 star house in England or Bavaria is a far better experience. Christmas trees and similar décor in the public spaces of a prime UAE hotel just don't work for me. If there is any local/cultural influence, I missed it. If not imitation English/Western, the themes are too bland to catch an interest. Three unproductive trips (properly arranged and scheduled) were a waste. It seems that they are trying to copy something Western, but don't understand what they are trying to copy. Traditional Arab service, food, rooms, etc., would have been a lot more interesting. UAE: Never again. The UK and the whole of Europe (including as much of Eastern Europe as possible): As often as I can get there! Nice series of posts.

I absolutely want to do this!

It looks great we are going there in May...how long is a sitting for High Tea.

@ Jan -- Takes about 60-90 minutes in my experience.

Going to do this tomorrow. 1pm res

Thank you for the tips, I look forward to visiting Dubai, it is fabulous place with beautiful hotels unlike our dire hotels in London! sad but true.
I have emailed to book high tea at Skyview bar,for the experience...I have also booked high tea at the Atmosphere Burj Khalifa as we will be staying by Mall Dubai at the palace, we will also visit the address for dinner to watch the fabulous fountainDubai is just marvelous luxury, we could never afford here in europe nor the US.
Thank you Dubai.
NB: by the way foreign workers flock there by their own volition for money, I never seen anyway being dragged to the UAE to work, it is a priviledge, our children who are unemployed here are only too pleased to find employment and go to work there and earn good money too...what is wrong with that? I guess the same apply to all other nationalities.

Great review. @Lucky I just email Skyview Bar, and they told me if you come with 2 people, then 2 sets of afternoon tea should be ordered. How did you managed to get 1 afternoon tea + extra champagne for 2 people? Any tricks:)

@ David -- What I ordered was afternoon tea for two. Enjoy the experience! 🙂

@Lucky thanks for your quick response^-^

Hello
Thanks for detailed review. I heard one must be 21 yrs or older to visit Skyview bar.
I have 19 yrs old son. Do they really enforce age restriction ?
Thanks

Hi
What is best way to reach to Skyview Bar. We are not driving while visiting Dubai.
Thanks

@ Chet -- Just take a taxi. They're easy to use and inexpensive in Dubai.

And I doubt being under 21 will be an issue unless you're obvious about it.

Thanks very much.

Hi,
Thanks for his post is amazing and very explicit, I like it, but I want to know
how many time before visit the bar, do I have to do m reservation? And I have to pay 150 dollars per person in the entry, or is when I finished?

I would like to visit Sky View Bar for High Tea. What is the current cost per person? Any advance booking deals for 5 persons?

I have been trying to book a tea there for my trip next week. Having a bit of trouble with the up-front payment. They sent me a link to pre-pay, and I used the same capital one card I've used on 4 continents but it was unsuccessful despite me responding to the CC's text that the charge was kosher. Hopefully I can get this worked out as now that I've seen your pictures I can't wait! I love anything over the top

I have booked for afternoon tea late October 2018, you now pay extra if you want a seat by the window. After looking at all the photos I am very excited.