To kick off our trip to Dubai and Florence, we spent one night at the iconic 202-room Burj Al Arab, which belongs to Emirati state-owned hotel group Jumeirah.
Continue reading: Review: Burj Al Arab Dubai (What An Experience!)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Great write up!
Not sure I’ll ever stay there, but it’s fun to read about it! Thanks!
$1400/nt for that (with the Virtuoso breakfast/spa) is not at all a bad deal if you think about it, considering what other hotels there cost.
Good write up and pics to be sure..but after a crappy, crowded checkin process, the weird date-in-the-hand service, the outmoded room, the ghastly decor, influencers all around taking photos all the time, and the pricing...it's disappointing to read that it basically got a pass from you on everything because, I guess, reasons. Just another example of oil states not creating, not innovating, just waving their proverbial blinged-out d***ks around.
"I’m not sure whether the rooms are just really outdated, the designer had awful taste, or both. But if you ask me, that’s also part of the charm of this property."
These photos were incredible. And of course underscore why 90% of the guests are mainland Chinese and Russian — they love gaudy, over-the-top stuff like this, and even moreso when spending ill-gotten gains.
They're basic, not bad but not top shelf. Even basic cocktails aren't possible but only like 'vodka orange juice'
Which is fine, it's free, but these are a level below the proper alcoholic drinks at the other hotel venues.
The good thing about a hotel with all Chinese tourists, they don't use the pool so you can get good pics.
You realize once the population count is high enough, you'll see a lot of gaudiness from any nationality right?
America has an entire CITY of gaudiness, built in the middle of a desert, called Las Vegas.
Great write up. Your reviews really are the best. That's much more than I normally spend even for a splurge hotel. I never thought I'd break the bank for this one, but after reading your review, I'd at least consider it . . . before likely coming to my senses.
If I liked eating fish, I'd be a little reluctant to do so while surrounded by a fish tank but whatever.
well, it does depends on the season though. I am currently staying at Park Hyatt Dubai for $140/nt..
I really want to try burj, but 10 times? ummm
I think we paid abt $800 some years ago with the Rolls Royce to the airport
Last trip to Dubai in 2019 we saw MANY Chinese tourists doing that at AL Maha
Dubai food prices in general are just exorbitant, its not the Maldives
Incredible! I was lucky to visit there 23 years ago, just after it had opened. It seems that nothing has changed. Not even the phones. I guess have cheap taste since my favourite restaurant was the Arabic buffet, which seems now to be the favourite non-staying tourist hotspot.
The "gaudy city in the middle of the desert" experience, like Las Vegas, but with a slight Middle-Eastern influence.
While the Americans have Vegas and the Chinese have Macau, I guess the Russians don't have many other options.
“This is a much better value than booking through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts”. Obviously this is your opinion and you have a financial interest in your husband’s business, but for me the $100 credit from Amex and the guaranteed 4:00pm checkout represent a better value than a 50 minute massage
"the Burj Al Arab has endless dining options"
There has to be a better way of saying "quite a lot" than "endless".
As for the hotel itself...it seems like a nice time warp if you're into the whole tacky late 1990s excess vibe.
Ugh, sure looks like it was designed to appeal to rich Chinese and Russians. To me, that hotel (especially filled with rich Chinese and Russians) is just one more reason why I have no desire to visit any of the Gulf states. That buffet does get a thumbs up, though.
Great review Ben. One (bit of an odd) question. Do you have to pay a deposit (as is the case in most hotels) for accidentals at the Burj? As someone considering staying there for a night, I'm just wondering for how much they put a hold on your card. Thanks
if you look at the prices Dubai hotels are probably among cheapest for the quality they offer, like JW Marriott at $60...
This hotel was built in the 90s. So, yes, the decor is 30 years old. And it hasn't been updated. Middle Eastern interior decorating also tends to be gawdy. (I speak from experience, here.)
While I also love to travel and explore new places, I also have a budget, and therefore, when I rate places, I consider the cost. So based on all of the things that have been mentioned in the review, while I might give it 5 stars for a rate of 140 USD per night, I can not fathom paying 1400 USD and then having to wait more than 20 minutes to check in. For the rates they charge and in a place where labour is so cheap, there is no excuse for them not to have more employees. I can count on one hand the times that I have had to wait more than 5 minutes to check in to a hotel. And to specifically say that it is not a personalised experience? And I don't really understand the appeal of big outdated rooms. I mean, do you really use all of that space? Especially for a one night stay... If this were New York City I might understand the pricing a bit more, but you can stay in 5 star hotels in Dubai for about 50 EUR depending on the dates. A month in those hotels would come to about the same price as one night in this room. It is incredibly difficult to imagine, especially based on what you have said, that it represents any level of value for money...
Hard to imagine that someone who considers this a great deal 5 out of 5 stars at 1400 USD per night would have noticed something as trivial as a deposit.
"Ill-gotten gains". You mean like virtually all of the US and Canada, which were basically stolen from the native peoples? Both of those countries are based on ill-gotten gains. Pot, meet kettle.
I stayed in a 2 bedroom suite in 2007. The rooms are gaudy but they were designed for Arabs. Not Western people. Did you pay for this? Or was it complimentary? Obviously you don't appreciate it. Stick to your "western style hotels MORON.
Went to the afternoon tea there back in 2019- a great experience and much less expensive way to experience the property!
Why so negative? He gave a glowing review of nearly every part of the hotel and loved the rooms. Cheer up!
Who peed in your coffee?
"we paid a rate of $1,400 for the night, which we booked through Virtuoso."
He said he paid for it. If you're gonna call someone a moron, please at least learn to read.
You visited Florence, one of the greatest historical cities over 2000 years old and then this gaudy, tasteless carbuncle.
Proof that money doesn’t buy class. Am sure the Kardashian’s would be at home here.
Could you please share where you found 5 star hotels for 50 euros? (No offence intended, I am genuinely interested and I cannot find any rooms that cheap).
This seems like another in a long line of reviews where the star rating bears seemingly no relation to the content of the article.
Pretty cool. A perfectly preserved and maintained time capsule of the idea of ultimate luxury from 20 years ago!
The review and the images are contradictory to the five stars awarded to the property. Dubai is one of the few places not on my travel list due to the city's vulgarity and tackiness, albeit based on hearsay from friends and associates. I think the Burj sums up well everything that is wrong with Dubai.
If this hotel was based in Paris or Venice, the same commentators on this thread would be praising it for its “timeless old-world charm”.
To an untrained eye, the Palace of Versailles can also be “gawdy”.
Its amazing how triggered people can get when the word “Dubai” flashes on their screens.
It may not be on your visit lists, but the millions of people that visited last year will disagree. Face it, the world is now multi-polar. The West have had their excesses in the past, and they have no moral right to lecture the East when the same natural progression of capitalism occurs.
Thank you for the review, Ben. I was wondering if you ever considered making a booking under Ford's name and reviewing property anonymously? I am sure hotel googled you prior to arrival and rolled out VVIP service. I travel regularly and stay at luxury properties. Not once I had a front desk manager stop by and ask me how my stay was
Stayed at the Burj once (someone else was paying) and have had several meals and drinks meetings as well over the years. Over the top doesn’t even begin to describe it (and not in a good way), it’s the most gaudy and pretentious place I’ve ever been to. It’s not even a great Dubai experience if you have to have that, and I say that having lived there. It’s what you get if you have unlimited money and a burning desire to show off, so it pretty much fits in Dubai.
You mentioned the Chinese taking pictures and that is exactly what I am experiencing in Europe right now. It is so annoying!! They dress like they are going to the prom and take a million selfies a day just for the sake of social media. You see them on the streets and they basically don’t enjoy anything since in front of their eyes is a cell phone that they trigger the photo button non stop making all sorts of faces and gestures. They also take pictures of the most stupid things they see no matter what. They just take pictures of absolutely everything. What a stupid way of live life.
If this hotel was based in Paris or Venice, the decor wouldn't be like this, it would be classy.
There are lots of nice opulent places in the East that are classy. This place isn't one of them.
Did you really order a 40$ pizza in Dubai just a few hours before flying to Firenze? LOL
Maybe you should visit, as it seems you have decided that it's vulgar (really not) and tacky without seeing it ever. I visited numerous times, and was sceptical at the begging but it is actually a different, but cool and fun place.
Also, Abu Dhabi is worth a visit
Some elements of this place are—while not understated—certainly beautiful and awe-inspiring. Many more elements look like they were purchased from a Cheesecake Factory liquidation sale.
Bad design choices are bad design choices, whether it's Paris, Dubai, or Des Moines.
Given how good and personalized the service was, I find it interesting that you got so many "his and hers" amenities. Any idea what happened there? Surely they knew the reservation was for two men, but did they just assume you guys would fight over who got to bring the pour femme stuff home to your wife? lol
@Robert Smith - you bring up a very good point and something that all readers of this blog need to take into consideration and a point I've made before. All of Lucky's reviews (which are excellent) are somewhat biased in the sense that he's getting treatment that the rest of us don't normally get. Like you, I've travelled extensively - meaning flying in F or Biz and have stayed at fabulous properties around the world - many of the same ones reviewed on this blog. I NEVER get the same treatment or experience that Lucky seems to get and I am overly polite and friendly almost to a fault. Do I get bad service - no, not necessarily but I don't get the attentive detailed service that Lucky seems to get on either the airplane or at the hotel. Without a doubt the airlines and the hotels know who he is and what he's doing. I mean, have you ever noticed how he always manages to get empty cabin shots of aircraft? I'm sure he's clearing it somehow with the airline beforehand in most cases and thus, they know who he is. The hotels know who he is as well.
I in no way mean for this to be a criticism of Lucky's reviews. As I stated earlier, all his reviews are excellent and a lot can be learned from his reviews. My point is simply to warn the readers of this blog to not unrealistically expect the same treatment and perks that Lucky gets on either the airlines or hotels - unless you write a travel blog and have a wide-reaching audience.
Thanks for the review. Yes, the prices are definitely above the UAE average, and I would probably just have to force myself to ignore them, but I agree that this would be worth it, as the experience appears top-notch. If I had to chose between Burj Al Arab and the Bulgari hotel, which is at a similar price point, I would absolutely chose this over the Bulgari.
Regards the interior design: I find it unique in a positive way. If I want a cookie cutter Park Hyatt, I'll go there. What I would be interested in is how comfortable the couches and the seating in general are. In most places I found hotel room seating oddly designed to be uncomfortable.
@Lucky - Were you comp'd your meals? This is one of the few times you have not included prices of what you paid.
Great post as always.
It’s a free country. They can do what they like. Annoying? Of course, the western way of life is the ONLY way right? Lol or are you upset why “uncivilized” people have so much money to travel and shop?
What would you say about those YouTubers who record themselves for the duration of the entire flights? Many of them even talk loudly to the camera while the other passengers are sleeping.
Good point, but I'm not sure booking under Ford would help as he's a travel advisor and also likely to get "upgraded" service.
+1 I don't like strangers touching me, so I'd take the $100 credit every time.
Tacky - many other properties to stay at in Dubai with more class and sophistication.
@DLPTATL - you're probably right. The upgraded service would be the same - maybe more.
The gaudy schlock is absolutely sensory overload. Ugh.
I have zero interest in ever visiting this unsustainable broiling-hot wasteland. Why would anyone want to go there?
These are two different things. People talk throughout the whole flight all the time, it's not a quiet car. It's perfectly reasonable to talk at a camera rather than your seatmate.
But as with any public setting, it's not appropriate to speak more loudly than the prevailing norm (even if people around you aren't sleeping).
It's obviously easy to Google Ben and I have no doubt that some (maybe many?) properties and flight crew do, but I'm pretty sure he gets those pics because he goes to great lengths to wake up early and/or board early, as the case may be.
This has nothing to do with "untrained eyes" or "moral rights" lol it's just an observable reality that the decor is repugnant
Ben...Virtuoso includes room upgrade subject to availability...did you check if this was applicable at this property? If so, what's the upgrade one can expect? I guess they will respond to giving the same room type but on a higher floor as the other hotel groups schemingly do nowadays...
incredible review as always Ben, and what a beautiful and stunning hotel the iconic Burj is. I cant wait to one day experience it for myself!!
"Every single employee we interacted with genuinely seemed like they wanted to make sure that each guest had a great stay. "
You mean they have to appear to be so or they risk losing their jobs, right?
You might want to rethink the statement "there are some potential downsides to this property — the guest profile is a bit different than your typical luxury hotel...", previously citing a lack of the "proper" type of luxury hotels (coded for wealthy white guests). I do not think that you're a racist but the implicit biases in your statements are glaring.
I had the good fortune to stay there too and really liked it. The breakfast buffet was super. Liked the beach club with the close view of the hotel, great for pics. The two floor suite was so large with so many areas to sit snd relax. When i was there the desk near the entrance had a laptop for my use. The bathroom and the jacuzzi tub were huge. Loved the floor “warden” who always escorted me to my room and opened it. There was also the complimentary tote bag in the room. The common areas are such a dazzling display of colors. Your review was right on. I’ve tried other properties in dubai, but none rival the burj al arab.
Ben. I’ve been an avid reader for a lot of years and must have read just about every hotel review you have done. This one is simply brilliant and please keep the iconic hotels of the world coming back up as they are a pleasure to read
You just said the same about american content creator including people who do reviews on this website. They take obnoxiously a lot of pictures just like the chinese uploading it to social media. No different whatsoever.
Last time I checked, Russians were white…
Stop seeing racism everywhere, what he was saying is that the guests are obnoxious, Chinese and Russians are the worst tourists
Right… cuz Americans and Brits are famous around the world for their manners as tourists…