When I think of Dubai, the first words that come to mind are bling, over the top(ness), and excess. And there’s nowhere that’s more evident than at the Burj Al Arab, the world’s self proclaimed seven star hotel.
Burj Al Arab exterior
While I considered staying at the Burj Al Arab during this trip, I ultimately decided against it, since I didn’t think I’d actually enjoy staying there. The hotel actually doesn’t let you visit unless you’re staying there or have a reservation at one of their restaurants.
So one of the best ways of checking out the hotel without dropping $2,000+ for a night is by doing afternoon tea there. Now, I’ve done afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab twice before:
- The first time I did afternoon tea at Sahn Eddar, the hotel’s lobby lounge
- The second time I did afternoon tea at the Skyview Bar, the lounge at the top of the hotel
The afternoon tea experience at the Skyview Bar is infinitely better, so I’d highly recommend it. Personally I think if you’ve done afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab once that’s plenty, since it’s a pretty consistently over-the-top experience. That being said, I wanted my dad to experience it as well, so I thought it was worth returning to.
I made a reservation about six months in advance by emailing them at [email protected]. Now, it’s not necessary to book that far in advance, but in general you’ll want to make a reservation at least a few weeks in advance, or if you’re traveling over peak dates, at least a couple of months in advance.
The Skyview Bar has four afternoon tea seatings a day for afternoon tea, at 1PM, 1:30PM, 4PM, and 4:30PM. We made a reservation for the 1PM seating.
We arrived at the hotel at around 12:30PM. Upon pulling up we had to give the guard our confirmation number in order to be let on “the island.”
Burj Al Arab entrance
The lobby of the Burj Al Arab is just obnoxiously over the top. In a cute way. As I said above, I had considered staying at the Burj Al Arab, though I can’t imagine staying there is actually fun, due to the hoards of tourists photographing every aspect of the lobby (and I’m one of them, so don’t get me wrong, I’m pointing a finger at myself here). 😉
Burj Al Arab lobby
We arrived at the same time as a large tour group, which made for some good people watching.
Burj Al Arab lobby
Based on the number of people snapping pictures, you would think Kim Kardashian was walking through the lobby.
Burj Al Arab lobby
Admittedly the lobby is really impressive.
Burj Al Arab lobby fountain
Like, mesmerizingly so.
Burj Al Arab atrium
Burj Al Arab atrium
Burj Al Arab atrium
Burj Al Arab lobby
Burj Al Arab lobby
Burj Al Arab lobby fountain
If you’re not actually a hotel guest you can only visit the lobby, and frankly that’s worth maybe planning about 10 minutes for, as there’s not that much to see.
The real reason to arrive early is because of how they prioritize seating, as I’ll explain below.
Anyway, the reception for the Skyview Bar is at the back of the lobby past the guest room elevators, and we got there at around 12:40PM, and were the first to arrive. The lady informed us we couldn’t go upstairs until 1PM so she suggested we tour the lobby more, but I said we’d be happy waiting. That’s because I wanted to make sure we were among the first few parties up.
Sure enough, at 12:55PM she let us in the elevator.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar reception
The views of the Gulf from the elevator are pretty awesome, and the elevator sure is high speed.
The Skyview Bar itself can best be described as bling meeting shabby chic. Much like EVA Air’s Lounge in Taipei, it wouldn’t be out of place on The Love Boat.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar
Anyway, as I said above, you want to be among the first few people to arrive for afternoon tea. That’s because you want one of the five or so tables by the right-most window, which overlooks both the Gulf and the coast. And seating is assigned on a first come first serve basis.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar
We got what I consider to be the best table in the house, which is the one in the corner, giving you amazing views of the Gulf and of the coastline. The views are infinitely better than if you’re just looking out over the Gulf, which isn’t all that exciting of a view.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea table
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar view
Our server, Erna, quickly introduced herself. She was the same server I had last time, and I remembered her being awesome, so was happy we got her again.
Afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab costs 560AED (~150USD) per person, and is served in seven courses. With that you receive unlimited coffee, tea, scones, finger sandwiches, pastries, etc.
The menu read as follows:
As usual, service began with a glass of Louis Roederer champagne. For a cost of 260AED (~70USD) you can upgrade to a glass of Dom Perignon 2004, which definitely isn’t worth it, in my opinion. What’s funny is that the cost of an additional glass of Dom Perignon is the same as the upgrade cost from Louis Roederer to Dom Perignon. So if you really do want a glass of Dom, have a glass of the Roederer first. It’s basically “free.” 😉
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar Louis Roederer champagne
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar champagne
The champagne was served with a selection of dates.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar dates
Next we were offered berry tarts, which were as delicious as they were beautiful.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea berry tart
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea berry tart
Then we were offered the chef’s carvery of the day, which was some sort of beef with mashed potato puree.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea chef’s carvery of the day
After the glass of champagne I ordered a caramel iced coffee to start, per Erna’s suggestion. The iced coffees are described as “chilled fantasies” on the menu, which is the understatement of the year. It was the most delicious iced beverage I’ve ever had.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea caramel iced coffee
After that, finger sandwiches were served on a carrier which was shaped like the Burj Al Arab. Erna was downright disappointed when she found out we didn’t want any more sandwiches beyond what we were served.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea finger sandwiches
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea finger sandwiches
After that we were served scones, mini cakes, pastries, creme brulee, etc.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea homemade scones & pastries
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea homemade scones & pastries
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea homemade scones & pastries
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea homemade scones & pastries
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea homemade scones & pastries
Again, we were offered refills of scones and cakes, but we couldn’t even finish the ones we had, let alone stomach the thought of eating more. With that course I ordered a cafe latte, which was again delicious and beautifully presented.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea cafe latte
The last course was a lychee and rose sorbet, which was light and refreshing.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea lychee & rose sorbet
Lastly we were offered a box of chocolates to go.
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea chocolates to go
Once we were stuffed the bill came. All-in-all we were there for about 90 minutes, and were among the first to leave (most people seem to stay for at least 2.5 hours or so).
Hey, I have to justify this afternoon tea post somehow. 😉
Burj Al Arab Skyview Bar afternoon tea bill
Burj Al Arab afternoon tea bottom line
Afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab was over the top, blingy, and oh-so-Dubai. While it’s not cheap, it’s absolutely worth doing at least once if you can swing it. Obviously it’s crazy expensive, but I actually don’t think it’s a bad value when you think of how much you get for it, especially given that this is Dubai, and given that this is the world’s only (self proclaimed) seven star hotel.
If you’ve had afternoon tea at the Burj Al Arab, what was your experience?
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