Contemporary Diaspora News

Friday 6 March 2015

Unashamed vulgarity or splendour of embarrassing proportions: inside The Burj Al Arab, Tower of the Arabs

Luxury: In the bathrooms guests will find a set of 14 his and hers full-size Hermes toiletries. There is also a whirlpool bath and a rain shower

At 1,052ft (321m) and 56 stories high, the Burj Al Arab — meaning the Tower of the Arabs — is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest all-suite hotel. It also has the world’s tallest atrium at 590ft (180m).

Costing almost a billion pounds to build, it opened in December 1999 and, with its distinctive sail design, instantly became a landmark in the desert emirate.

Building took five years: it used 23,444 sq m of marble, 43,446 sq m of glass and 1,965 sq m of 24-carat gold leaf — which covers everything from handrails to chair legs as well as 28,000 light fittings.

14 PHONES IN EVERY SUITE

Don't expect a bargain at the Burj Al Arab. Starting at £813 per night, excluding taxes, for one of the 142 one-bedroom deluxe suites, it might not come cheap, but the luxury is second to none. Every suite has two floors, a minimum of 14 phones and a private butler.

A 24-carat gold iPad is available in each room and as well as 17 types of pillow, you can choose Egyptian sheets and bedding and have your super kingsize bed personalised to suit your posture needs.

There’s also more technology than the Starship Enterprise. Each suite has two TVs — one 42 in and one 28 in widescreen interactive HD TV — a Bose iPod/iPhone docking station and a remote control to operate the curtains, music and lights.

In the bathrooms, guests will find a set of 14 his and hers full-size Hermes toiletries. There is also a whirlpool bath, rain shower and gold-plated fixtures and fittings.

They have thought of everything: even the toilet flush is electric so you don’t have to over-exert yourself in any way during your stay.