Inside the Burj Al Arab: Our Review of Dubai’s Most Iconic 7-Star Hotel Stay
There are hotels, and then there’s the Burj Al Arab. Towering above the Arabian Gulf like a wind-filled sail, it’s a symbol that needs no introduction – and yet, the experience of staying within its walls is one that remains elusive to most. Until you actually live inside it – as we recently did – it’s impossible to truly grasp just how surreal, theatrical, and enveloping this icon really is.
We checked into the Duplex Sky One-Bedroom Suite, and emerged days later, truly in awe. Not just by the unrelenting luxury, but by the way this hotel swallows you whole – a gold-drenched cocoon suspended in time and space.
The Duplex Sky One-Bedroom Suite: A Palace in the Sky
Spanning 170m² over two grand levels, our suite wasn’t just accommodation – it was a statement. From the moment we stepped through the imposing suite door, it was clear this wasn’t luxury as defined by trends. It’s maximalism of the old school kind, executed and maintained with such obsessive precision that it feels like it opened yesterday.
Despite the signature bold palette and somewhat “of its time” styling, not a single surface was worn. Not a chip, not a tile out of place. Housekeeping deserves a standing ovation – cords were neatly wrapped, toiletries precisely aligned atop cloths, and there wasn’t a single stray hair in the entire suite. Immaculate doesn’t quite cover it. Everything truly feels in as-new condition.
The plushness of the furniture? Outrageous. You don’t just sit – you sink, swaddled in lush feather cushions, and surrender to comfort. This is the kind of suite where you’ll struggle to leave, and honestly? That’s the point.
The bedroom is gloriously over-the-top – think gilded ceiling mirror, floor-to-ceiling views of the Marina skyline and Palm Jumeirah, and a TV that silently rises from a custom armoire, all so as not to disturb the spectacle outside your windows. Connectivity is seamless: the TVs (one in the lounge, one in the bedroom) sync effortlessly with your devices and are controlled by a single remote that also manages curtains and the DND sign. High-tech, but effortlessly intuitive.
Bedding is by Drouault – the 90% down, 10% feather pillows and duvet are the softest we have ever encountered and sink like a cloud under the softest touch (BRB, off to search where to buy these for our house…). Should ultra-plush comfort not be your thing, however, never fear – there are around 13 types of pillow to choose from in total – maternity pillows, leg pillows and body pillows just to name a few (and plenty of allergy friendly options). The bed is perhaps not as cloud soft as we like personally, but its medium-firm mattress should please most – and we certainly didn’t sleep poorly, perhaps owing to the simply heavenly duvet.
Three charging boxes are placed throughout the suite – one on each bedside and one at the executive-sized desk downstairs – providing two international sockets, two USB-C ports, and one USB-A each. That’s five-star functionality, done properly.
Minibars are cleverly split: one in the lounge (with alcohol), one in the bedroom (sans booze), and there’s a premium mini bar if 2am Clase Azul cravings strike. There’s also a kettle, a gold coffee machine – obviously – a felted jewellery tray, and even a Dyson hair dryer, customised with real gold. It’s all about the details, darling.
Bathrooms, Robes and Amenities
Upstairs, the main bathroom is a visual and tactile feast: mosaic tiles in glittering detail, double vanities, a jacuzzi tub the size of a plunge pool, and a spacious golden shower with side jets. There’s even a luggage bench (or is it for putting on your shoes? or just chilling?), because at the Burj Al Arab, luxury means not bending down for your suitcase. Feel like a bath? Send a WhatsApp to your butler (yes, they’re reachable any time with just a message) and ask them to run one for you while you’re at dinner for a decadent late night soak.
His (blue) and hers (white) robes are provided, with slippers to match (personally, I prefer the blue men’s set – it’s more signature Burj Al Arab). They pass the luxury robe test with flying colours, and should you take as much of a fancy to them as we did, you can purchase one to live that Burj Al Arab lifestyle at home (around 1200-2000dhs a pop). Fancier suites come with additional silk robes, and these are truly something else (we’ve added the navy to our Christmas wishlist). Larger suites also receive an upgraded beach bag, styled more like a Dior book tote than the more simple white tote that accompanied our one bedroom suite.
Downstairs? A discreet guest WC and a dedicated luggage room – perfect for tucking your suitcases out of sight after your butler has unpacked for you.
While the bathroom amenities were fairly standard – mostly plain white packaging for toothbrushes, etc. (they’re possibly missing a trick here to lean into the gold amenities, a la Wynn Palace and Atlantis the Royal), there’s a twist: a 50ml Hermès fragrance for him (Terre d’Hermès) and for her (Un Jardin Sur Le Nil) awaits, yours to keep. Take the price of those off the room rate and voilà – girl math the whole experience down to practically free…right?
Breakfast, Burj Al Arab Style
Start your day at the buffet and you’re spoiled for choice – there’s an expansive spread on offer that includes a standout à la carte selection (don’t skip the avocado pastry), a chocolate fountain and candy bar for the kids (or the kid in you), detox juices, milkshakes, gluten-free options, international stations with Indian and Asian offerings, and a bounty of cheeses, fruits, and delicate pastries. Dine alfresco if weather permits, and soak in the sea breeze and coastline views for that vacay vibe.
But for true once-in-a-lifetime indulgence, opt for the Royal Breakfast, in-room – we are at the Burj Al Arab, after all. Breakfast is always better in robes and slippers, especially when they are as lush as those at the Burj Al Arab. We did this on our second morning and were floored. The feast sprawled across our room’s dining table, and a second. Think eggs benedict topped with caviar, truffled scrambled eggs, fluffy waffles, pancakes, chia puddings, the most decadent French toast with dulce de leche and cream, fruits, pastries, and more – an edible dreamscape worth getting out of that plush bed for. Top it off with a bottle of Champagne and well, we’re not sure how life gets much better…
Michelin Stars, Aquariums and Sunset Views Galore
Dining at the Burj Al Arab is as much part of the stay as the room itself. Stay in, explore the in-house venues, and delight in the fabulous cuisine that’s on offer – with only a lift ride to your bed after dinner – the ultimate luxury, in our books.
Al Muntaha by Saverio Sbaragli
Perched sky-high on the 27th floor, Al Muntaha offers not just panoramic views – best savoured over a leisurely lunch, in our opinion – but also Michelin-starred brilliance. Quietly holding four toques from Gault & Millau, it may be Dubai’s best-kept culinary secret. The degustation menu is an essential, and the wine pairing is worth the splurge.
Ristorante L’Olivo at Al Mahara
Descend into this surreal aquarium-lined sanctuary, a Dubai outpost of the two-starred L’Olivo in Capri. The atmosphere is hypnotic (and the aquarium’s inhabitants are really, rather entertaining), the food refined. We recommend the tasting menu here too – another captivating sensory journey. Picking a favourite dish is just too tough – the menu is sensational across the board. Don’t even get us started on the wonderfully unique wines!
In-Room Dining Surprises
On arrival, our butler surprised us with a welcome amenity of spaghetti with lime and caviar – a teaser for what was to come later that night for our dinner at L’Olivo. The next evening? A globe of Negroni with quail egg canapés crowned with 24k gold albino caviar. Each night, we returned to a curated tea setup with locally sourced blends and delicate petit fours. These are the touches that make a stay unforgettable.
In lieu of a club lounge, the hotel also offers a complimentary nightly drink service between 5-8pm, where they will bring you a beverage of your choice to your room at a time of your choosing, along with the canapé or gift of the night. We were offered red wine, white wine or gin and tonic, and honestly, we think this is awn area for improvement – an expanded list with premium options would be more appropriate, and perhaps more than one drink per person would feel more luxurious. To accompany our drinks, we received handmade soaps one evening, and on another, king crab canapés (eating the former is not recommended, however). On the second evening, we hadn’t placed an order for drinks – but our butler brought us our choice from the previous night, without us having to even ask. We weren’t particularly a fan of our white wine, a Chilean Sauvignon blanc, so this went mostly undrunk both nights – possibly the only area that slightly dropped below the Burj Al Arab’s very high standards. One thing to applaud, however, is the punctuality – when you order something at the Burj Al Arab, it turns up on time – to the minute. Impressive.
SAL Beach Club
SAL delivers everything you’d expect from a beach club at the Burj Al Arab: an infinity pool, a fabulous mediterranean restaurant, and plenty of plush loungers for lazing under the sun with the finest pillows we’ve seen at a beach club.
But here’s the odd bit: you can’t take your drinks into the pool. A small thing, yes – but in a place this over-the-top, it stands out. For those wanting privacy and the ultimate in comfort, cabanas are available to rent also.
Bars with a View
Skyview Bar
Skyview bar occupies the other half of Al Muntaha, and is our top pick for daytime drinks and sundowners – the signature martinis are divine, and the view over Dubai is amongst the best in the city. Head there an hour before the sun is set to go down for the full cinematic effect.
Gilt
For a nightcap, Gilt delivers. The design is moody, the vibe sophisticated, and the Tanqueray Ten Negroni? Perfection.
Our Verdict
The Burj Al Arab is every bit the seven-star legend it claims to be. Over-the-top? Absolutely. Dated? In the best way possible. But immaculate, immersive, and utterly unforgettable. This isn’t a city hotel. It’s not a sprawling resort. It’s a self-contained fantasy world – and one that we suggest you fully commit to. Eat here. Drink here. Spa here. Live here, even if only for a couple of days. When your butler greets you with ‘Welcome to your home away from home’, they’re not wrong…
Step inside the Burj bubble and the world disappears. You don’t visit the Burj Al Arab – you move in.
From the butlers who seem to know where you are at all times, to the impeccable housekeeping, the service here is beyond five-star – it definitely lives up to the Burj Al Arab’s famous seven-star moniker. It’s deeply intuitive, never overbearing, and consistently surprising in the best way.
It’s rare to feel both completely pampered and totally at ease – but that’s exactly what the team at Burj Al Arab achieves.
It’s not for trend-chasers. It’s for those who appreciate timeless indulgence – the kind of luxury that’s confidently theatrical, exquisitely choreographed, and gloriously excessive.
Stay in the Burj. Stay in the bubble. You won’t want to leave.
10/10 – Bucket List Essential.