World's tallest all-suite hotel: The
seven star Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel in Dubai is arguably one of the
most luxurious in the world
Gold iPads
in every room, 17 types of pillow and an army of butlers trained by
watching Downton Abbey — there’s nothing ordinary about the
self-proclaimed seven-star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.
Critics
say its gilded interior and over-the-top splendour is ostentatious and
tacky. But try telling that to the heads of states and host of
super-rich celebrities including Roger Federer, Claudia Schiffer and
Ronan Keating — and the more than 11,000 Britons a year — who flock
there.
A new documentary is set to mark its 15th anniversary. Jill Foster takes a look behind the scenes . . .
YOUR OWN BUTLER
The
1,500 hand-picked staff include 200 chefs and a 70-strong arrivals
team: men and women chosen for their good looks, who are the first faces
to greet you at the hotel.
Anyone
applying for a job as a concierge must undergo a luxury test. Questions
include ‘What is cashmere?’ and ‘Name a luxury brand of handbag’.
Each
of the 202 luxuriously appointed suites has its own butler, trained to
the most exacting standards, including watching Downton Abbey for tips.
There are
seven experts — led by British marine biologist Warren Baverstock —
whose full-time job is to care for the hotel’s three aquariums, which
are home to more than 50 types of fish.
No demand is too taxing. One guest turned up with a dead alligator and asked the staff to cook it for him — they did.
Another
asked for some special touches in his suite as he was planning to
propose to his girlfriend. So, 5,000 rose petals imported from Colombia
and Kenya were strewn over the bedroom.
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One of the most interesting guests is
this American serviceman, stationed in Afghanistan, who selects the
hotel for an extravagant proposal
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Lavish: The Royal Suites command uninterrupted views over the Persian Gulf. The hotel's Royal Suite bathroom is pictured above
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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
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Some of the staff's biggest
accomplishments? Putting together several high-profile parties,
including one for the Dubai Film Festival
MEET THE PEOPLE INSIDE THE WORLD'S MOST LAVISH HOTEL
While
the Burj al Arab's amenities are unparalleled, it's the individuals
found inside the hotel who really make the property what it is.
From
Oscar, the Australian-born concierge to James, the food and beverage
manager who hails from Birmingham, there is no task too great for the
stellar staff.
Throughout
the hour-long special, Oscar is tasked with finding qualified new hires
- including doormen measuring up to the hotel's 1.85m height
requirement - and James must ensure that the opulent Dubai Film Festival
after-party goes off without a hitch.
No small feat considering that royalty will be in attendance.
Assistant
concierge, Ekaterina, is tasked with helping an American firefighter
stationed in Afghanistan propose to his long-time girlfriend from the
hotel's helipad.
While
it's true that many of the guests who check into the hotel are
shockingly wealthy, this serviceman has saved up for months to afford
such an extravagant experience, with the helicopter ride from the
airport alone costing him over two weeks wages.
At the other end of the spectrum is 22-year-old Ugandan King Oyo, who is visiting Dubai with his mother.
In
town to tour the city for inspiration on how to modernise his image and
his Kingdom, the hotel brings in two top bespoke tailors to assist him
in crafting is soon-to-be signature look.
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THE £1BILLION BUILD
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
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Fit for a king: The Royal Suite is of particular note, boasting two master bedrooms, a cinema room and private dining for 12
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More is more: Costing almost a billion
pounds to build, it opened in December 1999 and andinstantly became a
landmark in the desert emirate
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The hotel attracts the most discerning
guests, including 22-year-old King Oyo from Uganda, who had several
bespoke suits tailored on site
FIT FOR ROYALTY
Welcoming kings, queens and heads of state are the hotel’s two most expensive suites, costing up to £16,742 per night.
With
more than 8,000sq ft of pure luxury and located on the 25th floor, the
Royal Suites command uninterrupted views over the Persian Gulf.
A
clientele who are used to the best are not disappointed: there are
marble floors, mahogany furniture, a marble and gold staircase, a dining
area for 12, lounge, library and a team of butlers.
The royal suites also have their own private cinema and a rotating four-poster bed.
When
they arrive at the hotel, special guests are given the Marhaba Welcome:
a drink of sparkling rose water, refreshing cold towels, dates,
traditional Bakhoor (woodchips soaked in fragrant oils to perfume the
air) and Arabic coffee.
GOLD IN THE COFFEE
Fancy
a drink or dinner at the Burj? Don’t think you can just turn up: unless
you have a reservation, you’re not allowed past the entrance gates at
the end of the 300m bridge leading to the hotel.
The eight restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines, and bars served nearly 700,000 customers last year.
The
finest ingredients are sourced from all over the world, including fresh
oysters from Ireland, black truffles foraged by specially trained dogs
in the forests of France and balsamic vinegar which has been aged for
more than 100 years.
More
than 28,000 bottles of champagne and 36 tonnes of premium French
Valhrona chocolate were consumed last year, as well as 1,582 tins of
caviar and 108,000 oysters.
The
ubiquitous gold leaf makes another appearance in the dining room — 3.5
km of the stuff is used in the £86 million food and beverage budget. It
is even sprinkled on the morning cappuccinos.
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Exclusuive: The
sail-shaped hotel is a favourite haunt of the rich and famous and has
hosted Wayne Rooney and Lewis Hamilton in the past
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Hefty price: Starting at £813 per
night, excluding taxes, for one of the deluxe suites, it might not come
cheap, but the luxury is second to none
In
the Jusui — Japanese for ‘pure’ — bar, there are 29,000 Swarovski
crystals in the ceilings designed in the shape of the Milky Way. The
leather floor is replaced every year.
The
hotel served 35,000 afternoon teas last year, costing £100 per head.
You won’t need dinner afterwards: included are a glass of Louis Roederer
champagne, the chef’s carvery of the day, finger sandwiches and soft
buns, home-made cakes and mini patisseries. An extra glass of champagne
will set you back £27.
In
the Skyview bar, 650 ft (200m) above sea level, signature cocktails are
the Burj Royale, Dubai Dream and Camel Colada. The minimum spend is £62
per person.
When
you arrive at the Al Mahara — meaning Oyster Shell — restaurant in the
gold-plated lift, you can sit and gaze at the fish in the huge circular
aquarium.
The
hotel’s resident female zebra shark called Zebedee has had four
straight years of ‘virgin births’ — meaning her eggs fertilise
themselves without the presence of a male. It’s a feat never before
documented by this species.
PLATINUM FACIALS
There
are 11 shops in the Burj offering everything from Prada handbags to
rather tacky T-shirts emblazoned with: ‘I (heart symbol) the Burj.’
Don’t
think you can live without the gold iPads in your room once you get
home? You can buy one for £10,000, as well as a gold BlackBerry and
mini-iPad.
Specially
commissioned 15th anniversary gold iPhones were supplied by a Scottish
company. They’re especially popular with Russian and Chinese guests.
If
you need to relax after all that shopping, the Talise is the only spa
in the Middle East offering La Prairie treatments that include gold and
platinum facials.
It
has 16 treatment rooms, saunas, whirlpool spas and steam rooms. As
Dubai is a Muslim country, there is a pool for ladies only.
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.
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Well-equipped: Even the toilet flush is electric so you don’t have to over-exert yourself in any way during your stay
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Stunning: The building has a number of
water features including cascade waterfalls on the ground floor and an
infinity pool, above
MAKE AN ENTRANCE
Ten white Rolls-Royces are available for guests’ transfers to and from Dubai International Airport or around Dubai.
Those who want to make an even more glamorous arrival can book a helicopter transfer.
The
famous circular helipad has hosted a number of stunts including a game
of tennis between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, and a golf challenge
between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
INDOOR WATERFALL
With the outside temperatures topping 40c, it’s no surprise that the hotel has many cooling water features.
As well as the three aquariums, in the main entrance there is a water geyser that holds 20,000 litres of water.
There
are also cascade waterfalls on the ground floor, which circulate 15,500
litres of water, and a fountain on the first floor.
And if you fancy taking a dip, there are four swimming pools (two outdoor, two indoor) and a private beach.
TURTLE HOSPITAL
The world’s only turtle hospital can be found under the hotel.
Working
with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office, Warren Baverstock and his team
have rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 600 sea turtles.
The Billion Pound Hotel, Channel 4, 9pm, Monday, March 9.