Anyone who has never understood why a smartphone should be waterproof up to a depth of one and a half meters will finally have their aha moment on the infinity pool terrace of the Burj al Arab. Every day, young women stand in water up to their belly buttons, grinning and photographing themselves for hours in front of the backdrop of the spectacular hotel icon. And many a self-absorbed bikini beauty sometimes finds her cell phone slipping out of her hand…
The density of luxury hotels in Dubai is world class. German tour operators list up to 129 five-star hotels in their offers. Anyone who wants to experience the oft-quoted dream of 1001 Nights in the largest city in the United Arab Emirates cannot miss the Burj Al Arab.
With its architecture modeled on an Arabian sail, the 321 meter high building is not only one of Dubai's landmarks. It is also a symbol of the rise of a fishing village on the edge of the desert to become a metropolis of superlatives and at the same time one of the most glittering tourist destinations. The project, which was completed at the end of the 1990s, is said to have cost Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum $1.5 billion.
But even after more than 20 years, the “Tower of the Arabs,” as Burj al Arab translates, continues to set standards in the luxury hotel industry. There are no “normal” rooms, only two-story suites between 169 and 780 square meters.
Warm colors and gold tones
A kind of Hollywood staircase always leads to the upper floor with a dressing room and bedroom with a sea view, a huge bathroom with a whirlpool and generous Hermès products. Warm colors and gold tones determine the cozy interior. 8,000 square meters of gold leaf were processed in the hotel.
Among the hotel restaurants, the star restaurant Al Muntaha on the 27th floor stands out. Also at a height of 200 meters, the French star mixologist Thibault Mequignon impresses with amazing cocktail creations in the “Gilt” bar.
Guests in the lagoon city of Madinat Jumeirah enjoy a kilometer-long dream beach with a view of the Burj al Arab. In the complex of different hotels criss-crossed by canals, the Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf with its Arabian villas most closely resembles a world from 1001 Nights. Lots of greenery and lots of water – this is how people have always imagined paradise in the desert. Of the restaurants, the “French Riviera” with top Mediterranean cuisine is recommended.
The Bulgari Resort on the “seahorse island” Jumeira Bay Island relies on contemporary styling with restrained colors. The main house with 101 rooms and suites and the 20 villas spread across the complex are connected to the mainland via a bridge. A private beach invites you to sunbathe undisturbed.
Hotel's own marina
And if the sea comes up with elevated bathtub temperatures again, the cooled pool in the garden will refresh you. If you happen to have your yacht with you, you can park it in the hotel's own marina. A fleet of black Maserati limousines is available for a trip within Dubai. Even gourmets don't have to starve at the Bulgari, as the luxury resort has two restaurants with Michelin stars. The Italian Niko Romito even has two stars, the Japanese Hoseki at least one star.
The relatively new Rove la Mer Beach, located directly on the beach, is a more affordable accommodation option for the whole family. Casual atmosphere in a mix of lifestyle and beach hotel, surrounded by the well-kept La Mer district with good restaurants. It is only a short taxi ride of seven kilometers to the center of downtown, such as the Dubai Mall.
Anyone who has always wanted to record their own record can do so for free at 25hours One Central. That's just one of the many gimmicks for guests at this stylish 434-room hotel in the financial district. The decor is inspired by Bedouin culture, so urban nomads can feel like Indiana Jones on a city vacation.
The “Fountain of Tales” library in the extremely lively lobby contains 5,000 books, and the “Monkey Pool Bar” on the 6th floor has the Dubai skyline as a backdrop. Homesickness for Germany can be quickly cured in the “Ernst” beer garden.
Participation in the trip was supported by Dubai Tourism. Here are our standards of transparency and journalistic independence
