Dubai is known for its unrivaled status in opulence, grandeur, and style. There is no place like Dubai if you want to be dipped in luxury and they say no better hotel than the iconic Burj Al Arab if you want a taste of what pure indulgence feels like. Burj Al Arab has been known for taking luxury to another level with it's all-suite hotel that is also one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.

I've stayed in this hotel twice and it's time I shared the amazing experience at this landmark hotel with you! The moment you walk-in the hotel, you will be transported to a world of awe-inspiring opulence and grandiosity. A fleet of Rolls Royce Phantoms greet you at the entrance, followed by a warm welcome by the hotel staff serving you finest dates - you will instantly feel like a royalty.

Rooms

The two-storeyed luxury expansive suite with its marble, gold and technicolor decor, warm rich furnishing and jaw-dropping views of the Arabian Gulf is the best part of the hotel. Versace linens and bathroom tiles, full-size jacuzzi in the bathroom, 24-carat gold iPad (too flashy for me), a huge living space with your own seating area, office and dining table for four, two bathrooms, beautiful circular staircase - come as standard. This palatial suite will make you feel like a royalty.

Every floor comes with its own reception and you get a private butler (shared by other suites on the floor) standing at your beck and call round the clock, delivering you anything you need. The hotel boasts a staff-to-suite ratio 8:1 - one of the highest in the world. I must say that by far it is the best room services I have experienced, and I've stayed in some really good hotels around the world - very prompt, friendly and polite.

When we entered the suite and waited for check-in formalities, which they do in the room instead of keeping the guests waiting at the reception, the butler got us some dates and a sweet box. When I told the guy I was a vegan, he was prompt to arrange some fruits and vegan spring rolls as a replacement. 

The breakfast is also served in the room, and they customize everything for you as per your dietary needs -vegan, Jain, gluten-free. 

The upper level of the suite with panoramic views and a spacious master bedroom

The entrance and the suite lower level with living area, office, and dining table

Amenities

While it's hard to drag yourself away from the comfort of your room (equipped with pampering, indulgence and awesome views), the hotel has a lot of amenities and activities that'll make you fall in love with the place. They have two pools - a beautiful indoor pool, perfect for days when the weather is not favorable, and an outdoor infinity pool - both overlooking the Arabian Gulf. They have an amazing spa, sauna and steam rooms, and their treatment rooms overlook the ocean {I didn't take the spa service but the lady informed us about it}.

The hotel also has a helipad, and if you need to skip the traffic, there's a helicopter transfer service that the hotel offers from the airport, which costs a whopping $2,700. Not for us though, we live next door in Marina!

The hotel has it's own private beach, exclusively for its guests, that gives you tons of privacy and comes with great views. You get to enjoy the white sand beach, take awesome pictures of the beautiful sail-shaped Burj-Al-Arab building as the backdrop in peace and quiet. I spent hours on the beach reading a book, after a long time, and loved every minute of it! 

You also get access to their Wild Wadi waterpark (not my thing), choice of hundreds of international newspapers, a host of restaurants and bars at the hotel.

The outdoor pool has amazing views of the ocean and the hotel

From the hotel, you can take a golf cart that takes you to the dock from where you can take a boat ride to Souq at the Madinat Jumeirah. The complete ride comes with amazing views of the Madinat Jumeirah hotel beach and the ocean - perfect for taking some pictures.

How about the food?

As a vegan, I only eat in restaurants that have 100% veggie kitchen. Unfortunately, all the restaurants at Burj serve meat, so I ordered my meal from the Govindas restaurant nearby. But they did have lots to offer otherwise for vegans too. 

Every suite comes with a private butler service, so my partner ordered vegan meals - that included a wholesome South-Indian breakfast, they custom-made Jain and vegan spring-rolls for him and of course there was no dearth of fresh fruits. As a vegan, you will not be disappointed at Buj Al Arab because the hotel definitely know how to accomodate the requests of their guests well. 

Our experience at their coffee shop wasn't the best though. We ordered soy milk lattes which didn't arrive for nearly 30 minutes and we left the cafe. There was no sight of anyone, after taking the order, to whom we could ask about the order status. This was a bit disappointing. While leaving I found one person and shared the experience and they quickly arranged to send the coffee in the room. It was cold by the time it reached there, but they at least tried! 

Why I was a little disappointed?

Nothing has changed in eleven years: This was my second stay at Burj Al Arab in eleven years, and nothing has changed at the hotel (except one). Right from the suite interiors to the linens they use in the room and even the toiletries offered. Hotel guests get complimentary Hermes Eau De Parfum sprays for men and women - 100ml each, in addition to shower gel and body lotion from the same brand. Since Hermes is not cruelty-free or vegan, they were no good for me. 

There was one pleasant change though. The hotel recently opened a new deck extension featuring an infinity pool, open-air restaurants, cabanas and a bar. Plus, great views of the hotel and the ocean. Perfect place for pictures too. Plus, when you are at the poolside, they give you complimentary fresh fruit ice-lollies too - a pure vegan treat!

Day and nighttime views of the new pool deck - only change I witnessed in the hotel in 10 yrs

Old and tainted plates and cutlery: I was disappointed to see that their plates and cutlery supplied in the suite were severely scratched. I would not expect this from a hotel that charges nearly $2,500 a night.

Too much security isn't a good thing: Another problem was the security. The hotel is not open for visitors, only guests or people who have made a prior booking in one of their restaurants can enter the property. So they have a lot of security that wants to ensure only hotel guests have access to guests-only areas inside, which is a good thing. But it kind of becomes a nuisance after a point because whenever you approach a staff they keep on asking for your room number and show the key. In flat 6 minutes, we were asked to verify room and key thrice. At Atlantis, the hotel offers you the room key with a badge that you can wear around your neck, so no one stops you to check all the time.

I think Burj needs to do something similar, otherwise, the whole security experience gets really annoying.

Shopping: The merchandise and display of the stores inside the hotel are not quite up to the standard. Other than a few luxury boutiques inside the hotel, the stores kind of felt tacky. Once you see it you'd know what I mean. I almost felt like I went to some cheap mall.

Not to miss

Make sure you take a dip in their indoor pool, it's beautifully done and the views and amazing. The other thing not to miss is their 27th floor Skyview bar - it's that sticky out bit that you see on top of the Burj building, that people often confuse with their helipad. The garish interiors of the hotel extends to this bar too, which also has some Las Vegas feel to it, but the views and the whole vibe of this place is a must-visit. Book in advance, even if you are a hotel guest. 

Indoor pool and spa entrance

What's nearby?

While there are plenty of things you can do around the hotel, but if you are paying that kind of money you will be better off enjoying the property and its amenities. However, taking the Abra ride (traditional boat) to Madinat Jumeirah beach side and the souq is a good idea.  

What's the take?

The par excellence service designed to spoil you and serve your every need, complete middle eastern extravaganza with decor dipped in gold (literally), stunning views of the city and the Arabian Gulf and an experience of a lifestyle - that's what Burj Al Arab delivers. So next time you want to pamper yourself big time and money isn't the worry, this place is worth it!

This is an unbiased review. It is not a sponsored post and I paid for my stay and meals at the hotel.