Burj Al Arab: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Burjalarab1.jpg|250px|thumb|The Burj al-Arab hotel, has quickly become an [[architecture|architectural]] icon of [[Dubai]].]] |
[[Image:Burjalarab1.jpg|250px|thumb|The Burj al-Arab hotel, has quickly become an [[architecture|architectural]] icon of [[Dubai]].]] |
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The '''Burj al-Arab''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]] برج العرب "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury [[hotel]] in [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]] ({{coor dms |25|08|28|N|55|11|08|E|}}). At 321 [[metre]]s (1,053 [[Foot (unit of length)|feet]]), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel [http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/sk/st/tp/ty/ho/] and one of the most distinctive structures |
The '''Burj al-Arab''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]] برج العرب "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury [[hotel]] in [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]] ({{coor dms |25|08|28|N|55|11|08|E|}}). At 321 [[metre]]s (1,053 [[Foot (unit of length)|feet]]), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel [http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/sk/st/tp/ty/ho/] and one of the most distinctive structures in the world. It stands in the sea on an [[artificial island]] 280 metres (919 feet) away from the beach in the [[Persian Gulf]], connected to the [[mainland]] only by a private curving bridge. |
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Construction of the hotel began in [[1994]], and its doors were opened to guests on [[December 1]], [[1999]]. It was built to resemble the sail of a [[dhow]] (a type of Arabian vessel). On top of the hotel; on one side is a large helipad, and extending from the other side of the hotel over the ocean is a restaurant called [[Al Muntaha]] ([[Arabic]] meaning Highest or Ultimate) supported by [[cantilever]]. A remarkable element of its architecture is the outer beachward wall of the atrium, which is made of a woven, [[Teflon]]-coated [[fiberglass]] cloth. |
Construction of the hotel began in [[1994]], and its doors were opened to guests on [[December 1]], [[1999]]. It was built to resemble the sail of a [[dhow]] (a type of Arabian vessel). On top of the hotel; on one side is a large helipad, and extending from the other side of the hotel over the ocean is a restaurant called [[Al Muntaha]] ([[Arabic]] meaning Highest or Ultimate) supported by [[cantilever]]. A remarkable element of its architecture is the outer beachward wall of the atrium, which is made of a woven, [[Teflon]]-coated [[fiberglass]] cloth. |
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Revision as of 21:46, 20 April 2006
The Burj al-Arab (Arabic برج العرب "Tower of the Arabs") is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (25°08′28″N 55°11′08″E / 25.14111°N 55.18556°E). At 321 metres (1,053 feet), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel [1] and one of the most distinctive structures in the world. It stands in the sea on an artificial island 280 metres (919 feet) away from the beach in the Persian Gulf, connected to the mainland only by a private curving bridge.
Construction of the hotel began in 1994, and its doors were opened to guests on December 1, 1999. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow (a type of Arabian vessel). On top of the hotel; on one side is a large helipad, and extending from the other side of the hotel over the ocean is a restaurant called Al Muntaha (Arabic meaning Highest or Ultimate) supported by cantilever. A remarkable element of its architecture is the outer beachward wall of the atrium, which is made of a woven, Teflon-coated fiberglass cloth.
The Burj al-Arab does not have ordinary rooms; rather it is divided into 202 duplex suites. The smallest suite occupies an area of 169 square metres (1,819 square feet), and the largest one covers 780 square metres (8,396 square feet). It is one of the most expensive hotels in the world to stay in. The prices for the least expensive suites are in the range of $1,000 to over $6,000 a night. The most expensive suites can cost over $15,000 a night. The full amount it cost to build the hotel and furnish it, has not been publicly released yet.
The Burj al-Arab features the tallest atrium lobby in the world (180 metres, or 590 feet), and the volume of the atrium can accommodate the Dubai World Trade Center building, which, at 38 stories, was the tallest building in Dubai from the late 1970s to the late 1990s.
Other facts
- The hotel's self-characterization as a "7-star" property is considered by travel professionals to be hyperbole, and an attempt to out-do a number of other hotels which claim "6-star" status. All major travel guides and hotel rating systems, however, have a 5-star maximum. According to the hotel's official site, the Burj al Arab is a "5-star deluxe hotel".
- One of its restaurants, the Al Muntaha (meaning "highest", or "ultimate"), is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai from above. It is accessed by a panoramic elevator.
- Another restaurant, the Al Mahara (Arabic "The Oyster"), which is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage, features a large seawater aquarium, holding roughly 35,000 cubic feet (over one million liters) of water. The tank, made of plexiglass in order to reduce the magnification effect, is about 18 cm (7.5 inches) thick. The restaurant was also voted among the top ten best restaurants of the world by Conde Nast Traveller Magazine
- The building's external lighting scheme can vary from white to multicolored, changing every 30 minutes. Occasionally there is a light show, where colors interchange rapidly. During the period of mourning following the death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in January 2006, the light show and some water features were turned off.
- The Architect and Engineer for the project was Atkins, the UK based multidisciplinary consultancy. The hotel was built by South African construction company Murray & Roberts[2]. It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, and less than three years to construct the building itself.
- It is the world's tallest structure with a membrane façade and the world's tallest hotel (not including buildings with mixed use) and was the first 5-star hotel to surpass 1000 ft (305 m).
- In March 2004, the hotel received publicity when professional golfer Tiger Woods took the time to hit several golf balls from the hotel's helipad into the Persian Gulf.
- In February 2005, professional tennis players Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played an unranked game on the helipad, which was temporarily converted into a grass tennis court, at a height of 211 metres. The helipad had no borders or fences in the edges.
- Contrary to popular belief, the Burj Al Arab is not located in the area of Jumeirah (although it is connected to Jumeirah beach), but is in fact located in the borough of Umm Suqeim.
See also
