Burj al-Arab
Notable attributes
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, since 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 , is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf, offering a view of Dubai. 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 acrylic glass 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 Condé Nast Traveler.
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 engineering consultant for the project was Atkins, the UK's largest multidisciplinary consultancy. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts.´ It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, and less than three years to construct the building itself.
There was a considerable controversy regarding the claim that the structure looks like a huge Christian cross when viewed by anyone sailing into city. Some locals claim that this was an intentional move on the part of the British architects. This issue is more ironic when one considers that the Tower of the Arabs is widely considered to be Dubai´s most important landmark.
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 height.
In March 2004, the hotel received publicity when professional golfer Tiger Woods 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 has no borders or fences on the edges and if a player hit a winner the tennis balls would plunge down to the ground.
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 community of Umm Suqeim 3.
Irish singer Ronan Keating shot his music video Iris at the helipad of the hotel.
Was featured in the Tom Clancy book, Splinter Cell: Checkmate.
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