Burj Al Arab – Icon of Dubai

Burj Al Arab aka Tower of the Arabs is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Rising from the Arabian Gulf on an island 280 metres from the shores of the renowned Jumeirah beach and the enchanting city of Dubai, stands the iconic Burj Al Arab, a masterpiece of contemporary architecture and the most opulent hotel in the world.

Designed to resemble the graceful sails of an Arabian dhow, Burj Al Arab soars to a height of 321 meters making it one of the tallest hotel in the world and is less than 20 kilometers south of Dubai city, dominating Dubai's coastline. Burj Al Arab is perfectly located and acts as a landmark at the very heart of Dubai.

Burj Al Arab was designed by architect Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. The architect Tom Wright said "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, London with Big Ben, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower. It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country."

The Burj Al Arab was envisioned by Dubai’s crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as a means of diversifying the country’s economy away from oil into tourism. The Sheikh dreamt of a luxury hotel that would put Dubai on the world map.

The interior design of Burj Al Arab is evocative of a contemporary Arabian fantasy. The magnificent lobby is sumptuously carpeted in a rich combination of vibrant colors and lavish materials. Chairs and sofas, upholstered in flame-reds and yellows, continue the theme.