Burj Al Arab – Arabian luxury, a sandstorm, and fairytale flavors
During my stay in the UAE, right before our planned visit to the 7-star Burj Al Arab hotel, we were caught in a sandstorm.
For a moment, all of Dubai is covered in a fine veil... Nothing can be seen, like in a fog, except it's not from moisture, but from thousands of yellow grains of sand.
Ordinary sandstorms can last for several days, but we are lucky. The storm hits the city in the evening, when we have already returned to our hotel after a busy schedule, rages all night, and continues until around 4 PM in the morning.
When our lavish lunch ends, it is already sunny and clear, but everything is covered in sand. The city is cleaned very quickly and shines once again.
At the appointed hour, a car arrives and picks us up directly from the lobby. On the way, almost nothing is visible.
We are arriving in „Burj Al Arab“ and we don't manage to look at it much from the outside, but we have the opportunity at least a few times afterwards to see and photograph it.
All employees working outdoors are wearing masks and have their heads wrapped.
Yes, it is indeed one of the symbols of Dubai and one of the most photographed buildings in the UAE.
It looks like a ship's sail, both inside and out. You will see for yourself.
And you have probably already been to the UAE. A popular destination. Especially since there are convenient direct flights from Sofia to Dubai.
Arabian splendor from the tales of Scheherazade
Everything is steeped in the Arabian splendor of Scheherazade's tales.
And here comes one of those facts that’s hard to imagine: about 1,790 square meters of the interior are covered in 24-karat gold.
24 carats!
Whoa…
Crystal mirrors. Two rows of escalators, and next to them—unique aquariums that stretch diagonally across the floors and showcase the marine world. And many fountains.
At the top of the hotel, at a height of 212 meters, there is a helipad.
In 2005, it became an unusual tennis court for a friendly match between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi.
In 2004, golfer Tiger Woods hit several shots from the same tee and sent his balls into the Persian Gulf.
It is hard to imagine a more Dubai scene.
Curious facts about Burj Al Arab
It is 321 meters high and rises on an artificial island about 280 meters offshore.
The building is known for its characteristic membrane facade, which resembles a huge ship's sail and has become one of Dubai's most recognizable silhouettes.
Construction began in 1994, and the hotel welcomed its first guests on December 1, 1999.
It is often called „Dubai's 7-star hotel.“ However, this is a popular journalistic definition rather than an official hotel category.
The unique building is built on an artificial island connected to the shore by a narrow bridge that passes over the water's surface.
The restaurants Al Muntaha и Skyview Bar are located high above the Persian Gulf and reveal an impressive view of Dubai.
And Al Mahara is the famous restaurant with a huge aquarium and marine theme, which creates the feeling that dinner is happening underwater.
It is reached by an elevator that creates the impression of traveling in a submarine.
Our tasting is on the first floor, with what should be a wonderful view of the bay itself, but unfortunately, a sandstorm is raging outside.
That has its own charm.
Through the huge panes, the blueness flickers from time to time like a mirage – with the sensation that we are upon the water...
Hotel like a ship sail
It is interesting to note that, when viewed from the sea, the hotel’s silhouette—the main vertical structure and the intersecting elements of the restaurant and bar high above—creates an intriguing geometric composition.
There are no standard hotel rooms in the Burj Al Arab. Accommodation is in suites only, with the smallest ones having an area of about 170 square meters.
But let me continue with the interior, which is incredible.
They say the lobby is the first impression of a hotel and it must be unique.
Yes, there are tons of flowers. Excellently arranged.
The elevator doors are decorated with Arabic ornaments resembling stylized flowers. In the restrooms, there are live orchids and flawlessly white, soft, cotton towels.
It is probably unnecessary to write that there are perfumes.
On the inside, there are balconies like inflated small sails. Or like white waves. Or like lowered folds of a ship's sail.
Incredible structure and view.
The project architect and engineer is the British consulting company Atkins, and its construction is entrusted to the South African company Murray & Roberts.
It takes three hours to build the artificial island and less than three years to construct the building itself.
The unique buildings in the UAE are being constructed with timelines that are unconventional for the world.
All famous world brands of designer jewelry are present in the lobby. The sales staff are helpful, and every visitor can browse and try on the jewelry.
Many stones, much gold...
Just like they love it in the Orient.
And now: to the table
At the restaurant, the team of Thais welcomed us – both the chefs and the waiters.
They are said to be among the best culinary experts. Everyone is in impeccable dark red uniforms. Everything is in this tone. The soft carpet into which feet sink. Everything is matched with gold.
The tables are red with shiny white napkins and plates. There are arranged beautiful fresh flowers. Nothing artificial.
Formal wear is mandatory. It is completely forbidden to enter the lobby in casual attire.
Lunch is buffet style. The dishes we are tasting are not exclusively, but primarily Arabic.
The kingdom of salads and Arabic cuisine
At least 20 types of salads are arranged in separate sections.
Vegetables are tempting and wonderful, and how they are arranged!
Next comes an entire section of seafood – various types of salads and platters arranged with them.
Fish dishes.
And a huge section of Arab cuisine: couscous, rice – at least 10 types, kebabs in warm dishes or simmering, pilaf – at least several types…
And the desserts… they are the best
Starting from known and unknown fruits, up to at least 30 types of desserts – familiar and unfamiliar.
Kadaif, Arabic pancakes, incredible baklavas, creams of which I only know crème caramel, kataif, several types of cookies generously filled with various types of nuts, syrupy and dry sweets.
Have you eaten Codrit Qadir?
Simply put – crème caramel on a syruped cocoa sponge cake.
And Halawet El Jibn – these are sweet cheese rolls.
There were also European desserts with a lot of chocolate, but I didn't look at them...
And the dates…
Oh, they are a whole kingdom. But for them – another story… I wouldn't have guessed that so many piles of date varieties could exist.
Coffee, spices and more flavors
Arabic coffee is history. It is prepared with cardamom and aromatic spices and has a completely different character from the coffee we know in Europe. But I will write about it separately as well.
Their spice market is unique...
A person can get lost there.
Personally, I feel sick from such strong and sharp smells… Whole sacks of spices. But that is also a subject for a separate topic.
It was worth it
It was worth visiting the hotel and trying the incredible cuisine.
Well, a person isn't able to try everything, nor should they.
Let's save some for another time.
And if after all these culinary masterpieces you don't feel like having a dessert or a delicious pilaf, then I haven't succeeded.
And if I have succeeded: roll up your sleeves and get cooking…
See more Author Maria Radeva here
