The Burj Al Arab
The purpose of this paper is to provide critical analysis of the World’s only “7-Star” hotel in Dubai called Burj Al-Arab. The Burj Al Arab, the main attractive hotel in Dubai, is the most famous hotel in the world. It is also known as the Tower of Arabs Its iconic structure is designed to represent Dubai’s urban revolution and to imitate the sail of a boat. This splendid and luxurious hotel which is leading the skyline soars above Dubai approximately over 320 meters (1). A visitor can get pleasure from unquestionable five-star luxury to the highly trained brigade of butlers that are on call 24-hrs a day through the chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce that takes guests to the private reception. This remarkable hotel’s all suites, consisting each with two floors, are broad and spacious to say the least from the ceiling to floor glass windows providing striking views of the Arabian Gulf. Dining system of the Burj Al Arab is an evenly unforgettable experience, with a variety of eight special restaurants, although the signature dining room with its huge aquarium offering both the attraction, and an expedient location to accumulate the seafood items on the menu.
The Burj Al Arab pride itself on the largest lobby of any hotel on the Globe. Its lobby is over the third interior space which is inside to the hotel with a height of 180 meters (1). Today it is the largest building in Dubai while before Burj Al Arab the Dubai World Trade center was the highest building in Dubai. The entrance of Burj Al Arab provides accommodation for its 38 stories.
The architectural structure of Burj Al Arab is turned out to be one of the vital structures of present world. The cost incurred to erect this notorious hotel is over $650 million (4). This legitimately tallest and largest hotel of the world has been created on artificial formed island which is approximately 280 meters from the mainland of Jumeirah beach. Its unique structure attracts praises and condemnation from the world’s architectural critics.
The builders herd 130 feet (230 40) long piles of concrete into the sand so that the foundation of hotel can be secured (3). In designing and building the hotel, architectures bent a surface layer with large stones in order to protect foundation from erosion. To make it safer, this surface layer of stones was covered with such a concrete prototype which was like a honeycomb. Although the building was erected in less than three year but the foundation reclaim the land from sea took approximately more than three years. Burj Al Arab’s magnificent building contains steel of over 9,000 tonnes and concrete of 2,500,000 cubic feet (70,000 m3) (3).
Because of its structure, design and services, Burj Al Arab promotes and claims itself as the only “7-Star” hotel in the world. This status is also considered by the by travel professionals to be exaggeration. However, there is only a “5-Star” rating system for all the major hotels and guides, but few of these “5-Star” hotels claims themselves as “6-Star” by out performing. Although according to the official website of Burj Al Arab hotel, it is “5-Star luxurious Hotel”. But its claim, as the World 2nd and “7-Star” hotel, is on the bases of its tallest structure with façade covering which surpass the height of 1,000 feet (305 meters) (2).
The rooms of Burj Al Arab are suitable for a king, which are lavishly built. Different suites in the hotel contain different cost which ranges from $1,000 to $28,000 per night. The most expensive suite is Royal Suite which cost $28,000 per night (2). The combination of east and west cultures can be seen into the detailed designs of suites. Spiral stairway wrap in marble with self created iron gold leaf railing and white Tuscan columns represent culture from art nouveau and classicism. Bathrooms similar to spa-like are highlight by mosaic tile outline on the walls and floors, with geometries influenced from Arabian, which are also come across to another place in the building.
If we analyze restaurants in Burj Al Arab hotel, we’ll find one of the best restaurants named as “Al Muntaha” which means highest or ultimate. “Al Muntaha” is situated 660 feet (200 meters) above the Persian Gulf providing a complete view of Dubai. It is hold up by a cantilever which extends 89 feet (27 feet) from any side of Burj Al Arab pole (3). The architectures make its accessibility through panoramic elevator. The quality meal is provided by the Chef named Edah Semaj Leachim who also owns the restaurant in agreement with Burj Al Arab hotel. Edah Semaj Leachim holds the award of Chef of the year in 2006.
Al Mahara is another restaurant which is located in the bottom of Burj Al Arab. Al Mahara means “The Oyster”. The restaurant accessibility is through imitating submarine voyage. The main feature of this restaurant is its large seawater aquarium which approximately holds 35,000 cubic feet (990,000 liters) of water. The aquarium tank is made with 7.1 inch thick glass of acrylic which controls the pressure of water (2).
The top of surface of Burj Al Arab hotel contains a large helipad which is also supported by cantilever. Now a days this helipad becomes a significant place of advertisement by the world stars. In recent times Ronan Keating, a singer; take a shot of his video for new album. While the World sports stars Roger Federer, Andre Agassi and Tiger Woods played tennis and gulf matches on helipad.
Despite of containing world’s unique features, Burj Al Arab faces the criticism from a lot of architectures. One of them argue that Burj Al Arab is “magnificent, hideous, and the very high point of tawdriness”. While other criticize that hotel is hard to resist them in that sense and consider it as success of money over realism. However the disagreement here appears to be related to the extreme richness of Burj Al Arab. This unusual investment in situation of construction technology extends the restrictions of the determined urban imagination practically that is mostly because of power of extreme richness. Another opponent embrace the city of Dubai also both the city and the hotel, nevertheless, are headstone to the conquest of wealth over practicality. Both promote style over matter.
In conclusion, the Burj Al Arab has turned out one of the rarest of ornaments that can be seen in the world. It is one of the most opulent hotels in the world, which has received the name of first “7-Star” hotel; and so far the tallest and largest hotel in the world. It is certainly a must see magnetism.
Notes
Thomas, Gavin. (2010). Frommer's Dubai and Abu Dhabi Day by Day. UAE: Frommers Publishers, pp. 1-19.
Christensen, Shane. (2009). Frommer's Dubai, 1st Edition. UAE: Frommers Publishers, pp. 50-70, 110-115.
Yasser Elsheshtawy. (2009). Dubai: An emerging urbanity? Planning, History and Environment. USA: Routledge Publisher, pp. 71-85.
Elizabeth Faier, Rebecca L. Torstrick. (2009). Culture and Customs of the Arab Gulf States: Culture and Customs of the Middle East, 1st Edition. USA: Greenwood Press, pp, 132-135.
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