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World
Level Perfection
December 2012 |
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7 Stars
& 7 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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| The Seven Star team’s most recent travel agenda
included a review of the “world's most luxurious hotel”, Burj Al Arab
(Tower of the Arabs). We have travelled several times around the world during
the past decade and our team was truly looking forward to reviewing Dubai's
most
iconic
hotel (CLICK HERE to take a closer look). Although no longer the
world’s tallest hotel, Burj Al Arab is still Dubai's most iconic building,
featuring the world’s tallest atrium (180 meters = 590 ft), residing on
its own manmade island and resembling the billowing sail of a dhow. Suitably,
we had booked
1st class suites (CLICK HERE) on Emirates Airlines 777ER and landed close to sunrise in the cosmopolitan metropolis of Dubai. |
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| The Emirate of Dubai is located south east of the
Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and is one of the seven emirates of the
UAE. We sailed through passport control and customs and right into
Jumeirah’s arrival suite, located on the way to the main arrival hall.
Burj Al Arab is part of the Jumeirah Group, which is a member of Dubai Holding.
Here we were welcomed and informed that a host would guide us to the main
entrance where the driver of a Rolls Royce Phantom was already expecting us.
When we approached the stately white Rolls we got a last glimpse of our Rimowa
luggage being stored in the trunk, were seated, offered cold towels, drinks and
a leather-bound music menu. A light jazz medley accompanied us to Jumeirah
Beach where we reached, after thirty minutes, the bridge leading to Burj Al
Arab over the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea. |
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| Burj Al Arab -
Arrival: Thorsten Buehrmann & GM Heinrich Morio |
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| Our arrival at Burj Al Arab was of true Seven Star
style. Four lovely hostesses and a host welcomed us in the tradition of
Jumeirah - with warm smiles, cold towels, Arabian coffee, sweet dates and
chilled rosewater. Much has been written about the decorative style of Burj Al
Arab, some overwhelmingly positive, some otherwise. One thing is for certain;
entering Burj Al Arab for the first time and
looking
up (CLICK HERE) the tallest atrium lobby in the world will definitely take
your breath away. While the exterior of Burj Al Arab appears ultra-modern, its
interior is an anthology of interesting and well-appointed copious styles,
splendidly dressed in 24-carat gold leaf. On the way to the elevator that would
usher us to our accommodations on the 19th floor, we passed fascinating
water
installations (CLICK HERE). It seems incomprehensible that fifty years ago
Dubai had no running fresh water. Burj Al Arab hotel features twenty-one
residential floors, accommodating two hundred and two suites, of which the
smallest is just over 1,800 square ft. and the largest close to 8,400 square
ft. |
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| Upon entering, I stepped into the lower level of my
duplex suite
(CLICK
HERE) which featured a living room with a spacious lounge, a dining area
for four, a bar counter and a guest powder room. A well designed spiral
staircase then lead me to the upper floor featuring
my
bedroom (CLICK HERE) with a king-sized bed, a dressing room, and a lavish
bathroom with a shower and a Jacuzzi tub. The bath facilities were set in
precious, colorful Arabian-influenced mosaic tiles with a display of Hermes
bath amenities. The butler mentioned that one may take the full-size His &
Her set home if so desired. Here in the privacy of my suite with classy-cozy
furnishings and Arabian influenced decorations, I was finally able to relax.
While the butler was unpacking my Rimowa luggage I took a long, hot shower,
slipped into my bathrobe, took my camera and succumbed to the
beautiful
views (CLICK HERE) of the Arabian Gulf. After I got dressed we met for a
tour of this fascinating hotel and lunch at the
Al
Muntaha (CLICK HERE), which means The Ultimate or The Top in
Arabic. |
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| On the way to the elevator we passed the butler on the
nineteenth floor, which inquired kindly after our wellbeing and asked if there
was anything that she could do for us. There is a butler’s desk on every
floor with butler service and another lift to the top floor with a panoramic
view that we, unfortunately, did not get the chance to experience. Entering Al
Muntaha restaurant is an experience in itself, 200 meters or 665 feet above sea
level with
unparalleled
views (CLICK HERE) of The Palm, the World Islands and Jumeirah Beach make
the perfect match for the cuisine and service we experienced here. I had the
hand cut Wagyu Beef Tartare as my appetizer and an exquisite pan-seared sea
bass of delicate white meat with a crisp crust cooked to perfection by a true
master of his trade. To experience Burj Al Arab from all angles we decided to
take our coffee at another hot spot, the very base of the world’s
tallest
atrium (CLICK HERE). |
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| Here at ‘Sahn
Eddar’, with magnificent
water
spiels (CLICK HERE) as our backdrop, we indulged in a fine cup of Arabian
coffee, while others enjoyed a drink or a traditional afternoon tea. Sahn
Eddar’s unique silver
condiment
displays (CLICK HERE) left nothing to be desired. We were told that the
water spiels shoot water jets that reach as high as forty meters in the air by
the hour. Sahn Eddar in the expansive atrium of Burj Al Arab is as unique and
impressive a setting as one could possible imagine, that is, until one decides
to dine at Al Mahara (The Oyster Shell)
(CLICK
HERE). Al Mahara features a fascinating seawater aquarium, holding roughly
990,000 L (35,000 cu ft) of water and is made of 18 cm (7.1 inch) acrylic glass
to hold up to the water pressure. Here a
dinner
conversation (CLICK HERE) definitely, if you’ll pardon the pun, never
runs dry. Fascinating is an understatement. |
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| From our evening’s seven-course menu we tasted
the Amuse Bouche, a Lobster Bisque (to die for, this one is worth alone to dine
here), Poached Tsarskaja Oysters, Lobsters from Maine with oxtail and lobster
jus (I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting combination), Fish Pot au Feu in a
Bouillabaisse Consommé and the Grilled Wild Sea Bass with Grilled
Endive. The sommelier elevated each course to another dimension, cuisine and
wine paired in perfect harmony. The cuisine and presentation at
Al
Mahara (CLICK HERE) was incandescent and mouth-watering and its level of
service luminous. Of course, we decided to take our nightcaps at the Skyview
Bar, located adjacent to Al Muntaha restaurant where we ordered two freshly
drawn beers. The breathtaking views from here at night make the perfect
backdrop for a romantic evening. |
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| Award-Hand-Out:
Burj Al Arab - Seven Stars And Stripes - Award |
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| Unfortunately, being jetlagged and too tired to
appreciate the weightless tunes of the jazz trio or the elegant company, we
excused ourselves for the night shortly thereafter. Following a deep and
relaxing rest, I awoke the next morning to startling views set against the calm
turquoise sea; which were actually topped when I dove up from beneath the water
of the
infinity
pool (CLICK HERE) later on. Stunning is the only description for the views
from the 18th floor over the Arabian Gulf, so is the pool’s dramatic
setting. This pool belongs on the list of the most amazing pools of the world.
The Assawan Spa adjoins, spilling over two floors the sparkling,
state-of-the-art spa was perfectly appointed. The yoga and fitness studio
boasts views of Palm Jumeirah, the smallest and the original of three Palm
Islands. The level of service we experienced during our stay at Burj Al Arab
was what one would expect from a true Seven Star hotel or resort. This hotel is
uncompromisingly well managed by GM Heinrich Morio and his team is impeccably
well trained; definitely living up to its reputation. |
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by
Edmund & Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid Lemme & Douglas
MacKaye Harrington
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2012 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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