Golden Gophers.......basketball...........................a pirate's treasure.....buried.......like a gopher digs.....
Georgetown Hoyas.......our area's..........DC area's most elite school.......................
All 202 rooms are duplex suites boasting spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf. The rooms are so big (the smallest one is 1,830 square feet) that it took a while for the butler to show me around and explain how to operate all the buttons and knobs. Should you decide to stay in one of the two Royal Suites (each measuring 8,400 square feet) it gets more interesting with revolving beds that, surrounded by mirrors, slowly spin around at a push of the button.
The super king beds in each suite are covered by Egyptian cotton sheets and you have a selection of 17 types of pillows. I started going through the brochure to decide but gave up by the time I reached the third page. It turned out that being the Princess and the Pea is a full-time job.
The spacious bathrooms are decorated with mosaics and come with a big jacuzzi. On the huge sink are laid a set of 14 his-and-her full-size Hermes toiletries, including perfume and eau de cologne.
Once I was done unpacking (which my butler offered to do for me but I said no, as I was feeling conscious that there were no Agent Provocateur lingerie, sky-high Louboutin heels and Alaia evening dresses in my suitcase), I was out of my room to look around.
Each time I was on my way out I had to walk past the private butler who would greet me and recognize me, as he had my photo on the computer screen. There is a butler on each floor and the hotel is known for its extremely dedicated and unrivaled private service. These butlers have a reputation for being able to do anything. A bit like a genie in a bottle, I suppose.
The award-winning Talise Spa was my first stop, which was perfect after a long flight. The treatment rooms, unlike most spas, have big windows overlooking the ocean. If you like a dimly lit atmosphere you might find it too bright but they’ll draw the curtains at your request. They use products such as La Prairie. There are also four swimming pools -- both indoor and outdoor -- including a pool only for women.
If you’re a romantic type, you can book the “Romantic Moonlight Swim.” They prepare the swimming pool for two with rose petals and you can spend a night surrounded by the views of the Arabian Gulf while enjoying the moonlight, champagne and strawberries, all in complete privacy.
The hotel has nine restaurants and bars. For breakfast, I liked Bab Al Yam on the ground floor, as whether you sit inside or outside you have splendid ocean views. The food is served buffet-style, mainly European but also some Middle Eastern. For lunch, take an express panoramic elevator and go up to Al Muntaha (meaning, “The Highest”) on the 27th floor. Situated 200 meters above sea level and with windows from ceiling to floor, it’s easy to understand why this ever-popular restaurant gets booked up all the time. While I was having my lunch there I noticed people walking in just to take photos and admire the view. The Skyview Bar is equally in demand for its setting to enjoy afternoon tea or drinks.
At dinnertime, something mysterious and magical might be required. In that case, book a table at the legendary Al Mahara (meaning, “Oyster Shell”). As you enter through the golden arch entrance the impressive gigantic blue aquarium comes into view. All the tables are arranged around this sea-water tank filled with exotic fish. They told me that the aquarium often gets dubbed as a place for marriage proposals: a diver will appear with a sign while you’re dining. It seems like a choking hazard but nevertheless it’s a popular package, I was told. They serve solid seafood dishes which will improve further in September when the British Michelin-starred chef, Nathan Outlaw brings his expertise and collaborates with resident chefs.
As if all these are not enough, a new exquisite bar opened on the 27th floor, which was why I was in Dubai in the first place. Named Gold On 27, the opening of this uber-hip bar was highly anticipated by both locals and international visitors as it’s taken the standards for Dubai nightlife to another level. If you’re a smoker you’ll like the smoking-permitted policy. Apart from the stunning view across Dubai, it offers “progressive cocktails” using unusual ingredients. Some of the creative blends include Light Sweet Crude (using foie gras and blackened truffle oil), Scent of the Souk (using oud oil, rosemary and spices) and A Ghaaf, a Goat and a Camel (using goat cheese foam).
The interior has a soft, warm and sensuous glow throughout as it’s bedecked with gold. As you may have noticed already, gold is the most ubiquitous material at Burj Al Arab. If being surrounded by gold is not enough you can drink it in the form of a cocktail: order Element 79 (79 is also the atomic number for gold), an alcohol-free sparkling grape drink with copious amounts of golden dust. Sipping a cocktail at sunset and gazing at the dramatic view while internationally acclaimed resident DJ Darko De Jan creates a sophisticated mood is possibly the most glamorous thing you can do while in Dubai.
By the time you leave Burj Al Arab you sort of get it: you can see why this hotel has earned a reputation as the most luxurious hotel in the world. Of course all this pampering and dreamy indulgence come at a high price. The One Bedroom Suite starts at AED 10,000 ($2,700) per night and the most luxurious Royal Suite is AED 70,000 ($19,000) per night. Is it worth it? It’s the question that you should answer to yourself after checking your bank account.
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