11 Features of the World’s Only 7-Star Hotel That Can Wow You to Your Core

When a British journalist visited Dubai for a press trip, he stayed in the luxurious hotel, Burj Al Arab. By the end of his stay, he realized that his sojourn didn’t deserve its 5-star rating — it deserved much more. He rated Burj Al Arab as a 7-star experience, and other reviewers agreed. Interestingly, the hotel itself tried to disown the special rating, but it stuck around along with its glorious reputation.

It would surely cost an arm and a leg to spend a weekend in Burj Al Arab, so Bright Side tried to paint you a picture of how the experience in this paradise would go. Read to the end of the article to find out who else, aside from very rich humans, can find shelter here.

1. It’s constructed on an artificial island.

The private bridge connects Burj Al Arab to the land, which only the hotel staff and guests have access to. The building itself is more than 1,000 feet (300 m) tall — which is even higher than the Eiffel Tower — and consists of 56 floors. 230 concrete columns support the whole structure that extends 130 feet (40 m) below sea level to keep the manmade island afloat.

The building itself has the shape of a ship’s sail. But aside from aesthetic reasons, it was designed so the shadow wouldn’t obstruct beach-goers below who are still able to receive a healthy dose of UV rays. Every detail has been thought of!

2. The transfer to the hotel is either by car or private helicopter.

The Burj Al Arab provides you with 2 types of transportation to reach the hotel. If you chose a ride, you’ll be met at the airport with a white Rolls Royce, complete with a personal chauffeur. In fact, Burj Al Arab is the only hotel with its own fleet of Rolls Royce vehicles. Otherwise, you can opt for the private helicopter that will deliver you to the special helipad located on the hotel’s roof.

3. Everything is made of gold and marble.

The floor and walls of the hotel are made of special Statuario marble — the same type of marble that Michelangelo used to create his statue of David. Everything inside is either made of 24-carat gold or encrusted with it, including the decorations, furniture, and the TVs — even the mirror and art frames are embellished with gold. Plus, one of the restaurants houses the biggest Swarovski crystal ceiling that represents the Milky Way.

4. The suites are massive.

Burj Al Arab has a total of 202 duplex suite rooms, each with 2 floors, and some providing the panoramic view of the island and the sea. The smallest suite is the size of a 4-bedroom house at 1,820 square feet (170 sq m), while the huge Royal Suite covers the entire floor and is serviced by their own elevators. Some suites even offer you private cinemas, 2 bars, and huge libraries!

5. You have a personal butler.

After you’re done with your check-in, Burj Al Arab provides you with an exclusive butler. The butler takes you to your suite and shows you around. If you want, the butler will unpack your stuff after you arrive and pack it again when you’re about to leave.

The Burj Al Arab’s staff to guest ratio is 6:1, so you will never be unattended. There is a butler to deliver you sunglasses, a butler to spray you with mist so you stay refreshed on the beach, and a butler that makes you a candlelit bubble bath for an extra lavish touch. There is also a pet butler that will take care of your furry friend while you’re chilling in the pool or at the spa.

6. The interiors are rich and beautiful.

Describing the suites as “opulent” and “excessive” would be an understatement. The interiors are inspired by Dubai’s culture, and they’re lavish and colorful. A gold chandelier hangs over the hallway, and the king-sized beds are covered with the best quality Egyptian cotton sheets. It’s all accompanied by custom-made carpets from South Africa and India and locally carved wooden doors.

The bathroom is decorated with beautiful mosaics and paintings, with a humongous jacuzzi and rain shower that can fit your entire family. There is also a private lounge for dining, and an office if you need to work — equipped with a Macbook or gold-plated iPad, of course.

7. The suites are equipped with the latest technology.

It’s here that magic happens with a push of a button. The bed rotates to whatever position you prefer, and you can use the remote to summon the hidden TV screens from desks and walls. The remote also controls the doors, curtains, and blackout blinds, and it helps you to communicate with a butler if you need anything.

8. You never have to worry about your leisure time.

Among other things, the hotel’s services include multiple pools, both inside and outside, 9 restaurants and bars, a waterpark, the famous Talise Spa with a vast ocean view, and a private beach for the guests of the hotel. You can also request a romantic evening in the pool for 2: the hotel staff will organize floating candles and rose petals for you.

9. The restaurant serves seafood right from the water.

Burj Al Arab hosts an underwater restaurant called Al Mahara, which translates to “oyster shell.” The entrance to the restaurant is a golden arched corridor resembling a submarine. In the center sits a giant aquarium filled with colorful corals and exotic fish, including a shark. Just imaging enjoying your dinner while a shark casually swims around you.

The aquarium often serves as a place for marriage proposals: a diver appears in the tank near your table with a sign while you’re eating.

10. The bedding is made of the finest and rarest materials.

To ensure a perfect night’s sleep, the bedding in each room is made of the rarest down feather duvets in the world. The feathers are hand-picked from abandoned eider duck nests in Iceland. The mom duck plucks the softest feathers from her chest to encrust the nest and keep the eggs warm. Only 4,400 lb (2,000 kg) of eiderdown is allowed to be harvested per year.

And if you want to be extra picky about your bedding, the hotel gives you 17 varieties of tailor-made pillows to chose from.

11. Each room comes with a collection of perfumes.

You know those one-off shower kits you typically find in regular hotels? A sample-size shampoo and shower gel, plus something for teeth if you’re lucky. Well, forget that junk. A 14-piece set of Hermès toiletries come as a standard in every suite so you can pamper yourself in style. And you can even take them back home with you.

Bonus: The hotel has a turtle rehab.

Burj Al Arab is home to a designated turtle hospital, a project to help and rehabilitate sick and injured sea turtles. Since its launch, the program has released more than 1,600 rescued sea turtles back into the sea.

What features would you like to see in hotels more?