The Dark Side of Dubai’s SEVEN-STAR Hotel!!

Burj Al Arab: A Seven-Star Hotel Experience - Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Seven-Star Hotel Experience: Exploring the luxury, opulence, and cost associated with the Burj Al Arab.
• Buffet Dining: Evaluating the quality, variety, and value of the breakfast and lunch buffets.
• In-Room Dining: Assessing the quality and cost of various dishes ordered through room service.
• Luxury Suite: Examining the features, amenities, and cost of a $3,000 per night suite.
• Value Assessment: Determining whether the experience justifies the high cost.

1. Arrival and First Impressions

• The Burj Al Arab is situated on its own man-made island, constructed by shipping in vast amounts of sand.
• The hotel lobby is opulent, with an aquarium feature.
• The hotel exclusively offers suites, emphasizing a lavish and luxurious experience.

2. Breakfast Buffet

• Ambiance: Modern and sleek design.
• Food Selection:
  • Fish (not appealing to the presenter at that time).
  • Pickled items.
  • Chilled meats and cheeses (bacon is notably absent).
  • Variety of cheeses, including a unique cheese wheel.
  • Muesli, pudding, and dairy section with cottage cheese and yogurts.
  • Well-organized fruit selection (blackberries, raspberries).
  • Chocolate fondue station with dipping options.
  • Bread section with fresh loaves, muffins, and croissants.
  • Pastries, including a chocolate hazelnut financier.
  • Healthy section with fruit and concoctions like green apple, cucumber, celery, and ginger mixes.
  • Milkshake options (banana, peanut butter, almond milk).
  • Salad bar.
  • Turkish cheese pide prepared fresh.
  • Asian options: fried rice, fried noodles, steamed chicken barbecue buns, vegetable dim sum, crystal prawn hakau, congee, miso soup.
  • Indian options.
• Notable Items:
  • Banana peanut butter almond milkshake (rated positively).
  • Turkish cheese pide (rated positively).
  • Russian pancake with cherry compote (unique and enjoyable).
  • French toast soaked in coconut milk for 24 hours (described as "French toast fit for a French king").
• Bird Pest Control: A man with a hawk is employed to control pigeons. The hawk kills the pigeons.
• Chocolate Fondue: Marshmallow, waffle, and donut dipped in chocolate. The chocolate was considered a little bitter.
• Overall: The breakfast buffet was considered a good experience.

3. Luxury Suite Tour

• Club Suite: 330 square meters with butler service. One of only three such suites in the hotel.
• View: Located on the 19th floor with a panoramic view.
• Features:
  • Multiple seating areas.
  • Welcome food.
  • Bar with still water, sparkling water, Coke, Sprite, Red Bull, champagne, and wines.
  • High-end alcohol: Macallan 12-year-old whiskey, Clase Azul tequila.
  • Snacks: gummy bears, M&M's, almonds, cashews, mixed nuts (including truffle cashews).
  • Circular dining room.
  • Guest bathroom with a bathtub.
  • Billiards table.
  • Full kitchen with a gold-plated coffee machine, microwave, and oven.
  • Upstairs bedroom with a lobby and seating area.
  • Hidden TV.
  • Vanity with a Dyson hair dryer.
  • Master bathroom with his and her sinks, soap, and a jacuzzi.

4. Lunch Buffet at Al Iwan

• Cost: $140 per person.
• Size: Smaller selection compared to the breakfast buffet (approximately 60 items).
• Food Selection:
  • Arabic salads.
  • Beet dish.
  • Moutabel.
  • Kashkin.
  • Specialty dish: soft and juicy lamb on rice with cumin and cinnamon.
  • Tajine.
  • Couscous.
  • Prawns with hara sauce.
  • Lady fish fingers.
  • Lamb burgu.
  • Olives with beef.
  • Shish barak.
  • Fried specialties.
  • Chicken and another type of chicken.
  • Mixed kebab.
  • Toume (Lebanese garlic sauce).
  • Shrimp.
  • Pistachio baklava.
  • Fruit.
  • Knafeh.
• Notable Items:
  • Lamb on rice with cumin and cinnamon (rated positively).
  • Toume (Lebanese garlic sauce) (rated 10/10).
  • Fried lady fish fingers (rated positively when paired with toume).
• Criticisms:
  • Dry shrimp.
  • Dry chicken.
  • Overall, the buffet was considered one of the worst the presenter had experienced, not justifying the $140 price tag.

5. In-Room Dining

• Oysters Gillardeau: $17 per oyster. Served with vinegar, Tabasco, lemon, and brown bread. Rated positively for freshness and crunchiness.
• Chicken Wings: $36. Served with sweet chili sauce. Rated okay, with juicy chicken and light breading.
• Burj Al Arab Burger: $58. 100% Wagyu beef patty, brioche bun, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Served with French fries. Criticized for soggy bun due to watery ingredients.
• Arabic Seafood Mixed Grill: $114. Sea bass, lobster, squid, prawns, and charmoula sauce. Rated positively, with juicy and well-seasoned seafood.
• Total Cost: The total cost for the in-room dining was high.
• Overall: The room service was considered good, but the burger was a significant disappointment.

6. Overall Assessment and Conclusion

• The presenter gives the Burj Al Arab a rating of four out of seven stars.
• The hotel is a modern marvel of architecture and construction.
• The breakfast buffet was a positive experience.
• The lunch buffet was a major disappointment and not worth the cost.
• The in-room dining was generally good, but the burger was a significant letdown.
• The presenter acknowledges that the high cost may be justifiable for some individuals.
• The experience was worth having despite the shortcomings.