Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008 - (Page 16)

DESTINATIONS DUBAI JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL is shaped like a wave breaking on the land. This destination is brimming with development—and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts has the lodging component covered. BY DAVID EISEN Since 2000, Dubai has set a path of aggressive and grandiose development, creating the Palm Islands and the world’s largest building, Burj Dubai (www. burjdubai.com). But what we are most astounded by is the amount of luxury properties sprouting up across Dubai, both inland and by water. (Note: The man-made Palm Islands, such as the Palm Jumeirah, add coastline to Dubai and allow for more property development and more hotels.) Three of Jumeirah’s properties in Dubai—Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah—are clustered together so it’s no difficult task to snap a photo of the trio. The crown jewel is the five-star Burj Al Arab (www.burj-al-arab.com), so opulent that it is often given a sixth star, and is recognized for its exterior that is shaped like a boat’s sail. The property is so exclusive that it boasts its own helipad, captivatingly shaped like the USS Enterprise. (A Roger Federer/Andre Agassi commercial was famously shot atop it, with the helipad turned into the world’s highest tennis court.) The exclusivity only begins there. To reach the hotel, which sits 306 yards off Jumeirah’s beach shoreline, one must cross a bridge that leads up to a circular car park. Flanking us was a fleet of Rolls-Royces and BMWs used for transporting hotel guests. As if getting there wasn’t grand enough, once inside we were taken by the sheer volume of the hotel. It’s a veritable vertical thrill with floors that jut out over the atrium, the centerpiece of which is a bilevel fixture that spouts water at individual intervals amid changing colors. Upon arrival, we were greeted with hot Arabic tea, which welcomes all guests. If the Burj Al Arab is the crown jewel of Jumeirah properties, the Royal Suite is its most impressive diamond. Measuring over 8,395 square feet and located on the 25th floor, the duplex suite (the hotel is all-suite and every room has two levels) offers a private elevator and screening room. The master 16 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | August 2008 http://www.burjdubai.com http://www.burj-al-arab.com http://www.burjdubai.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008

Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Maui Dubai Cape Town The Capella Resort and Spa, at Pedregal Cabo San Lucas Ritz-Carlton Cancun Presidential Suites The Palazzo, Las Vegas The Water Club Arrabelle at Vail Square Ferntree The Spa at Half Moon Fall Foliage Cruises New England Strong Travel On the Horizon: Luxury Travel Expo The Pulse Traveling Shopper Leaders Speak Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - August 2008

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