Our 'red-eye' flight from Singapore touched down in Dubai around 4 am. How people are still fully functioning at this time of the morning is beyond me but function they do.
Met just after baggage reclaim by Abdul (the hotel's representative), fast-tracked to a private immigration desk and were outside waiting for our transfer to the hotel before I could say
Shukran.
I looked at my sisters, and my sisters looked at me with that 'did that just happen?' expression written over our faces. Because guests of the Burj al Arab are given that private jet client treatment through the airport.
The hotel's BMW transfer was late - not that anyone had noticed. Still in a whirlwind from being whisked through Dubai's International Airport in under ten minutes. And to make up for this misdemeanour in collecting us from the airport, the Burj Al Arab sent one of their Rolls Royce Phantoms as the replacement vehicle. This was the hotel's way of apologising.
Looking back, I've often wondered... What would the hotel have sent had the Rolls been delayed? A helicopter?
Abdul handed us over to our driver, the one in the Rolls. He in turn introduced himself; gifted us purple orchids, iced cold towels and bottles of cold water.
On the drive to the hotel, we caught our first glimpse of the icon. My next breath was short, quick.
Inside the hotel's revolving doors we are greeted once more, gifted more cold towels beside a water feature sending water dancing down to our feet and where coloured walls create rainbows to the roof.
Someone steady me, please; I am truly giddy!
'This way, please', she said, and an elevator ride later we entered suite 509.
In every way, these suites are palatial. They are more significant in size than the average UK three-bedroom home. The entrance door to the suite is twice the size of a standard door at home. Fully equipped and functioning kitchen plus the added benefit of a butler.
Of course, there's the option of room service. Have a feast laid out in the comfort of your lovely dining room, which adjoins the kitchen. Here, you can happily host a dinner party for eight should you suddenly find you've acquired that many acquaintances on holiday.
Above is your fully equipped office just inside the entrance of the suite. Fully equipped, the only thing that needs to be added is your personal assistant, but one could be arranged if required. This is, after all - The Burj Al Arab!
There's no queuing at a lobby/reception for check-in either. Nothing of the sort at the Burj Al Arab! This was done in-room. The experience is a personal one all the way.
Past the office; still on the left is a bar. Then one of two lounge areas with a very widescreen television and as much light as a hazy Dubai morning will allow in. On our right, the other lounge area, where the walls, drapes and lounge chairs are a vibrant red with gold accents. Everything seemed to have been dipped in gold around the Burj Al Arab.
Back near the suite's entrance a spiral staircase to the upper floor, and it's two bedrooms.
The Master bedroom has a king-size bed with a matching in size mirror above it. Not content with merely a walk-in closet but a walk-in dressing room equipped with a dressing table and stool. SATC still has some catching up to do!
Next to this is the bathroom or should it be called a spa (yes, your personal spa is more appropriate) with his and her sinks, bathrobes and slippers. 24 Faubourg by Hermes are the toiletries of choice and have made their residence here. A bidet, toilet, jacuzzi and a five-point rain shower make up the rest of the bathroom. The layout, the smell, the colours, this was my favourite space.
By now, you have gathered that space is not a luxury here; luxury is all that space.
And the same in the second bedroom although not equal in size.
Our luggage was delivered to the suite at the same time as we arrived. But brought in by our personal butler - who came and went via the suite's discreet back door. And too, on hand to unpack and pack everything from the 'Bridget Joneses' to the mankinis; arrange the jacuzzi at two o'clock in the morning or feed the goldfish while we sleep. Because everyone and their demands are taken care of at any time at the Burj Al Arab.
At the Burj Al Arab, you need not ever disturb yourself from the comfortable position you place yourself in. Not to get the door when the door bell rings, not to open the curtains or switch the lights or adjust the temperature. All of which is done at the touch of a remote control's button.
At the touch of a button, you'll even see who is at the door via the tv before you agree to open it.
Staying at the Burj al Arab, the only thing we lifted were our hands to put food to our mouths and okay, ourselves in and out of the jacuzzi. There is no part of your stay, large or small that has not been taken into consideration here and the necessary comforts put in place. Making our stay here one of a kind.
So, was it better to have the experience of the Burj al Arab once?
It most certainly better to have experienced the Burj Al Arab once, than to hear of it a thousand times!
