I was wondering when this would finally happen, and it sure seems like the timing makes sense…
Jumeirah’s Burj Al Arab undergoing 18-month refresh
The Burj Al Arab Dubai is the crown jewel of UAE-based Jumeirah’s portfolio, and it’s easily one of the world’s most recognizable hotels. It’s often referred to as the world’s only seven-star hotel (that’s of course not a “thing,” and for the record, the hotel doesn’t make this claim, but instead, others do). The 202-suite property opened back in 1999, and up until now, it hasn’t actually been fully renovated — that will finally be changing.
It has just been announced that this hotel will be closing effective immediately for around 18 months, so that it can undergo a full renovation. As it’s described, this will be a “carefully phased and thoughtful restoration programme, designed to safeguard its legacy for generations to come,” and “the conservation of the architectural masterpiece will see its distinctive interior décor enhanced with the same attention to detail as preserving a work of art.”
The renovation will be led by interior architect Tristan Auer, with a mission to preserve Burj Al Arab’s cultural essence, while modernizing it a bit. Here’s how Jumeirah’s CEO, Thomas Meier, describes this project:
“Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is far more than an architectural landmark; it is a symbol of ambition, craftsmanship and enduring excellence. For the last 27 years, this exceptional property has served guests with the same passion and world-class standards that distinguish it from any other hotel in the world. This restoration programme marks a new chapter in the story of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, one that will carefully preserve the heritage of what is currently the sole property in our Jumeirah limited-edition collection of iconic landmark addresses defined by design distinction and prestige.”
To state the obvious, Dubai is currently seeing a massive decline in tourism in light of the current conflict, so this renovation seems very well timed. If you have the cash, you might as well invest the money in updating a property when the opportunity cost is the lowest (I know this is something many hotels wish they did at the start of the pandemic).
It’s pretty clear that the decision for this renovation was made pretty suddenly, so one wonders how much that’s causing the process to be drawn out, since there’s a long lead time for this kind of work. The hotel was hit by an Iranian drone a few weeks back, which did cause a fire. However, I don’t believe that’s the core reason for the closure here.
I can’t wait to see the vision for the new Burj Al Arab!
In 2023 I stayed at the Burj Al Arab. Prior to my stay, I was sort of expecting to be disappointed, as I was thinking it was going to be style over substance, and that it wouldn’t actually be a great hospitality experience, since the hotel doesn’t really have to try.
So I must admit, I was very impressed by the experience. While it’s expensive, this is an incredible hotel. Furthermore, all accommodations are duplex suites, and are absolutely massive. So in terms of price per square foot of room, this place is actually quite reasonably priced.
That being said, during my stay, I couldn’t help but think “OMG this place needs a renovation.” It’s honestly so outdated and gaudy that it’s charming. Then again, I guess this is a style that many people like.
I’m curious to see what they can come up with here, because clearly the intent is to maintain the same essence while modernizing. This isn’t necessarily an easy style to update, so…
Bottom line
The Burj Al Arab Dubai has just closed, and is now undergoing a roughly 18-month renovation, which is the first time in its history that this kind of work has been done. With tourism to Dubai way down at the moment in light of the Iran conflict, this seems like an ideal time to shut down and put in the work, in hopes of things looking better in late 2027(ish).
What are you expecting from the makeover of the Burj Al Arab?