The view looking up through the open-atrium interior of Burj Al Arab

Part of a weekly series featuring luxury hotel expert Mary Gostelow’s hotel pick of the week. 

Arguably the most iconic hotel in the world, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, is in fact the image not only of Dubai but the entire United Arab Emirates. For 15 years now this 28-floor beauty, on a man-made island 100 yards offshore, has attracted photo opportunists, who are no longer allowed over the connecting bridge unless they have a dinner or spa reservation, or one of the 202 all-suite rooms.

This luxury hotel does in fact live up to reputation. You might be picked up by a white Rolls Royce Phantom. You will certainly be greeted by a bevy of passionate staff in local dress. As you go into the open-atrium building, look up at the different shades of green and white of walls behind the floor corridors.

Look down from the upper floor of duplex suite 2007.

I thoroughly recommend a front-facing suite, say 2007, because you have a two-floor expanse of glass to look out, perhaps at sibling hotel Jumeirah Beach, known as ‘the wave’. My welcome included bowls of freshest berries, and three home-made smoothies, and a VitaJuwel harmony rose quartz stirrer in water, supposedly to maintain body and soul in balance for health and vitality. Of course I quickly rushed to one of the 18th floor gyms (one faces sunrise, the other sunset), and later had an outstanding QMS pearl facial. Eat seafood in Al Mahara, with its aquarium walls home to over 2,000 fish, take a helicopter from the 27th floor cantilevered landing pad – and, well, take lots of photos!

Mary is greeted by GM Anthony McHale…and the property’s Rolls Phantom.

Check out last week’s Hotel of the Week here.