The Amazing Burj Al Arab Hotel located in Dubai City

According to Wikipedia, the Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The name is Arabic for "Tower of the Arabs".  The Burj is managed by the Jumeirah Group and built by Said Khalil.  It was designed by Tom Wright of WS Atkins PLC. At 321 metres (1,053 ft), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.  However, the Rose Tower, also in Dubai, which has already topped Burj Al Arab's height, will take away this title upon its opening in April 2008.  The Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres (919 ft) out from Jumeirah beach, and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge.  The Burj is an iconic structure, designed to symbolize Dubai's urban transformation.  The Burj has become the international symbol for Dubai.  As Tom Wright, the architect, stated, "The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai; this is very similar to Sydney with its Opera House, or Paris with the Eiffel Tower.  It needed to be a building that would become synonymous with the name of the country." Construction of Burj Al Arab began in 1994.  It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast", while the space between them is enclosed in a massive atrium. The architect and engineering consultant for the project was Atkins, the UK's largest multidisciplinary consultancy. The hotel was built by South African construction contractor Murray & Roberts. The hotel cost $650 million to build. The Burj is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World There are 202 suites, each with it's own concierge and butler assigned. Rates start at $2000 USD per night and go up to $7000+ per night! The Burj Al Arab Hotel is located in Dubai, a major city in the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz - It costs $150 U.S. just to get in the gate to look at this place! - The Burj is built on an island accessible only by bridge from the mainland. - the cost of it, is estimated at over 80 million U.S. - The entrance on mainland includes an elaborate water park. - it took 18 months to build - The Burj had the top 5 architects in Europe to design it. - the hotel opened in June 2003 for tourists. - take a good look at the design & detail, its unbelievable !!! Accommodation:  Burj Al Arab does not have rooms; it has 202 suites, each one arranged over two floors. Ranging from a capacious 169 sq. mts to an astonishing 780 sq. mts in size, the floor to ceiling glass windows offer simply breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. Decorated with lavish textures and exuberant colors, each suite features a sumptuous living and dining area, state of the art entertainment system and office facilities. Their sheer opulence in every tiny detail is underpinned with technology that does everything from controlling the 42 inch Plasma screen TV to closing the curtains. Room Facilities:  In addition to a dining and living area, each suite has an office area complete with laptop, Internet access, private fax, printer and copier. Hidden network of advanced technology - lighting, curtains and air-conditioning at the touch of a button. 42-inch plasma screen, video on demand, DVD and a wide variety of cable channels. Leisure Facilities: Surrounded by white beaches and the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, you can choose from a variety of activities while staying at Burj Al Arab. Relax in the superb outdoor pool or soak up the rays on the private beach for your exclusive use. Alternatively, take time out in the spacious airy gymnasium boasting the very latest in equipment and with personal trainers on hand. Explore new boundaries and enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Wild Wadi Water Park. The park is designed around the story of Sinbad the Sailor's companion Juha. There are 24 interconnecting rides, ranging from calm to wild. Lifeguards are on duty at all the pool and ride areas. The Assawan Spa & Health Club is situated on the 18th floor with magnificent views over the Gulf. Treatment rooms, hydrotherapy baths, oriental massage, stand-up solarium, sauna, steam rooms and jacuzzi, two swimming pools, squash court, two fully equipped fitness studios and an aerobics floor. (Rick Archer's Note:  In August 2004 SSQQ Instructor Mona Nashed visited the Burj Al Arab.   Mona, who was born in Egypt, went back to Egypt to visit her mother. While she was in the area, she took a side trip to see her cousin who lives in Dubai.  Mona and her cousin spent the entire day at the water park across the water from the Burj. -----Original Message----- From: mona nashed Sent: Sunday, September 19, 2004 9:44 PM To: Rick Archer Subject: Burj Al Arab Rick, you asked about the building shaped like a staircase. The “Jumeira Hotel” is part of the water park across the water. You will need another tutoring lesson to help you pronounce it correctly!  The Jumeira is another very exquisite hotel, but not the same as the Burj.  By the way, Mona brought back a puzzle for you.  Look at this picture and see if you can guess what the platform is used for in addition to helicopters.  Answer at the bottom of the page!
The staircase building on the right is the Jumeira Hotel.
Hotel Lobby
So, What's Going on over at the Sheik's Helicopter Pad? See if you can guess the story below.
That is Tiger Woods, the famous pro golfer, practicing his tee shot.  Think he can hit it all the way to the mainland??  That's a long shot, even for Tiger! Apparently the helipad atop the Burj can be used for all sorts of things. Wouldn't it be fun to be a guest of the rich and famous? I think we will have to be content with admiring it from a distance. Mona said it was $150 just to visit the place. She and her cousin decided to "pass". (Editor's Note: The golf pictures were contributed by Judy Walsh.  The Tennis pictures were contributed by Gary Richardson).
In our next set of pictures, now we have two of the most famous tennis players in history playing on a tennis court laid atop the same helipad. That's Andre Agassi and Roger Federer My guess is that they don't chase the balls.  Too bad they probably can't afford to buy a mesh to enclose the court.  Maybe the tennis balls float and they fetch them from the water below. Does anyone besides me feel it is vaguely decadent to keep wasting golf balls and tennis balls by plunking them into the Persian Gulf?