Burj al Arab

The atrium is the tallest in the world (at 590 feet or 180m), features an incredible water feature, and is a sight to behold all by itself. A night at the Burj al Arab might be out of most visitors’ price ranges though, with a one-bedroom suite starting at the equivalent of $1000 a night and the Royal Suite setting you back $14,000 a night.

The helipad on the Burj al Arab has been used for a number of publicity stunts, including a tennis match between Roger Federer and Andre Agassi, Rory McIlroy playing golf, an Aston Martin delivered by helicopter, or the Red Bull Formula 1 team doing donuts to celebrate their victorious season in 2013. Alternatively, you might know it from the cover of Owl City’s second album, Ocean Eyes.

At some point in the past, a reviewer used the phrase ‘7-star hotel’, and it’s been copied and repeated all over the place ever since. The official hotel ranking system only goes up to 5 stars (the Burj al Arab is definitely a 5-star hotel) and the statement from the Burj al Arab team is clear that they’ve never used the term in the hotel’s own marketing or publicity materials. It’s just such a luxurious 5-star hotel that maybe ‘7-star’ is the best way to describe it...