The Burj al Arab is a very famous building in Dubai. It looks like a sailboat and stands out in the sea. It's one of the most beautiful hotels in a city known for its modern and impressive buildings.

The hotel opened in 1999 and boldly proclaimed itself the world’s first seven-star hotel, a rating that doesn’t officially exist. But why not create a new rating? It’s brilliant marketing! The Burj al Arab is incredibly luxurious in every imaginable way.

When we first saw a picture of the Burj al Arab, we always dreamed of visiting. But it was far beyond what our could afford.

Maybe we could just stop by and admire the interior like we've done countless times in Las Vegas and Macau. Would that be possible? Unfortunately, no.

The Burj Al Arab is only accessible to hotel guests, and they have strict security at the entrance. If your name isn’t on their guest list, you won’t be allowed in.

However, there is an exception that we discovered.

Lykkers, you can book a reservation for afternoon tea — and that gets your name on the security list! This also applies if you dine at any of their restaurants. we went to the Burj Al Arab for afternoon tea and absolutely loved the experience!

Afternoon Tea at the Burj al Arab

The Burj Al Arab offers a Sky Tea afternoon tea experience on the 27th floor with stunning views of the coastline.

The PR team from the Burj Al Arab kindly invited our to enjoy their Sky Tea afternoon tea at the Skyview Bar on the 27th floor, where we could admire the coastline and catch a glimpse of the Burj Khalifa in the distance.

To begin our tea experience, we tried something new: sparkling date juice.

After enjoying the sparkling date juice, they served our a pot of tea and a cappuccino, followed by a delightful array of courses:

First, a mini berry tart.

Next, the chef's roast carvery.

Finally, a tray featuring sandwiches and desserts shaped like the Burj Al Arab itself!

The dishes were both creative and delicious. For instance, the bread that resembled zebra stripes was made using squid ink and pureed apples — quite remarkable! (And yes, they generously offer refills on the sandwiches, so to speak.)

Burj al Arab Tour

Is it possible to tour the Burj Al Arab? Somewhat. When you visit for afternoon tea or a meal at any of their restaurants, you can enjoy the view from the lobby, and there are some areas that are accessible for visitors.

The entrance and lobby of the Burj al Arab immediately impressed our with huge gold pillars and dancing fountains. We were so captivated by the lobby that we almost didn’t want to leave! How cool is that? The honeycomb-style grid is a rare design feature in hotels, but it's prominently featured here. The Burj al Arab truly embodies breathtaking grandeur.

Inside Burj al Arab’s Second Most Fanciest Suite

In 2012, CNN ranked the Burj al Arab’s Royal Suite as the 12th most expensive hotel suite in the world, with a nightly rate of around $18,716. That's quite a hefty sum!

During our visit, the Royal Suite was actually booked, even though it was the lowest point of the low season (The middle of summer). Instead, we had the opportunity to see one of their number two suites.

Best Photo to Take in the Burj al Arab

After leaving the suite, we visited the spa floor, where you can capture the best picture of the hotel. This should definitely be on your list of priorities.

To get there, take the elevator to the spa floor and walk around the perimeter to the lobby area. Position yourself next to the white piano, and you'll be in the perfect spot for a great photo.

Where to Book Afternoon Tea at the Burj al Arab

There are two opportunities for Afternoon Tea each day. The first is at 1 PM and the second at 4 PM. The Sky Tea costs 635 Dirhams ($173) for adults and 315 Dirhams ($85) for children under 11 years old.

Is the Afternoon Tea pricey? Yes, it is. However, we believe it is absolutely worth the cost to experience one of the world’s most luxurious hotels and enjoy unmatched views of Dubai. Personally, it was our favorite thing that we did in Dubai.

Lykkers, we hope you've enjoyed reading about our experience at the Burj al Arab! Have you ever dreamed of visiting this iconic hotel in Dubai?

Feel free to share your own experiences or any questions you may have in the comments below. Let's continue the conversation!