Ever wondered what does it feel like to be inside Burj Al Arab? Inside the Royal Suite of the world’s only seven-star hotel? Yes, we’ve all seen the 2D pictures and videos. Of celebs and awestruck ‘influencers’ gawking at the bed and the furniture and the butlers and the devices (even the huge marble bathroom) in the luxuriously appointed suite. But how does it actually feel to be inside one?

Burj Al Arab is Dubai’s crown jewel and a global benchmark in hospitality and architecture. The hotel is so private and exclusive (and secure) that non-guests can go only so far as the beginning of a 280-metre private bridge (so close, yet so far!) that connects the mainland with the artificial island that hosts the hotel. The ‘Men in Black’ over there will turn you back if your name isn’t on the list. No can do. You can only go in if you have a reservation – as a staying guest or at one of the hotel’s restaurants.

Until now, that is!

Now you (and I) can finally hear its untold stories and uncover what makes the iconic landmark an architectural marvel. ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’, a never-before tour will take you right into the heart of the hotel. The 90-minute butler-guided tour will allow UAE residents and tourists to discover the most prestigious spaces of the luxurious hotel. The hotel is owned and operated by the Jumeirah Group.

Burj Al Arab is a must-see destination for anyone who visits Dubai (Read Dubai in a day: The perfect itinerary for a family of four). The tour will be a perfect next step for millions of tourists who had to contend with clicking pictures from the beach, with the famous building in the background.

Now, the tour will take you well past the MIBs, starting at the hotel’s famous Atrium and then on to the glamourous Royal Suite (yes!). A price for the tour hasn’t been disclosed yet but you can be sure it’ll be (substantially) less than the $24,000 per night it reportedly takes to reserve the Royal Suite. And you also get to visit the curated Experience Suite, where digital interactives showcase the original architectural designs of the iconic building.

You’ll also get a tour of the exclusive outdoor lounge ‘UMA’, which provides an exceptional setting for visitors to take in the views of the Arabian Gulf and stunning sunsets. The lounge will serve a selection of world-class delicacies and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s unique beverages and the hotel’s ‘infamous mixology’. Visitors can register their interest to be among the first to experience Inside Burj Al Arab at https://insideburjalarab.com

“Befitting the city’s innovative spirit, the ground-breaking guided tour showcases both the incredible calibre of Jumeirah Group’s luxury hospitality and our commitment to creating extraordinary guest experiences. As the world rediscovers its love for travel, we invite visitors to step inside the ‘original home of luxury’ for a unique opportunity to explore Arabian opulence at its finest,” said Jose Silva, CEO of Jumeirah Group.

Pride of the Arabs

In December 1999, in time to welcome the new millennium, Dubai opened the doors to the ultra-luxurious Burj Al Arab, which literally translates to ‘Tower of the Arabs’. The property stands tall at 321 metres on a man-made island 280 metres off Dubai’s Jumeirah coast. Dubbed as the world’s only seven-star hotel, it took $1 billion to take shape and offers 202 suites.

The hotel was hitherto off-limits for non-guests. Visitors had to reserve in advance to visit its restaurants, including an underwater restaurant through a submarine-like ride.

A marvel of marketing

In 2005, a masterstroke marketing stunt brought images of the hotel into the world’s living rooms. Tennis legends Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played a game on the hotel’s helipad, which was converted into a tennis court for the duo. In 2011, champion golfer Rory McIlroy practised his short game on the helipad court.

In 2012, the hotel once again made headlines when it sold the world’s most expensive cocktail. Served at the Skyview Bar on the hotel’s 27th floor, the 27.321 cocktail costs £3,766.52 a glass.

The world’s tallest atrium is located in arguably the first modern architectural wonder of the UAE. The hotel’s huge atrium is abundant in warm, natural light, flanked by golden columns, with a beautiful central fountain where water arches dance in sudden bursts over 42 meters into the air. The atrium measures 590 feet.

The building became an iconic Dubai structure – similar to Opera House in Sydney, Big Ben in London or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The hotel has only 28 double-storey floors and the smallest of its 202 suites occupies an area of 1,820 square feet and the largest covers 8,400 square feet. Visible from most of the city, it is linked to the shore by a slender, gently curving causeway.

The hotel’s construction began in 1994 and 3,000 companies and contractors were involved – 3,500 workmen used to be on-site at any given time during its construction. It took two years to reclaim the island in the shore waters of the Arabian Gulf, and a further three years to erect the magnificent landmark.

An icon of archirtecture

Burj Al Arab is the tallest all-suite hotel in the world and the tallest single structure on a man-made island. It is taller than the Eiffel Tower and a mere 60 metres shorter than the Empire State Building. An incredible 70,000 cubic metres of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel were used in its construction.

The building is supported by 250 columns that go 45 metres under the sea. The columns are held in place by the friction of the sand. Each of the four towers located in front of the hotel propels fireballs into the air, created by releasing a controlled amount of non-toxic propane gas. The result is a spectacular optical illusion, with the flames reflecting in the hotel’s glass exterior.

There are three aquariums in the hotel and there are over 28,000 light fixtures in the landmark building. Approximately 1,790 square metres of 24-carat gold leaf was used to embellish the interior measuring 43,446 square metres of glass. Those who had the opportunity to stay in the hotel or visited it will remember its Vertigo-inducing views.