What’s On has Burj Al Arab pictures, as one of the world’s best hotels in Dubai turns 15 – construction, sunsets and inside Burj Al Arab.

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– Burj Al Arab men’s spa

December 2014 marks 15 years since guests first lay their heads on the luxury pillows at the ‘world’s only seven star hotel’, and to this day it remains one of the most iconic buildings on the planet.

Set 280 metres off shore, the sail-shaped structure encompasses everything that has helped drive Dubai forward to the very forefront of the world’s attentions.

Coming in at a cost of Dhs 2,387,417,500 it has played host to more than just hotel guests for more than a decade; the sporting stunts on its helipad are as well-known as anything inside the building, with the likes of Tiger Woods teeing off in 2004, tennis stars Andre Agassi and Roger Federer slugging it out 212 metres up, and F1 cars doing ‘doughnuts’.

 

 

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For those without a racket, club or wheels, you can have an ‘I Do’ with a view, stumping up Dhs200,000 to start.

And inside? A total of 9,000 tons of steel were used, including 250 columns that stretch 45 metres under the sea. Of all the luxury around the site, there is some 24,000 square metres of marble and 1,790 sq m of 24-carat gold leaf.

There are eight restaurants and bars, most famously Al Mahara, which is built into an aquarium, and Skyview Bar, the 27th floor glass-walled spot that makes up the t-point of the building.

Rooms start from around Dhs5,000, depending on season, while the highlight of the spa is the male sauna and steam room 150m which have windows gazing out across Dubai.

So can you stay there? Earlier this year, Jumeirah announced a special offer to celebrate the 15th birthday. Packaging together some of the services usually reserved for VIP guests, those willing to spend Dhs5,999 can enjoy a personal butler, Rolls-Royce Phantom pick-up, six-course dinner and signature spa experience.

Can you think of a better birthday than that?