Jumeirah’s iconic Burj Al Arab celebrates its 25th anniversary this week (1 December), so we look at some of the hotel’s headline-grabbing moments and explore what it has to offer event planners today….

The lowdown

The distinctive silhouette of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah was crafted to resemble the sail of an Arabian dhow, and when construction was completed in 1999, it was the tallest hotel in the world and also widely described as the first seven-star luxury hotel.

The property is located on a private man-made island in the Arabian Gulf, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway, and features a helipad that can be used as a tennis court for high-paying guests, a giant aquarium, and a fleet of Rolls Royce Phantoms, BMWs, and Mercedes.

The hotel’s interiors are decorated with 2,000 square meters of 24-carat gold leaf, Swarovski crystals, and more than 30 types of Statuario marble. All 202 duplex suites have at least 170 square meters of space and all come with their own private butler, Jacuzzi and spectacular views. Nine types of pillows are available on the pillow menu to ensure the utmost comfort for every guest.

Iconic moments

In 2004, Tiger Woods hit golf balls on Jumeirah Burj Al Arab’s helipad to mark the start of the Dubai Desert Classic, while in 2005, tennis legends Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played their infamous tennis match on the helipad ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Championships.

In 2013, His Excellency Nasser Al Neyadi of Skydive Dubai became the first skydiver to land on the helipad, capturing the experience on a GoPro camera, and in the same year, Formula One legend David Coulthard did “doughnuts” – or what the Infinity Red Bull Racing team referred to as “the Red Bull Seven Star Pin” – on the helipad in the Infiniti 750bhp F1 car.

Premier league legends Rio Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora played a friendly game of two touch football on the helipad in 2017, and heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua sparred with boxing guru Seb Eubank in a makeshift boxing ring on top of the helipad.

Events & dining

Drawing inspiration from the opulent décor of an 18th-century Viennese opera house, the Al Falak Ballroom has capacity for up to 300, while cocktail bar Gilt offers ocean views and is ideal for a cocktail reception or private luncheon for up to 150.

For al fresco events, Marina Garden offers panoramic views of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the ocean and is the ideal backdrop for memorable receptions and gala dinners.

There are multiple on-site dining options including SAL, a beach club with a ‘Mirror Box’ dining room which showcases the stunning views of the Arabian Gulf, the 100-metre infinity pool, and Dubai’s skyline, and Bal Al Yam, an open kitchen concept serving Middle Eastern and European fusion dishes.

Fine-dining restaurant Al Muntaha, meaning ‘the ultimate’ in Arabic, was awarded its first Michelin Star in 2022. Serving up fine French and Italian cuisine by acclaimed Chef Saverio Sbaragli, the stunning restaurant located on the on the 27th floor continues to retain the accolade year after year.

Spa & pools

The hotel’s ultra-luxurious Talise Spa is set on the 18th floor, giving guests spectacular views as they unwind, while the The Terrace claims to be the first man-made luxury beach facility of its kind.

The 10,000 sqm luxury platform, which features two pools, cabanas and a 1,120 sqm beach area (for which 1,000 tonnes of white sand were imported) opened in 2017. The two pools have been adorned with 10 million gold and azure mosaic tiles.

CSR

The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) launched in 2004 at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and neighbouring Madinat Jumeirah, run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office and with laboratory work provided by the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory.

Since then, the project has released more than 2,190 rescued and rehabilitated sea turtles safely back into the Arabian Gulf, with 88 of them monitored by satellite tracking.