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• Luxury Travel
• United Arab Emirates

‘Inside Burj Al Arab Tour’ – My Full Review (With Photos and FAQs!)

• Posted by by Elle-Rose
• Updated: October 13, 2023
• 7 minute read

Are you looking for information about the ‘Inside Burj Al Arab tour’? If so, you’ll find everything you need to know here!

‘Inside Burj Al Arab’ is an exclusive tour, being offered by the world’s only 7* hotel, so you can glimpse behind the curtain and see inside this stunning and groundbreaking hotel.

My husband and I recently took this tour with some of our family, and I wanted to write about our experience on the tour, and whether I think the ticket cost is worth it.

The ‘Inside Burj Al Arab tour’ is truly unique, and being granted access to this landmark hotel is a magical and wonderful experience.

I felt that the experience in general was wonderful. It felt really special, and I thought it was amazing to be given a glimpse into the hotel!

If you’re interested in booking the Inside Burj Al Arab tour tickets for yourself, then you’ll find lots of information in this blog post, about what exactly to expect and how the Inside Burj Al Arab tour works.

You may also just be curious about the tour and hotel, and want to look at lots of photos of this amazing hotel – if that sounds like yourself, you’ll find plenty to look at here too!

I took lots of photos, and they’re all here for you to take a look at! So, let’s get into it!

How do you book tickets for ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’?

First up, I thought it’d be useful to explain how to acquire tickets to the Inside Burj Al Arab tour.

It’s pretty simple, tickets are available through their website: insideburjalarab.com

You’ll pick a time slot, and then you turn up to the meeting location (not the Burj Al Arab itself) at the selected time period to enjoy the Inside Burj Al Arab tour.

How long does the tour last and what does it cost?

Because of the fluidity of the tour, the length can vary. On average though, they recommend setting aside 1.5 – 2 hours for the Inside Burj Al Arab tour.

Then of course, when booking tickets , if you opt for extras (such as eating at the restaurant at the end of the tour) you may want to add even more time.

Price-wise, these were the prices at the time of writing (Jan 2023):

• Inside Burj Al Arab shared tour: AED 249 per ticket
• Inside Burj Al Arab private tour: AED 4999 per group of 4

Are there any rules you should know about?

Yes, there are a few. It’s worth knowing the following:

• No flash photography or professional cameras are permitted.
• No photographs are allowed in the lower lobby area.
• Dress to impress! Smart/casual attire is recommended. Beachwear is not allowed.
• Arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour departure time.

Tip: Don’t wear high heels. There is quite a lot of walking involved – so I would wear comfortable but smart footwear.

Where does the tour start?

You’ll need to arrive at the tour headquarters, which isn’t actually located inside the Burj Al Arab.

Instead, you’ll head to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel (right next door). They have constructed a new ‘tour lobby’, and this is where you’ll check-in for your Inside Burj Al Arab tour, and wait in a (very posh!) waiting room for your group to depart.

It’s all very easy and straightforward, so don’t worry!

The waiting room is spacious, very nicely appointed, and has plenty of seats to sit on whilst you wait for your group to depart.

Then, once you’re all ready to go, you’ll board one of the ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’ golf buggies, and drive over the famous Burj Al Arab bridge, to enter the hotel through a private tour entrance.

Tour groups vary in size but expect there to be between 6 – 12 people per group.

What is the format of the tour?

You’ll arrive via golf buggy at the Burj Al Arab, and you’ll enter into the hotel through a private entrance (exclusively used by the Inside Burj Al Arab tour).

Once you’ve all arrived, you’ll be offered refreshments, a chance to use the toilet, and a brief introduction.

You’ll then be walked through the hotel lobby (a great chance to see the amazing atrium from inside) and up into an exclusive elevator, which will take you right to the top of this magnificent structure.

And don’t worry, you’ll have several photo opportunities along the way!

You’ll start your tour in a converted hotel suite, which you can explore at your leisure. It’s a mini-museum, showing the growth of the Burj Al Arab, how it is used, and various unique features about the hotel itself.

For example, did you know they have a turtle rescue centre?

Once you’ve enjoyed the museum part of the tour (it takes about 15-20 minutes to walk through), you’ll be invited to walk through the Royal Suite.

This Suite is no longer used by guests, but it has had many famous guests in the past, such as Nelson Mandela, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Kim Kardashian.

You’ll get to tour the suite at your own pace, accompanied by a dedicated butler, room by room, taking in all the splendor and majesty.

Your butler knows everything you could possibly need to ask about, and he’s always there to provide any extra information should you need it. They’re super knowledgeable, it’s so impressive!

The Royal Suite tour is truly where the Inside Burj Al Arab tour comes alive.

It’s absolutely fascinating to see the opulent rooms, and see the 7* luxury that has made the Burj Al Arab so famous.

Read more about Dubai and the Burj Al Arab: Our review of the pool day pass at the Burj Al Arab!

What does the Royal Suite look like?

It’s everything you expect it to be.

As colourful, amazing, luxurious, spacious… You name it.

Being able to tour all of the rooms, and explore them at your own pace, is such a unique and special opportunity. It’s why the ‘Inside Burj Al Arab’ tour is really worth doing.

We’ll share some photos below for you to enjoy!

Let’s start with the living and lounge area…

The lounge area is one of the most spacious areas of the Royal Suite. It comprises of 3 different areas, which are all connected.

The colourful decor might seem a little ‘garish’ but it’s actually quite astounding how relaxing and cohesive it all feels when you’re in there.

The fabrics and textures are (as you’d imagine) beautiful. Only the plushest pillows and cushions will suffice here!

As you can see, the carpets make up a huge design feature of the rooms. It’s something you’ll notice as you walk through, that each carpet has been designed and put together to match the theming perfectly.

Here’s a little close-up of one of the carpets I loved!

Next, onto the staircase and lobby…

Each suite in the Burj Al Arach spans across two floors, which makes for this wonderful entrance space and lobby.

The entrance hall really does make an impact when you enter the room, and it feels extremely palatial.

I also get ‘Beauty and the Beast’ vibes from the two-sided staircase, which gives you such a fairytale feel!

Now onto the Bedrooms…

There are two main bedrooms in the Royal Suite.

The first is the ‘Queen’s room’ – designed for female guest, and decked head to toe in pink details. Apparently the colour scheme was inspired by Brighton Rock candy.

The Queen Room is softer and arguably more feminine than the ‘King’s Room’ which is located across the hall.

The Queen’s Room is also bigger than the King’s! With added space for entertaining (which you can see below).

Across the hallway from the Queen’s room, is (you guessed it) the King’s Room.

The room has a darker, moodier vibe to the decor. With lots of red, black and gold. You’ll see in the photos how different the rooms feel to each other.

An interesting feature in the King’s Room was certainly the rotating bed!

Now let’s look at the ensuite bathrooms…

Each bedroom has its own amazing ensuite bathroom. Each with a huge tub, and gold tiled showers.

The bathrooms are gigantic and ooze luxury (and comfort).

You’ll find Hermes bathroom products scattered around the room too – another luxurious touch!

And finally, the dining room and study

What hotel suite would be complete without a huge dining room and a separate study / office?

As you can see, the finishing touches to this amazing hotel suite are just as luxurious as the other rooms!

It’s difficult to explain the scale of these dining chairs too – they almost made me feel like Alice in Wonderland when she shrinks!

Another lovely feature of this dining room was the sky-painting ceiling too, it adds a real lightness and ethereal nature to the room.

Oh, and let’s talk about the view!

As you can imagine, the view is simply stunning from the hotel. You’re so high up once you’re inside the Burj Al Arab, and you get a wonderfully panoramic view of the Dubai skyline.

You can see the entire city, stretching from the Burj Kalifa and Downtown, to the Marina.

What happens after the tour?

Once you’ve finished your Inside Burj Al Arab tour of the Royal Suite, you can then either leave and finish your experience or enjoy a drink and food at the Inside Burj Al Arab tour restaurant .

There’s also a shop on the way out called the ‘Burj Al Arab Boutique’ if you want to grab any souvenirs or mementos of your day.

We opted to enjoy some pizza and cocktails at the tour restaurant, which is a lovely outdoor setting, overlooking Dubai Marina and the sunset.

The drinks were wonderful (cocktails and mocktails) and the food was delicious. It was a great way to end our Inside Burj Al Arab tour.

Would I recommend the Inside Burj Al Arab tour?

Absolutely. Everyone in our group enjoyed the tour and the experience of glimpsing behind the curtain of this luxurious hotel.

We learnt a lot about the history of the Burj Al Arab, but we also enjoyed just experiencing the decor and the hotel and seeing such a magnificent space.

If you’re the curious type, then I can almost guarantee you’re going to enjoy the Inside Burj Al Arab tour as much as we did.

I highly recommend!

Read more about Dubai: Our review of The Address Downtown in Dubai

Let us know if you end up visiting the Inside Burj Al Arab tour!

Read more about visiting Dubai: Where is the best place to watch the Dubai Fountains?

Elle-Rose is the owner and editor of The World and Then Some! She has been a professional travel writer for over 12 years, writing for many different publications, including this one. Elle-Rose is a city break expert, and she specializes in popular locations such as NYC, London, Las Vegas and Dubai, regularly visiting to stay on top of new attractions, restaurants and hotels. Elle-Rose is super active on TikTok (@theworldandthensome), and loves filming video content in the cities she visits - so go and say hello!

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Guide to the Inside Burj Al Arab Tour: A taste of true luxury

• About the Burj Al Arab Tour
• What to Expect

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Want to see inside the world’s only seven-star hotel without spending a fortune? The Inside Burj Al Arab tour is an immersive experience that allows UAE residents and visitors to finally see the most coveted areas of Burj Al Arab. Read on to find out all about the one-of-a-kind tour.

ABOUT THE BURJ AL ARAB TOUR

The Inside Burj Al Arab tour, which opened to the public on 15th October 2021, can accommodate up to 12 people at a time. It runs every 15 minutes from 09:30 am to 08:30 pm daily.

The 90-minute butler-guided tour has rapidly become immensely popular with those fascinated by this world-famous hotel. Located in Jumeirah , the Burj Al Arab shows us what it means to be truly exceptional in the hospitality industry. It is the true representation of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai’s extraordinary vision.

The tour takes guests on an exclusive journey of discovery, allowing them to hear the untold stories behind one of Dubai’s most iconic hotels. The tour can be upgraded to include a variety of distinctive experiences.

What to expect

Here is what you can expect when you tour Burj Al Arab.

• Architectural Design and History: From the very first hand-drawn sketch to unique design elements of the Burj Al Arab — explore how the iconic structure came to be.
• Photo opportunities: Get that perfect snap for the Gram with the stunning interiors as a backdrop.
• Royal Guided Tour: Feel like royalty with each tour guided by a dedicated butler. Check out the Royal Suite for a glimpse into the ultimate luxury
• Upgrade your experience: From pastries and fresh juices to sumptuous afternoon tea and cocktails at sunset, several options elevate your touring experience.
• Kids Club: Book the Our Kids Club, available from  02:00 pm to 06:45 pm and 09:00 am to 12:45 pm. The service can accommodate kids aged two and has professionals at hand.
• Grab a souvenir: Head to the Burj Al Arab Boutique and buy a little something to remember your experience.

Visitors can choose from these packages for the Burj Al Arab guided tour.

Iconic Sunset Tour

Make the most of the emirate’s spectacular sea view sunset by choosing from these tours.

• Sunset and Premium Beverage: Stop at the UMA Lounge and indulge in drinks and the finest cuisine. The shared tour includes three-time slots with AED 349 per ticket.
• Sunset Sparkle: Enjoy a wine or beer from the 25 th floor. Potential visitors can contact the concerned management for this Burj Al Arab tour cost.

Inside Burj Al Arab

Starting at AED 249, this tour explores the lavish interior of one of the most popular hotels in the world.

Tour and Golden Cappuccino at UMA Lounge

Enjoy the tour and have a cuppa sprinkled with 24-carat gold! The shared tour costs AED 369 per visitor.

Tour and Dine

This Dubai Burj Al Arab tour has three options depending on chosen cuisine. The prices mentioned below are per ticket.

• Tour and Club Sandwich or Margherita Pizza at UMA Lounge: AED 399
• Tour and two-course dinner or lunch at Sahn Eddar: AED 599
• Tour and Family Buffet at Al Iwan: AED 699

Family Offers

Coming in with a group? Select from any of these Burj Al Arab tour deals. Please note these packages cater to a family of two adults and two children.

• Family Package: Applicable for AED 599 per ticket
• Family Package and UMA: Dine with the family at UMA and have fun in the tour for AED 750.

Things to Consider

Excited about the tour? Just keep these considerations in mind before you go.

• The tickets include access inside the hotel only and exclusively to the 25 th floor
• Food and beverages from outside are not permitted
• Tickets are non-refundable
• Changes to the tour are allowed 48 hours before the date
• Professional and flash photography isn’t permitted
• Visitors are expected to dress appropriately. This means no beachwear.

A complete list of the terms is available on the Burj Al Arab tour official website.

Please visit the Inside Burj Al Arab hospitality desk on the ground level if you want to upgrade your ticket after your tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i buy tickets for the tour.

You can make a booking via the tour’s official website. For more information, fill out the form on their contact page and someone will get back to you shortly.

Can I cancel a booking?

Bookings cannot be cancelled and refunds are not entertained.

Are kids under four allowed free entry?

The Inside Burj Al Arab tour is complimentary for kids under five. Child rates apply to children of five to thirteen, while those above thirteen are charged as adults.

Where can I drop my kids off?

There is a Kids Club at the hotel. It cares for children as young as 2.

How many floors does Burj Al Arab have?

Burj Al Arab has 56 floors.

Can we visit more of the hotel on the Burj Al Arab guided tour?

Yes, add-ons are possible. For instance, you can make a reservation at fancy restaurants in Burj Al Arab . You can also ask to spend some time at the beautiful Burj Al Arab Terrace .

What are some other things to do at the Burj Al Arab?

There are many fabulous things to do in Burj Al Arab – as you’d expect of one of the world’s most famous hotels.

That wraps up our guide on the Burj Al Arab Tour. This tour will allow you to experience authentic Emirati hospitality, learn everything there is to know about this incredible structure and gain insight into living the high life.

Why not visit Downtown Dubai, the city’s entertainment centre, if you’re looking for other fun activities in this gorgeous city? There are many things to do in Downtown Dubai that combine to make the district a true tourist delight.

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Inside Burj Al Arab Tour + Soft Beverage at UMA Lounge

Inside burj al arab tour including premium beverage at uma lounge, inside burj al arab tour including premium beverage at uma lounge - sunset, inside burj al arab tour including a gold cappuccino at uma lounge, inside burj al arab - inside the burj al arab tour with culinary experience at uma supplied by: inside burj al arab.

Step into a world of 24-carat gold and embark on the most iconic tour in Dubai with Inside Burj Al Arab. A favourite among visitors to the city, this exclusive tour will give you an in-depth look at one of the UAE's most famous landmarks.v

• Iconic photo moments
• 90-minute tour accompanied by a dedicated butler
• Exclusive access to the Inside Burj Al Arab Boutique
• Access to the UMA Sunset Lounge

What's included

• Welcome drink on arrival
• Buggy transfer over bridge to Burj Al Arab island
• Photo opportunity
• Arrival at Burj Al Arab
• Traditional Emirati welcome at foyer
• Walk through hotel atrium to the panoramic elevator leading to the 25th floor
• Stories about the Experience Suite
• Traditional Arabic coffee and dates
• Access to the boutique via a gold-plated elevator
• Golden cappuccino
• Additional drinks and food available to buy with full bar
• Potential minimum spend
• Table available 90 minutes from the tour start time
• Additional drinks and food available for purchase
• Table available 90 minutes from tour start time
• Food and additional beverages
• Retail items

From the opulent atrium to the elegant Royal Suite, you will walk in the shoes of royalty, dignitaries and celebrities who have visited before. This guided tour guarantees iconic photo moments, access to stunning original design artwork and interactives charting the history of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Enter the gilded doors of the Royal Suite to relive history through a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. Take the gold-plated elevator to the Inside Burj Al Arab Boutique and discover a range of curated and custom-branded souvenirs and merchandise, allowing you to take home a treasured memory of your experience. Select your preferred time for the tour and choose from a variety of culinary options at Uma Sunset Lounge, which offers stunning views of Palm Jumeirah and Ain Dubai.

Know before you go

• Ticket lounge is located at Jumeirah Beach Hotel • Ticket holders are advised to use the valet parking service at Jumeirah Beach Hotel • The tour starts and ends at the Ticket Lounge • Tours leave every 15 minutes • Tickets must be presented at the Ticket Lounge to obtain access. Guest should arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled tour start time. • Tour tickets provide access to the 25th floor and Inside Burj Al Arab areas only • Group size is restricted to a maximum of 12 guests with respect to social distancing • Smart/casual attire is required, no beachwear or flip-flops will be permitted; men must wear closed shoes to be admitted on the tour • No photographs may be taken in the main Atrium or on the first floor • Late arrivals will be moved to another tour subject to availability and may carry an additional charge • Access to Inside Burj Al Arab Boutique is exclusive to tour and hotel guests only • Inside Burj Al Arab can arrange onward dining and beverage experiences to complement the tour and extend the guest experience

Cancellation policy

Tickets are valid for the date and time displayed on the confirmation. For a full refund, cancellation must be made 24 hours before start time.

Additional Information

• Doors open 9:30am at Jumeirah Beach Hotel – Inside Burj Al Arab Ticketing Lounge • Guest should arrive 15 minutes before selected tour start time • Duration: approximately 60-90 minutes • Those aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or above; adult tickets apply to individuals from the age of 13 • Children up to 3 years can enter free of charge and will receive a complimentary ticket from the Ticketing Lounge; proof of age may be required • UMA Lounge access: from 11am and a minimum spend may apply

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Blinken meets with Arab officials, calls for ‘enduring end’ to Gaza crisis

US secretary of state holds talks with Egyptian president and crown prince of Saudi Arabia in latest Middle East tour.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and reiterated the call for a truce in the war on Gaza and support for the two-state solution, the US Department of State has said.

The meetings over the past two days are part of Blinken’s sixth trip to the Middle East since the war broke out.

Keep reading

Blinken begins latest middle east tour, set to meet arab leaders in cairo, how the uncommitted vote against biden’s gaza policy is going ‘national’, biden warns netanyahu against ‘mistake’ of invading rafah.

In his talks with the Saudi crown prince in Jeddah, Blinken “underscored the importance of urgently addressing humanitarian needs” in Gaza, the State Department said in a statement.

“Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza and to the establishment of a future Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel,” it added.

Blinken also travelled to Cairo, where he met top Egyptian officials, including el-Sisi.

“Secretary Blinken and President el-Sisi discussed negotiations to secure an immediate ceasefire for at least six weeks and the release of all hostages,” the State Department said.

In a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry later on Thursday, Blinken laid out the US vision for post-war Gaza.

“Gaza cannot be used as a platform for terrorism. There can be no displacement of its population. There can be no re-occupation by Israel,” the top US diplomat told reporters.

The US secretary of state, who also met with Arab diplomats from across the region in Cairo, was asked about the Biden administration’s “paradoxical” position, where Washington is pushing to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that is caused by its own weapons that it transfers to the Israeli army.

“We’re committed to Israel’s right to defend itself, and to making sure that it has what it needs to defend itself and to make sure that October 7 never happens again,” Blinken said. “We’re also committed to doing everything we possibly can to help people who are in harm’s way.”

United Nations experts have warned that famine is imminent in Gaza as a result of Israel’s blockade.

In a major speech earlier this month, Biden warned Israel against using humanitarian assistance to Gaza as a “bargaining chip”.

On Monday, the White House also cautioned Israel against a major ground assault on the crowded city of Rafah, where more than one million Palestinians have taken shelter since being displaced.

Blinken echoed that warning on Thursday, saying that a Rafah invasion would be a “mistake”.

The Israeli military has killed nearly 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 7 after Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking more than 200 captive.

Despite the mounting Palestinian death toll and destruction of large parts of Gaza, the Biden administration has pushed on with its financial and diplomatic support for Israel. The White House is working with Congress to secure more than $14bn in additional aid to the US ally.

Washington has also vetoed three UN Security Council proposals that would have called for a ceasefire.

Instead of calling for an end to the war, the Biden administration has worked to secure a pause in hostilities to allow the release of captives taken from Israel on October 7 and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

The top US diplomat has travelled several times to the region to finalise the truce agreement. On Thursday, he said the gaps to secure an agreement are narrowing, but there are still “real challenges” in the talks.

Blinken is set to conclude his trip in Israel. The visit will be his first since officials from Biden’s Democratic Party have intensified their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for new elections in Israel to replace Netanyahu – comments that the Israeli prime minister described as “totally inappropriate”.

Still, the Biden administration has signalled that it will continue with its pro-Israel policies.

The State Department said Blinken and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed discussed “greater integration among countries in the region” during their meeting.

The Biden administration has used “integration” to refer to establishing formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab states, a process more commonly known as “normalisation”. But a US push for official ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel has been complicated by the Gaza conflict.

Last month, after the White House suggested that Saudi Arabia-Israel normalisation talks are continuing despite the war on Gaza, the kingdom denied the account in a strongly worded statement.

“The kingdom has communicated its firm position to the US administration that there will be no diplomatic relations with Israel unless an independent Palestinian state is recognised on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and all Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Gaza Strip,” the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at that time.

Netanyahu has repeatedly voiced opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, stressing that Israel must maintain security control over the Palestinian territory.