Burj Al Arab Dubai: Everything You Need to Know (2026 Update)
The Burj Al Arab. Even the name conjures images of impossible luxury, golden interiors, and the kind of opulence that seems almost too extravagant to be real. Standing 321 metres tall on its own private artificial island and shaped like the sail of a traditional Arabian dhow, the Burj Al Arab Dubai is one of the most iconic and photographed buildings in the entire world.
If you're planning a trip to Dubai in 2026 or 2027, here's the most important thing to know upfront: the Burj Al Arab is currently closed. In April 2026, the hotel shut its doors for the first time in its 27-year history for a comprehensive 18-month restoration programme. It is expected to reopen in late 2027. Read on for everything you need to know - including what to do in the meantime and why it's absolutely worth planning a future visit.
Important 2026 Update: Burj Al Arab is Temporarily Closed
As of April 2026, the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab has closed for an extensive restoration that is expected to last approximately 18 months, with the hotel currently unavailable for bookings until late 2027. This is the first major renovation in the building's history since it opened in December 1999.
All restaurants, bars, and wellness facilities inside the hotel - including the Michelin-starred Al Muntaha restaurant, the Skyview Bar, and the Talise Ottoman Spa - are closed for the duration of the restoration.
The renovation is being led by acclaimed Parisian interior architect Tristan Auer, previously responsible for celebrated restorations such as the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris. Jumeirah's CEO Thomas B. Meier described the project as 'a new chapter in the story of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab - one that will carefully preserve the heritage of what is currently the sole property in our Jumeirah limited-edition collection.' The goal is to enhance the interiors with the same care and precision as preserving a work of art, while retaining the essence of its legendary design.
Guests seeking Jumeirah-brand stays in Dubai are currently being redirected to other properties in the Jumeirah portfolio. The Burj Al Arab is expected to return in late Q4 2027 as a fully restored and reimagined icon.
Can You Still See the Burj Al Arab in 2026?
Absolutely - and the exterior is every bit as breathtaking as ever. While you cannot enter the building during the restoration period, the Burj Al Arab remains one of Dubai's most spectacular sights from the outside, and there are several excellent vantage points to admire it:
- Jumeirah Beach the public beach directly facing the Burj Al Arab offers the most iconic and photographed views of the sail-shaped facade
- Dhow cruise on the Arabian Gulf sunset and evening dhow cruises pass close to the Burj Al Arab's private island for stunning photo opportunities
- Wild Wadi Waterpark located right next to the Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi is open as normal and offers great views of the hotel from inside the park
- Helicopter tour several Dubai operators offer scenic helicopter flights over the Burj Al Arab and Palm Jumeirah, which is arguably the best way to appreciate the hotel's unique island setting
- The View at The Palm from the observation deck on Palm Jumeirah, you can see the Burj Al Arab as part of the wider Dubai coastline panorama
What Was the Burj Al Arab Like? A Complete Guide for Future Visitors
For those planning a visit once the Burj Al Arab reopens in 2027 - or simply curious about what makes this building so extraordinary - here is a comprehensive look at what has made it one of the world's most celebrated hotels for over two decades.
The Building & Icon Status
The Burj Al Arab opened in December 1999 and almost instantly became a global symbol of Dubai's ambition. Built on its own man-made island connected to the mainland by a private causeway, the 321-metre sail-shaped tower was designed by architect Tom Wright of WS Atkins to evoke the billowing sail of a traditional Arabian dhow.
For many years it was widely - if unofficially - referred to as the world's only 'seven-star hotel', a label that captured the imagination of travellers everywhere. Its 198 duplex suites (the smallest measuring 169 square metres), staff-to-guest ratio of roughly 8:1, and fleet of Rolls-Royce airport transfers set a new benchmark for luxury hospitality worldwide.
The Legendary Interiors
The interior of the Burj Al Arab Dubai has always been gloriously maximalist - a theatrical celebration of colour, craftsmanship, and extravagance. Key features have included:
- A soaring 180-metre atrium - one of the tallest in the world - serving as the centrepiece of the lobby
- Approximately 1,790 square metres of 24-carat gold leaf applied across the interiors
- 86,500 hand-fixed Swarovski crystals embedded throughout the building
- Over 30 types of rare Statuario marble used in floors, walls, and surfaces
- Bespoke furnishings, carpets, and fittings designed exclusively for the hotel
It is precisely these extraordinary interiors that interior architect Tristan Auer has been entrusted to restore and sensitively reimagine for the hotel's return in 2027.
Dining at Burj Al Arab: What to Expect When It Reopens
The Burj Al Arab has always been home to some of Dubai's finest dining experiences. While all restaurants are currently closed during the renovation, here is what guests can look forward to when the hotel reopens:
- Al Mahara - Underwater Fine Dining One of the most extraordinary restaurant concepts in the world, Al Mahara is accessed via a simulated submarine experience before guests are seated around a spectacular floor-to-ceiling cylindrical aquarium filled with marine life. The restaurant holds a Michelin star and is renowned for its exceptional seafood menu.
- Al Muntaha - Sky Restaurant at 200 Metres Perched on the 27th floor with sweeping panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline, Al Muntaha - which means the ultimate in Arabic - offers contemporary European cuisine with an Arabian influence. The Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the most celebrated fine-dining venues in the Middle East.
- Gold on 27 - Afternoon Tea & Signature Bar The Skyview Bar (Gold on 27) has traditionally been the most accessible way to experience the Burj Al Arab, with its famous afternoon tea service starting from AED 395 per person. Gold-flecked coffees, artisan pastries, and panoramic Gulf views made it a must-do for Dubai visitors. It is expected to return in similarly spectacular fashion post-renovation.
The Helipad: Dubai's Most Famous Rooftop
No discussion of the Burj Al Arab is complete without its iconic rooftop helipad, a 28-metre diameter circular platform perched 210 metres above the Arabian Gulf. Over the years it has been the setting for some of the most memorable and daring viral stunts in history:
- 2005 Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played tennis on the helipad, the match watched by millions worldwide
- 2013 Formula 1 driver David Coulthard performed doughnuts in a Red Bull F1 car on the platform
- 2023 Pilot Luke Czepiela landed a light aircraft on the 27-metre diameter pad in a Red Bull stunt
Best Alternatives to Burj Al Arab While It's Closed
If the Burj Al Arab was at the top of your Dubai luxury wishlist and you're visiting in 2026 or early 2027, here are the finest alternatives available right now:
Atlantis The Royal, Palm Jumeirah
Dubai's newest ultra-luxury resort and arguably the most talked-about hotel opening of the decade. Atlantis The Royal offers 795 rooms and suites, 90 swimming pools and water features, restaurants by Nobu, Heston Blumenthal, and José Andrés, and a rooftop infinity pool with views that rival anything in Dubai.
One&Only One Za'abeel
An extraordinary sky hotel straddling one of the world's longest cantilevered structures above Za'abeel Park. Fine dining by Zuma and STAY by Yannick Alléno, paired with a design aesthetic that pushes the boundaries of contemporary luxury.
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach
A more intimate, low-rise resort on Jumeirah Beach offering a genuinely private beach, elegant rooms, and some of the best spa facilities in the city. Just minutes from where the Burj Al Arab stands.
Jumeirah Al Naseem
For those loyal to the Jumeirah brand, Al Naseem is the group's stunning beachfront resort adjacent to Wild Wadi Waterpark - practically next door to the Burj Al Arab - and offers beautiful interiors, multiple pools, and direct beach access.
Planning Your Burj Al Arab Visit for 2027
The Burj Al Arab is expected to reopen in Q4 2027 following its 18-month restoration. When it does, it will return as a fully reimagined luxury icon - with all the grandeur of the original preserved and elevated by one of the world's leading interior architects.
If you're planning a trip to Dubai around or after late 2027 and the Burj Al Arab is on your list, we recommend:
- Monitoring the official Jumeirah website (jumeirah.com) for reopening announcements and early booking windows
- Booking as early as possible - demand is expected to be extraordinary when it reopens
- Planning at least one dining reservation in addition to (or instead of) a hotel stay, for the most accessible luxury experience
- Pairing your Burj Al Arab visit with a stay on Palm Jumeirah for the ultimate Dubai luxury itinerary
Practical Information
- Status Closed for restoration as of April 2026 - expected reopening Q4 2027
- Location Jumeirah Beach Road, on a private island accessible via a dedicated causeway
- Operator Jumeirah Group
- For updates and future reservations jumeirah.com
- Nearest landmark while closed Wild Wadi Waterpark is open next door; Jumeirah Beach is a short walk
- Getting there Approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Dubai Marina; 25 minutes from Downtown Dubai
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