With its unique billowing sail-shaped structure and opulent interior design, Burj Al Arab has rapidly gained icon status in Dubai. Since its opening two years ago, the world has applauded the architectural design and service excellence of Burj Al Arab. And the reason is not just because the 321 metres high hotel, standing on a man-made island, is the tallest in the world; it is also because of its extravagant interiors, and the multiple state-of-the-art technologies used to support the management of this unique seven star hotel in the world.

The Burj Al Arab experience begins the moment guests arrive at Dubai International Airport, where they will be met by one of the hotel's fleet of eight chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Silver Seraphs. Visitors who arrive by helicopter will experience a 15 minute birds-eye-view of the city, culminating in a dramatic landing on the hotel's helipad on the 28th level.

Built at a cost of some US$ 700million, the Burj achieves a harmonious blend of traditional Arabian hospitality and the European desire for high-tech comforts. The hotel has 202 "seven star" super luxury suites, each two stories high.

The spa and health club is open 24 hours a day. Whether guests are looking for a healthy snack or the best of haute cuisine, Burj Al Arab has the perfect answer anytime with more than 10 restaurants and cafes. The most fascinating restaurant is literally "suspended" 200 metres above the Arabian Gulf.

How the idea was born

The instruction from the client (the Crown Prince of Dubai) was to design, not just a hotel, but also a signature building; one that would announce, "Welcome to Dubai". The client wanted a dramatic statement with imagery that would immediately conjure up images of the city, in much the same way the Opera House does for Sydney and the Eiffel tower does for Paris.

The various phases of construction

The Crown Prince of Dubai, HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, conceived the Chicago Beach Resort Development (CBRD) Project. The design and construction management of the project has been entrusted to the International Consultants M/s W. S. Atkins. (Epsom, Surrey ). It has been personally supervised by HH and a dedicated team of experts appointed by him for overall supervision.

Work on the project was substantially reduced with design and construction kept under six years from initial presentation of design concepts, through construction of the island, island substructure, shell, core and hotel. The completed building was delivered, fully fitted for operation, beginning of 2000.

Seven star hotel?

This is a frequently asked question. The answer certainly lies in the size and the shape of the building, the care given to the high building protection, the fine choice of furniture, the extraordinary size of each suite, the unique interior and exterior design, and the outstanding comfort provided to each guest.

The seven star Burj Al Arab Hotel is unique. The level and the quality of technologies implemented could serve as a reference point for the planned refurbishment of an important number of so called "de Luxe" and "Five Star Plus" hotels in the world. The following summarized list, underlines some of the more specific equipment present in the hotel. It will, most likely, set new standards in the deluxe category of hotels.

Burj Al Arab innovative technical solutions

  1. McQuay Chiller Integration with OPM panelNo. Of Chillers (R134A) = 32 (950 kW each)
  2. Energy Monitoring Unit interface with BMS
  3. Air quality sensor installed for restaurant areas
  4. Lighting control via BMS
  5. Workstations connected on fibre optic network
  6. BMS supervised by client server
  7. Pager interface with "ASCON"
  8. Implementation of Computer Aided Facility Management System
  9. Hotel Operating System interface to Tower hotel
  10. Custom-made Guest Control Pads (GCP) for each room in Tower hotel
  11. Atrium of height approx. 225 m.
  12. TV interface in Tower hotel
  13. Power fail conditions and respective interlocks with generator, lifts, etc.
  14. Remote Access System
  15. Interfaces in the Tower hotel Paging system, PABX, BMS, etc.
  16. Special noise protection in guestrooms (level < 30DB)
  17. Fastest elevators in the world (6 metres /Second)

Importance of CAFMS (Computer Aided Facility Management System)

Better to prevent than cure!

Following this very wise adage, the technical management of Burj Al Arab decided, on top of the BMS and RMS systems, to introduce a special software package to help them to supervise and maintain all technically installed devices and systems. This is known under the name of CAFMS.

CAFMS, among other applications, is mainly used to inform the staff when, for instance, to optimally proceed to replace lamps, inspect fans and pumps, check TV and cameras, anticipate potential failures, etc. It advantageously helps to optimise the level and the availability of exchange devices in stock. This program has thus increased safety and security and avoids further and future problems, which in the end, would most likely affect the guest's comfort; this is considered as the most important issue in this outstanding hotel.

The following list (abstracts only), illustrates the large quantity of items that make this hotel unique.

  • 51900 lamps
  • 851 outside luminaries
  • 5180 speakers
  • 2746 telephones
  • 208 fax machines
  • 210 plasma TVs
  • 294 conventional TVs
  • 1093 HI FI amplifiers
  • 27 CC TV cameras
  • 11070 socket outlets
  • 605 AHUs
  • 394 FCUs
  • 101 extract fans
  • 132 pumps
  • 4950 valves
  • 546 variable speed drives
  • 77 UPSs
  • 336 MCCs
  • 3440 fire detectors
  • 12 high rise elevators
  • 3 levels of air filtration
Guests Rooms: Setting new standards

From the moment visitors enter their room and their butler asks whether they would like assistance unpacking their luggage, they will be cocooned in an environment of spectacular elegance and sophistication, where every request is granted and every need anticipated.

The 202 suites are like mini palaces with every possible modern convenience (including a Jacuzzi). Every one of the 202 suites is equipped with facilities necessary for the modern business person on the go. However, the "crème de la crème"suites are the Grand Suites and Special Suites.

Within the welcoming ambience and luxury fittings of every suite, lies a hidden network of technological wizardry, fuelling a sophisticated multi media system that provides the largest selection of satellite television channels available in the Middle East. One channel is also linked to a camera outside the suite, allowing room guests to see who is at their door. Visitors can be let in with the push of a button from the remote control or from any of the numerous telephones within the suite.

The club Suite: 330 square meters

Unlike other hotels, Burj Al Arab does not have a conventional reception area; guests are met and escorted directly to their suites by guest services managers, where they can check-in in comfort and privacy.

Each suite is equipped with a laptop computer. This allows the guest to utilise the latest version of MS office and the Internet. The notebooks are connected to a dedicated network using wireless technology. There is also a scanner and printer, allowing business people to stay on top of their workloads - while resting in the lap of luxury.

State-of-the-art technology (including user friendly Building Management and Room Management Systems) is used to transmit, maintain, and monitor all the features in the hotel to make it a technical dream.

Interior design

The interiors are evocative of a contemporary Arabian fantasy with all the modcons.

"Maybe, it is not far from that description. While I do not expect everyone to love every area (some areas are more Arabic, while others are more contemporary), it is certainly a hotel that people will visit as a poser point... and to have lots of fun," says Khuan Chew, design principal of KCA (Khuan Chew Associates) International.

"There is no specific colour theme running through the hotel. It's an explosion of colour. As I said, you either love it or hate it," Khuan Chew says. She was talking about the mixed reactions to Burj Al Arab's interiors created by KCA.

Arriving guests are met in the world's largest Atrium Lobby by guest services clad in distinctive uniforms. With a terraced cascade of water and lights, the water theme is also present inside the lobby. It is sumptuously carpeted in a rich combination of orange, red, yellow, white and blue. Chairs and sofas, upholstered in flame-reds and yellows, continue the theme.

Slowly you become aware of just how spacious the interior is. This feeling is heightened by the impressive view of the Persian Gulf afforded by the hotel's huge panoramic windows.

The experience of feeling like a Sultan of the Orient, depending on the suite category, costs US$ 1000 to US$ 7000 per night. The Burj Al Arab is "definitely not your traditional hotel," says the technical director Ivan Brinkley.

The mezzanine fountain, a kaleidoscope of colour and patterns, is programmed to shoot a water column up to 32 metres in the air, drawing the eye up the gold columns to the triangular blue ceiling 180 metres away.

Guests first!

The extremely high level of customer satisfaction, warranted by such prices, has driven the managers to strive for unparalleled levels of logistical and technical sophistication. For example, more than 1200 people are on hand to tend to every guest need. This number translates into six members of staff, per suite.

State-of-the-art

Brinkley has high praise for the technical systems installed to monitor the hotel. "They are so comprehensive," he says, "that for the first time ever, we don't have to walk around the building with toolboxes". Any problems in the suites are solved centrally. From a main control room, the staff in charge can monitor specifics such as the air temperature and the quantity and degree of air quality.

Burj Al Arab is a luxury hotel with sophisticated technology. This article has provided a small insight into the technology used in guest suites. Ponder for a moment on the other areas of genius, for example the high-speed panoramic elevators, the fire and water displays and even the imposing sail façade.

The sail façade, dazzling white by day and a rainbow of colour at night, represents an astonishing technical feat. The sail, has a screen of double skinned Teflon coated woven glass fibre (representing the largest ever use of such materials in any building worldwide) which forms a canvas. Utilising a series of projectors, this sail creates a light spectacular when darkness falls, providing a brilliant entrance to the marvels that await the guest inside. Guests also learn that everything that glitters here really is gold: 2000 square meters of gold leaf adorn walls, columns and domes.

Functionally, Burj Al Arab is part of the Jumeirah Beach resorts which includes the "five star" 600 bedroom Jumeirah Beach hotel and the Wild Wadi Aqua park.

It is no surprise then, that these developments have captured the imagination of holidaymakers and business travellers from all corners of the globe. The Jumeirah Beach Resort has undoubtedly set the standards for hospitality in the Middle East.t the standards for hospitality in the Middle East.

Article by Jacques Levy-BonvinJacques LEVY-BONVIN

International Consultant
EHLITE
Jacques Lévy is an International Hotel Consultant and graduated from the School of Engineering in Geneva. For 20 years, he managed the International Division at Staefa Control Division and, in 1996, became manager of the Hotel Marketing Department of Siemens Landis & Staefa in Zug, Switzerland. More information is available at www.jlevy.ch.

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