By Codelia Mantsebo
From underwater restaurants to tennis matches on a helipad, the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah has become the symbol of Dubai luxury. The world’s only 7-star hotel and Dubai’s most iconic landmark is to get its own exclusive beachside resort dubbed the “North Deck”.
The opulent hotel has been consistently voted the world’s most luxurious hotel and has now revealed its latest leisure concept, the addition of the “North Deck”, a 10,000sq metre outdoor space that spreads fan-like to a distance of 100 metres over the Persian Gulf. Altering the hotel’s bhow ship silhouette, The “Burj North Deck” makes a natural extension to the hotel’s iconic architectural structure, while also enhancing guests’ experiences. The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah offers round-the-clock private butlers and use of the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet. Guests at the all-suite hotel already have access to nine on-site restaurant and bars, four swimming pools and a private beach. The expansive addition to the building will accommodate two curved swimming pools (one salt water, one fresh water), 32 beach cabanas, 400 sun loungers and a new restaurant and bar.
In true extravagant Dubai style, the private luxury deck is being shipped into the emirates from Finland. It is currently en route by sea, and is expected to reach Dubai by mid-February. After a few finishing touches, the “Burj North Deck” is due to launch in the second quarter of 2016. A lifting crane will lift the six sections of the deck and lower it onto a grid of 90 steel piles which have been fixed into place in advance on the Gulf seabed. The placement will have the resort stretch from the hotel out into the Arabian Gulf.
Anthony McHale, General Manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, commented: “As a hotel we are dedicated to surpassing guest expectations by providing the ultimate Arabian hospitality experience and we have no doubt that North Deck will do just that. We are hugely excited about its arrival – North Deck is a true reflection of Dubai’s own ambition to provide the most outstanding experience for guests visiting and living in Dubai.”
The North Deck has been developed at a shipyard in Finland by marine construction experts ADMARES, who specialize in the production of cruise ships and yachts – using state-of-the-art marine technology, design and manufacturing expertise.
Robert Swade, Jumeirah Group Chief Operating Officer: “Dubai is renowned for providing exceptional experiences. This is the first time a structure of this nature and size has been built in one country and then transported to another country to be assembled and operated. We are really pushing the boundaries of innovation and demonstrating how committed we are to positioning Dubai as the most exciting destination in the world and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah as the finest provider of luxury experiences.”
The Burj Al Arab hotel is managed by Jumeirah Group, a global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding.
Image credit: The Communication Group