"Burj" is Arabic for "Tower". - The building's external lighting schemes, from white light to a multicolored one, change from one to another every 30 minutes expressing the evening's progress.

The Burj al-Arab is a luxury hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At 321 metres (1,053 feet), it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel.[1] It stands in the sea on an artificial island 280 metres (919 feet) away from the beach in the Persian Gulf, connected to the mainland only by a private curving bridge. It is owned by the Jumeirah Corporate Luxury Hotels & Resorts Group.

It took three years to reclaim the land from the sea, and less than three years to construct the building itself.

Construction of the hotel began in 1994, and its doors were opened to guests on December 1, 1999. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. Near the top is a helipad, and extending from the other side of the hotel, over the ocean, is a restaurant called Al Muntaha (Arabic meaning Highest or Ultimate) supported by cantilever. A remarkable element of its architecture is the outer beachward wall of the atrium, which is made of a woven, Teflon-coated fiberglass cloth.

The Burj Al Arab is built on a tiny man-made sea island, a mere football kick from the Dubai mainland. A short causeway (see photo) links the hotel to the Dubai mainland. The skyscraping Burj Al Arab is firmly rooted. Its foundation pillars reach 40 meters.

To be the world's most luxurious hotel with a team dedicated to outstanding personalised service, surpassing guest expectations by providing the ultimate Arabian hospitality experience."

Combining the latest technology with a long-standing reputation of Arabian hospitality, Burj Al Arab symbolizes the very essence of Dubai, embracing the best of the new alongside the traditions of the past.

The Burj Al Arab's atrium is the world's tallest, measuring 180 meters (600 feet) high. The interior cavity rises from the lobby level to the hotel's upper floors.

An all suite hotel standing 28 double-height storeys high, Burj Al Arab comprises 202 duplex suites. Convenience, luxury and a highly personalised service are available for every traveller, enhanced by private reception desks on every floor. In-suite check-in, a brigade of exclusive butlers that provides around the clock assistance to each and every guest and unrivalled attention will charm the visitor.

Choose between Deluxe Suites (one bedroom), Panoramic Suites (one bedroom), Club Suites (one bedroom), 2-Bedroom Suites, 3-Bedroom Suites, Presidential Suites and two Royal Suites. Each features floor to ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the sea and coastline with room sizes from 170 sq. metres to 780 sq. metres.

Guests take a short submarine ride from the Burj Al Arab hotel lobby to reach the hotel's undersea Al Manhara seafood restaurant. Seated diners view teeming Gulf ocean life in a hangar size aquarium tank through a long curving wall of sizable picture windows.