Burj Al Arab

Dubai


This sail-shaped landmark regularly hosts pop stars, royalty, billionaires and the merely moneyed. The lobby with its eye-catching waterfall and opulent decor is the overture to the 202 richly decorated suites. The North Deck adds two huge pools and 400 sunloungers.

Suites are bi-level, and even the smallest measure 170 sq metres and come with a personal butler. The decor is l-u-s-h, with moiré silk walls, mirrored ceilings over the beds, curlicue high-backed velvet chairs and inlaid bathroom tiles displaying scenes of Venice. And all that gold? Yes, it’s the real 24-karat thing.

Note that the hotel will be undergoing extensive renovations in 2019, so there may be a period of closure.