The Burj Al Arab, Dubai’s sail-shaped tower opened in 1999, is closed for a restoration of approximately eighteen months, entrusted to the Parisian interior designer Tristan Auer, and its reopening is expected in late 2027. Booking is disabled on the official website. Here is our complete guide: why it closed, what the restoration will change, its 198 duplex suites, its restaurants and everything you need to know for its return.
- ⛔ Status · closed for restoration as of 27 September 2026; booking disabled on the official website.
- 🗓️ Reopening · expected late 2027; Jumeirah has not published any specific date.
- ✏️ The restoration · announced on 15 April 2026, approximately eighteen months, entrusted to Tristan Auer, who designed the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.
- 🛏️ The suites · 198 suites, all duplexes, from 170 m² to 670 m², each with a 24-hour butler.
- 📍 Where · on its own artificial island, 280 metres from Jumeirah beach, connected to the coast by a bridge.
Why the Burj Al Arab is closed
On 15 April 2026, Jumeirah announced the first major restoration of the hotel since its opening, a “phased” programme of approximately eighteen months entrusted to Tristan Auer. The official website now states that the hotel “is currently undergoing restoration” and suggests that travellers stay at another Jumeirah hotel in Dubai. The Michelin guide reports its restaurants closed for renovation until late 2027.
On 1 March 2026, debris from a drone intercepted over Dubai caused a fire on the facade described as minor by the authorities, which was quickly brought under control; Jumeirah does not link this episode to the restoration.
What the restoration will change
The announced motto is to “renew rather than reinvent”. The essence of the original decor is to be preserved: gold leaf, Statuario marble and Swarovski crystals, with bespoke fabrics and an equipment upgrade. Tristan Auer, whose Parisian studio was founded in 2002, notably designed the renovation of the Hôtel de Crillon and Les Bains Douches.
A 321-metre sail-shaped tower
Designed by British architect Tom Wright, from the firm Atkins, the silhouette is inspired by the sail of a dhow, the traditional boat of the Gulf. Construction began in 1994 and the hotel opened on 1 December 1999, on an artificial island built 280 metres from the shore. It reaches 321 metres, houses a 180-metre-high atrium and a cantilevered helipad on the 28th floor, approximately 210 metres above the ground.
198 duplex suites
The Burj Al Arab only features suites, 198 duplexes facing the Persian Gulf, each served by a 24-hour butler. Before the closure, rates were dynamic and no reference price is currently published.
| Suite | Surface |
|---|---|
| One Bedroom Suite | 170 m² |
| Panoramic One Bedroom Suite | 225 m² |
| Club One Bedroom Suite | 330 m² |
| Two Bedroom Suite | 335 m² |
| Presidential Two Bedroom Suite | 667 m² |
| Diplomatic Three Bedroom Suite | 670 m² |
Al Muntaha, The Terrace and the spa
At the top, Al Muntaha, by chef Saverio Sbaragli, held one star in the Dubai 2025 Michelin guide, and L’Olivo at Al Mahara was featured in the guide’s selection. The hotel also included SAL, Sahn Eddar for afternoon tea, Bab Al Yam or Al Iwan. Opened in 2016, The Terrace is a 10,000 m² private platform extending into the sea, with two swimming pools and 32 cabanas, prefabricated in Finland and then transported in eight elements.
The Burj Al Arab tour
Before the closure, the hotel offered a guided tour, “Inside Burj Al Arab”, starting from 249 dirhams per adult according to official rates recorded in March 2026. Its website has been offline since, and the tour must be considered suspended during the restoration.
While waiting for the reopening, find all our latest news on hotels in the Emirates.
- 📍 Address · Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Jumeirah Street, Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai
- ⛔ Status · closed for restoration, booking disabled
- 🗓️ Reopening · expected late 2027, no official date
- 🛏️ Capacity · 198 duplex suites
- 🔗 Official website · jumeirah.com
