The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Burj Al Arab in Dubai is a dream tourism destination for billions of people across the globe.
The hotel is a global icon of Arabic luxury.
No doubt, it is one of the most decorated luxury hotels in the world.
The Burj was recently named the best hotel in the world by the Ultratravel Awards.
In fact, the Burj has frequently been called “the world’s first seven-star hotel” and “the most luxurious hotel in the world” by travel writers and critics.
Burj Al Arab takes hotel design to a new level of modern luxury, and has also redefined the meaning of exceptional hospitality, both in Dubai and around the world.
Commentators have noted that the Burj is adorned with more gold and marble than any “reasonable” person would choose. The facility indeed impresses the eye through the sheer force of its vision of luxury.
The architecture and design astounds with colour, patterns, and vertigo; and extravagances like caviar and truffles find their way into numerous dishes at the hotel’s restaurants.
With everything from gyms and spas, to yoga and paddle-boarding, Burj Al Arab is the ultimate retreat for the mind, body and soul.
Those who have been there, just like Marange’s Gogo Sarah Gowodo, attests that at the Burj, every guest’s whim is attended to expeditiously.
It is like living in the dream world of an Emirati royal.
The hotel is sail-shaped and built on a man-made island.
Unlike most hotels and tourism facilities, one cannot visit the Burj unless they are staying there or has a reservation at one of its plush restaurants.
Said Gogo Gowodo: “I live near Marange Clinic. I have never imagined myself getting to such a beautiful place. My daughter who is based in the United Kingdom arranged for us to meet in Dubai. I flew there and it was really lovely. We went to a hotel that was really nice but after a few days my daughter told me we were going to move to a much nicer hotel.
“My grandson had arranged that. A limousine was sent to pick us from our hotel and we went to this grand place. We arrived there and were treated like queens and kings. We had our own flat at the hotel,” said the 82-year-old, who is one of the daughters of the late Mambo Marange.
She spoke highly of the jacuzzi and the hotel’s menu.
“The place has a massive jacuzzi, treatment rooms and everything divine. The food was 100 percent organic. Five restaurants within the place. We even had our own butler, our own manager managing our stay, reminding us about events taking place at the hotel and so on.
“I thank the Almighty God that I was able to see what I saw and experience what I experienced. From my humble beginnings to be rubbing shoulders with some of the richest people on this planet was amazing,” said Gogo Gowodo.
