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World’s most lavish hotels! Photos inside Burj Al Arab, Dubai 7-star sail & Jumeirah Skyview bar.

oddities tv show, cast, owners, season 4

Thanks for your kind words about my appearance on Discovery & Science Channel’s Oddities! If you missed my episode (where I “purchased” this elk head), you can see the TV show clip and bonus photos here.

Burj Al Arab, dubai luxury sail hotel

In the Oddities segment, I talk about my work in journalism and coolhunting worldwide. On last month’s Middle Eastern adventure, I got to fulfill a travel goal… visiting the famous sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

souk madinat jumeirah, dubai restaurants

My film team and I started at the Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a cluster of restaurants and shops near the Burj Al Arab. We thought we could get some traditional food and shisha here…

arabian market, souk madinat jumeirah

… but were sorely disappointed, as this turned out to be a Disney-Vegas take on an Arabian market. (Skip this place, and visit Dubai’s gold and spice souk instead; photos and info here.)

dubai Burj Al Arab, seven star hotel

On the bright side, we got a great “establishing shot” of the famous hotel, lit under a crescent moon.

most expensive hotel, interior Burj Al Arab

We took a cab to one of the most expensive hotels in the world (the Royal Suite is $18,776 per night!). Inspired by the curve of a dhow (Arabian boat), the Burj Al Arab is considered the symbol of Dubai.

Regular tourists can’t simply walk onto this island. You must be a hotel guest, or have a restaurant or bar reservation, in order to make it past the security gates. We chose the cheapest option (drinks at the Skyview Bar), which requires a minimum spend of $70 per person.

lobby Burj Al Arab, interior design, luxury hotels

But it’s worth it — this is Dubai, and the world’s only (supposed) 7-star hotel! When we entered the lobby, my filmmaker Melissa exclaimed, “It’s like Donald Trump on steroids.” Designed by Tom Wright, with interiors by Khuan Chew, the concept is Arabian Technicolor Palace Dreams.

balcony Burj Al Arab, dubai famous hotel

Take the elevator next to the aquarium, and look up. Vertigo.

dubai brunch, 5 star restaurants

In Dubai, brunches are big social occasions. Fridays and Saturdays are holidays here, and since alcohol is a no-no (unless you’re in a hotel), brunch is a way to get decadent.

lavish hotel interior, arabian design

But we were here for cocktails. We took the elevator to the Skyview bar on the 27th floor.

Burj Al Arab bar, skyview bar

“It’s like a 90s music video,” exclaimed Melissa. Circuit boards and cyber lights, and a grandiose view of the marina.

circuit board wall, sky view bar dubai

We enjoyed drinks with Barbara of Elle Magazine, and Georgina of Etoile La Boutique (I’ll show you this fashion heaven soon). The cocktails were inventive — one had wasabi inside — and the bar’s atmosphere was from another planet. (Consult the Burj Al Arab’s website for reservations and dress code.)

oddities video, watch episodes, season four tv show

I leave you with a few screencaps from my Oddities TV guest spot. My Goth-Victorian hairstyle looks a bit like mouse ears.

mia farrow cat, celebrity cats, famous scottish fold

Watch the clip carefully, or you might miss the caption about my celebrity earless cat! You can see my TV reel and other appearances on my bio page.

scottish fold in bow tie, top hat cat, dancing kitty

Have you heard of the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai? What do you think of the interiors, and do you think it deserves the seven-star rating?

PS: thanks Fashion Indie for interviewing me about personal branding, the reality of travel TV hosting, and how bloggers can get into television. I hope you find my advice helpful.

SHARE & COMMENT

26 Comments

  1. Madd Queen
    Posted June 11, 2013 at 9:36 pm | Permalink

    oh I’ve always dreamt of going there!

  2. Johnny
    Posted June 11, 2013 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

    Crazy fabulous place

  3. Art vixen
    Posted June 11, 2013 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

    Wow! Very glamorous. Is that an aquarium behind the couch in the lobby?

    • lacarmina
      Posted June 12, 2013 at 7:19 pm | Permalink

      yeah! coming up – pics from Dubai Mall, home to the world’s largest aquarium.

  4. Beka
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 1:10 am | Permalink

    love it! :-)

  5. Anna
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 1:10 am | Permalink

    <3 <3 <3 U!

  6. Madelaine
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 1:10 am | Permalink

    saw you on the show #oddities

  7. Madame
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 4:48 am | Permalink

    was good hahahaha

  8. dan
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 4:48 am | Permalink

    bring it!

  9. Star Jang
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 5:41 am | Permalink

    Just the quotations around purchased?

    • Star
      Posted June 12, 2013 at 5:43 am | Permalink

      I meant why the quotations…

      • lacarmina
        Posted June 12, 2013 at 7:19 pm | Permalink

        Because I didn’t buy it in real life… it was just for the sake of tv ;) I did buy some smaller items in the store though!

  10. Bboru
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 7:21 pm | Permalink

    Thx for sharing a bit more about U :-)

  11. Eric
    Posted June 12, 2013 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    LOVE IT!

  12. Helium
    Posted June 13, 2013 at 1:43 am | Permalink

    A+++

  13. Kenark
    Posted June 13, 2013 at 1:43 am | Permalink

    I LOVE THIS

  14. Ingrid
    Posted June 13, 2013 at 1:43 am | Permalink

    One of my favourite hotels ever, I would go in a heart beat.

  15. MelissaR
    Posted June 13, 2013 at 2:47 am | Permalink

    This is awesome! The hotel looks so nice and glossy

    • lacarmina
      Posted June 13, 2013 at 10:24 pm | Permalink

      I know! I still can’t believe we’ve been there <3

  16. Maggie
    Posted June 13, 2013 at 7:04 pm | Permalink

    Crazies. I wonder what the rooms are like in a 7 star hotel!
    Best,
    http://www.maggiefinejewelry.com

    • lacarmina
      Posted June 13, 2013 at 10:25 pm | Permalink

      Apparently you have your own butler and it’s like a palace!

  17. Aler
    Posted May 15, 2014 at 10:45 pm | Permalink

    I wish I could travel the world just like you.

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