What happened
Jumeirah's iconic Burj Al Arab in Dubai has closed effective immediately to undergo an 18-month full renovation. This is the first time the 202-suite property, which opened in 1999, has undergone such a comprehensive refresh. The restoration program, led by interior architect Tristan Auer, aims to preserve the hotel's cultural essence while modernizing its interior décor. Jumeirah CEO Thomas Meier described the project as a new chapter for the property, which is part of the Jumeirah limited-edition collection. The closure coincides with a decline in Dubai tourism due to the ongoing Iran conflict, providing a strategic window for the work. The hotel is expected to reopen in approximately 18 months