I stayed at the Burj in 2006 for 3 nights.
It was a unique experience and definitely one that I will remember for the rest of my life.
If you can afford it, and you go to Dubai, do not miss the opportunity of your life.
I simply don't understand how you can be critic about anything in this hotel.
I was a sheik for 3 nights in my life, and since then I didn't feel that flavour again.

I'll start by saying the room and building itself are just an awesome site - don't get me wrong. And just to say that I've stayed at the Burj Al Arab will be something that I really don't ever anticipate knowing anyone else will be able to match in my group of friends. However, I was disappointed by some of the service provided. For the money paid - I was expecting to be wowed! The check-in was a bit of a cluster and the check-out was as well. In fact, the entire stay went to h#$% once we recieved our checkout bill. They have no real organized way to control the madness down at the entrance and they are trying to get people onto shuttles/taxi's/incoming passengers/etc and you are in the middle of the maddness. The fitness center was lacking as well for such a nice place! It was nothing better than a hilton fitness center. All in all we don't regret staying there - but we will never do it again - merely for the price.

We recently had lunch at the Al Muntaha restaurant on the 27th floor of the Burj al Arab. While the views were stunning and the building itself is quite impressive, I am not sure the food was worth the 495 AED ($135) per person.

One would expect to have a rather impressive menu to choose from at this price and also excellent service. The service was above average for Dubai (given that service overall in Dubai is relatively poor) but not at the level I had expected. The menu choices for lunch are limited to a set menu. There were 3 choices for a starter, a fish starter, a chicken and rabbit dish, and tomato consomme. This was followed by main course options of beef with mashed potatos, a fish dish, and lamp cutlets. Dessert options included creme brulee, cheese plate, or ice cream.

I chose the tomato consomme followed by the beef with mashed potatoes, and the creme brulee. The food had a very good taste and the presentation was great, but nothing extremely complicated that couldn't be made in most other restaurants.

This was a one time experience that probably everyone should have, especially for the views, but it may be worth just taking the high tea option in order to get in and see the Burj al Arab and surrounding areas. Surely, this restaurant will not become a place that people visit regularly.

Given the vast selection of restaurants in Dubai, I would suggest most of them, especially Verre or some of the other well known places.

I stayed at the burj for two nights as a present for my boyfriend.
Rooms - Out of this world, the amazing two story rooms complete with 2 bathrooms, living area, seperate bedroom, changing area and business centre can only be seen to be believed! Well worth the money.
Service - the only dissappointment I experienced staying here was the terible service. The butler came into our room 6 times within the first night making it very hard to relax. We had already been warned about the 'tipping' so we decided that we would only tip at the end of our stay. However it was clear that the butler was not happy with this and became very rude. We asked for some wine glasses and were told that there were glasses in the bar- tumblers! In short not exactly 7* service.
I would not let this put you off as the rooms and building are unmissible in my view!