V-Flyer

We are going to Dubai in October, and some friends of Sue's have recommended that we go for afternoon tea at the Burj.

I have had a look, and the Ultimate Afternoon Tea in the Sahn Eddar restaurant is £55 per person without alcoholic drinks or £65 with champagne. :0

That is even dearer than Betty's in Harrogate. :w

Anyone done it? Any comments, please?

Nick

Well hello there...

I can do a smashing PG Tips and a bottle of Asti for half that ... but if you are going for afternoon tea at the Burj it really does have to be the one in the Sky View Bar. That is the tube shaped bit on the back top of the building. It's a little more expensive but at least on a clear day you have the view of the palm jumeirah and on a very clear day the world islands. Sahn Eddar is on the upper level of the atrium just above the jumping fountains and fish tanks.

It's a good afternoon tea and there will be unlimited amounts of pastries, cakes and sandwiches on the Burj Al Arab shaped stand. There is a huge amount of tea from around the world too, more than you could ever try. The champagne is also just one glass at the start, rather than free flowing. It's not the best afternoon tea in Dubai and it's probably the second most expensive that I know of but you do get access to the Burj Al Arab and you get something to eat - rather than just the drinks package. If you haven't been before I will warn you that the interior design of the Sky View Bar is rather odd as it was designed to be a nightclub! I'll link to my video a little later.

I personally think a meal there is better value, especially the culinary flight (a course in every restaurant) is better value though as you get a full meal, to see more of the Burj and a more indepth view of the level of service (some love it and others call it claustrophobic).

If it's just afternoon tea you are after the One&Only Royal Mirage really does have it to. Tea sorry! It's cheaper, the cakes are out of this world and the location is beautiful (very relaxed and chilled out).

Sorry for the long reply ...

I should go and edit my mistakes or should I say iPad mistakes but I have to get some work done

Go along with everything Dubaiification says, but a meal is probably a better bet. The downstairs restaurant, with the huge fish tank (actually its the whole wall) is great and also the buffet dinner outside (includes a strumming guitar man wandering round)is lovely. Meals or afternoon tea are the only way to gain access (or were) unless your on 'an organised tour of the hotel' but its well worth going and even better staying there, then you gain access to the restaurant that is for staying guests only ! Beautiful place but I still prefer staying the the JBH and viewing the BAlA from my bed when I open my eyes in the morning.

Thanks both, for your thoughts. Just what I wanted. y)

I will have a look at the other restaurants, and see what is on offer for meals.

Nick

I think that is incredibly expensive, I am sure I didn't pay that much more than that per person for dinner a few years ago when I stayed there. If you consider part of the cost to be entry to the hotel to look about then thats different I guess as its an experience.

Just to give you a little more information, there aren't any guided tours of the Burj Al Arab any more. The prices have also gone up quite sharply. I went to Al Iwan last month and it was £172excluding drinks for two buffets. A year ago it was nearer £150.

Guests of Jumerah resorts no longer get free access to the Burj.

DL the Elder and I had tea at the Burj several years ago . The tea itself was very nice, and we then went up to the Sky View, bar for a drink once we'd finished.
We had no choice as to where we took tea- they were fully booked but our lovely concierge managed to sort something out for us
DL. If you fancy making a booking, I'd do it well in advance Nick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6UFQK1k ... tube_gdata

Al iwan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKPnBIan ... tube_gdata

Sky View Bar

Nick,

Go to the Dubai Park Hyatt instead - much nicer than the OTT Burj. Ask Mat and Dean about the 'meal' they had at the Burj. I have a general rule about food, quality, value and high up restaurants, and it hasn't let me down yet aside from the non-public ones in Earls Court.