The Burj Al Arab is closed for the first time since it opened, and the architect in charge of its comeback has just shown the first look at what guests will find when it reopens in October 2027.
The hotel shut its doors in April 2026 for an 18-month restoration, the first in its 27-year history. The dhow-sail silhouette, the man-made island and the “seven-star” reputation all stay. The interior is the project.
Who is leading the Burj Al Arab restoration?
French interior architect Tristan Auer, whose previous work includes the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris and the reinvention of Les Bains Douches, is the man with the brief. He has form with hotels that carry history on their shoulders: his restoration of the Carlton Cannes took Hotel of the Year at AHEAD Europe in 2023.
On Wednesday, August 5, he posted a video to Instagram teasing the project’s “next chapter”.
“Burj Al Arab on my mind. Between heaven and the sea. To carry forward a legacy.”
The video is heavy on atmosphere and light on detail, which is standard practice for architects: show the mood, keep the receipts for the reveal.
What is changing inside the Burj Al Arab?
According to Jumeirah, the majority of the existing décor stays. The gold leaf, the Statuario marble and the Swarovski crystal are all being preserved, with Auer working to a philosophy of “haute decoration” — bespoke fabrics, exclusive finishes and what Jumeirah calls discreet technological upgrades.
The discreet part is where the actual work is hiding. A 27-year-old hotel gets a lot of miles on its plumbing, wiring and air conditioning even when the crystal is timeless. The official line is “renewal over reinvention”; Jumeirah says the aim is to keep the hotel’s DNA rather than erase it.
“Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is far more than an architectural landmark; it is a symbol of ambition, craftsmanship and enduring excellence. This restoration programme marks a new chapter in the story of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, one that will carefully preserve the heritage of what is currently the sole property in our Jumeirah limited-edition collection of iconic landmark addresses defined by design distinction and prestige.” — Thomas B. Meier, CEO, Jumeirah
Auer, for his part, called the commission “a profound privilege” and “an honour and a responsibility” when the project was announced in April.
What this means if you’re planning a stay in Dubai
The Burj Al Arab is not taking bookings until it reopens. A check of the Jumeirah website in August shows the hotel’s stay page returning “not available” across the board — there are no rooms, and no rates, until October 2027.
What you can still do is look at it. The exterior is untouched by the restoration, and the sail remains visible from the beach along Jumeirah Road. For a closer view of the landmark without a room key, the restaurants at Jumeirah Mina A’Salam have been doing the job for years — our guide to MEI, the Chinese-Japanese spot with Burj Al Arab views, covers the options. If you’re curious about other Dubai hotel relaunches, the Meydan Hotel’s return under Kerzner’s Rare Finds collection is a recent example of the city’s habit of retiring landmarks and bringing them back.
One question the restoration answers in passing: how do you update a hotel that made its name on being extra? Carefully, apparently. The gold leaf stays; the 2027 version just needs to work better than the 1999 one.
Is the Burj Al Arab really a seven-star hotel?
The label has no official standing — no hotel rating system awards seven stars. The Burj Al Arab picked up the shorthand in the press after opening in 1999, and it stuck.
How tall is the Burj Al Arab?
The hotel stands 321 metres tall, and was the world’s tallest hotel when it opened in December 1999. Its sail shape sits on an artificial island off Jumeirah Beach.
Can you visit the Burj Al Arab without staying there?
Not while it is closed — the hotel is not accepting visitors or bookings until October 2027. Before the restoration began, non-guests could reach parts of the hotel through restaurant reservations, and that option is expected to return when it reopens.
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