Dubai’s Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel adds a luxury over-the-water terrace

In Dubai, very little happens on a small scale. The landmark Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel, which floats on its own man-made island, has added a huge outdoor terrace that stretches 328 feet over the Persian Gulf.

When the Jumeirah Beach hotel opened in 1999, it was the tallest in the world; now it’s No. 3. (The JW Marriott Marquis Dubai claims the top spot at 1,165 feet.)

The Terrace, which opened May 25, features a restaurant and bar, two swimming pools (one freshwater, one saltwater), four Jacuzzis, 32 air-conditioned cabanas and beach areas created with 1,000 tons of white sand.

The pool and beach areas are reserved for guests, but anyone can dine at Scape, the Terrace’s hip California fusion restaurant.

A drink and a bite at Scape may be the best fit for budget travelers, considering the starting rate for a one-bedroom suite at the all-suite property is about $2,722 per night.

One footnote: The Terrace was built by marine construction specialist Admares in Finland, instead of in Dubai, to minimize any disturbance to guests and marine life.

The Terrace’s eight sections arrived in Dubai and were assembled and installed in 12 weeks. The steel structure that extends the Terrace over the Persian Gulf is designed to offer marine life shade and eventually become an artificial reef.

Info: Burj Al Arab Jumeirah

ALSO

See Croatia’s Roman ruins, beautiful beaches and more aboard a small-ship cruise

Wyoming: Learn how to rope cattle while staying at an upscale ranch

Stay in a 13th century villa and explore Italy’s culinary soul on a women’s tour of Tuscany

Hilton Garden Inn comes to Waikiki Beach in a really big way