Dubai’s 5 Stunning Architectural Wondersairport_transferbarbathtubbusiness_facilitieschild_activitieschildcareconnecting_roomcribsfree_wifigymhot_tubinternetkitchennon_smokingpetpoolresturantski_in_outski_shuttleski_storagesmoking_areaspastar
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Dubai’s 5 Stunning Architectural Wonders

Dubai’s 5 Stunning Architectural Wonders
Dubai is an architectural wonder, quite unlike any other place on the planet. With cloud-piercing skyscrapers, sprawling man-made archipelagos and outrageously glamorous hotels, this particular Arab Emirate resembles a futuristic, space-age metropolis. Its almost inconceivable constructions and their unfathomable scales have surpassed almost all existing architectural feats, and are a testament to the infiniteness of human ambition and ingenuity.
An aerial view of Dubai © Frank Kehren/Flickrcommons

Dubai’s pioneering architectural research was initially funded by the exportation of oil, though this now represents just a small fraction of the city’s revenue. Tourism, real estate and financial services now account for the vast majority of its wealth – much of which has been poured into the design and development of many of the world’s officially ‘tallest’, ‘largest’, ‘greatest’ man-made constructions, which have re-directed the emirate’s economy towards tourism.

View from the Burj Khalifa © Bertrand Duperrin/Flickrcommons

Burj Khalifa

Building
Dubai Mall
Dubai Mall | © Liji Jinaraj/Flickrcommons
Arguably the most magnificent structure is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on Earth which spears into the clouds at an incredible 828 meters. Its design was inspired by the naturally symmetrical hymenocallis desert flower – a concept also incorporated into the 27-acre-park surrounding the skyscraper, as well as the adjacent Dubai Fountain (the largest fountain in the world) which is accompanied by 6600 lights, 25 colored projectors and a sinuous network of water jets.
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Dubai Mall © Liji Jinaraj/Flickrcommons
Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai © Chris Hopkins/Flickrcommons

Burj Al Arab

Building
Dubai Burj Al Arab
Dubai's Burj Al Arab | © Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts
It is the Burj Al Arab– a 280-meter-tall building which stands upon its own artificial island, that might just be the most luxurious hotel in the universe. It has been granted a 7-star status (the only hotel to have ever been given such an accolade) and boasts one of the most expensive suites, at a whopping $18,716 a night.
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Accessibility & Audience:

Family Friendly

Atmosphere:

Instagrammable, Photo Opportunity
Sun - Sat:
12:00 am
Courtesy of Atlantis the Palm Hotel

Atlantis Hotel

In 2001, construction began on Palm Jumeirah- a sprawling collection of artificial, interconnected islands resembling a palm-tree, that extend out from the city’s coastline into the Persian Gulf. Several residential properties line its fronds whilst the iconic Atlantis Hotel sits upon its apex. The Palm Jumeirah is in fact one of three ‘palms’ under construction in Dubai, with the development of Palm Deira and Palm Jebel Ali currently on hold – both of which will be larger than Jumeirah upon completion.

Atlantis Hotel, Crescent Rd, Dubai, UAE, +971 4 426 2000

Dubai Fountain © Natalie Maguire/Flickrcommons

The World Archipelago

Ski Resort
Between these constructions sits ‘The World’ archipelago, composed of islands made from sand excavated from the gulf’s shallow waters and resembling a map of the Earth.
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Accessibility & Audience:

Family Friendly

Atmosphere:

Architectural Landmark
Sun - Sat:
12:00 am
These recommendations were updated on December 10, 2015 to keep your travel plans fresh.