Luxury hotel Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in Dubai, United Arab Emirates will shut to make way for an 18-month renovation, a staff member confirmed recently. This is its first renovation since opening in 1999, and at a time when tourism in the region has slowed due to the United States/Israeli conflict with Iran.
The hotel's owner, Jumeirah, said in a statement that the work would be carried out in phases over some 18 months and would be led by Paris-based interior architect Tristan Auer. It did not specify that the property would be closed during the renovation.
The staff member said the hotel is offering alternative accommodation in nearby hotels to guests with bookings during the work. The period of closure is subject to change, the person said.
The sail-shaped hotel, one of Dubai's best-known landmarks and the flagship property of the Jumeirah group, suffered some damage when debris from an interception of an Iranian drone attack hit its facade in early March.
The "long-awaited" work is not linked with the incident in March, the employee said. The UAE-based Jumeirah did not link the project to the war in its statement.
The timing, however, is notable because the conflict has hurt travel to Dubai, with flight disruptions affecting the UAE and luxury groups warning of pressure on profits as visitor demand weakens. – Reuters
