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Would you pay $100 to tour a hotel you weren't staying in?

Oct. 11, 2021
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3 min read
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Would you pay $100 to tour a hotel you weren't staying in?
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Would you pay more than $100 just to have a look at a hotel you weren't even staying in?

Dubai's most iconic, and only (self-proclaimed) seven-star hotel, the Burj Al Arab has launched Inside Burj Al Arab, where members of the general public can purchase tickets for a small-group, butler-guided tour of the property.

This landmark hotel is usually closed to anyone who is not staying at the hotel, or has booked a meal in one of its sky-high restaurants (with astronomical prices to match).

Tickets start at 399 dirhams ($108) per person and run every 15 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. You might think the price covers a whole day of hotel entertainment and use of their extensive facilities such as the pool deck — but you'd be wrong. This is Dubai, after all.

The ticket only includes the guided tour and the ability to take photos inside one of the most opulent buildings in the Middle East. No bed for the night, no cooked breakfast, not even a soft drink.

When booking your tour ticket online you have the option of purchasing additional items, such as the hotel's famous 24-carat Ultimate Gold Cappuccino served at Sahn Eddar restaurant, or a full meal in any of the hotel's restaurants.

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These don't come cheap either, of course. When it debuted, the glitzy cappuccino cost about $26.

Related: Sky High: Dining at At.mosphere in the Burj Khalifa

Note that anyone can gain access to the public areas of the hotel just by making a restaurant or bar reservation, without the need to pay extra to purchase an Inside Burj Al Arab ticket. This allows you to have a good look through the hotel, though you won't have anything in the way of a guided tour — which includes a peek into the Royal Suite the hotel describes as the "pinnacle of luxury" — and simply dining or drinking at an on-site venue could cost be an expensive endeavor.

The tour promises to "appeal to those intrigued by [the Burj Al Arab] story, not just of the building, but of its people, creativity and ingenuity, as well as its Emirati hospitality, Arabian opulence and world-class service."

Note the hotel is only 22 years old, so the tour may not be as rich in history as, say, a tour of the Palace of Versailles.

Photo by Basith Rahman Rahman / EyeEm/ Gettys

Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.