The Burj-Al-Arab (Arabian Tower) is Dubai and the UAE's answer to the landmark symbols of other countries, they compare it to the Eiffel tower (it's slightly taller by virtue of its mast) and other icons.

From the moment we arrived at the airport we knew we were dealing with something special, the hotel's meet and assist "airport liaison" officer met us just before passport control - he took our hand luggage and walked us to the head of the queue, past the "priority" lanes and directly to the next free immigration officer, our passports were stamped within 2 minutes and we were off to baggage reclaim.

We were walked out of the arrivals hall to the hotel car waiting outside; here we met our chauffeur and White Rolls Royce Silver Seraph for transport to the hotel. We were presented with flowers and chilled water and towels to freshen after the 10 second walk from the air-conditioned hotel to the air-conditioned car.

As you approach the hotel you can't fail to spot the impressive towering hotel against the blue sky of Dubai. It's designed to look like the sail of an Arabian Dhow (a sailing ship) stretched against the breeze, the building is slightly higher than the Eiffel tower and one whole side of the building is a canvas like material enhancing the sail metaphor. You really need to see the building in photographs. I find it a beautiful sight.

The approach to the hotel is via a causeway to the hotel's man made island in the gulf, as you cross the causeway the hotel's impressive exterior fountain dominates the view. You'll all have seen hotel fountains before but this one really is special, it towers above the cars arriving at the hotels drop off zone firing jets of water 4 storeys or more into the air. At night the fountain is fabulously lit and has its own gas jets that fire flames and water into the night sky.

Our "floor concierge" - each of the 23 residential floors has its own concierge to look after the needs of the guests on his/her floor introduced us to the hotel. She explained that our suite was ready and waiting for us and our luggage would follow shortly. She introduced us to the sights as we proceeded up the elevator. As we made our way we could not fail to be impressed by the stunning décor, Gold everywhere (it actually is gold - not just paint, even the gold in the floor mosaic tiles is gold leaf). The hotel colour scheme is vivid - Gold, Blue, White and Yellow. We were walked to the lift and taken to our floor, the 19th, here were met our butler and were shown to the room. As the suite technology was being explained to us (remote control curtains, TV/DVD/CD system that can play in any room, Internet Access via wireless laptop or Plasma TV screen in the lounge or the standard TV in the bedroom, Do not Disturb Systems, Video doorbell, fax machine and Jacuzzi bath) our luggage arrived and was unpacked by our butler.

The club suite is the panoramic suite with more floor space; the upstairs area has a lounge and a bigger office area. The bathroom and bedroom is the same size as the other suites. The downstairs area has a lounge area with 3 couches, around the plasma TV and coffee table. A separate sitting area away from the TV provides a bar area with minibar and full range of spirits and glasses. A separate division provides the dining table a circular table with room for 6 guests. A separate washroom and WC allows guests to freshen up in privacy. Off the dining room are doors to the fully equipped kitchen (we used the fridge to chill our duty free) and …. A snooker room with full size snooker table and all of the extras (couches for spectators, score board etc). This room like all the others - even the dressing room - is connected to the room entertainment system allowing you to choose separate music).

Throughout our stay the hotel staff treated us as movie stars; it really was fantastic, even the cooling water spray provided for everyone using the pool is Evian water! Oh yes, did I mention the pool? Set at the rear of the hotel facing to the see the pool is open to residents only, visitors aren't allowed out to the pool. There's a swim up bar, hot tub and children's pool in addition to the main pool. If you fancy something more intensive the hotel golf carts will trundle you over to the Wild Wadi Water Park, here there are water slides, wave pools, surfing pools - fantastic!