And the world’s most followed hotel on Instagram is?

The iconic Burj Al Arab hotel recently crossed the 500k follower mark making it the world’s most followed hotel on Instagram.

The all-suite hotel is so luxurious that it is occasionally and erroneously described as the world’s only 7 Star hotel. A 24/7 butler, chauffeur Rolls Royces, helicopter transfers, revolving beds, gold plated iPads that double as the room’s remote controls the hotel is known to take pampering to the next level. What better way for the guests to show their experience and amazement to the world than on Instagram. The result – half a million and counting aspirations and compliments. Others iconic hotels from across the world dont even come close to the Burj Al Arab when it comes to Instagram followers, to put in perspective New York’s plaza hotel has 59.6k followers, London’s Ritz has 29k, the Four Seasons Paris has 115k, the Taj Mahal palace Mumbai has 15k, the Peninsula Hong Kong has 11k and the neighboring Emirates Palace has just 25k followers. 

Palazzo Versace Dubai

Palazzo Versace Dubai brings every element of the inspirational Versace world into a single destination to allow everyone to experience the ultimate Versace lifestyle.

Situated in the heart of the city, Palazzo Versace Dubai is at the center of the new Culture Village, located on a prime waterfront plot with unobstructed views of the Dubai Creek. The architectural style of the hotel represents the merging of a traditional neo-classical Italian palace with recognizable Arabic architectural elements. Every detail is exquisite, from the ceilings’ artwork, to the finest marbles and mosaics.

Steeped in classic Italian design, each of the hotel's 215 luxury accommodations reflect the true essence of the Versace brand. Here, ‘luxury’ lies in the material – parquet flooring, a canvas of elaborate white and cream boiseries, and a pastel palette of silk furnishings. The Palazzo Versace's rooms and suites are furnished with the Versace Home Collection. The wall decor are laden  with Versace artworks, whilst the interiors and fabric have been designed and tailor-made for the hotel featuring uplifting colours of turquoise, blue, beige, gold, and salmon.

Plenty of natural light illuminates the rooms and suites, and serene views of the Dubai Creek or Culture Village can be enjoyed from a private balcony or terrace. The bathrooms feature handcrafted mosaic and Carrara marble tiling that provide a balance of detail and simplicity – the ultimate backdrop to your walk-in rainforest shower.

Each of the eight dining venues focuses on curated dining and are also a tribute to Versace’s signature works. You can explore eight of Dubai’s delightfully contrasting Versace-themed restaurants and bars that grace the luxury hotel, and enjoy al fresco dining with views of the surrounding Dubai Creek.

These include; Vanitas, the charming and elegant interiors of the signature Italian restaurant at Palazzo Versace, set against the luminous waters of the Dubai Creek, act as the perfect backdrop for an intimate and cosy experience or a romantic dinner. With an emphasis on classic Italian food, Vanitas is a luxury restaurant with finesse, where the chefs deliver expertly crafted Italian flavours using herbs picked fresh from the hotels’ gardens and specially imported produce; Mosaico, Q's Bar, La Vita, Giardino, Gazebo, Amalfi, and if course Enigma.

Unfolding over the course of a year, Enigma will bring you evolutionary culinary tales of mystery and delight, each lasting just for a limited time. With award-winning chef Quique Dacosta having started the opening season of this revolutionary dining venue in the UAE, the next chapter is to follow. Diners can experience the third chapter of Enigma's journey starting 1st October onwards. The Inside Story will see the evolutionary Enigma bring Turkish cuisine to life in a new and creative way and is sure to captivate the imagination (and appetites) of diners from the UAE and beyond.

Maak your booking here

Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, Island, Dubai

Embark on a unique journey. Immerse yourself in the inspirational. Indulge in a timeless culture of hospitality. Discover a passionate attention to every detail. All this and more is available at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray.

This spectacular beachside resort is located on the West Crescent of the exclusive Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, and offers exhilarating views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s impressive skyline. The hotel is lavishly decorated in exquisite style reminiscent of the magnificent era of the Ottoman Empire. Spectacular hand-painted ceilings and murals, crafted marble, crystal chandeliers and Orientalist art worthy of the finest galleries.

The resort offers the finest in dining experiences, stunning guest rooms and an array of leisure activities. Enjoy the spectacle of the Mehteran Theatre and Show Centre or embark on a journey of the senses at one of the largest, most opulent spas that the world has to offer.

 More info & Online booking

6 of the best luxury hotels in the world

Have you always wondered what it is like to live like you are rich and famous? The most luxurious hotels in the world will allow you to experience the decadent life, if you can afford a single night in their establishment. Here’s our pick of 6 of the best luxury hotels on the planet.

1. The Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The Middle East is home to many majestic wonders, including this expensive ($3 billion construction budget) hotel. With nearly 400 rooms and suites, a white sandy beach, numerous fountains and pools, a high-end spa, 40 conference rooms, marble from different parts of the world, and hundreds of crystal chandeliers, it is easy to understand why people who want to live like royalty flock to the EmiratesPalace.

2. The Mardan Palace Hotel, Antalya, Turkey

Built with a budget of $1.65 billion, the Mardan Palace Hotel is one of the top luxury destinations in the Mediterranean. Its ultra-large swimming pool can fit up to a thousand guests, and almost 10,000 tons of fine white sand was imported from Egypt to provide the guests with a beach area. The interiors are fitted with Italian marble, crystals, and gold leaf. There are decadent dining spots and bars, as well as an aquarium housing hundreds of colourful and exotic fish. Plus, the Mardan Palace also provides its guests with 24/7 butler service.

3. The Westin Excelsior, Rome, Italy 
Located in the fashionable Via Veneto district, the Westin Excelsior has served the rich and the famous for more than a hundred of years. For a truly decadent Roman holiday, make sure to book the Villa La Cupola Suite, which has been recently renovated (with a budget of $7 million) for the modern globe-trotting guest. The suite has two floors (thus making it the largest hotel suite in the country) luxuriously furnished with Old World furniture complemented by modern gadgetry. The cathedral-style ceilings are painted by hand in the traditional fresco technique, and the suite features its own sauna, Jacuzzi, formal dining room, and even its own steam bath and fitness room.

 

4. The Burj Al Arab Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The design inspiration for this hotel is a billowing sail, which is apt for its on-water location. The Burj Al Arab Hotel boasts of luxury suites, each with two floors and dramatic panoramic views. The decadent amenities include helipads, hovering tennis courts, numerous dining and bar options, 24/7 butler service, and a Rolls Royce fleet with chauffeurs. Guests include the richest of the rich, as well as real royalty.

5. Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece 

With a guest list that includes more than a century's worth of royals, rock stars, and heads of state, the landmark Grande Bretagne remains the most exclusive hotel in Athens. As you marvel at one of the most eye-knocking views of the Acropolis from the terrace restaurant, or rest on custom-made silk ottomans in the lobby, or call your personal butler 24 hours a day from your room, you may very well think it is the very best. Built in 1842, the hotel still reflects its original grandeur, with restored 19th-century oil paintings, antiques, and hand-carved details as they were more than a century ago. There's also a lovely spa where you can pamper yourself with indulgences such as salt and oil scrubs. As for amenities, there are none better in Athens

6. The Plaza, New York City, USA
Built in the early years of the 1900’s and assigned as a National Historic landmark in the 1960s, The Plaza in Manhattan is just one of the luxury hotels found in this part of New York City. However, very few can beat the Royal Plaza Suite—aside from the dramatic views of Manhattan, this suite (with three bedrooms and three baths) embodies Old World luxury with a library, a gym, a formal dining room, a full

kitchen (in case you bring your personal chef along), a butler’s pantry, its own elevator, and even a grand piano.