Dubai’s Burj Al Arab begins major 18-month renovation

The project carries additional symbolism, having commenced shortly after the Iranian attacks in March, when the Burj Al Arab was among Dubai’s iconic landmarks to sustain damage.

According to international media reports, the hotel suffered limited damage to its façade from debris during the interception of an Iranian drone. The incident formed part of a broader series of attacks and interceptions that affected infrastructure across the United Arab Emirates and temporarily disrupted the perception of security on which Dubai has built a significant part of its tourism growth.

Closed for 18 Months

The hotel closed in April 2026 and is expected to reopen in October 2027, following an approximately 18-month programme of works. This is the first comprehensive restoration of the Burj Al Arab in its 27 years of operation and an intervention that Jumeirah regards less as a conventional hotel renovation and more as the preservation of a contemporary architectural landmark.

The design has been entrusted to French interior architect Tristan Auer, who has worked on some of the world’s best-known hotel properties, including the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris.

The hotel’s distinctive architectural identity, vivid colours, gold leaf, Statuario marble and Swarovski crystals will remain central elements of the design. At the same time, selected technological and operational upgrades are planned to ensure that the hotel meets the requirements of the next phase of its development without losing the design DNA that made it instantly recognisable. The Burj Al Arab comprises 198 suites and serves as the flagship property of Jumeirah’s portfolio, which is owned by Dubai Holding.

A Symbol in a Changing Middle East

For decades, Dubai’s development has been driven by the creation of the new: larger hotels, taller towers, artificial islands and new projects that sought to surpass their predecessors in scale.

The hotel, completed in 1999, was designed at a time when Dubai was seeking an architectural symbol capable of projecting the image of a new city to an international audience. Its distinctive sail-shaped silhouette ultimately became part of the emirate’s own brand and is now regarded as part of Dubai’s architectural heritage.

This approach extends beyond the Burj Al Arab. During 2026, several other major Dubai hotels, including Armani Hotel Dubai, Park Hyatt and St. Regis The Palm, temporarily closed or scaled back operations to undergo upgrading works.

The conflict with Iran affected tourism activity across the region, disrupting air travel and weighing on demand for travel to the Gulf. Reuters has also reported a significant decline in visitor numbers and sales at some of Dubai’s largest shopping malls during the crisis.

The hotel that was designed 27 years ago to symbolise Dubai’s confidence and rapid development is now tasked with preserving that identity at a time when the region faces new geopolitical and tourism-related risks.