Burj Al Arab celebrates 15th anniversary with new leadership

Anthony McHale will lead the team at the Burj al Arab

Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, has appointed Anthony McHale as general manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the world’s most luxurious hotel.

McHale took up role in January, joining Jumeirah Group after more than five years as general manager of Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London.

During his time at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, he successfully opened Bar Boulud in 2010, as well as Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in 2011, which has secured two Michelin stars and worldwide recognition.

In 2011 he also spearheaded the opening of One Hyde Park Residences, the most expensive real estate in Europe.

His 35-year career in the luxury hospitality business includes nine years with Orient Express Hotels, (now Belmond) as general manager of Keswick Hall Club & Estate in Charlottesville Virginia, and the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Prior to Orient Express he was hotel manager at Hotel Bel Air, Los Angeles for three years and also held senior management positions with a variety of hotel groups, including The Peninsula Hotels and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Welcoming McHale to the leadership of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Nicholas Clayton, chief executive of group operations at Jumeirah Group, said: “We are delighted that Tony is joining Burj Al Arab Jumeirah as it celebrates its fifteenth year of operation.

“Our guests expect the very highest level of luxury hospitality and Tony has both the experience and the profile that promises to guide our hotel and its 1,500 colleagues to continued success in the market place.

“As Dubai continues to grow as an internationally recognised destination for both leisure and business travel, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah stands as a beacon of luxury and a symbol of the city’s successful growth.

“We look forward to Tony helping us take the hotel to new levels of excellence, as Dubai builds momentum towards EXPO 2020.”

Born and brought up in the UK, McHale also has US and Canadian citizenship and has been a member of the Chaine des Rôtisseurs, an officer of Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin and a board member of the New Orleans Tourism & Marketing Association.

Anniversary Celebrations

As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, the world’s most luxurious hotel, has now added four Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II to its fleet to further enhance its guest arrival and departure experience.

Promising to offer the ultimate in luxury and comfort, the hotel’s new white Phantom Series II Rolls-Royces boast the signature golden logo embroidered into the plush leather seats, hand-crafted into the veneer and imprinted on the hand-painted coach-line.

An extended luggage storage space, a custom cooler and storage in the rear doors made of the highest quality materials all contribute to creating an unforgettable experience.

“Burj Al Arab offers its guests the pinnacle of luxury, and the Rolls-Royce Phantom is a fitting expression of this promise,” commented Anthony McHale, Burj Al Arab’s general manager.

“We are delighted that this exciting collaboration will deliver an even greater guest experience.”

Already renowned for being the only hotel in the region to have its own Bespoke fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms, Burj Al Arab has extended its total number of Rolls-Royce Phantoms to ten.

On announcing the deal in Dubai, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented: “We are delighted to grow our longstanding partnership with Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel. Introducing the exquisite Phantom Series II is a great way to commemorate 15 years of success.”

Burj Al Arab

Ever since its doors opened on December 1st 1999, Burj Al Arab has watched Dubai’s transformation from a trading port to become one of the world’s fastest growing cities, and has contributed greatly to placing the city on the world map.

From tennis stars on the helipad to impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks, the hotel has established its place as the most enduring and memorable landmark of Dubai.

This grand vision of His Royal Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, was instantly hailed as the world’s most luxurious hotel by media and the visiting public and set new standards for ultimate luxury and personalised service.

Fifteen years on, Burj Al Arab’s lustre and grandeur continues to amaze visitors to Dubai and stands as one of the world’s most recognisable buildings.

It has set the gold standard for luxury hotel experiences, has won close to 100 prestigious awards since its opening and maintained its reputation as a symbol of the city’s history, dynamism and pursuit of excellence – including recognition as the World’s Leading Luxury Hotel by the World Travel Awards in 2014.

Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group, said: “I am delighted that we are celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Burj Al Arab.

“Today when one looks at landmark buildings around the world, what comes to mind will be the Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and, of course, Burj Al Arab symbolising the great city of Dubai, and the objectives and ambitions of His Highness.”

More Information

Burj Al Arab is managed by Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding.

It is designed to resemble a billowing sail and stands at a height of 321 meters.

It is one of the most photographed structures in the world and has been consistently voted the world’s most luxurious hotel, with features including in suite check-in and check-out, reception desks on every floor, round-the-clock private butlers and use of the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet and private beach.

The hotel’s 202 luxury suites range from 170 to 780 square meters with a rain shower and a Jacuzzi in each suite, as well as six restaurants and conference and banqueting venues.