The world’s most opulent all-suite hotel, Dubai’s sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, is bringing an expansive outdoor luxury leisure concept, called ‘North Deck’, to the market – by ship from Finland, over 8,000 nautical miles away. The hotel, which is renowned for pushing the boundaries of architectural design and luxury service, unveils a global first in hotel construction with a breakthough combination of creative marine design, ingenious engineering and guest-friendly planning.

The North Deck, which is due to open to guests in the second quarter of 2016, has been developed using state-of-the-art marine technology, design and manufacturing expertise, with a strong focus on environmental benefits. The 10,000m² private luxury deck will fan 100 metres out into the Arabian Gulf and accommodate 32 cabanas, 400 sun loungers, one fresh water pool measuring 612m² and one salt water pool measuring 828m², one restaurant and a bar.

The deck has been developed by marine construction experts ADMARES at a shipyard in Finland that specialisies in the construction of cruise ships and yachts, guaranteeing the highest standards in both manufacture and finish. The off-site process has meant minimal disruption to guests.

Made from steel and weighing around 5,000 tonnes, the North Deck left Finland on 9th January 2016 and is currently being transported to Dubai by sea. On arrival at the hotel in mid-February, the six sections will be lifted by crane and lowered onto a grid of 90 steel piles, each 914mm in diameter, stretching from the hotel out into the Arabian Gulf.

The construction and steel pile installation process will cause minimal impact to the marine environment. In fact it has been designed to provide shade for local fish and to attract undersea ecosystems that are known to cluster around steel piles.

Anthony McHale, General Manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, commented: “As a hotel we are dedicated to surpassing guest expectations by providing the ultimate Arabian hospitality experience and we have no doubt that North Deck will do just that. We are hugely excited about its arrival – North Deck is a true reflection of Dubai’s own ambition to provide the most outstanding experience for guests visiting and living in Dubai.”

Robert Swade, Jumeirah Group Chief Operating Officer: “Dubai is renowned for providing exceptional experiences. This is the first time a structure of this nature and size has been built in one country and then transported to another country to be assembled and operated. We are really pushing the boundaries of innovation and demonstrating how committed we are to positioning Dubai as the most exciting destination in the world and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah as the finest provider of luxury experiences.”