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[upbeat music]
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[narrator] For more than ten million tourists each year
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Dubai has become the place to go for a touch of indulgence.
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It was 25 years ago, with oil reserves running low
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that Dubai's ruler had a vision
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to turn this small Gulf nation
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into a luxury holiday destination.
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But what he needed
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was a landmark to put Dubai on the international map.
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The answer was the Burj Al Arab.
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[wondrous music]
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[Gopal] You think you are dreaming, and it's like
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Wow, is it really real?
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[narrator] Standing over 304 meters tall
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and costing an estimated one billion dollars to build
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the Burj offers extremes in opulence
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for those that can afford it.
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[Oscar] Is it gonna be Kings and Queens from the Middle East?
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Sheiks and Sheikhas, or is it gonna be Mr. and Mrs. Honeymoon
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Mr. and Mrs. Prizewinner, Mr. and Mrs., you know...
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let's spend the inheritance kind of thing.
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[James] Just insanely beyond what I call normal rich people.
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It's just, they are the super, super elite.
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[narrator] But in the cutthroat world of luxury hotels
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what does it take to satisfy the most demanding of guests?
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They don't care about the price, just find it for me.
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[manager] This is really a problem, ah?
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If we need to carpet the whole beach
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we will carpet the whole beach.
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No, you will be here because guests will come from here.
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Amazing.
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If I was to ask you for five brands of luxury handbags
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what brands would you offer?
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[narrator] As their 15th anniversary approaches
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can one of the world's most expensive hotels prove
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they are still top of their game?
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No one expected the police
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to come with the bomb squad and dogs.
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I want luxury. My guests want luxury.
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I wanna hear Prada, I wanna hear Louis Vuitton
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I wanna hear La Croix, I wanna hear...
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anything else under the sun apart from Zara and H&M
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[theme interlude]
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[wondrous music]
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[narrator] On the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf
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stands the iconic Burj Al Arab.
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Shaped like a giant sail
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the hotel was designed to reflect
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the region's sea-faring past.
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[music continues]
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Built just off shore
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on a man-made island
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the Burj is one of Dubai's original super luxury hotels.
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[music continues]
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[upbeat music]
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Good afternoon, Concierge Burj Al Arab, Oscar speaking.
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[narrator] Australian-born Oscar
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has been assisting guests at the hotel
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for the last five years.
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This is Concierge, this is my nest, this is my home.
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This is the heartbeat of who I am
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and what my operations and what the team does for me.
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Everything pretty much happens here.
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As well as looking after and managing
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the daily heartbeat of the hotel lobby.
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[water spurts]
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This is a very photogenic moment here.
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With the fountains, we're actually surrounded
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by luxury boutiques here as well.
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So this is that moment where people capture
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literally the location, they've arrived.
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[narrator] To keep the guest experience
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as exclusive as possible
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the Burj does not offer any budget rooms.
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[Oscar] Burj Al Arab is an all-suite hotel
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202 grand suites within the hotel
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distributed within 25 floors.
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Every suite actually is double storey or duplex.
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[narrator] Starting from around $1,300 a night
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guests will find the most expensive suites
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higher up the hotel.
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[wondrous music]
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This is the top floor of the hotel.
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This is the floor for the royals.
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[music continues]
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[narrator] At a heady $15,000 a night
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the royal suites are eight times the size
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of an average home
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and offer occupants the most unrestrained
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furnishings and decor.
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[sophisticated music]
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It's a celebration of
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of, of travel
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of sourcing beautiful fabrics
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from Europe and Africa as such, so
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it's a real melting pot
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and Dubai was always like a trading sort of nation
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especially via the seas.
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[narrator] The climax of opulence
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is reserved for the master bedroom.
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And let the show begin.
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Of course the rotating bed as every king would like to have.
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[narrator] Why do you think you need a rotating bed?
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Ah, it may not be useful or practical
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but it's just something special
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it's something that no one else has.
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Umm, and it's memorable.
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[upbeat piano music]
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[narrator] Creating a memorable stay at any hotel
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begins with the arrival.
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[Oscar] What's gonna happen now in the afternoon
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we've got two critical groups checking in
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so one will be a Chinese group
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but they are actually arriving in Ferrari's.
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[music continues]
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Managing this driveway is very critical
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for many it's their first impression of Burj Al Arab.
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[narrator] To reach the entrance of the hotel
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guests must first travel approximately 300 meters
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across a private bridge.
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[music continues]
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[Oscar] I see it as a catwalk of guests coming in and out
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beautiful guests, delegations, group guests.
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[narrator] Of the 1,500 staff at the Burj
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there are over 70 dedicated
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to make the arrivals run as smoothly as possible.
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[Oscar] They are our lobby hostesses
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they recruit literally from around the world.
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The minimum height needs to be 160cm tall
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you can give or take a couple of centimeters
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also depending on the culture
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and the languages that they are offering.
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The doormen again I recruit from around the world.
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They need to look handsome.
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They need to physically be six foot one tall
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or 185cm tall.
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So a lot of the times when I am interviewing and recruiting
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I physically need validation from your passport
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to ensure that you are actually tall enough
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because I can't bring someone over
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and they're five foot eight like me kind of thing.
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[doorman] I have to handle the traffic.
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I have to greet the guests, to receive their luggage
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check in, check out
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a lot of things I have to do
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not only to stay as a tall and handsome guy.
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[narrator] The hotel employ over 70 different nationalities
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to cater for their international clientele.
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Food and beverage manager James is from Birmingham England
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and has been in hospitality his whole life.
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I've never seen someone put gold on a cappuccino
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in my life, never
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and it's because we can, 'cause we should.
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[soft upbeat music]
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[narrator] James and his wife Sally moved to Dubai
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looking for a lifestyle change.
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Initially only intending to stay for a year or two
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they've now been here for six.
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[Sally] It's gorgeous. Get up, go to the beach
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go shopping
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which obviously you can't do that in Birmingham.
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It's so safe here.
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We really don't hear about
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any crime.
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We haven't locked the door in
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the last three, four years, I cannot
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I couldn't even tell you where my house key is
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and that is, is crazy.
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[narrator] Having fallen in love with Dubai
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James and Sally are missing only a few home comforts.
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If we could pick friends and family up and just--
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-Put them over here. -...that would be ideal.
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[narrator] What else do you miss?
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Oxtail soup. [both laugh]
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[upbeat piano music]
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[narrator] Taking the brunt of the guests' demands
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is the Concierge Desk.
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Yeah, yeah, we're still looking
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so give us a few more minutes, yeah?
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All right, thanks. Bye.
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OK, Jenn, hi.
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[narrator] Assistant Concierge Manager Ecaterina
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has been at the hotel for nearly four years.
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I'm from Romania.
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I studied tourism all my life
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I really love being a concierge from the first day, I
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I learned at school about these magical people that will
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pull tickets to the theater from nowhere and
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will get you the last table in your restaurant
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and I thought that's very
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amazing and fascinating.
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[narrator] Before Ecaterina joined the concierge desk
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it was an all-male team.
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In our world here
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you need to have a woman.
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You always have a woman now at the concierge desk
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because there are so many delicate questions
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that will come from a lady or even from a man
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that will not feel comfortable to discuss it with another man.
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[narrator] One such delicate situation has just arisen.
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A male guest has called to say
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he wants to propose to his girlfriend
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when they arrive later today.
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And he wants to propose in the most romantic possible place...
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[wondrous music]
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Over 200 meters above the lobby
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is the alternate entrance to the hotel.
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[music continues]
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Ecaterina has arranged for the guest's helicopter arrival
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but has also been asked to track down
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a very important package.
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When I asked him
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what would be so important it has to be there
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on arrival
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he said that it's his engagement ring.
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For me, more important now is, if
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we get the ring
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and I get to go up there on the helipad
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and hand it to him without her
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suspecting it or anything.
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[narrator] The only problem is
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the package is delayed in customs.
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Would you be able to tell me what's happening?
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Do you think in about two hours we'll be able to find out
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what's the status of this parcel?
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There's been no update since 11 o'clock.
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They can still stop at the, at the airport.
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They can still, umm...
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refuse to hand it to us.
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We'll see.
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It's quite stressful and we are hoping to
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to, to have it in time for the proposal.
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[narrator] While Ecaterina chases the package
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the couple's personal butler
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is preparing their suite with what
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the hotel refers to, ominously
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as a "romantic turn-down."
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[Shakeel] I'm not placing only the rose petal
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it's a love, from our side
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for our guest.
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[narrator] Imported from Colombia and Kenya
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there will be no less than 5,000 rose petals
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covering the couple's suite.
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[Shakeel] Hopefully when she will see this all surprises
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she will be say, yes!
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Do you think, we could come and pick it up ourselves?
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Thank you very much, thank you, have a good day.
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00:10:49,440 --> 00:10:51,760
Goodbye, bye, bye. Yes!
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00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:53,560
[narrator] With the package through customs
250
00:10:53,640 --> 00:10:54,920
and on its way to the hotel
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00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:57,840
the arrival team prepares the helipad lounge.
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00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,240
Right now, this is a very special moment
253
00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:02,640
which is a romantic moment.
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00:11:02,960 --> 00:11:06,160
So we are going to serve the guests this champagne.
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00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,040
I heartily feel something which
256
00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:09,880
I cannot explain, I am speechless.
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00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:11,760
Can we please scan this parcel?
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00:11:16,600 --> 00:11:18,120
[narrator] Finally armed with the ring
259
00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:19,920
Ecaterina heads to the helipad
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00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:21,480
with just seconds to spare.
261
00:11:21,560 --> 00:11:24,560
[quiet upbeat music]
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00:11:26,120 --> 00:11:28,160
Please, nobody steps on the red carpet!
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00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:30,040
[narrator] The Burj Al Arab
264
00:11:30,360 --> 00:11:31,720
or "Tower of the Arabs"
265
00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:33,840
was designed to attract the rich and famous
266
00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:34,920
from around the world
267
00:11:35,040 --> 00:11:37,000
with the promise of extreme opulence.
268
00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:39,280
Now it's getting exciting. [nervous laugh]
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00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:41,920
[narrator] But not all the visitors are wealthy.
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00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:44,400
Arriving by helicopter
271
00:11:44,680 --> 00:11:46,040
is an American fireman
272
00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:49,240
who has saved up to propose to his unsuspecting girlfriend
273
00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:50,640
on the hotel helipad.
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00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:53,720
[wondrous music] [helicopter blades]
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00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:55,040
To avoid suspicion
276
00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,000
Ecaterina from Concierge
277
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is delivering the ring still inside the courier's box.
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00:11:59,880 --> 00:12:02,920
[music continues]
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00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:10,720
Good morning! Welcome to Burj Al Arab.
280
00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:13,120
-Are you Ecaterina? -Yes, your parcel has arrived.
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00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:14,600
Nice to finally meet you, Ecaterina.
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00:12:14,680 --> 00:12:16,360
There is an open slip over there.
283
00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:18,680
-Let's do this. -Oh my god.
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00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:20,800
You showed me a love that
285
00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:22,840
I didn't know was possible.
286
00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:25,440
Through the years it just keeps getting stronger and stronger.
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00:12:25,480 --> 00:12:27,080
We know we're forever, I think it's time
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00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:28,440
we let everybody else know this.
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00:12:28,520 --> 00:12:29,720
Will you be my Mrs. Elmore?
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00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:31,040
For sure.
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00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:37,400
It's done! [laughs]
292
00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,000
It went perfectly, she said yes, she was surprised.
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00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:43,320
I think it was very unique to propose via
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00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:46,160
a box, a different kind of box. [laughs]
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00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:48,840
Thanks Ecaterina, thank you very much for making all that happen.
296
00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:50,560
Oh, you're welcome, it's my pleasure.
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00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:54,280
[narrator] Chris has taken time off work in Afghanistan
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00:12:54,560 --> 00:12:57,440
to treat girlfriend Barbara to her first stay at the hotel.
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00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:00,360
The journey from the airport alone
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00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,040
has cost him over two weeks wages.
301
00:13:02,080 --> 00:13:05,120
[applause]
302
00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:06,640
I'm...
303
00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:09,480
overwhelmed, I don't know what's happening.
304
00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,600
I'm so excited to stay at the hotel
305
00:13:11,640 --> 00:13:13,520
and now this, and
306
00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:16,520
I'm engaged. [all laugh]
307
00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:19,600
[quiet upbeat music]
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00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:24,280
[narrator] After its construction 15 years ago
309
00:13:24,680 --> 00:13:27,440
it took 250 designers from around the globe
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00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:29,840
to complete the hotel's interior decor.
311
00:13:31,760 --> 00:13:34,160
This included 24,000 light fittings
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00:13:34,520 --> 00:13:37,440
and over 130,000 gallons of paint.
313
00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,560
[upbeat middle Eastern music]
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00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:46,160
But 15 in Dubai years, makes the Burj an old man.
315
00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:49,240
[music continues]
316
00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,200
Preventing the hotel from losing its shine
317
00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:54,800
is a continuous operation.
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00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:56,720
[Mounir] Get the management here, OK?
319
00:13:56,880 --> 00:13:59,080
I don't want to see this escaping like this.
320
00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:02,040
Please, I want this checked out properly here.
321
00:14:03,040 --> 00:14:04,760
[narrator] In charge of the hotel's upkeep
322
00:14:05,040 --> 00:14:06,920
is 65 year old Mounir.
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00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:09,440
He's been at the Burj since it opened.
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00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:12,360
Could you describe the relationship you have
325
00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:13,760
with, with the building?
326
00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:17,480
Ahh, ahh, it's like, you're asking me, like you're asking
327
00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:19,840
Romeo about Juliet, my dear.
328
00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:21,920
You know, I mean, you know
329
00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:26,040
uhh, it's a, it's my nest, it's the nest of my soul here.
330
00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:29,160
[light upbeat music]
331
00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:32,920
All these crystal by Swarovski
332
00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:34,840
this is by Swarovski
333
00:14:35,280 --> 00:14:36,400
this is Swarovski
334
00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:38,480
and again all the lighting in here
335
00:14:38,800 --> 00:14:40,000
made by Swarovski.
336
00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:42,000
Yeah, the floor is leather
337
00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,960
it's pure leather, it's not just plastic, it's leather.
338
00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,440
I mean, to maintain this we buy every year the whole set
339
00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,640
because there's high heels and everything.
340
00:14:51,880 --> 00:14:53,280
Now you see this one?
341
00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:55,600
This is its flush.
342
00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:58,240
There is electronic device there
343
00:14:58,280 --> 00:15:00,600
you can see it's not hard when you push.
344
00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:02,680
Every year this has to be
345
00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:05,120
sent for gold plating.
346
00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:08,240
You know, the fittings, you know, it is very nice.
347
00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:09,320
[laughs]
348
00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:11,560
[narrator] Throughout the year
349
00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,240
there is often an entire floor closed to guests
350
00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:16,720
allowing for a continuous maintenance cycle.
351
00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:18,360
Morning, lady.
352
00:15:19,280 --> 00:15:20,320
How are you, Marianne?
353
00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:22,560
Not bad, not bad.
354
00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:25,760
[narrator] Gold is a recurring theme throughout the Burj.
355
00:15:26,440 --> 00:15:27,880
In addition to the gold plating
356
00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,000
the hotel contains over 2,000 square meters
357
00:15:31,160 --> 00:15:33,000
of 24-carat gold leaf.
358
00:15:34,920 --> 00:15:35,920
[Mounir] You might think
359
00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,280
why you spend too much gold leaves?
360
00:15:38,840 --> 00:15:40,720
Because the gold leaves is metal
361
00:15:41,160 --> 00:15:42,360
and it will oxidate
362
00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:44,520
after one month or two months.
363
00:15:44,760 --> 00:15:45,760
So if I have
364
00:15:46,320 --> 00:15:47,960
to do the touch up in here
365
00:15:48,600 --> 00:15:49,960
I have to do the whole leg.
366
00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:51,680
You do the whole leg, will be
367
00:15:51,720 --> 00:15:53,360
different color than the second leg.
368
00:15:53,680 --> 00:15:55,200
Then I have to do the four leg.
369
00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:57,400
You do the four legs, you have to do the backdrop.
370
00:15:58,000 --> 00:15:59,280
If you do one chair
371
00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,680
in a suite, it will look different than the other chairs
372
00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:04,080
So you have to do everything.
373
00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,160
Why is there so much gold in the Burj?
374
00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,360
It's a good question.
375
00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:13,600
The gold for this place I can describe it in one sentence.
376
00:16:14,120 --> 00:16:15,800
It is to represent
377
00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:18,720
the majestic Arabian culture.
378
00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:22,240
[wondrous music]
379
00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:24,880
[narrator] For some
380
00:16:24,920 --> 00:16:27,280
the color of Arabian culture can be infectious.
381
00:16:27,360 --> 00:16:30,400
[music continues]
382
00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:31,760
The Burj's gift shop
383
00:16:31,920 --> 00:16:34,040
capitalizes on this lust for luxury.
384
00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:37,520
[Gopal] We are at the Burj Al Arab boutique
385
00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:39,720
where we have lot of exclusive items
386
00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:41,280
created especially for us.
387
00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:43,560
[narrator] Indian-born Gopal
388
00:16:43,840 --> 00:16:46,000
has been with the hotel for nearly three years.
389
00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:48,840
Starting with, you see our Burj Al Arab logo
390
00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:50,480
has been converted into a jewelry
391
00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:52,920
which is a platinum and a gold.
392
00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:55,640
This is again a very popular item, as you see
393
00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:57,080
it's a gold iPad.
394
00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:58,920
So far, we've sold it to
395
00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:00,920
lot of Russians, lot of Chinese
396
00:17:01,000 --> 00:17:02,480
and couple of British guests as well.
397
00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:03,560
How much are they?
398
00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:05,720
The iPad can cost $10,000.
399
00:17:06,200 --> 00:17:08,880
So I am pretty sure I can't afford that piece.
400
00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:12,440
Is it a form of intoxication, all this opulence?
401
00:17:12,520 --> 00:17:14,840
It is. You know, when you come in, you
402
00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:18,320
you think you are dreaming or you are in a dreamland actually
403
00:17:18,680 --> 00:17:21,080
because you could never imagine some things, some things
404
00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:22,280
could exist, like that.
405
00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:25,040
And then you really come in and you say like, wow
406
00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:27,240
is it really real? Am I dreaming
407
00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,000
or I am just in a, you know
408
00:17:29,360 --> 00:17:30,600
in a different world?
409
00:17:30,760 --> 00:17:31,800
Does it get you high?
410
00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:34,320
Yeah, probably yes.
411
00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,120
[laughs] I wish I could take one with me.
412
00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:40,360
[music continues]
413
00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:43,240
[narrator] Today, Gopal is receiving a new consignment
414
00:17:43,320 --> 00:17:45,080
of gold-plated mobile phones.
415
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,520
Commissioned especially for the Burj's 15th anniversary.
416
00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:52,160
You know we put your 15th anniversary logo on the box.
417
00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:53,240
Yeah.
418
00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:54,640
And that's gold-plated, obviously.
419
00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:55,720
Exactly.
420
00:17:56,160 --> 00:17:57,160
So this is
421
00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:01,080
-black gold, so it's laser-cut. -Yes.
422
00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:04,080
But it's laser engraved, and then we polish it.
423
00:18:04,800 --> 00:18:06,080
And then we plate it in gold.
424
00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:08,320
[narrator] Amjad from Scotland
425
00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:09,920
runs a London-based company
426
00:18:09,960 --> 00:18:12,760
specializing in gold-plated luxury items.
427
00:18:13,360 --> 00:18:14,640
We've left the logo in black.
428
00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:18,600
[narrator] Dubai has become one of their most important markets.
429
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:21,160
I think it's overtaken...
430
00:18:21,440 --> 00:18:22,800
I know it sounds harsh to say, but
431
00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:24,680
it's overtaken London, it's overtaken New York
432
00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:25,880
everybody's into bling
433
00:18:26,000 --> 00:18:27,960
and gold is the ultimate precious metal.
434
00:18:28,200 --> 00:18:30,160
We work with the rich, the famous
435
00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:32,200
captains of industry, royalty
436
00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:33,640
Justin Bieber
437
00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:35,840
we've just done some stuff for the Kardashians
438
00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:37,560
and the odd ex-president.
439
00:18:38,560 --> 00:18:41,640
[upbeat music]
440
00:18:42,600 --> 00:18:44,080
[narrator] Since Dubai styled itself
441
00:18:44,160 --> 00:18:45,960
as a center for luxury tourism
442
00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:48,520
expats wanting a piece of the action
443
00:18:48,720 --> 00:18:50,920
now outnumber the locals four to one.
444
00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:55,000
This is a route that I some times like to take because it is
445
00:18:55,360 --> 00:18:57,000
the Beverly Hills of Dubai.
446
00:18:57,480 --> 00:18:59,520
So for here, every second villa
447
00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:04,960
is either a plastic surgeon, a medical center, a couturier.
448
00:19:05,960 --> 00:19:08,120
[narrator] To get a taste of Dubai's lavish lifestyle
449
00:19:08,360 --> 00:19:09,760
concierge manager Oscar
450
00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,000
moved over from Australia seven years ago.
451
00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:14,400
It is my home, it's my second home.
452
00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:16,680
Lucky in my profession I kind of know it
453
00:19:16,720 --> 00:19:17,840
like the back of my hand.
454
00:19:18,360 --> 00:19:22,360
It's my job to know a new boutique, a new burger joint.
455
00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:25,520
[narrator] After working in a neighboring hotel
456
00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:28,080
it took nearly two years of patiently waiting
457
00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:30,720
before Oscar finally got the job he'd dreamed of.
458
00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:33,040
It sounds like a cliché
459
00:19:33,120 --> 00:19:35,080
but I think the first time I drove across
460
00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:38,400
and even at the point of my interviews, going
461
00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,360
for Concierge Manager Burj Al Arab
462
00:19:40,680 --> 00:19:42,400
was just unreal. It's just
463
00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:46,080
it's like a palace, it's really like a fairy-tale destination...
464
00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:49,200
[quiet upbeat music]
465
00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:51,080
[narrator] Getting the top job in Concierge
466
00:19:51,120 --> 00:19:54,040
was a combination of a long journey in customer service
467
00:19:54,360 --> 00:19:57,040
that for Oscar started in a clothes shop in Oz.
468
00:19:58,480 --> 00:19:59,880
I was young, inexperienced
469
00:19:59,960 --> 00:20:01,120
somewhat even clueless.
470
00:20:01,480 --> 00:20:03,120
I was working in a department store
471
00:20:03,160 --> 00:20:04,400
back in Melbourne
472
00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:07,240
selling Levi 501's.
473
00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,760
Within two years I decided to go to London.
474
00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,080
I worked in Harrods and Selfridges, so...
475
00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,680
it really sort of fortified the fact that
476
00:20:15,800 --> 00:20:17,680
I will always be looking and I was passionate
477
00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:20,800
about looking after guests with a higher
478
00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:22,520
with a higher demand
479
00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:24,440
or high discerning taste as such.
480
00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:25,920
So I was dealing with
481
00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:28,680
in the days of the Spice Girls, Princess Diana
482
00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:30,480
Take That
483
00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:32,240
that was the real heyday
484
00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:34,080
where me as a little simple Australian
485
00:20:34,520 --> 00:20:37,560
was working in the places of kings and queens
486
00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:39,960
of the rich and famous, literally.
487
00:20:40,840 --> 00:20:42,480
[narrator] Many of the guests at the Burj
488
00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,120
are keen to purchase luxury items during their stay.
489
00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:47,320
[quiet upbeat music]
490
00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:48,400
For some employees
491
00:20:48,600 --> 00:20:51,200
an encyclopedic knowledge of brands is essential.
492
00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:56,920
So if I was to ask you for five brands of luxury handbags
493
00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:58,360
what brands would you offer
494
00:20:58,680 --> 00:21:00,000
to a guest at Burj Al Arab?
495
00:21:00,360 --> 00:21:01,800
What about a fashion designer?
496
00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:04,360
Do you know what a degustation menu is?
497
00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:07,120
In a nutshell, why do you want to work for Burj Al Arab?
498
00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:10,720
[narrator] Oscar has a vacancy on his concierge team
499
00:21:11,120 --> 00:21:12,400
and is hoping to find someone
500
00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:14,600
that matches up to his strict criteria.
501
00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:17,640
My secret weapon is my luxury test.
502
00:21:17,920 --> 00:21:20,280
So someone can be very professional
503
00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:22,760
someone can have worked in a hotel for ten years
504
00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:25,240
but if they can't tell me certain answers
505
00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:27,640
pertinent and a little bit more unique
506
00:21:27,720 --> 00:21:29,400
to the lifestyles of the rich and famous
507
00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:32,040
all the best for another position at another hotel.
508
00:21:32,120 --> 00:21:35,640
If I get answers such as a luxury handbag being Zara
509
00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:36,960
or H&M
510
00:21:38,200 --> 00:21:39,640
that colleague or that candidate
511
00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:41,520
is probably not appropriate for Burj Al Arab.
512
00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:43,480
I want luxury, my guests want luxury.
513
00:21:43,800 --> 00:21:46,160
I wanna hear Prada, I wanna hear Louis Vuitton
514
00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:47,440
I wanna hear La Croix.
515
00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,560
[button tones]
516
00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:52,680
[narrator] Oscar's next potential candidate
517
00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:55,120
is 26 year old Lena from Germany.
518
00:21:55,920 --> 00:21:58,440
Lena, hi. It's Oscar calling from Burj Al Arab, how are you?
519
00:21:59,680 --> 00:22:01,880
-Hello, good, how are you? -Good, good, good.
520
00:22:02,760 --> 00:22:05,600
So if my guest wants a pair of kitten heels
521
00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:07,360
where are you gonna start your search?
522
00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:18,920
OK, that's good.
523
00:22:19,120 --> 00:22:20,440
That's good. So at least you know
524
00:22:20,480 --> 00:22:23,440
that you'll be pursuing shoe shops as opposed to pet shops.
525
00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:24,800
Champagne brand?
526
00:22:32,480 --> 00:22:34,280
Yeah, fabulous, that's great, great.
527
00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:35,680
What is cashmere?
528
00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:43,760
And what is a kosher meal?
529
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000
It's OK.
530
00:22:49,760 --> 00:22:51,320
Thank you so much for your time, Lena.
531
00:22:51,680 --> 00:22:53,280
-Thank you. -OK. Have a good day.
532
00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:55,440
She did really well. Sometimes people really choke
533
00:22:55,480 --> 00:22:56,520
and they've got no idea.
534
00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,520
It's something that we're not always born with
535
00:22:58,600 --> 00:23:00,680
we don't have Tiffany and Co. you know, in our mouth
536
00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:02,840
at the point of being born or what have you.
537
00:23:03,240 --> 00:23:05,640
We're not wearing couture and Georgio Armani.
538
00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:09,080
But it's something that you need to have a liking for.
539
00:23:09,120 --> 00:23:12,160
[quiet upbeat music]
540
00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:13,960
[narrator] As well as expertise in luxury
541
00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:16,840
guests expect the very best in hospitality
542
00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:19,800
especially when attending high-profile events.
543
00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:22,160
[music continues]
544
00:23:22,240 --> 00:23:25,560
Tonight, the hotel's ballroom will be hosting an awards dinner
545
00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:28,480
as part of Dubai's 11th International Film Festival.
546
00:23:29,080 --> 00:23:31,880
[indistinct speaking]
547
00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:34,640
Food and Beverage Manager James
548
00:23:34,800 --> 00:23:37,800
has been tasked with making sure the event is an instant hit
549
00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:39,320
with the visiting film industry.
550
00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:41,280
And cocktails are all free.
551
00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:42,920
We're making them back of house?
552
00:23:43,360 --> 00:23:44,640
-We have runners for this? -Yes.
553
00:23:44,680 --> 00:23:45,800
-And bartenders? -Yes.
554
00:23:46,040 --> 00:23:47,720
There's a few things like this that happen
555
00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:49,920
throughout the year in Dubai, that are
556
00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,880
quite a high profile, quite a high profile thing for
557
00:23:53,080 --> 00:23:55,040
Dubai, really, so it's really an honor
558
00:23:55,120 --> 00:23:57,280
to host the gala dinner, the gala event.
559
00:23:58,080 --> 00:23:59,760
[narrator] With the possibility of royalty
560
00:23:59,840 --> 00:24:01,560
presenting awards at the gala dinner
561
00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:04,680
there is an unscheduled visit from the Dubai police force.
562
00:24:04,720 --> 00:24:06,680
[music continues]
563
00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:08,200
Preparations come to a halt
564
00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,080
as James and his team are ejected from the ballroom
565
00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:13,440
just as guests are about to arrive.
566
00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:15,880
Obviously we've got a VIP event tonight
567
00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:18,160
but no one expected the police
568
00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,360
to come with the bomb squad and dogs to search
569
00:24:20,400 --> 00:24:22,280
which is, yeah, it happens occasionally.
570
00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:24,400
It's one of those things, this is one of the things
571
00:24:24,440 --> 00:24:25,520
that we have to deal with.
572
00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:28,640
[music continues]
573
00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:31,120
Hi, it's just me.
574
00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:33,040
Can you just help on the driveway?
575
00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:36,120
It's clear now, but I just need you sort of looking.
576
00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:37,520
OK, yeah.
577
00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:38,560
So just in the driveway
578
00:24:38,640 --> 00:24:40,240
so I can look after the VIPs arriving.
579
00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:41,640
Cheers, tata, bye-bye.
580
00:24:42,040 --> 00:24:43,480
[narrator] Concierge Manager Oscar
581
00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:45,240
is coordinating front of house
582
00:24:45,320 --> 00:24:47,920
during the awards dinner for the Dubai Film Festival.
583
00:24:49,360 --> 00:24:51,040
At the end of the day it's still a hotel.
584
00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:52,960
So people are checking in, checking out
585
00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:54,280
having dinner
586
00:24:54,360 --> 00:24:55,960
so it can get sometimes quite frantic.
587
00:24:56,080 --> 00:24:58,000
So we've got everything as far as
588
00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:00,400
what we can, all hands on deck, basically
589
00:25:00,480 --> 00:25:01,520
for tonight's movement.
590
00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:03,680
Are all these guests waiting for a bus pick-up?
591
00:25:03,720 --> 00:25:04,720
-Oh. -Buggies.
592
00:25:05,200 --> 00:25:06,280
-Buggies. -Yes.
593
00:25:06,320 --> 00:25:08,440
Oi, oi, oi, you're with the film festival.
594
00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:11,240
[narrator] Determined the guests will
595
00:25:11,320 --> 00:25:12,880
experience an elegant arrival
596
00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:15,960
Oscar wants to shift the high volume of daytime visitors
597
00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:17,240
away from the entrance.
598
00:25:18,320 --> 00:25:19,400
Is it just the two of you?
599
00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:21,840
Can you drive them to their hotel, please?
600
00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:23,960
[indistinct speaking]
601
00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,520
Sweetie, where are your valet Parkers?
602
00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:26,760
Where are the valet Parkers?
603
00:25:27,080 --> 00:25:28,440
I count two, where are they?
604
00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:31,000
[indistinct speaking]
605
00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:32,080
Quick, quick.
606
00:25:32,480 --> 00:25:33,480
Quick sticks.
607
00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:36,600
[sophisticated music]
608
00:25:39,640 --> 00:25:40,760
[narrator] Tonight's awards
609
00:25:40,800 --> 00:25:43,680
are for films originating from the United Arab Emirates
610
00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:44,800
and Arab world.
611
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,240
The film is called "Fi Al Waqt Al Dae'a"
612
00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:51,680
in Arabic, and the English title is "In Overtime."
613
00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:55,000
"With Thy Spirit" is my short movie.
614
00:25:55,040 --> 00:25:58,800
It's about, it's about Lebanon and a monastery.
615
00:25:59,800 --> 00:26:01,680
With Burj Al Arab it feels, I always say
616
00:26:01,760 --> 00:26:04,720
it's like if you ever wanted to film 1,001 Arabian Nights
617
00:26:04,960 --> 00:26:06,760
you've got the set built already.
618
00:26:06,840 --> 00:26:09,840
[music continues]
619
00:26:10,200 --> 00:26:12,200
[narrator] With the awards ceremony about to begin
620
00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:15,400
James will not relax until his royal guest has arrived.
621
00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:18,920
If our top VIP is actually
622
00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:21,360
does decide to come and
623
00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,440
he's going to be having the top table in the middle, so
624
00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:26,880
we've got a little bit of security waiting for him.
625
00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:30,000
[majestic music]
626
00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:37,360
[narrator] His Highness, Sheikh Mansour
627
00:26:37,680 --> 00:26:39,000
the son of Dubai's ruler
628
00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:42,040
arrives just in time to present the awards.
629
00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:45,160
When they arrive, there's a
630
00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:47,720
sudden spike of pressure
631
00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:49,400
and as soon as you've got it all settled
632
00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:50,880
and off you go, it's good.
633
00:26:50,960 --> 00:26:52,520
[applause]
634
00:26:52,600 --> 00:26:53,840
So what are you gonna do later?
635
00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:57,200
Definitely the Crown and Lion is going to be calling.
636
00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:00,600
Or my balcony, sat on a, sat on a beanbag
637
00:27:01,120 --> 00:27:03,840
just relax, just relaxed, chilled out outside
638
00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:06,760
sat down having a glass of wine with my wife.
639
00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:09,840
[upbeat music]
640
00:27:12,840 --> 00:27:14,080
[narrator] When you're staying
641
00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:15,960
at the world's most exclusive hotels
642
00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:18,360
you expect the very best in cuisine.
643
00:27:20,040 --> 00:27:22,360
The Burj Al Arab has eight restaurants
644
00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:23,680
and bars under its roof
645
00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:26,360
serving everything from gourmet business lunches
646
00:27:26,640 --> 00:27:27,640
to high tea.
647
00:27:27,720 --> 00:27:29,920
[music continues]
648
00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:31,520
In charge of running the kitchens
649
00:27:31,880 --> 00:27:33,880
is Executive Chef Maxime.
650
00:27:34,640 --> 00:27:36,600
You can hear, you know [bread cracking]
651
00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:38,360
this nice melody, yeah?
652
00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:40,600
[narrator] With a team of over 200
653
00:27:40,920 --> 00:27:43,920
there's more than one chef for every suite in the hotel.
654
00:27:44,360 --> 00:27:46,520
We built the team according to the restaurant.
655
00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,480
So we here we have Italian chefs,
656
00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:52,680
Indian, French, you know, they
657
00:27:53,040 --> 00:27:54,880
and they also bring their influence.
658
00:27:54,960 --> 00:27:58,080
It's really interesting to share, you know, this
659
00:27:58,600 --> 00:28:00,600
you know, this influence from all over the world.
660
00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:03,280
Ahh, look at this.
661
00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:06,240
[narrator] Maxime spends much of his time
662
00:28:06,280 --> 00:28:08,120
trying to source the finest ingredients
663
00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:09,200
from around the world.
664
00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:14,120
This is line-caught sea bass. No net.
665
00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:17,520
Beautiful oysters coming from Ireland
666
00:28:17,680 --> 00:28:19,960
maybe two days ago they were in the sea.
667
00:28:22,200 --> 00:28:23,200
Amazing.
668
00:28:23,280 --> 00:28:25,400
So I'm going to show you another beautiful product
669
00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:26,480
that we have here.
670
00:28:26,800 --> 00:28:31,120
It's actually a beautiful balsamic vinegar.
671
00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:34,720
It has one hundred year of age.
672
00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:36,920
Ah. My god.
673
00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:39,760
As you can see, it's very thick.
674
00:28:46,840 --> 00:28:47,840
What does it taste like?
675
00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:51,520
Paradise. [laughs]
676
00:28:51,600 --> 00:28:53,920
[wondrous music]
677
00:28:54,000 --> 00:28:55,960
[narrator] At the Burj's most famous restaurant
678
00:28:56,200 --> 00:28:57,200
Al Mahara
679
00:28:57,520 --> 00:28:59,640
it's more than just the guests that need feeding.
680
00:28:59,880 --> 00:29:02,960
[music continues]
681
00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:05,720
One of three aquariums in the hotel
682
00:29:06,160 --> 00:29:08,720
it takes a team of seven staff to maintain them
683
00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,360
led by British marine biologist Warren, from Plymouth.
684
00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:16,560
I work in a unique place which I'm extremely proud of.
685
00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:17,800
I've been here for
686
00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:19,040
thirteen plus years.
687
00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:21,160
And these aquariums, they are part of me.
688
00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:22,880
I've popped my head around the corner
689
00:29:22,960 --> 00:29:24,200
on a couple of occasions and
690
00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:26,040
not seen much conversation going on
691
00:29:26,080 --> 00:29:28,240
but guests sitting there, mesmerized by the exhibit.
692
00:29:29,440 --> 00:29:30,960
[narrator] Most popular with the guests
693
00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:33,160
are the hotel's resident sharks.
694
00:29:33,240 --> 00:29:35,520
[music continues]
695
00:29:35,560 --> 00:29:37,080
To keep all the exhibits healthy
696
00:29:37,520 --> 00:29:40,280
occasionally a team member will venture into the tank.
697
00:29:41,160 --> 00:29:44,040
Just observing to see whether all the moray eels are feeding.
698
00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:47,960
[narrator] By keeping all the fish well-fed
699
00:29:48,400 --> 00:29:50,080
they are less inclined to eat each other
700
00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:52,320
or take a fancy to the divers.
701
00:29:53,920 --> 00:29:55,480
One time I jumped in the tank
702
00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:57,760
and I had the food box with all the fish inside.
703
00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:00,800
As I opened up the container, all the juice
704
00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:02,400
from the sardine
705
00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:04,800
waved up and washed up over my suit.
706
00:30:05,400 --> 00:30:07,280
I was looking around for the zebra shark
707
00:30:07,360 --> 00:30:08,360
and then all of a sudden
708
00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:10,720
I felt the shark tugging at the back of my wetsuit
709
00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:12,200
trying to rip my suit off
710
00:30:12,240 --> 00:30:14,680
obviously mistaking it for a sardine.
711
00:30:14,760 --> 00:30:16,000
You got mistaken for a sardine?
712
00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:18,400
I certainly did get mistaken for a sardine, a large one.
713
00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:21,520
[soft upbeat music]
714
00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:25,240
[narrator] Guests at the Burj frequently include
715
00:30:25,320 --> 00:30:27,200
both heads of state and royalty.
716
00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:30,960
Today, the Ugandan flag is flying
717
00:30:31,040 --> 00:30:32,600
to mark the arrival of its King.
718
00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:36,200
Concierge Manager Oscar
719
00:30:36,560 --> 00:30:39,040
has been asked to help out with a royal makeover.
720
00:30:40,640 --> 00:30:41,960
I managed to find some tailors
721
00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:43,440
and of course they sound very regal
722
00:30:43,840 --> 00:30:45,880
the company name is Knights and Lords.
723
00:30:46,280 --> 00:30:48,040
So again, befit for a king
724
00:30:48,720 --> 00:30:50,680
befit for sort of ceremonial purposes
725
00:30:51,400 --> 00:30:53,000
and they also have the experience
726
00:30:53,040 --> 00:30:55,640
of dealing with, I guess, high-ends in London.
727
00:30:56,480 --> 00:30:58,080
I always have to look at my suppliers.
728
00:30:58,120 --> 00:30:59,680
Do they look smart? Do they look sharp?
729
00:31:00,040 --> 00:31:02,120
They're selling suits, and if they're in a bad suit
730
00:31:02,160 --> 00:31:04,160
I've probably made the wrong decision.
731
00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:06,800
This is his highness King Oyo.
732
00:31:07,960 --> 00:31:09,680
[narrator] 22 year old King Oyo
733
00:31:09,760 --> 00:31:12,120
is currently the youngest ruling monarch in the world
734
00:31:12,520 --> 00:31:15,040
responsible for four and a half million subjects.
735
00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:18,320
The king is touring Dubai
736
00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:21,680
looking for inspiration on how to modernize both his Kingdom
737
00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:22,960
and his image.
738
00:31:24,000 --> 00:31:25,000
What color is this one?
739
00:31:25,480 --> 00:31:30,040
[indistinct chatter]
740
00:31:30,480 --> 00:31:32,400
It's a color option, like a royal blue.
741
00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:34,440
I like this one.
742
00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:36,720
Hi, I am Oscar, pleased to meet you.
743
00:31:37,680 --> 00:31:40,360
[narrator] Accompanying the King on his tour, is his mother.
744
00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:43,120
She has been taking an active role
745
00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:44,600
in evolving the King's image.
746
00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:49,280
What we are looking is we are looking for his own brand.
747
00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:53,600
So it will be like the King Oyo's brand.
748
00:31:55,040 --> 00:31:56,600
So it will be unique.
749
00:31:56,960 --> 00:31:59,080
And we were just discussing with his majesty
750
00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:01,160
some identities and looks
751
00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:03,680
that will, be
752
00:32:03,920 --> 00:32:05,440
exclusive and defining to him.
753
00:32:05,720 --> 00:32:07,320
I've never seen this cut.
754
00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:11,000
That's a complete bespoke suit, so we can still talk about
755
00:32:11,040 --> 00:32:13,680
the cut, the style, everything from the stitch to the buttons
756
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:15,000
to the lining can be
757
00:32:15,160 --> 00:32:16,520
just as you wish kind of thing.
758
00:32:16,560 --> 00:32:17,800
So we can be a little cheeky
759
00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:19,480
we can still be very dignified
760
00:32:19,520 --> 00:32:21,080
but it's made just for you.
761
00:32:22,560 --> 00:32:25,120
As much as they might be the facade of royalty
762
00:32:25,440 --> 00:32:26,640
of a beautiful hotel
763
00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:27,800
it's a mother and a son
764
00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,280
discussing what to wear, how to wear
765
00:32:30,520 --> 00:32:32,680
where to wear it as such so the king
766
00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:34,080
will always respect his mother.
767
00:32:34,400 --> 00:32:37,120
No, it's a mother-son sort of experience.
768
00:32:37,280 --> 00:32:38,720
Yeah, I'm still involved
769
00:32:38,840 --> 00:32:40,160
because he's still young and
770
00:32:40,240 --> 00:32:42,400
until he gets his own queen, maybe
771
00:32:43,040 --> 00:32:44,440
I'll be out of his way
772
00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:46,440
but now I'm still involved
773
00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:47,640
as a mother.
774
00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:49,520
A son can't grow out of his mom
775
00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:51,600
so a mom is always there.
776
00:32:52,280 --> 00:32:54,760
[quiet upbeat music]
777
00:32:54,840 --> 00:32:56,880
[narrator] Providing a very personal service
778
00:32:57,080 --> 00:32:59,080
is at the core of the hotel's philosophy.
779
00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:02,080
They have over 200 staff
780
00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:04,160
working in the guest services department.
781
00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:07,520
[Lana] Everybody has gloves? And you put it on?
782
00:33:09,760 --> 00:33:12,240
[narrator] Helping keep the small army of butlers on course
783
00:33:12,520 --> 00:33:15,000
is supervisor Lana, from Uzbekistan.
784
00:33:16,920 --> 00:33:19,560
My dream was to become a writer.
785
00:33:19,720 --> 00:33:22,800
And it was never my dream to work in hospitality.
786
00:33:22,840 --> 00:33:25,040
I never heard about hospitality in Uzbekistan
787
00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:26,720
but when I arrived to Dubai
788
00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:28,080
my dream has changed.
789
00:33:28,880 --> 00:33:29,880
[narrator] Today
790
00:33:29,960 --> 00:33:32,240
Lana is overseeing the departure of a family
791
00:33:32,320 --> 00:33:34,240
going on a helicopter tour of the city.
792
00:33:35,960 --> 00:33:37,680
No, you will be here
793
00:33:37,760 --> 00:33:39,160
because guests will come from here.
794
00:33:39,520 --> 00:33:40,520
First Dana
795
00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:42,160
then we will have Lance.
796
00:33:42,800 --> 00:33:44,840
[narrator] The hotel prides itself on giving guests
797
00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:46,760
the best in Arabian hospitality
798
00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:50,000
but Lana has adopted some British influences.
799
00:33:54,160 --> 00:33:56,400
I have watched "Downton Abbey,"
800
00:33:56,440 --> 00:33:57,920
if I'm not mistaken with the name
801
00:33:58,120 --> 00:33:59,760
for, I think it's the fifth season now
802
00:34:00,160 --> 00:34:03,720
and it is extremely interesting to see how the butlers behave.
803
00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:06,320
So they take the rose water, they take the towel.
804
00:34:06,400 --> 00:34:09,000
We have used on board a lot of tips.
805
00:34:09,440 --> 00:34:12,360
We told our colleagues to watch this movie as well
806
00:34:12,680 --> 00:34:14,720
just to feel the taste of being a butler.
807
00:34:16,080 --> 00:34:18,240
[narrator] Occasional delays from air traffic control
808
00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:20,200
can keep the butlers waiting on the roof
809
00:34:20,280 --> 00:34:23,200
in temperatures of up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
810
00:34:23,840 --> 00:34:27,600
Sometimes we can stay here for half an hour, one hour, because
811
00:34:28,080 --> 00:34:31,360
the airplane not landing on time.
812
00:34:31,440 --> 00:34:33,040
So we are here waiting.
813
00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:34,480
Has anyone ever fainted?
814
00:34:35,800 --> 00:34:37,480
Not in our history.
815
00:34:37,720 --> 00:34:40,000
As I said, our butlers are very strong.
816
00:34:40,720 --> 00:34:41,760
[laughs]
817
00:34:42,320 --> 00:34:45,000
Happy birthday! [laughs]
818
00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:48,840
Good morning, everybody.
819
00:34:49,040 --> 00:34:51,360
Good morning. Thank you very much.
820
00:34:51,440 --> 00:34:53,320
[narrator] This is the third time the Diederich
821
00:34:53,400 --> 00:34:54,600
family have stayed at the Burj
822
00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:56,920
but their first time on the helipad.
823
00:34:58,400 --> 00:34:59,800
First of all, I didn't dare
824
00:34:59,960 --> 00:35:01,360
to walk out this door
825
00:35:01,480 --> 00:35:03,320
but then I thought it's all for me
826
00:35:03,520 --> 00:35:04,800
it's my special day.
827
00:35:05,440 --> 00:35:06,960
I thought it was a good idea that
828
00:35:07,040 --> 00:35:08,920
for a very special birthday of my wife
829
00:35:09,120 --> 00:35:11,480
I booked something also very special.
830
00:35:14,840 --> 00:35:15,840
Bye!
831
00:35:15,920 --> 00:35:18,960
[quiet upbeat music] [helicopter rotors]
832
00:35:25,120 --> 00:35:26,400
Let's refresh ourselves.
833
00:35:28,040 --> 00:35:30,560
[upbeat music]
834
00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:32,400
[narrator] The beginning of December in Dubai
835
00:35:32,480 --> 00:35:34,920
means time to celebrate National Day.
836
00:35:36,360 --> 00:35:38,720
It's been 43 years since Dubai united
837
00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:40,640
with the six other Arab Emirates.
838
00:35:43,200 --> 00:35:46,400
Conveniently coinciding with the Burj's 15th anniversary
839
00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:50,400
the hotel have decided to put on a spectacular beach party
840
00:35:50,680 --> 00:35:53,080
for loyal guests and local VIPs.
841
00:35:53,160 --> 00:35:56,160
[upbeat middle Eastern music]
842
00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:00,040
Executive Chef Maxime
843
00:36:00,400 --> 00:36:02,760
has been tasked with meeting the high expectations
844
00:36:02,840 --> 00:36:04,120
of the 600 guests.
845
00:36:05,600 --> 00:36:08,120
We use the best dishes of
846
00:36:08,760 --> 00:36:09,840
each restaurant.
847
00:36:10,040 --> 00:36:11,360
As a reduced portion
848
00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:14,240
it has to be very practical for the guest to eat.
849
00:36:15,600 --> 00:36:18,320
We need to organize the spoon, the little spoon, oyster spoon
850
00:36:18,640 --> 00:36:20,040
sorry, oyster forks.
851
00:36:20,640 --> 00:36:21,640
Can you imagine
852
00:36:22,240 --> 00:36:25,760
one of our VIP having difficulties to eat
853
00:36:26,640 --> 00:36:27,640
an oyster?
854
00:36:28,560 --> 00:36:30,680
They are quite picky, let's say, you know.
855
00:36:32,280 --> 00:36:33,880
[narrator] To complete one of his dishes
856
00:36:34,240 --> 00:36:35,640
Maxime has been holding out
857
00:36:35,720 --> 00:36:37,080
for the crowning ingredient
858
00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:39,400
that he hopes will get the guests talking.
859
00:36:39,480 --> 00:36:42,480
[quiet upbeat music]
860
00:36:44,000 --> 00:36:45,920
So this is the black truffle.
861
00:36:46,160 --> 00:36:47,720
We call it the "Black Gold."
862
00:36:48,080 --> 00:36:50,480
This will be sliced on top of the Lacheron cheese
863
00:36:50,760 --> 00:36:51,880
and it will bring, umm
864
00:36:52,240 --> 00:36:53,520
you know, along with the cheese
865
00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:56,960
an amazing taste and an amazing perfume.
866
00:36:57,800 --> 00:36:59,240
[narrator] Foraged in rural France
867
00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:00,720
by specially-trained dogs
868
00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:03,360
and costing over $1,000 a kilo
869
00:37:03,920 --> 00:37:04,920
in the truffle world
870
00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:06,840
size is everything.
871
00:37:07,440 --> 00:37:10,600
This is the common one you can see on the market, basically
872
00:37:10,960 --> 00:37:13,200
OK? And this is Burj Al Arab size.
873
00:37:13,720 --> 00:37:14,720
[laughs]
874
00:37:18,960 --> 00:37:20,960
[narrator] The 15th anniversary celebrations
875
00:37:21,200 --> 00:37:23,920
have a particular significance for 23-year-old Noor
876
00:37:24,360 --> 00:37:25,880
the Assistant Marketing Manager.
877
00:37:27,280 --> 00:37:28,320
A native to Dubai
878
00:37:28,640 --> 00:37:30,160
she has lived here her whole life.
879
00:37:31,440 --> 00:37:34,360
I grew up actually watching the Burj
880
00:37:34,640 --> 00:37:36,480
from the living room window of our house.
881
00:37:36,680 --> 00:37:38,480
You could say we're childhood buddies
882
00:37:38,560 --> 00:37:39,880
we grew up together.
883
00:37:41,080 --> 00:37:42,880
[narrator] As part of the coming celebrations
884
00:37:43,160 --> 00:37:45,440
Noor is designing a photographic display
885
00:37:45,520 --> 00:37:47,760
that will allow guests to see the birth of the Burj
886
00:37:48,000 --> 00:37:49,320
as she did as a child.
887
00:37:50,840 --> 00:37:53,120
You can see the hotel without the sail
888
00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:54,880
uhh, you can see the
889
00:37:55,400 --> 00:37:57,480
the side of the hotel without the glass panels.
890
00:37:57,520 --> 00:38:00,200
It's gonna bring back a lot of good memories.
891
00:38:01,440 --> 00:38:02,840
[narrator] Since the Burj was built
892
00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:06,040
Noor has watched a dramatic transformation of her country.
893
00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:09,800
It really was like sprouting a seed
894
00:38:10,600 --> 00:38:12,120
in the middle of, you know
895
00:38:12,400 --> 00:38:13,960
an empty desert
896
00:38:14,160 --> 00:38:16,280
and things just blossomed around it.
897
00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:18,160
You would see other hotels
898
00:38:18,200 --> 00:38:20,360
you would see roads, you would see constructions
899
00:38:20,440 --> 00:38:22,960
you would see houses coming up around the area
900
00:38:23,160 --> 00:38:25,320
expanding around Dubai and expanding
901
00:38:25,360 --> 00:38:26,880
around the United Arab Emirates.
902
00:38:27,680 --> 00:38:30,840
The guests will look at the island starting and then
903
00:38:31,480 --> 00:38:32,480
here you go, it's
904
00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:34,720
the final image is right in front of you.
905
00:38:34,800 --> 00:38:35,960
It's picture perfect
906
00:38:37,160 --> 00:38:38,160
it really is.
907
00:38:39,040 --> 00:38:41,440
[narrator] Working hard to make the beach VIP proof
908
00:38:41,720 --> 00:38:43,560
is Food and Beverage Manager James.
909
00:38:45,520 --> 00:38:46,920
Hotel manager Ammar
910
00:38:47,120 --> 00:38:48,800
arrives to cast a critical eye.
911
00:38:50,840 --> 00:38:53,040
How many of the ladies we put in the beautiful dresses
912
00:38:53,120 --> 00:38:55,040
-will be at the entrance? -We should have twelve
913
00:38:55,120 --> 00:38:56,640
so we've got six in red, six in black.
914
00:38:56,680 --> 00:38:58,000
Everything's important to Ammar.
915
00:38:58,080 --> 00:39:01,520
Everything, every little detail, line, every finish, everything.
916
00:39:02,080 --> 00:39:04,480
You can't run the world's most luxurious hotel and not.
917
00:39:04,680 --> 00:39:06,160
This is really a problem, uh?
918
00:39:06,440 --> 00:39:09,040
OK, and can really be a hazard, you tape it.
919
00:39:09,920 --> 00:39:12,360
You can look at that, if we find the right color of tape.
920
00:39:13,320 --> 00:39:15,600
Always remember, nobody wants to walk on sand
921
00:39:15,680 --> 00:39:16,760
in particular ladies.
922
00:39:16,800 --> 00:39:17,960
-Of course. -Yeah?
923
00:39:18,200 --> 00:39:20,440
We're talking about some really important dignitaries
924
00:39:20,520 --> 00:39:22,640
that are coming. If we need to carpet the whole beach
925
00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:23,880
we'll carpet the whole beach.
926
00:39:24,520 --> 00:39:26,400
[narrator] James has another pressing concern
927
00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:29,600
one he wasn't expecting from the desert city.
928
00:39:29,680 --> 00:39:32,680
[quiet upbeat music]
929
00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:34,640
Very, very rare that it rains.
930
00:39:35,320 --> 00:39:37,480
There's a lot of staging equipment, a lot of lighting.
931
00:39:37,560 --> 00:39:40,080
If it rains a lot of electrical equipment is gonna get
932
00:39:40,480 --> 00:39:41,480
potentially ruined.
933
00:39:41,560 --> 00:39:44,080
If the wind gets up too much, the fireworks will be off
934
00:39:44,400 --> 00:39:45,880
could be catastrophic, really.
935
00:39:45,960 --> 00:39:47,800
[narrator] But even with news of thunderstorms
936
00:39:47,840 --> 00:39:48,840
further down the coast
937
00:39:49,440 --> 00:39:50,720
James is confident.
938
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:52,800
If it comes, it comes, it's one of those things.
939
00:39:52,880 --> 00:39:53,880
We have to
940
00:39:54,480 --> 00:39:56,760
we have to cope with whatever situation comes to us
941
00:39:56,840 --> 00:39:58,800
if we need to start moving in umbrellas
942
00:39:58,880 --> 00:40:00,160
we'll move in umbrellas, it's OK.
943
00:40:00,680 --> 00:40:02,080
A little bit of rain won't stop us.
944
00:40:03,520 --> 00:40:05,240
It might electrocute everybody, but...
945
00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:10,520
[music continues]
946
00:40:11,320 --> 00:40:12,640
[narrator] For many of the staff
947
00:40:12,760 --> 00:40:14,320
the anniversary celebrations
948
00:40:14,440 --> 00:40:16,840
are a reminder of how much their lives have changed
949
00:40:16,920 --> 00:40:18,080
since joining the hotel.
950
00:40:18,160 --> 00:40:21,160
[quiet upbeat music]
951
00:40:26,520 --> 00:40:28,280
Butler Shakeel moved to Dubai
952
00:40:28,440 --> 00:40:31,160
eleven years ago after being recruited in Pakistan.
953
00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:34,680
First time when I saw the Burj Al Arab
954
00:40:35,480 --> 00:40:37,960
it was like a mountain standing in front of me.
955
00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:41,440
I was just slapping my cheeks like this
956
00:40:42,040 --> 00:40:45,560
that it's a reality that I'm going to work for Burj Al Arab.
957
00:40:46,480 --> 00:40:47,480
I've served
958
00:40:47,600 --> 00:40:48,720
many presidents
959
00:40:48,960 --> 00:40:50,200
football, soccer players
960
00:40:50,480 --> 00:40:51,480
movie stars
961
00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:53,200
I've met everyone.
962
00:40:54,600 --> 00:40:56,920
[narrator] Some staff can find the hotel's high profile
963
00:40:57,000 --> 00:40:58,000
rubbing off on them.
964
00:41:00,000 --> 00:41:03,240
Back at home my family is treating me like a celebrity
965
00:41:03,880 --> 00:41:06,000
because they always recognize me
966
00:41:06,320 --> 00:41:07,520
with Burj Al Arab.
967
00:41:09,600 --> 00:41:10,680
Good morning, Mr. Elmore.
968
00:41:11,440 --> 00:41:12,440
May I come in?
969
00:41:13,400 --> 00:41:15,680
[narrator] Two guests that Shakeel has been looking after
970
00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:17,080
are Chris and Barbara
971
00:41:17,200 --> 00:41:19,400
who recently got engaged on the helipad.
972
00:41:19,840 --> 00:41:20,880
Shakeel loves his job
973
00:41:21,120 --> 00:41:24,040
it's, it's evident from the first time you talk to him.
974
00:41:24,240 --> 00:41:26,640
He truly does enjoy what he does.
975
00:41:28,240 --> 00:41:30,320
[narrator] With their romantic stay coming to an end
976
00:41:30,720 --> 00:41:33,360
fireman Chris will return to his job in Afghanistan
977
00:41:33,680 --> 00:41:35,600
while Barbara returns home to Germany.
978
00:41:37,480 --> 00:41:40,760
I got to know that they are going separate ways.
979
00:41:41,160 --> 00:41:43,240
This is emotional moment for me
980
00:41:43,400 --> 00:41:44,840
because I can see both are
981
00:41:45,120 --> 00:41:47,160
you can say like, a crying, you know, so
982
00:41:47,800 --> 00:41:49,000
you have to understand.
983
00:41:49,520 --> 00:41:51,480
Allow me to open for you.
984
00:41:54,240 --> 00:41:55,280
Thank you.
985
00:41:55,320 --> 00:41:57,000
Thank you, and congratulations, thank you.
986
00:41:57,960 --> 00:41:59,760
Thank you very much. Thank you.
987
00:41:59,800 --> 00:42:02,680
[tender music]
988
00:42:03,280 --> 00:42:05,920
I really didn't expect that he is going to hug me
989
00:42:06,240 --> 00:42:07,240
which is, uh
990
00:42:07,840 --> 00:42:09,360
people will do when they will feel
991
00:42:09,440 --> 00:42:10,840
something really heart-touching.
992
00:42:11,520 --> 00:42:13,640
So he was saying thanks to me
993
00:42:13,720 --> 00:42:15,680
maybe he did a hundred times to me.
994
00:42:15,760 --> 00:42:18,800
[quiet music] [water flowing]
995
00:42:21,720 --> 00:42:24,760
[quiet upbeat music]
996
00:42:24,920 --> 00:42:27,560
[narrator] With just an hour to go before the celebrations begin
997
00:42:28,040 --> 00:42:31,040
Maxime is transporting food for 600 guests
998
00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:33,800
from the hotel kitchens to the private beach.
999
00:42:35,400 --> 00:42:38,320
You can see it's a kind of excitement everywhere but
1000
00:42:38,600 --> 00:42:42,080
basically the food arrived here on the beach, so
1001
00:42:42,760 --> 00:42:45,120
we have to be very fast to
1002
00:42:45,360 --> 00:42:47,760
place all what has to be, you know
1003
00:42:47,840 --> 00:42:49,760
stored in the chillers and
1004
00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:51,200
so we have to go fast.
1005
00:42:51,280 --> 00:42:54,000
We have oysters, we have scallops, very fragile items
1006
00:42:54,080 --> 00:42:56,400
that has to be stored as soon as possible.
1007
00:42:58,240 --> 00:43:00,480
[narrator] In the cutthroat world of luxury hotels
1008
00:43:00,880 --> 00:43:03,200
an event like this gives the Burj a chance
1009
00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:04,800
to outshine the competition.
1010
00:43:04,960 --> 00:43:06,440
We have been working for this project
1011
00:43:06,520 --> 00:43:07,600
for more than seven months
1012
00:43:07,680 --> 00:43:09,160
and today's the day we're gonna be
1013
00:43:09,560 --> 00:43:11,720
hosting that event, so it's very, very
1014
00:43:11,800 --> 00:43:13,440
very important you give your best
1015
00:43:13,960 --> 00:43:15,040
you smile all the time
1016
00:43:15,320 --> 00:43:16,320
and you make sure
1017
00:43:16,360 --> 00:43:18,480
you portray Burj Al Arab image at all times.
1018
00:43:18,560 --> 00:43:21,640
[upbeat music]
1019
00:43:25,560 --> 00:43:27,160
[narrator] Concierge Manager Oscar
1020
00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:28,840
is on transport duty.
1021
00:43:29,640 --> 00:43:30,960
We've got five buggies, these are
1022
00:43:31,040 --> 00:43:32,360
the Rolls Royce's of buggies.
1023
00:43:32,680 --> 00:43:35,560
My responsibility tonight essentially is to ensure that
1024
00:43:35,600 --> 00:43:37,520
a lot of the guests get from the front doors
1025
00:43:37,560 --> 00:43:39,400
directly to the beach.
1026
00:43:41,440 --> 00:43:42,560
Hi, welcome on board.
1027
00:43:43,560 --> 00:43:45,400
It is a gala event, so people are dressed up.
1028
00:43:45,480 --> 00:43:46,720
We'll have heads of state
1029
00:43:46,800 --> 00:43:47,880
we'll have royalty
1030
00:43:48,200 --> 00:43:50,080
we'll have heads of businesses, so
1031
00:43:50,400 --> 00:43:52,160
it's going to be a fancy shindig.
1032
00:43:52,640 --> 00:43:53,640
This is the ticket
1033
00:43:54,040 --> 00:43:55,640
ticket of the year, I guess.
1034
00:43:55,720 --> 00:43:57,520
[wondrous music]
1035
00:43:57,560 --> 00:43:58,960
[narrator] After months of planning
1036
00:43:59,360 --> 00:44:01,680
the celebrations finally get under way.
1037
00:44:02,240 --> 00:44:03,800
There was a few spots of rain
1038
00:44:03,840 --> 00:44:06,440
just as I was moving some last minute furniture
1039
00:44:06,560 --> 00:44:08,680
but all calm and no wind.
1040
00:44:09,120 --> 00:44:10,120
It's a massive relief
1041
00:44:10,160 --> 00:44:12,240
massive achievement. Something we're quite proud of
1042
00:44:12,280 --> 00:44:14,200
especially as a team there's a lot of pressure.
1043
00:44:14,760 --> 00:44:17,520
It's a sense of pride, I like seeing that people are curious.
1044
00:44:17,920 --> 00:44:19,680
I'm just waiting for the fireworks now.
1045
00:44:19,720 --> 00:44:22,760
[wondrous music] [fireworks explosion]
1046
00:44:26,440 --> 00:44:27,720
[narrator] Sparing no expense
1047
00:44:28,160 --> 00:44:30,200
two tones of fireworks are released
1048
00:44:30,520 --> 00:44:33,440
stretching out across a kilometer of the Burj's skyline.
1049
00:44:33,520 --> 00:44:36,240
[music continues] [fireworks explosions]
1050
00:44:36,280 --> 00:44:37,760
It's hard not to get emotional
1051
00:44:37,920 --> 00:44:40,120
when you sort of see the place that you work
1052
00:44:40,240 --> 00:44:41,760
my office kind of being lit up
1053
00:44:41,800 --> 00:44:43,360
with fireworks and sparkles.
1054
00:44:43,760 --> 00:44:45,400
It's hard not to get caught up
1055
00:44:45,480 --> 00:44:47,120
and a little bit choked up upstairs.
1056
00:44:48,720 --> 00:44:50,040
[narrator] The staff have helped
1057
00:44:50,120 --> 00:44:51,640
put Dubai on the international map
1058
00:44:52,840 --> 00:44:54,280
but will they manage to satisfy
1059
00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:56,440
the high demands of guests in the future?
1060
00:44:57,960 --> 00:44:59,840
15 years ago when they first built the hotel
1061
00:44:59,920 --> 00:45:01,080
this was the one symbol
1062
00:45:01,120 --> 00:45:02,480
this was Sheikh Mohammed's
1063
00:45:03,120 --> 00:45:04,640
icon for, for the region
1064
00:45:04,880 --> 00:45:07,120
and to still be that symbol now 15 years later
1065
00:45:07,560 --> 00:45:09,240
I think it's still going to be that symbol
1066
00:45:09,320 --> 00:45:10,720
in many, many years to come.
1067
00:45:11,720 --> 00:45:13,600
The day I leave Burj Al Arab
1068
00:45:14,240 --> 00:45:15,840
it's probably not even in my
1069
00:45:16,240 --> 00:45:17,680
thought process at all
1070
00:45:17,760 --> 00:45:18,960
it's like a dear friend
1071
00:45:19,000 --> 00:45:20,200
I am part of Burj
1072
00:45:20,240 --> 00:45:22,880
just as much as the red couches in the lobby
1073
00:45:23,720 --> 00:45:25,120
or the 24-carat gold.
1074
00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:28,240
[music continues] [fireworks explosions]
1075
00:45:29,480 --> 00:45:32,560
[ending music]
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