Skip to main content

Blingtastic! Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel offers guests gold iPads

gold ipad dubaiWhen a hotel charges from between $1400 and $20,000 a night for a room, you might well expect it to throw in a few extras to keep the customer satisfied.

Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, which modestly calls itself “the most luxurious hotel in the world”, this week announced it’ll be equipping all guests with iPads. Being the kind of hotel that it is, however, these are no ordinary Apple tablets. No, no, no. These blingtastic babies are 24-carat gold devices, each worth just over $10,000.

The special iPads, provided by UK-based Gold & Co. London, have been engraved with the hotel’s logo (presumably to make them harder to pilfer, along with the pure pulp micro-embossed 4-ply luxurious toilet roll) and will act as a virtual concierge, providing a plethora of information about the hotel’s multitude of services and facilities.

“The Gold & Co. London 24-carat gold iPad is the ultimate in luxury accessories, hence we wanted it to be paired with Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel,” Amjad Ali, CEO of Gold & Co. London, said in a release. “The symmetry is obvious, as both the gold iPad and the hotel are unique in terms of extraordinary quality and design.”

Should a guest become so attached to their gold-plated gadget that they can’t bear to leave it behind at the end of their stay, the sail-shaped hotel – which sometimes refers to itself as the world’s only 7-star hotel – will also be selling the device in its bespoke boutique, where it’s also possible to purchase a gold iPad Mini, gold iPhone 5 and gold BlackBerry Q10.

The Burj Al Arab, which comprises 202 luxury suites and happens to be the fourth tallest hotel on the planet, features in-suite check-in and check-out, reception desks on every floor, a rooftop tennis court, round-the-clock private butlers and use of the hotel’s Rolls-Royce fleet and private beach.

Editors' Recommendations

Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Best iPad deals: Save on iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini
iPad Pro 2020 Screen.

For years the Apple iPad has been setting the standard for the best tablets, and despite its more premium nature, you can generally find some great iPad deals among the best tablet deals. That’s certainly the case right now, as there are a lot of iPad deals to shop. And while many of the best Apple deals include fan favorites like iPhone 15 deals, MacBook deals, and even AirPods deals, the current iPad deals have a lot to choose from. We’ve rounded up all of the best iPad deals worth shopping right now. Reading onward you’ll find discounts on everything from budget iPads to recent releases, as well as some some savings on iPad accessories.
Apple iPad 10.2 (9th Gen) 64GB Wi-Fi -- $249, was $329

Apple's A13 Bionic chip is no M1 or M2, but it still offers 64-bit architecture and neural engine support for excellent performance. In other words, this 10.2-inch iPad is incredible value. It has a 10.2-inch Retina display, 64GB of storage, supports Touch ID and Apple Pencil (1st Gen), and it's size, plus all-day battery life make it an excellent choice for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle.

Read more
How to watch Apple’s big iPad event on May 7
iPad Air 5 back in hand.

After what seems like forever, Apple is finally holding an iPad-focused press event. The "Let Loose" event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7.

The online-only event is expected to reveal new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, as well as tablet accessories, including a new Apple Pencil. Here's more about the event and how to watch it.
How to watch Apple's May 7 event
Apple Event - May 7

Read more
Apple’s new iPad Air could be in trouble
iPad Air 5 seen from the back and held in hand.

If everything goes according to plan, Apple is set to unveil new iPads on Tuesday, May 7. It's been a while since the last iPad release in October 2022, so expectations are incredibly high for those eagerly waiting to buy a new Apple tablet.

I typically purchase the iPad Pro and own the current 11-inch model, and I am curious about Apple's plans for this product line. However, most people are probably more interested in the upcoming iPad Air lineup in 2024. Both lineups are getting a refresh next week. In recent years, the iPad Air has been positioned between the budget-priced iPad and the top-of-the-line iPad Pro, making it a popular choice for many.

Read more