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Roger Federer

The tennis legend opens up about his favourite hotels

Aarti Kapur Singh

OLT Which is your favourite hotel in the world and why

Roger Federer It will have to be the Burj Al Arab in Dubai (from AED4,500 jumeirah.com). Because it is beyond anything with which you may define luxury, opulence and scale. I learnt this rather earlyin 2005, I thinkwhen I played tennis with Andre Agassi 692 feet in the air. The hotel had converted its helipad to a grass tennis court, and Agassi and I checked it for a friendly hit. That was an absolutely amazing experience. When you first get over how high you are and start playing, its an absolute joy and we had a great time. I had no issues with the height as long as I didnt have to bungee jump off the side. The view was absolutely amazing there, and itwas very different when I was asked to do this as I didnt know what to expect. I had been in Dubai many times and had stayed at Burj Al Arab before, but this was an absolute treat. To play tennis with Andre on top of such an amazing hotel and overlooking the whole of Dubai was absolutely spectacular.

OLTAnd what is the best bit about Burj Al Arab

Roger FedererThe location of the hotel itselfon a manmade island in the Persian Gulfis something you dont expect or believe could be possible. Not only is the exterior super stylish, but even the interiors and dcor are unabashedly glamorous. But thats Burj Al Arab for youalways amazing. There is no hotel that epitomises Dubai like this one.

OLTWhats the food like

Roger FedererTry the Foie Gras Terrine at Al Muntahait is one of the best French eateries in the world. Aside from that one, I also love Junsui, their Far-East Asian eatery. The seven-course Asian tea menu is a not-to-be-missed ritual. Their speciality seafood restaurant, Al Mahara, serves the freshest catch and I have had the best crab in the world there.

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