April 28th, 2010
With suites costing up to 11,000 dollars for one night, Italian designer Giorgio Armani on Tuesday opened his first signature hotel in the world’s tallest tower in the Gulf emirate of Dubai.
“Yesterday I saw this hotel come to life and I felt very emotional. It was marvellous to see this come to life,” Armani, wearing a black T-shirt and beige trousers, told reporters at a news conference in the hotel in the Burj Khalifa.
He said his reaction when he was asked to design the hotel was one of surprise.
“Are you really sure you want me?” he said he asked Mohammed Alabbar, the chairman of Dubai’s giant property developer, Emaar.
April 20th, 2010
After weeks of postponement — most recently caused by Europe’s volcanic ash cloud — Armani’s press office has finally confirmed the opening of the fashion label’s first hotel for April 27.
The first of several international hotels and resorts to follow, the Dubai location will host eight restaurants, shopping facilities (accessories and chocolates from the brand’s own Dolci range), an Armani/Fiori florist, and Armani’s first hotel spa.
Occupying 25,000 square meters in total — shared over floors one to eight, 38, and 39 of the new Burj Khalifa tower — the hotel boasts 160 rooms in eight different categories, with the cheapest ones currently priced from around €560.
February 3rd, 2010
Italian fashion brand Armani announced that it is now accepting bookings for its first hotel, which opens March 18 in Dubai.
The luxe label has chosen the just-opened Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai) — the world’s largest tower — to host its first venture into hospitality.
More hotels are planned for Milan, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and London, although no dates have been specified at this point.
January 6th, 2010
Italian fashion brand Armani has announced the opening of its first hotel in Dubai for March 18.
The luxe label has chosen the just opened Burj Khalifa (formerly Burj Dubai), the world’s largest tower, to host its first venture into hospitality.
More hotels are planned for Milan, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and London, although no dates have been specified at this point.
January 5th, 2010
The financially troubled Gulf emirate of Dubai on Monday opened the world’s tallest building, a glistening concrete, glass and steel pinnacle rising 828 metres (2,717 feet) out of the desert sands.
Blazing fireworks rippled up and down the massive structure after it was officially opened by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed al-Maktoum.
He renamed the building, previously known as Burj Dubai, Burj Khalifa in honour of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.
