By Patrick Michael www.khaleejtimes.com
DUBAI — Residents in Dubai will be hard placed to pronounce ‘Eyjafjallajokull’ but the eruption under this Icelandic glacier has certainly impacted the city in more ways than one.
While thousands of passengers are stranded and hundreds have been compelled to cancel their holiday and work plans, the volcanic ash from Iceland has affected the world’s tallest building in Dubai by forcing a postponement of the ‘highest’ hotel in the world.
Because the man it is named after cannot get here for the April 21st opening. And he wants to come.
The high profile Armani Hotel Dubai was all set to open its doors at the iconic Burj Khalifa on April 21. Now, following the disruptions in international flights, the opening has been rescheduled for April 27 because Giorgio Armani cannot make it.
“My ambition for Armani Hotel Dubai — the first of a collection of Armani hotels, resorts and residences that will soon circle the world — is to celebrate comfort and style by providing the highest standards of design, hospitality and service,” he had said in anticipation of his arrival.
In a statement, a spokesperson of Armani Hotel Dubai said: “Due to the unforeseen closure of European Aerospace and the subsequent cancellation of international flights, the much anticipated grand opening of Armani Hotel Dubai has been postponed.”
The opening of Armani Hotel Dubai, indeed, was keenly awaited by the movers and shakers of the society. Invitations have been reserved for the crème al de crème of the society.
The new opening date means more time for invited guests to finalise their black dresses and gowns for the stellar evening.
Armani Hotel Dubai is the first hotel to be launched under the collaboration between Emaar Properties PJSC and Giorgio Armani S.p.A. Every aspect of the hotel has been personally designed by global fashion legend, Giorgio Armani.
Covering over an area of 269,000 sq ft, across the concourse, ground floor and levels 1 to 8 and levels 38 and 39 of Burj Khalifa, Armani Hotel Dubai has 160 rooms.
