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Maybe the Ritz-Carlton saw the Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa--the current tallest building in the world--as a challenge. Or, maybe the hotel group just wanted to create some local competition with the Park Hyatt Shanghai (to date the highest rooftop observation deck in Asia).

This relentless reiteration of the brand starts in the lobby of the Armani Hotel Dubai, where a series of bronze columns arch overhead, meeting at a point to create a towering collection of artful As. Beneath the arches, mirroring their shape, lie two oversized sofas. The combined result is a consciously contemporary, highly fashionable take on the traditional majlis. Armani Hotel Dubai occupies floors concourse to eight, as well as levels 38 and 39 of Burj Khalifa.

During his early career, Suwaidi overcame a number of difficult obstacles. But, it was when he first started work at the Burj Khalifa that he faced his biggest professional hurdle. “I was very happy to get the job at the Burj Khalifa. I was delighted,” he insists.

Located in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, the 160-room hotel is clad from bedhead to bar with Giorgio Armani-designed furnishings from the label's home collection. A total of four resorts and 10 Armani hotels are planned for the world's fashion capitals, including Milan (2010), London, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

It was billed to be the ‘Burj Effect.’ Today, some 180 days after the opening of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, there is a renewed sense of optimism that commercial establishments lining Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai are poised for a revival of fortunes.

Recognizes the significance of outstanding architecture and design of a hotel or component therein. Nominees: Capella, Singapore; Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas; Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona; Armani Hotel Dubai; and Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad.

Located in the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, the 160-room hotel is clad from bedhead to bar with Giorgio Armani-designed furnishings from the label's home collection. A total of four resorts and 10 Armani hotels are planned for the world's fashion capitals, including Milan (2010), London, Paris, New York and Tokyo.

Dubai-based Alumco, one of the UAE’s largest architectural facade specialists, says the effects of the global economic slowdown finally filtered through to its services this year but, with a number of high profile projects completed in Saudi Arabia and several more under development, Alumco’s activities outside Dubai have kept the company buoyant.

Passengers stay at the Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel. Those travelling onwards to Europe, or other destinations on the Emirates network, can also receive one free night in Dubai at The Armani Hotel, or The Address.

The Saudi stock market yesterday continued the rally started at the end of last week as recent fallers Dar Al Arkan Real Estate and Emaar Economic City turned a corner to finish 1.31% and 0.59% respectively.