NEWS

Dubai: At the stroke of midnight on Friday, some 500,000 spectators had gathered around the world's tallest standing structure, Burj Khalifa, to celebrate the new year with display of fireworks.

My tour of this mind-boggling metropolis begins at Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828m. "Don't be afraid," tour guide Ola tells us as we walk towards the lift. "The lift goes at 64km/h, but you will not even feel it."

There was just enough time to change, have an explore in the nearby Souk Al Bahar shopping centre and meet on the hotel's 4th floor viewing platform to watch the biggest lit fountains in the world come to life at the base of the Burj Khalifa – the world's tallest building.

She looks quite contented with her businessman husband. It can be easily assessed that how husband Raj cares for her wishes. On their first wedding anniversary, Raj Kundra gifted Shilpa Shett Shetty an apartment in Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

The 160-room hotel opened in April in downtown Dubai and occupies floors in the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa. It's a studiously sober property where black, white, grey and beige rule. So-called lifestyle managers waft about like runway models, each assigned to specific guests; it's a hands-on approach ("360-degree service", says my lifestyle manager) that enhances the carefully managed nature of the hotel but won't suit every traveller.

Travelers visiting Dubai can look forward to putting up at a private apartment in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, as an UAE-based online company, mydubaistay.com, is offering to rent an apartment on the nineteenth floor of the 188-floor tower for $285 per night. The private apartment boasts of modern amenities including air conditioners, wireless connectivity, work desks with PCs, satellite TV, DVD player and more to offer you luxurious comfort. The apartment has a well-furnished bedroom with a double bed and two sofa beds.

By Bindu Suresh Rai  www.emirates247.com Another month, another star moving into a neighbourhood near you; or so goes the story of Dubai, the most sought after celebrity city of...

Studio. The specs: Measuring an ample 548 square foot, this studio flat with separate bathroom has just enough room to comfortably fit a bed, television and dining table. This particular studio is located on the 24th floor, and has an excellent view out the front of the building with the ocean in the distance.

Burj Khalifa has 900 studio, one-, two-, three- and four- bedroom apartments, while the Armani Residences has 144 fully furnished private apartments. It offers luxurious recreational and leisure facilities including four swimming pools, an exclusive residents’ lounge, health and wellness facilities. At mosphere, the world’s highest fine dining restaurant at Level 122 and At the Top, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124 are the other attractions.

This brings me back to the Armani hotel. Are we in the Gulf ready for all that it represents? Well, in the sense that Armani’s fashion specialities (as far as I know) are classic — and relatively timeless — black suits and dresses, then this is probably the right fashion brand for us to start with.