Rebecca Bundhun www.thenational.ae
The Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa will occupy the levels between the concourse and the eighth floor and levels 38 and 39 of the tower. Its opening was delayed because the Burj Khalifa’s opening was pushed back and more recently as the property received the finishing touches.
The hotel will have 30,000 square feet of conference and banqueting facilities – including the Armani Ballroom and the Armani Pavilion, an outdoor area for up to 350 guests. The 160 luxury rooms and the rest of the hotel were crafted by the designer himself.
The hotel is the result of Armani’s tie-up with Dubai’s Emaar Properties in 2005, when they established Armani Hotels and Resorts. Emaar, which has the hotel brand The Address, will manage the Armani Hotel. The aim is to open 10 Armani hotels and resorts over the next decade in locations including London, Shanghai and New York.
One is due to open in Milan this year. Other properties under development include the first Armani Resort, planned for Marrakech, and the first Armani Residences villas, in Marassi, Egypt.
Armani reported turnover of €2.51 billion (Dh12.53bn) in 2008, with revenue of €1.62bn. The company has 5,000 direct employees, 13 factories and about 500 retail stores worldwide.
