By Arno Maierbrugger, Deputy Business Editor www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: After a few delays, designer Giorgio Armani formally opened the world’s first Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa on Tuesday and said his company would, in partnership with Dubai-based Emaar Properties, open 10 more such hotels over the next 10 years.
“I am thrilled to open the doors,” Armani said as he threw open 160 rooms and 144 private residences which are ready for occupancy.
Room rates at the Armani Hotel start at Dh4,000 per night. The hotel and residences occupy floors concourse to 16 and 38 and 39 of the world’s tallest tower and have been designed by Armani himself “in every aspect”.
“It was marvelous to see how the project in Dubai came to life after five years of hard work,” the designer said at the Burj Khalifa launch.
Opening of the Dubai hotel was scheduled for September 2009, which was then rescheduled for the end of last year. That date too was not met and April 21 was set as the new date. The volcanic eruption in Iceland and the resultant flight disruptions forced another delay to April 27.
The hotel is a joint venture between Emaar Properties, the developer of Burj Khalifa, and Giorgio Armani.
It will also have a nightclub called the Armani Privé, a spa, an Armani Dolci confectionery store and an Armani Galleria.
Armani said his Armani Hotels & Resorts Group will target Milan as the next venue of an Armani Hotel, followed by Marrakech, Egypt, New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and London.
