Armani Hotel - Dubai

News that the world’s first Armani Hotel was open for business caused something of a stir in the hospitality industry. With its launch delayed time and again and concerns that the interiors may “look old” many were eager to see whether the fashion maestro could be as successful at designing hotels as he is at haute couture.

Through the backing of Dubai-based property developer Emaar, with whom he had inked a deal in 2005, Giorgio Armani was to originate and implement a design concept that would define a new collection of hotels and resorts. Five years on, and the first product of this partnership is born.

Housed in the Burj Khalifa, one of the most talked about architectural feats this century has seen, the hotel itself was something of an enigma. As with Armani’s fashion collections, the style of the interiors was shrouded in mystery, only revealed at the grand opening party in which VIP guests were treated to a ribbon cutting ceremony, a catwalk show (naturally), and a display of the dancing Dubai Fountains.

Speaking at the launch, Giorgio Armani, clearly thrilled with the end result, stated: “It has long been my dream to have a hotel in which I myself would like to stay and entertain family and friends, where the Armani aesthetic is combined with Italian-style warmth and hospitality.” Also present, Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties added: “Armani Hotel Dubai is a celebration of superior aesthetics and world-class project development competencies... This project required extraordinary attention to detail and a commitment to luxury, perfection and excellence. Our guests will experience the passion that has gone into its development across every touch point.”

Days later, Sleeper was amongst the first to experience that passion under the ‘Stay with Armani’ philosophy. Cruising past security, tight even for Dubai, our chauffer-driven car was met by Youssouf, our personal Lifestyle Manager and former friend from Sleeper’s stay at W Doha. Dressed head-to-toe in Armani, Youssouf would be on call 24 hours a day extending the hospitality of the ‘Armani Family’ and checking our needs were taken care of.

On entering the grand lobby, striking arches clad in a metallic bronze finish fill the double height space and set the tone for the rest of the hotel. “Practicality and elegance, the cornerstones of Giorgio’s Armani’s signature style, combine with precious materials and sophisticated finishes to create a highly personalised space,” explains Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer at Emaar Hospitality Group and Emaar Hotels & Resorts LLC. “Dedicating nearly five years to the project all aspects of the hotel’s design and service offerings have been designed and planned by Mr Armani himself, from the furnishings to restaurant menus and in-room amenities,” he continues. “The result is a property that feels bespoke – from the Eramosa stone floors, zebra wood panelling, and fabric covered walls, to the scents of the bath and spa accessories. The hotel truly brings to life Giorgio Armani’s dream.”

Occupying floors concourse to 8 and 38 to 39, the hotel features 108 guestrooms, 52 suites, eight F&B venues, exclusive retail outlets, and the first in-hotel Armani/Spa.

The Y-shaped floorplan of Burj Khalifa, designed by the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with Adrian Smith as consulting design partner, dictates the shape of the guestrooms meaning that each is unique. Sleeper’s room, located at the end of one of the three fins, is a spacious affair with clean lines, a sophisticated colour palette, and textured finishes. Curved walls clad in luxe fabrics and handmade leather follow the contours of the building whilst endless folds of material give way to 240 degree views of Downtown Dubai. The lounge is furnished with pieces from the home furnishing range Armani Casa, alongside bespoke designs such as an oak dining table with liquid metal finish. Should guests wish to shop from the comfort of their own room, catalogues of the latest Armani collections are conveniently at hand. Sliding wall panels glide effortlessly over the Japanese Tatami woven floorcovering to reveal a butler station, whilst a neat cabinet opens to become a writing desk inlaid with leather. In the bedroom, a four-poster bed is enveloped in satin complete with canopy overhead and the finest down duvets provided by Mühldorfer. Further exploration reveals the bathroom featuring dramatic green bamboo marble from Brazil, his-and-hers dual basins, and customised Italian tapware designed by Giorgio Armani.

Fit-out of the hotel was undertaken by locally-based Fino Interiors, who constructed and / or installed much of the flooring, wallcoverings and FF&E using the highest quality materials. The two-tone silver and antique bronze metal coatings found throughout have been completed by Metallica Artistic Metal Coatings.  

Armani Hotel’s eight dining experiences offer a wide choice of cuisines ranging from Japanese and Indian, to Mediterranean and authentic fine-dining. Each is unique and designed to complement the dishes it serves, but all continue Armani’s trademark elegance. Personal favourites include the Armani/Lounge, a tranquil bar from which to watch the Dubai Fountains, and Armani/Privé, an über exclusive after-hours club named after the designer’s couture line. Here, the interiors go monochrome with a striking black and white geometric pattern coating the entrance. Inside, a giant LED screen plays moving images of Armani types sashaying down the catwalk.The hotel also provides event space, the centrepiece of which is a pillarless ballroom. In contrast to traditional ballrooms, this one is a simple affair. Floor-to-ceiling marble is fronted by black grilles and lighting remains subtle. Some visitors expressed the view that the understated design of the ballroom was bland, and its pure black carpet will certainly be a housekeeping challenge. But then this is Dubai, where five-star hotels are expected to display their opulence more flamboyantly.

True to form, Giorgio Armani has delivered to his high standards of design in an expression of minimalist elegance, with every detail bearing the Armani signature. Aspirations to open ten hotels within the next decade are well underway with a property in Milan due to open in 2011, followed by Marassi in Egypt, and Marrakesh.

It is expected that each will combine local inspiration with Armani’s understated style.

Rooms    160 guestrooms inc 52 suites
Dining    Armani/Lounge, Armani/Peck, Armani/Mediterraneo, Armani/Ristorante, Armarni/Amal, Armani/Hashi, Armani/Lobby
Drinking    Armani/Privé
Leisure    Armani/Spa
Facilities    Events space, ballroom, and Armani retail