The 2010 launch of the Armani Hotel set a new benchmark for Dubai’s hospitality scene, combining a renowned global brand, luxurious amenities, and a prime location in an iconic building — the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest structure. Located in the heart of Downtown — the city’s glimmering, high-rise business quarter — the Armani covers floors one to eight of this record-breaking 828m (2716ft) structure, as well as the 38th and 39th floors where the best suites are located. A wraparound pool terrace offers plenty of opportunity for swimming and lounging, but you won’t have the fully-fledged beach holiday feel of the Emirate’s coastal hotels — this spot is best for a city or shopping-focused stopover.
Overall score 7/10
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Rooms and suites
Score 6/10
Rooms here are surprisingly lacklustre — perhaps that’s down to it being one of Dubai’s older luxury hotels or the business-crowd clientele of this area. Muted cream sofas, beige bedding and dark brown walls and furniture leave the focus on the skyline views outside. All furnishings feel like things you’d find inside one of the Italian fashion brand’s boutiques — soft lamp lighting, large cream rugs — while bathrooms are kitted out in glossy wood panelling. In what feels like a major throwback for British visitors, the 6th floor remains a smoking floor, with the faint scent of ashtray detectable in some corridors. Basic Deluxe rooms are spacious enough for two, with armchairs, writing desks and his-and-hers sinks. Book a Premiere suite if you prefer a separate living room area. Cots, interconnecting rooms and extra beds are available.
Food and drink
Score 8/10
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The hotel’s Armani Ristorante, boasting a Michelin star, serves as the highlight dining experience. However, its location on the third floor seems like a missed chance to capitalise on the spectacular views offered by this remarkable building. In a similar vein, Japanese restaurant Hashi is on the ground floor of the Burj. For the best views, opt for a table on the terrace at the relaxed Armani Mediterraneo, where you’ll overlook Downtown’s iconic fountains that spring to life with choreographed music shows twice during lunch hours and then every half hour from 6pm to 11pm. All restaurants at the Armani have the same crisp, fashion-boutique looks as the rooms: circular cream booths and marble-effect illuminated screens at Ristorante; polished woods and pendulum lighting at Mediterraneo; black and scarlet bar stools and a patio terrace at Hashi. Price points, as you might expect in this big-spending district, are high.
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What else is there?
Score 7/10
The Armani/SPA is an urban haven in curvaceous cream and gold, adjoining the outdoor pool, midway up the hotel. There are treatment rooms and a spacious, lantern-lit relaxation lounge; all the accoutrements of cool face towels and welcome drinks are there, but the absence of thermal facilities such as saunas or steam rooms is a shame. Nevertheless, the therapists are brilliant and quality of treatments is exceptional; most employ Armani’s own-brand oil blends, with prices starting at £124 for 50 minutes. In the hotel overall, high-end service is a big part of what you pay for: swift, reverent and helpful, with not a trace of snootiness.
Where is it?
Score 8/10
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The location is wow-factor in its own right ‒ though you do have to step outside of the Burj to appreciate its scale ‒ the highest point in a tiara of mega-scrapers. You’d be nuts not to go to the top of the Burj (from £34; burjkhalifa.ae), and the Dubai Mall is right on your doorstep for some of the world’s most luxe, palatial designer boutiques under one roof. Public beaches such as Jumeirah and Kite Beach are within a 20-30-minute drive, too. The Burj is around 20 minutes’ drive from Dubai airport, suiting shorter stays and stopovers.
Price B&B doubles from £472
Restaurant mains from £32
Family-Friendly Y
Accessible Y
Lucy Thackray was a guest of The Armani Hotel Dubai
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