Review of Armani Hotel Dubai

It is hard to beat Armani Hotel Dubai’s address for a stay in this Emirate; located in the Downtown business and leisure hub, also described by locals as, ‘the centre of now’. Residing in the world’s largest tower the Burj Khalifa (828 metres, 2716 feet tall), the hotel occupies ten of its dizzying 160 floors, from concourse level up to level 8 and levels 38 and 39. The property aptly neighbours the Dubai Design District. Views from upper levels are impressive, sweeping out over the city’s skyscrapers to the Arabian Gulf.

The hotel is just a 15-minute taxi ride to Jumeirah Beach and within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, where happily for hotel guests, access is afforded by a private corridor. The Armani Exchange is found here among other high-end lifestyle retailers like Cartier and designer boutiques such as McQueen and Chloé.

The hotel is 13 kilometres (8 miles), a 20-minute taxi ride from Dubai International Airport.

Check in to this temple of style and enjoy the ultimate luxury experience in one of its state-of-the-art 78 rooms and 82 suites. All feature variations on a muted palette of grey, beige, caramel, brown and black tones, which keeps the look simple and the theme of understated luxury consistent throughout. It is – as expected - very Armani. 

Dark wooden walls and leather feature walls and doors, Roman blinds, and custom-made fabrics often in green or gold and bespoke Armani furniture add designer glamour. Plush beds feature Hanse goose down and feather pillows and are the makings of joyous dreams. Wardrobes (some walk-in) are ample with hangers suited to designer clothes as you would expect from a design icon.  Bathrooms with twin sinks are beautifully appointed featuring high pressure rain showers, bathtubs and of course, Armani Privé amenities and toiletries.

Rooms range from deluxe to king, from the 45-square-metre Armani room to Classic rooms (70 square metres) which have an additional seating. The loftier suites laid out on higher levels start at 95 square metres.

The Armani Premiere Suite has blissful outdoor space with a wide balcony appointed with stylish furniture – a perfect place to watch the world go by from on high, while the Armani Fountain Suites (with or without balconies) all with floor to ceiling windows are perfect spots to enjoy the splendour of the famed fountain show below.

Snag the best views of the Dubai fountains from The Armani Ambassador Suite, which has the best of both worlds both inside and out in a 150-square-metre space.

Personalisation is the key to the next-level service at Armani Hotel Dubai. On arrival each guest is assigned a Lifestyle Manager, a private butler and personal concierge who will see to every whim and host the stay from the moment guests make a reservation to the time they check out and even beyond, making sure the hotel is true to its promise of impeccable attention to detail. 

A trio of boutiques are stylish spots for souvenirs, such as chocolate shop Armani/Dolce, which sells divine custom confections, spreads, honey and preserves, biscotti or praline-coated almonds; Armani/Galleria – the only place in Dubai where the Giorgio Armani Privé Collection is available and stylish florist, Armani Fiori, all adding to the ‘lifestyle and design experience’.

The show-stopping Armani Spa provides slick pampering in a vast 1,100 square metre (12,000 square feet) space. Time slots are booked ahead by iPad as is the paperless check in. Treatments are prescribed on the day depending on guest’s mood and needs. It is all about haute healing by expert spa consultants and luxe treatments, as you would expect, use the King of Fashion’s own brand of beauty products with therapeutic treatments enhanced with custom made, naturally fragranced Bois, Jasmine and Jade oils by Armani. The relaxation area is populated with the occasional orchid and is the place to sip a post-treatment goji berry juice. The Swedish massage therapy is excellent with experienced therapists working just the right pressure points and takes place in a silk-filled temple-like room. 

There is a sauna, steam room and indoor/outdoor pool. Floating in the pool around the base of the tallest building in the world is an experience to remember, gazing up at the almost one-kilometre-tall Burj Khalifa. Hours spent on the oversized pool-side loungers can disappear in what seems like moments. 

As day turns to night, the hotel becomes one of Dubai's most popular destinations as its Armani/Privé terrace & club springs into life. Here guests drink & dance into the early hours as the club hosts visiting international artists and DJs. The venue offers signature Armani hospitality in a stylishly understated setting.

Younger guests are welcome with kid’s menus for children aged 6-11 and free meals for under-fives, while interconnecting rooms and babysitters are arranged upon request.

The hotel is fully accessible for disabled guests. Pets are not welcome. 

Japanese tatami wood marries green bamboo marble floors and elegant fabrics draping walls with every aspect of the hotel’s design and service offerings designed and planned by Giorgio Armani himself, from the bespoke furnishings to restaurant menus and in-room amenities, attention to detail is evident everywhere and the curved logo finds its way to door handles, towels, and even table legs.

Practicality and elegance, the cornerstones of Armani’s signature style, combine with precious materials and sophisticated finishes to create a highly personalised, stylish, and comfortable spaces with muted lighting where bright colour pops of sculptured flower arrangements brighten up restful taupe and sable muted colour schemes.

All venues are proudly preceded by the brand name. There are seven restaurants and all, especially Armani Ristorante, are destinations in themselves.

Breakfast is best at Armani/Mediterraneo where a creative buffet and casual á la carte dining with an Italian coffee hit is a good way to start the day. This eatery is also open for lunch and dinner.

Armani/Deli is the place for a ‘pronto lunch’ (quick bite) and for gourmands to pick up food to go of simple plates of homemade pasta, fresh bread, classic charcuterie, European cheese and delicious pastries. It is also popular for Friday brunch (which is the first day of the weekend in the Middle East). 

Cocktails on the balcony at Armani/Lounge is quite the experience. Italian Aperitivo style must do to enjoy bird’s-eye views of the Dubai fountain and the choreographed light and water shows where water shoots up into the air to the sounds of classical music. Found on the lobby level, the lounge also serves tea and coffee by day.

For dinner there are a few options. The elegant Armani Ristorante is a gourmet dining option also located on the lobby level, which stays true to Italian roots with delicious dishes like saffron risotto and marinated spiced duck breast and creamy desserts like La Sfera, with hints of violet and lemon chef Giovani Papi brings the “essence of Italy” to Downtown Dubai. 

Enjoy a traditional Indian feast among the vaulted arches of Armani/Amal with stellar views from a table on the terrace (the restaurant is found on the third floor) while dining on world-class Indian fare with waiters impeccably dressed delivering top class service. Live music with musicians playing traditional instruments is a memorable accompaniment. Set menus are the best way to enjoy the culinary journey.

An imaginative twist on traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine is found at Armani/Hashi restaurant and lounge. Fresh fish is flown in daily from around the world for excellent sushi, sashimi and other authentic Japanese dishes. Panoramic terrace views of the Dubai Fountain are coupled with the beats of the resident DJ. Concourse Level.

Armani/Kaf is the first kosher certified dining destination in the United Arab Emirates, offering a ‘multisensory kosher experience’ on the ground floor of Armani Hotel Dubai. The 40-seat pop-up dinner venue celebrates the best in kosher cuisine and pays homage to classic flavours from around the world, all in compliance with Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) with Armani Hotel Dubai Executive Chef, Fabien Fayolle at the culinary helm.

The Armani Hotel environmental policy follows what they describe as “exacting codes of practice both of Emaar Hospitality and Dubai’s government” in order to preserve precious resources. The hotel is Green Globe certified and committed to addressing energy consumption, air quality, and waste management, exploring biodiversity initiatives, green procurement solutions and social sustainability opportunities.