Elite Traveler HRS 2018-2019

The Armani Suite has jaw-dropping views of the city

DINE Ristorante Armani

The restaurant follows the same elegant minimalism as the rest of the hotel with fresh cream and white interiors and a statement marble wall. The crescent-shaped dining areas mean intimacy is guaranteed; even when every table is occupied you still feel as though you have the place to yourself. The cuisine has notable Italian influences with all-truffle-everything — even the dessert, with a fun gold-sugar sphere that you have to crack open to get to the hazelnut ice cream and sweet truffle mousse within. Be sure to have dessert on the inviting sofas on the terrace to watch the twinkling lights of the city. RELAX Armani Spa Our favorite thing about the Armani Spa is that there’s no treatment menu. Rather, you book a time instead of a treatment, and the therapist will come up with a bespoke program just for you. They also don’t book any appointments before or after your scheduled time, just in case you choose to extend your treatment (as many guests do) so you feel truly relaxed. If you have an overnight flight, we recommend heading straight to the spa so the therapist can soothe aching legs and give a wonderful facial to relieve high- altitude-ravaged skin. Jet lag? What jet lag? EXPLORE As Dubai Mall is the biggest shopping mall in the world, it is understandably busy. Skip the crowds by using Armani’s private entrance and head to Fashion Avenue where you’ll find more than 200 brands including Valentino, Fabergé, Burberry and Cartier.

ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI BURJ KHALIFA, DUBAI, UAE The sleek, minimalistic design of Armani Hotel Dubai is a calming sanctuary in over-the-top Dubai. Everything is done a little differently here, even as you first enter the hotel (housed in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s largest skyscraper) you aren’t immediately greeted by the reservations desk like in so many other hotels. Instead, there’s a striking atrium dotted with sofas that makes for a more intimate arrival, akin to wandering into a super-chic (and super-sized) living room. The design touches make all the difference here, hardly surprising as Giorgio Armani himself oversaw every detail. CONTACT Mark Kirby, general manager, reservations.dubai@armanihotels.com, +97 148 883 888

The Armani Hotel is within the Burj Khalifa and has incredible views of the fountains below

STAY The Armani Signature Suite Size 2,530 sq ft Nightly rate from $2,115

The Armani Signature Suite, on the 39th floor, has jaw-dropping views of the famous fountains below from all of the floor-to-ceiling windows — there’s a live streaming service connected to the speakers so when the light show begins, you can play the same music and have your own private viewing without the hoards of tourists. The suite has a stylish, neutral color palette with secret sliding doors leading to a huge bedroom, dining room, office, kitchen and large dressing room.

Burj Khalifa Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard Dubai UAE armanihoteldubai.com