According to Travel and Leisure’s September 2010 issue, the Armani Hotel Dubai is a hotel everyone needs to go to at least once in his or her lifetime. This hotel is located inside the world’s largest building- the Burj Khalifa. This adventure land is not only competing for the World’s tallest building, which it has claimed the title of, but also trying to get tourists to come to the various activities offered in the building. From an indoor ice skating rink, the Dubai mall, an upper level pool that wraps around the entire hotel, a spa with its own outdoor pool, to an upper level observation deck; this hotel has more to keep a person entertained in its own building than some hotels have in a city.
Although, the cost will take a number of hard working years to save up for- the double rooms start at $1,000 a night, and go up to suites over $10,000 a night. However, a personal assistant and concierge, called a “lifestyle manager” are on call around the clock, and they are provided free of charge. The hotel opened in April 2010 (which was delayed a week by volcano ash storm), by the funding of Mohamed Ali Alabbar and the designs of Giorgio Armani. Together this power duo has planned out the design of 10 hotels and resorts around the world so far, but this is the first one that is actually open to customers.
Personally, I admire Armani for being one of the first designers with various endeavors outside of fashion industry. This is quite revolutionary for the hospitality market, and will probably inspire other major fashion designers to test out the success of other industries. In general, it is risky to be gambling on a business during a recession that is affecting the world. Not to mention the fact that this hotel is a luxury hotel. Seeing as this is such a small market, if the profits are not substantial, then this company is going to suffer. Meaning people losing jobs, and Dubai losing tourists. As long as the Armani Hotel Dubai can maintain an image of luxury, and impeccable service to the guests, then it is unlikely that the hotel will fail.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/the-new-armani-hotel-dubai/3
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575433583524896308.html?KEYWORDS=dubai+hotel
I believe that this is an extremely risky endeavor. As an amazing of a hotel this must be, there is only a really limited number of people who would be able to afford a room here. No matter if there reputation is spectacular or not, given our current economy, I believe people will struggle to afford a place like this and will revert to a cheaper stay. It will be interesting to follow this hotel and see if this becomes a popular attraction.
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