You’ll find Giorgio Armani’s first hotel in the world’s tallest tower – the Burj Khalifa. It’s all dark and broody, aka ‘minimalistic’. It looks rather slick and exudes a very masculine feel, with smooth stone and mahogany dominating Armani’s decor. While there is no beachside access, you’ll find a decent enough pool by the spa, which offers ‘designer healing’. The Armani/Hashi restaurant is a standout and offers guests an eclectic selection of Japanese cuisine, while Armani/Peck brings a 125-year-old Italian deli's delights to Dubai. There are 160 guest rooms and suites to choose from, but you’ll be partial to the ones that offer views of the Dubai Fountain and across Downtown Dubai. Every Armani guest is assigned a 'lifestyle manager' – a butler of sorts, and we can see why – service here can be rather hit and miss. You’ll hardly ever see other people here, which gives it a celebrity hideaway feel… although this is also reflected in the price.

The essentials
• The Armani/Spa takes up 12,000 square feet and offers customised treatments. There’s also the Italian sweet shop Armani/Dolci, floral arrangements available through Armani/Fiori and fashion accessories store Armani/Galleria at the hotel.

• For food, head to the Armani/Lobby cafe and Armani/Lounge for light snacks, Mediterranean flavours at Armani/Mediterraneo or Italian cuisine at Armani/Ristorante, which serves up handmade and hand-rolled pastas.

• After sunset, there’s only one place to be – Armani/Privé, the hotel’s club where a stylish crowd dances alongside a giant screen projecting the latest catwalk shows.

• Make the most of the Downtown location and visit Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar malls.

• As the hotel is in Burj Khalifa, make sure you check out the observation deck on the 124th floor of the world’s tallest tower. If you buy tickets in advance online , they’ll be much cheaper than if you want to go on the day without a booking.