burj khalifa

World's Highest Restaurant Opens In Dubai

Filed under: Dining

The world of sky-high restaurants just got a new summit. At.mosphere, is a restaurant 1,350 feet in the sky, on the 122nd floor of the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The new restaurant unseats the revolving 360 Restaurant in Toronto's CN Tower which previously had the honor.

The new restaurant has two separate areas, lounge and grill. The restaurant can host over 210 guests total. It has a large arrival lobby, main dining floor, private dining rooms and display cooking stations.

Diners enter through Burj Khalifa's Corporate Suites lobby and exit via the express elevator on Level 123 to face a two-story glass atrium. A flight of cantilevered staircases lead them to the arrival lobby where they can enjoy panoramic views of the city. The restaurant features mahogany walls and ceilings, Adam Tihany furnishings, and floors of cafe au lait limestone and hand-tufted carpet.

Arabian Business reports that diners will be charged a minimum of AED450 ($122) a head. Those booking the private dining area will pay at least AED650 ($176.90) per guest. Afternoon tea costs nearly $100 (AED350) and for drinks and snacks in the lounge area guests are required to spend AED200 ($54.45) per head. The restaurant was booked solid for the first couple days.

Tags: burj khalifa, dubai, worlds highest restaurant

AC Milan Soccer Team Poses At World's Tallest Building

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

When Dubai's sail-shaped Burj al Arab first opened back in 2005 we saw Andre Agassi and Roger Federer play tennis on its helipad and Tiger Woods take a few golf swings from the same location. Dubai's latest star, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, which opened earlier this year, has now been getting its fair share of stunt publicity. Tom Cruise dangled off the side while filming the latest Mission Impossible sequel and now a soccer team, AC Milan, played what might be the world's highest soccer game.

AC Milan squad are in Dubai for their Winter Tour and the Emirates Challenge Cup which will be played against Al Ahli Club on Sunday. They took the opportunity to ascend to the 124th floor observation deck and pose for a few pictures on a specially created pitch in the sky before heading off to a training session at Al Ahli Club. The team is sponsored by Emirates Airlines.

The AC Milan stars Ronaldinho, Robinho and Pato can be seen training at Al Ahli Club in sessions that are open to the public. New AC Milan signing, Antonio Cassano, will appear in his first match for the club on Sunday while the UAE side is captained by former Italian international Fabio Cannavaro.

Tags: burj khalifa

First Armani Hotel Opens in Dubai

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

It took a little longer than expected but the first Armani Hotel has opened in the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai. The hotel is the first landmark tenant in the building. The 160-room hotel marks the Italian designer's first foray into the hotel business.

Every bit of the hotel's design was overseen by Armani and is a consistent vision of his neutral, minimalist luxe style. The staff wear Armani suits and dresses. The hotel is designed to be exclusive and only those who have room or restaurant reservations can gain access to the area of the Burj Khalifa that houses the hotel. Your stay comes with the sevices of a "lifestyle consultant," a personal concierge who sees to all your needs. Such fine digs will cost you. Rates start at $750 and night and a suite can run you $2,500 although opening specials in the fast rising heat of late spring will net you a studio for $550 and an Armani Signature Suite for $2,200. Restaurants include Armani/Amal, offering Indian food with modern presentation, Armani/Hashi for sushi and Japanese plates, and Armani/Peck, an Italian style deli. Click through after the jump for a look at the Armani hotel, a space that seems very true to the look of Armani's existing boutiques and restaurant offerings.

Tags: armani hotel, armani hotel dubai, burj khalifa, dubai, dubai hotel

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Is One Of The World's Biggest Shoppers Ready To Spend?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Last year was rough for everyone even one of the world's richest men Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. Sure he's still building that gilded Airbus A380 with the garage for his Rolls-Royce but last year saw his Kingdom Holdings sell off a 50 percent stake in the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva and other hotel assets.

But a recent AFP story has the prince preparing for a spending spree. He has transferred 180 million of his own shares in Citigroup into Kingdom Holdings giving the struggling company a lovely boost of approximately $597 million in value. He says this was done because the group is getting ready to invest in new hotels in the Gulf region including the Kingdom Tower, a skyscraper in Jeddah on the Red Sea that would be taller than the newly opened Burj Khalifia. It's also a vote of confidence for Citi that the shares will generate profit for Kingdom allowing it to continue to spend. The action sends a strong message to the world that when it comes to real estate development, the Gulf is still reaching for the stars.

Tags: burj khalifa, BurjKhalifa, citigroup, jeddah, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, PrinceAlwaleedBinTalal