All in the Details

So I never really understood the power of Armani. sure, sure I know Richard Gere in American Gigolo but he looked better without his clothes on as opposed to those suits. Occasionally I will stop into an Armani store but between the attitude of the staff and the unwelcoming display it just never worked. But, here at Mr. Armani's hotel in Dubai I do have to bow before the power of the brand. Entering through the glass doors I felt like I was entering an enormous piece of dark chocolate, 70% cacao at least. The dimmest of lighting, the tallest of ceilings, huge upholstered sofas and armchairs all invited lowered voices with a hushed and reverent tone. Plus the music, not loungy with a beat but more "find your zen place according to my traveling companions all combined to evoke a distinctly and distinctively masculine air. The staff is exceptionally pleasant and everybody speaks English as well as Arabic, Dutch, Swahili, Afrikaans, French, German...etc., etc., etc., as the King of Siam would have it. Young, it goes without saying, attractive of course but not offensively so, the entire range of employees embody a lovely charm. Check in is done in the room which is always a welcome touch after a long flight. And the room, or suite, as it has an entry, a powder room, combination living room/dining area, a large bedroom and a luxurious bathroom and dressing room. Of course I feel right at home since I live this way in my dreams every day. Curiously, with the colour palette ranging from mocha to taupe the effect is exceptionally soothing and it is only after a day that the lack of colour begins to grate a bit. Off the elevator landing on the floor is a circular metal table with a contemporary flower arrangement of tropicals that is even more visually startling because of the colour punch. When looking at the pictures of the hotel online - http://dubai.armanihotels.com/ - it is impossible to understand that the entire hotel is composed of curved architectural elements. The corridors leading to the rooms/suites have straight lines but once inside the walls are curved. The undulating movement is slightly akin to the movement of water and seems to be related to the dancing fountains adjacent to the hotel - http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=bw50qsH5aDs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dbw50qsH5aDs -. At first a bit disorienting but after walking through the hotel the sheer effort in both designing and executing the construction is awfully impressive. But when I opened the drawer in the bathroom and saw these I laughed out loud and said , "Bravo, Mr. Armani!" you are attentive to the the last detail- All Best, G