ArabianBusiness.com

Dubai-based internet startup, Yadig.com, which provides real-time feedback on restaurants and entertainment, has revealed the UAE’s top five most popular restaurants and entertainment outlets, as picked by its uses. The site sourced more than 1,500 local user reviews to rank the best eateries, night clubs, bars and coffee shops in the Gulf state.

Last month's gala launch of the Burj Khalifa in Downtown Dubai was a fitting tribute to the skill and professionalism of the assembled event production specialists, lead by Dubai-based outfit Prisme International and French fireworks contractor Groupe F. While it's hard not to imagine the scale of the launch event had the 828 metre tower opened at the height of Dubai's boom years (think Atlantis times 10), the fireworks presentation itself differed little to initial designs drawn up by Groupe F's artistic director and CEO Christophe Berthonneau more than two years ago.

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the emirate is recovering after state-controlled holding company Dubai World reached a debt restructuring settlement with creditors. Dubai’s vision is unchanged after projects such as Meydan’s racecourse and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties, were completed on schedule, Sheikh Mohammed said. “All the projects that were there are going ahead,” although some may be delayed for six months to a year, he said.

Marriott International, the US-based hotel operator, plans to snatch the title of world’s tallest hotel tower building with the opening of its eighth Dubai property next year, it was revealed Monday. The current title holder, the Rotana-owned Rose Rayhaan hotel in Dubai, stands at 330m-high but will be eclipsed by the 355m JW Marriott Marquis Hotel after its 2012 launch.

Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is readying to welcome its first residents, with Emaar Properties currently conducting an orientation programme for Armani Residences homeowners. Although the interiors of the Armani Residences and The Residences in the Burj Khalifa are still in their final stages, Emaar said that the work is progressing at a fast pace.

The second hotel, located in Milan, is still on schedule to open in mid-2011. The first Giorgio Armani-designed hotel opened in the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai last April and Dardenne said he was pleased with the reception it had received. “These hotels you build them up over the years. I think, eventually, some people will come to Dubai just to stay at the hotel. It is bringing something new to Dubai and that has been very positive,” he added.

The much-anticipated Armani Hotel Dubai will miss its scheduled opening date for a second time, Arabian Business has learned. The luxury hotel, housed in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, was scheduled to open on March 18 but the launch ceremony has now been pushed back to April 22, a source confirmed.

A new gallery that will showcase the best in Arab contemporary talent is planning to open its doors in Downtown Dubai during April. The 3,000 square foot Ara Gallery, located near the base of the Burj Khalifa, has also earmarked community engagement as a key pillar of its strategy.

In terms of acquisitions, Sweid said these might be "further down the line now that we're consolidating all the business that we have". In terms of its work on the Burj Khalifa, Sweid said the full value of the contract had been paid in full and on time by Emaar, although the firm was pursuing a claim against Samsung, the primary contractor on the tower, as work took longer than expected.

Iconic fashion designer Giorgio Armani has said he is nervous his first hotel project, which will be located in the base of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, may look outdated when officially opened later this month. “I’ve been working on this for five years. I’m finally going to see what I designed, and it’s a bit nerve-racking to think that what I liked five years ago might look old now,” the Italian designer told US-based fashion trade publication Woman’s Wear Daily at the weekend.