<strong>Scraping the sky: </strong>Dubai might be a playground for the international jet set but the biggest star is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.
Scraping the sky: Dubai might be a playground for the international jet set but the biggest star is the Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world.
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<strong>Standing tall: </strong>The Burj Khalifa towers over the Dubai skyline, even eclipsing the famous sail-like Burj Al Arab.
Standing tall: The Burj Khalifa towers over the Dubai skyline, even eclipsing the famous sail-like Burj Al Arab.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Head in the clouds:</strong> The $1.5 billion record-breeaking Burj Khalifa stands 2,716 feet (828 meters) tall and boasts 200 stories. It took 12,000 workers six years to build and opened in 2010.
Head in the clouds: The $1.5 billion record-breeaking Burj Khalifa stands 2,716 feet (828 meters) tall and boasts 200 stories. It took 12,000 workers six years to build and opened in 2010.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
<strong>Beacon in the desert: </strong>The Burj Khalifa is the ultimate symbol of Dubai's glitz, glamor and over-the-top excess.
Beacon in the desert: The Burj Khalifa is the ultimate symbol of Dubai's glitz, glamor and over-the-top excess.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Vertical city: </strong>US architect Adrian Smith is the brains behind the impressive structure with its design based on a flower called the Spider Lily (Hymenocallis) which is native to southern states of America, South America and Mexico.
Vertical city: US architect Adrian Smith is the brains behind the impressive structure with its design based on a flower called the Spider Lily (Hymenocallis) which is native to southern states of America, South America and Mexico.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Light fantastic: </strong>The view from the Burj is impressive, especially at sunset and after dark.
Light fantastic: The view from the Burj is impressive, especially at sunset and after dark.
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<strong>Hollywood calls:</strong> Actor Tom Cruise filmed scenes for the film "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" at the Burj in late 2010.
Hollywood calls: Actor Tom Cruise filmed scenes for the film "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" at the Burj in late 2010.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for DIFF
<strong>Needle sharp:</strong> It<strong> </strong>was initially called the Burj Dubai but was renamed Burj Khalifa to honor the president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who assisted with the funds to create the billion-dollar iconic showpiece.
Needle sharp: It was initially called the Burj Dubai but was renamed Burj Khalifa to honor the president of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who assisted with the funds to create the billion-dollar iconic showpiece.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
<strong>Hitting the heights: </strong>The Burj Khalifa overtook Taiwan's Taipei 101 as the world's tallest structure.
Hitting the heights: The Burj Khalifa overtook Taiwan's Taipei 101 as the world's tallest structure.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
<strong>Designer chic: </strong>The Armani Hotel Dubai is the world's first hotel designed by fashion icon Giorgio Armani. It features his signature minimalist style with muted grey interiors, sumptuous fabrics and Japanese wooden floors. <strong> </strong>
Designer chic: The Armani Hotel Dubai is the world's first hotel designed by fashion icon Giorgio Armani. It features his signature minimalist style with muted grey interiors, sumptuous fabrics and Japanese wooden floors.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>Fine dining: </strong>The Armani Hotel Dubai features a handful of restaurants with influences from around the world. Amal offers Indian cuisine in a spectacular setting.
Fine dining: The Armani Hotel Dubai features a handful of restaurants with influences from around the world. Amal offers Indian cuisine in a spectacular setting.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>Towering views: </strong>The At The Top observatory gives far-reaching vistas across Dubai, the Gulf and the desert.
Towering views: The At The Top observatory gives far-reaching vistas across Dubai, the Gulf and the desert.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Water show: </strong>The Burj overlooks the Dubai Fountain which attracts visitors from all over the city.
Water show: The Burj overlooks the Dubai Fountain which attracts visitors from all over the city.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
<strong>Shopping heaven: </strong>The massive Dubai Mall is on the doorstep of the Burj Khalifa.
Shopping heaven: The massive Dubai Mall is on the doorstep of the Burj Khalifa.
Tom Dulat/Getty Images
<strong>The suite life: </strong>The 160-room Armani Hotel occupies the entire 39th floor, while the Armani Residences feature 144 plush suites on levels 9-16.
The suite life: The 160-room Armani Hotel occupies the entire 39th floor, while the Armani Residences feature 144 plush suites on levels 9-16.
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<strong>Refined dining: </strong>The At.mosphere restaurant on floor 122 gives true meaning to the phrase "haute cuisine."
Refined dining: The At.mosphere restaurant on floor 122 gives true meaning to the phrase "haute cuisine."
At.mosphere
<strong>Room with a view: </strong>The suites in the Armani Hotel provide well-heeled clients with bespoke luxury.
Room with a view: The suites in the Armani Hotel provide well-heeled clients with bespoke luxury.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>Sleeping at altitude:</strong> The Burj Khalifa holds the record for the highest occupied floor in the world.
Sleeping at altitude: The Burj Khalifa holds the record for the highest occupied floor in the world.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>Brunch time:</strong> The Deli at ground level is an Italian-inspired bakery, cafe and brunch spot.
Brunch time: The Deli at ground level is an Italian-inspired bakery, cafe and brunch spot.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>Italian style:</strong> The Armani's Ristorante is a fine-dining Italian restaurant in a contemporary setting.
Italian style: The Armani's Ristorante is a fine-dining Italian restaurant in a contemporary setting.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>Dining pleasure:</strong> The Armani features restaurants with influences from Italy, India, central Europe and the Mediterranean.
Dining pleasure: The Armani features restaurants with influences from Italy, India, central Europe and the Mediterranean.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Club classic: </strong>The Burj Club offers a state-of-the-art gym, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a luxurious spa, plus a bar and restaurant.
Club classic: The Burj Club offers a state-of-the-art gym, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a luxurious spa, plus a bar and restaurant.
Armani Hotel Dubai
<strong>High times: </strong>The observatory on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa offers mesmerizing views.
High times: The observatory on the 148th floor of the Burj Khalifa offers mesmerizing views.
GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images