The title of the world's tallest hotel has passed on to Ciel Dubai Marina, the Dh2 billion skyscraper standing 377 metres tall. The property, which welcomed its first guests on Saturday, has surpassed the 356-metre Gevora Hotel, also in Dubai.
Gevora earned the title in 2018 when it took the record from yet another Dubai landmark, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, which stands at 355 metres.
Of the 10 tallest hotels in the world, eight are in Dubai, including Rose Rayhaan by Rotana (333 metres), Burj Al Arab (321 metres), Jumeirah Emirates Towers (309 metres), Address Beach Resort (301 metres) and Tower Plaza (294 metres).
Here are the top 10 tallest all-hotel towers in the world.
1. Ciel Dubai Marina, Dubai: 377 metres
Originally scheduled to open last year, Ciel Dubai Marina is spread across 82 floors and offers 1,004 rooms and suites. It also breaks an additional record with its opening, that of world's highest infinity pool. Tattu Sky Pool is located on level 76 and soars 310 metres above the city.
The pool is part of Tattu Dubai, the first international branch of Manchester-born modern Asian restaurant chain, which opened on October 10 and is located on level 74. The restaurant also operates Tattu Sky Lounge & Terrace on level 81, offering a rooftop experience and 360-degree views of the city.
Besides Tattu Dubai, dining options include West 13, which serves Mediterranean cuisine; East 14 for Asian food; and home-grown concept Risen Cafe & Artisanal Bakery, an all-day dining spot for cafe-style dishes.
A spa and 24-hour gym are located on level 61, while all guests will receive access and free transfers to Soluna Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah.
Ciel Dubai Marina is managed by The First Group Hospitality under the Vignette Collection brand, which is owned by IHG Hotels & Resorts.
Rates start at Dh2,328 per night for a deluxe room.
2. Gevora Hotel, Dubai: 356.3 metres
Opened in 2018, Gevora Hotel is a 75-storey tower capped by a golden spear. With 528 rooms, it in Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road, next to the 333-metre Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, a previous holder of tallest hotel record.
The gold-coloured Gevora is a dry hotel, and is aimed at families and travellers seeking to avoid Dubai's energetic nightlife while providing a more economical option.
Rooms are from Dh258 a night before taxes.
3. JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai: 355 metres
In Business Bay, the twin-towered JW Marriott Marquis opened in 2013 and held the record of the tallest hotel for five years before being overtaken by Gevora Hotel.
With 1,608 rooms, the business hotel is one of the largest by number of rooms in the UAE. It's also home to a number of award-winning restaurants including steakhouse Prime68, Indian restaurant Rang Mahal and Tong Thai.
Rooms are from Dh700 a night before taxes.
4. Rose Rayhaan by Rotana, Dubai: 333 metres
This four-star property made headlines when it took the tallest hotel title from Burj Al Arab in 2009. Unlike the famous sail-shaped hotel, Rose Rahyaan in Sheikh Zayed Road is largely focused on business travellers and GCC leisure guests, with an alcohol-free policy.
With nearly 500 rooms spread across 72 floors as well as three dining outlets and a wellness club, the tower is a looming example of postmodernism, with a distinctive tapered roof and spire that allows it to jut out of the skyline.
Rooms are from Dh238 a night before taxes.
5. Burj Al Arab, Dubai: 321 metres
One of Dubai's most famous landmarks, this sailboat-shaped luxury property is still the tallest all-suite hotel in the world.
Often referred to as a “seven-star” hotel, a grading that doesn't officially exist, the five-star property opened its doors in time for the new millennium – and made headlines with its gilded 24k gold interiors and celebrity guests, from Justin Bieber and Roger Federer to Gigi and Bella Hadid.
Burj Al Arab has also clinched other record-breaking titles, including most expensive cocktail at Dh27,321 ($7,439) and largest Swarovski crystal chandelier, with 21,000 crystals, worth Dh1.3 million.
Rooms are from Dh4,700 a night.
6. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai: 309 metres
Construction of Jumeirah Emirates Towers started in 1996. Designed by architect Hazel Wong, who still counts it as her favourite project, the hotel is one of two towers, the second being a 350-metre office tower, with the two towers connected by a central podium called The Boulevard. The hotel officially opened its doors ahead of schedule, on April 15, 2000.
With 52 floors, the distinctive design consists of two equilateral triangles, connecting Islamic motifs with contemporary architecture.
Jumeirah Emirates Towers has 400 rooms and suites, including a two-level Royal Suite. It is also one of the first hotels in the UAE to launch a dedicated ladies-only room, with female staff.
Rooms are from Dh725 a night before taxes.
7. Baiyoke Sky Hotel, Bangkok: 309 metres
One of the tallest towers in Bangkok, Baiyoke Sky Hotel, previously known as Baiyoke Tower II, was completed in 1997. The 88-storey hotel features 673 guest rooms and is in the city's bustling Pratunam shopping district. It is also famous for its rooftop bar on the 83rd floor, as well as its 360-degree revolving roof deck on the 84th floor.
There's also an observation deck on the 77th floor, offering visitors expansive views of Bangkok city.
Rooms from Dh279 a night.
8. Address Beach Resort, Dubai: 301 metres
Part of a 77-storey twin-tower property, the five-star hotel, which opened in December 2020, has 217 hotel rooms and suites, 443 serviced apartments and 478 residential apartments.
Part of its allure is the location on the last plot of land on The Walk, JBR, which means a short walk to the beach – private and public – and the bright lights and energy of the city right on your doorstep.
With its own beach, the hotel already has two Guinness World Records to its name – for highest outdoor infinity pool in a building in the world and highest occupiable skybridge floor in the world.
Rooms from Dh1,328 a night before taxes.
9. The Tower Plaza, Dubai: 294 metres
This 65-storey tower offers 415 rooms, all with picturesque views of the Dubai skyline as well as Jumeirah Beach. In Sheikh Zayed Road and a few steps away from Museum of the Future, the five-star property was previously known as the Millennium Plaza Hotel.
Rooms cost from Dh292 per night before taxes.
10. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, Manama: 270 metres
On a private island, this five-star property stands out on the Bahraini capital's skyline thanks to its unique architecture, featuring two concrete piers that host 17 floors of guest rooms starting from the tower's base, and two restaurants and conference floors at the top.
The 48-storey structure offers 273 guest rooms and a penthouse-level Skypod restaurant, offering views of the Arabian Gulf. The hotel also houses a business centre and several high-end restaurants, including Cut by Wolfgang Puck, an outpost of the London restaurant that was awarded a Michelin star in 2007.
Rooms from Dh1,753 a night before taxes.
