Dubai-based developer The First Group is about to complete the world’s tallest hotel building and its largest project to date.
The 357m-high Ciel Dubai Marina with 1004 rooms and suites across 82 floors will be branded under the Vignette Collection by IHG, which is expected to open in November.
London-based architect NORR Group designed the tower, which has been built on the Dubai Marina between Sheikh Zayed Road and the JBR beachfront.
The “eye of the needle” shape has the highest infinity pool in the world in it, eight “dining concepts” and each hotel room features floor-to-ceiling windows.
The building was first drawn up in 2019, submitted to the Dubai Municipality and early works began that year.
The Ciel Dubai Marina overtakes Dubai’s 356m golden Gevora Hotel with 75 floors, according to Guinness World Records, but is still short of the world’s tallest building, the 828m Burj Khalifa.
The First Group chief executive Rob Burns said their vision for the Ciel Dubai Marina tower had come to life and created unbeatable views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline.
“Ciel represents a landmark development that reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for tourism and business travel,” Burns said.
“The all-hotel tower will redefine upper-upscale hospitality, blending innovation, luxury, and creativity through its striking design, world-class amenities, and breathtaking vistas.”
There have been several major hotel openings in Dubai this year including Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, a superyacht-inspired property with 386 rooms and suites, which welcomed guests in March.
Other anticipated openings include the Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, which will have 259 rooms and suites in the Wasl Tower, as well as Zuha Resort Villas on the World Islands.
Meanwhile, work has reportedly restarted on Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, the Jeddah Economic Company said 60 of the 157 floors were complete as of the start of the year and it will be finished in five years.
However, this was about the same amount of floors reported completed on the 1000m super-skyscraper in 2023.