Dubai is preparing to introduce its tallest hotel, Ciel Dubai Marina, soaring 377 metres above the Marina district, which is set to open as the world’s tallest hotel (by accident, though), reports CNN.
What started as a luxury hotel project, with each rework, the building grew taller, and eventually became unparalleled in height. Rob Burns, CEO of developer The First Group, admitted this was never the original intention.
“We knew we wanted to build something spectacular,” Burns told CNN. “But we certainly didn’t plan on building the tallest hotel in the world.”
The tower itself only occupies 3,600 square metres, or a field that is smaller than a standard football field. The architect Yahya Jan of NORR, the brainchild of the tower, said that the small size of the plot encouraged the team to stretch upward.
Jan told CNN that the true visual drama is saved for the upper reaches of the building.
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82 storeys, 1,004 rooms, and a vertical design philosophy
Ciel packs 1,004 rooms and suites into its 82 floors, all wrapped in towering glass panes providing uninterrupted views of Palm Jumeirah, the Marina skyline, and the Arabian Gulf.
However, Burns admits that it would be difficult to incorporate 1,000 rooms in the highly competitive hospitality industry in Dubai, but he is confident that the design of the hotel, its vantage points, and higher experiences would make it stand out.
One of Ciel’s iconic design elements is its striking vertical void, which Jan calls “the eye of the needle.” The opening slices through the structure, easing wind pressure and allowing natural light to pour deep into the building’s core.
Plus, a sequence of green-filled atria appears every few floors. These cooling pockets double as social spaces and a touch of nature to the super-tall environment.
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What can guests expect?
The Gulf News noted Ciel’s opening room rates will start at Dh1,310. Guests will also find several experiences:
World’s highest infinity pool on Level 76
World’s highest club, the Tattu Sky Lounge, on Level 81
A 360-degree rooftop observation deck overlooking Dubai’s landmarks
Eight restaurants across the upper floors, including Tattu Dubai’s trio of themed dining spaces, plus Mediterranean, Asian, and bakery-inspired concepts.
