Missed It? Dubai Just Opened the World’s Tallest Hotel

Dubai quietly rewrote the record books late last year. On November 15, 2025, Ciel Dubai Marina opened its doors, officially surpassing the Gevora Hotel’s 7 year record to become the world’s tallest hotel, rising 377 metres above the Marina skyline.

Today, the property stands fully operational, offering more than 1,000 rooms with floor-to-ceiling views of Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf, along with what is now recognised as the highest infinity pool in the world.

What You're Walking Into

Ciel Dubai Marina is part of IHG’s Vignette Collection, a luxury brand focused on distinctive, design-led properties. The hotel holds three Guinness World Records: the world’s tallest hotel, world's highest infinity pool located on Level 76 and the highest hotel club, located on Level 81.

The infinity pool sits on Level 76, approximately 310 metres above ground, placing swimmers higher than most observation decks in the region.

The tower itself was designed by London-based NORR Group, with a slender “eye of the needle” silhouette and a dramatic 300-metre atrium running through its centre. Construction took nine years (November 2016 to November 2025) and was led by the China Railway 18th Bureau Group at a reported cost of Dh2 billion.

What makes it an engineering marvel?

Building at this height demands more than visual ambition and Ciel is built to handle the realities of that height.

Wind behaves differently the higher you go, especially along Dubai Marina’s open waterfront. To manage this, engineers used advanced computational fluid dynamics modelling to test how the tower would respond to pressure and turbulence. The building’s tapered “eye of the needle” form helps reduce wind resistance while maintaining structural stability and guest comfort inside.

Then there’s the 300-metre internal atrium slicing through the center of the tower. Beyond being visually dramatic, it also reduces overall structural load and allows natural light to filter deep into the building, cutting reliance on artificial lighting during the day.

Furthermore, the hotel operates using around 25 percent less energy than conventional buildings of similar scale, supported by rainwater harvesting systems, vertical greenery and ventilation strategies that improve airflow efficiency at altitude. Ciel stands to be one of the best examples of how sustainability can be integrated into the design framework itself.

Wine and Dine

Ciel Dubai Marina houses eight dining venues, anchored by its flagship concept, Tattu Dubai.

Tattu is an internationally recognized contemporary Chinese restaurant brand known for its dramatic interiors and theatrical presentation. At Ciel, it spans three levels of the tower, making it both a culinary and architectural centrepiece.

• Level 74 hosts the main Tattu restaurant and bar, serving modern Chinese and Japanese-inspired dishes. It opened early on October 10, 2025, ahead of the hotel’s full launch.
• Level 76 is home to the Tattu Sky Infinity Pool, where daybeds and scheduled DJ sessions shape the atmosphere from relaxed afternoons to sunset energy.
• Level 81 houses the Tattu Sky Lounge & Terrace, offering 360-degree views across Palm Jumeirah, Bluewaters Island, Dubai Harbour, and the Arabian Gulf.

Beyond Tattu, the hotel’s other dining options include West 13, a Mediterranean restaurant serving handmade pasta, gyros, and mezze; East 14, an Asian buffet with live ramen and pho stations, dim sum, and curries; and Risen Café and Artisanal Bakery, which handles all-day dining with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.

Booking Details

Rooms start at Dh1,310 per night for standard accommodations and Premium suites with high-floor lounge access go up to Dh2,400. Three-person suites with lounge access go up to Dh4,305.

You can book your stay through IHG's website or directly at cieldubai.com. The hotel is located at Dubai Marina with direct mall access and public transport connections making it very convenient for tourists and travellers to navigate around the space.

Dubai now has eight of the world's ten tallest hotels and Ciel just took the number one spot!