Dubai opens the tallest hotel and confirms its position as one of the most modern cities in the world
Dubai is famous for its pursuit of the biggest and most expensive projects and buildings. Soon, it will also be graced with the addition of the world's tallest hotel. In November, the Ciel Dubai Marina will ceremoniously open, reaching a height of 377 meters and offering more than a thousand rooms.
Dubai no longer only has the tallest building, the largest shopping center, or the largest pastry shop in the world. The construction of the world's tallest hotel, Ciel Dubai Marina by the acclaimed architectural studio Norr, is just finishing. The first guests will be able to visit in about a month. From the total of 82 floors of the building, which has the shape of a "needle eye", there will be a view of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, and the bustling city. This is the most significant project of the local group The First Group, which, according to its boss, is to become the new symbol of the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates. The first accommodation orders here could be obtained by interested parties from the middle of the following month.
Originally, the entire building was supposed to be opened already in 2024. Later, the investor postponed his plan by a year, only to eventually have reality reflected in the project being moved to this year. However, this will equip it with the most modern energy-saving systems, possibilities for capturing rainwater, and green roofs to support biodiversity and reduce urban warming.
The Ciel Dubai Marina project confirms that the city wants to show the world again why it is considered an exceptional place that amazes literally the whole world. A few decades ago, there was only a fishing village of pearl divers here. But in 1966 they found oil in a field and the small village turned into a modern metropolis which sets the tone in both architecture, commerce, and modern technologies.
Free time
In addition to accommodation, the new building will boast a rich gastronomic operation. There will be as many as eight original restaurants and bars, including the biggest attraction, which will be the iconic Tattu Dubai concept connecting modern Asian cuisine and dramatic interiors on several floors. The 81st floor will offer a panoramic atrium, followed by spaces where guests will be able to have a cocktail and enjoy music in the clouds in the form of daily parties and evening DJ sets. However, there will also be culinary concepts that will transport guests from the Mediterranean to Asia. On the 61st floor, there will be a luxury spa, fitness center, children's club and special family services waiting for everyone. Another attraction will also be the highest infinity pool located on the 76th floor. The hotel will also offer a free transfer to the Soluna Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah with a private beach and pool.
Tallest building in the world
Perhaps the most visible current landmark of Dubai is the Burj Khalifa. With a height of 828 meters, it is the tallest building in the world. It boasts more than 163 floors and an additional 26 floors of technical facilities. In total, there are 700 apartments, 500 offices, and 57 elevators in this tower. The local viewing platform for tourists is located at a height of just under 556 meters. The skyscraper was built between 2004 and 2010.
In the evening, the skyscraper prepares a unique experience for tourists in the form of light shows projected onto its entire facade. The interesting thing is that the United Arab Emirates uses these light shows as a show of respect or solidarity with other nations, projecting the flags of respective countries onto the facade. Including the Czech one, which has appeared here in the past during the celebrations of October 28th.
Dubai Mall Shopping Center
There is another remarkable place close to the skyscraper - the sprawling Dubai Mall shopping center, which is undisputedly the largest shopping center in the region in terms of its total size. Most stores focus on fashion, clothing, footwear, and other accessories. You can also shop for electronics, jewelry, toys, furniture, or luxury groceries here. There is also the largest candy store in the world, which sells on an area of 930 square meters. In addition to 1,200 shops, there are more than 150 restaurants, an indoor amusement park, an ice rink, a huge indoor waterfall several tens of meters high, or an outdoor fountain that plays music.
Located on the ground floor of the center is one of the most famous attractions in Dubai - a giant aquarium with thousands of marine animals, including a huge tank through which a glass pedestrian tunnel runs. The tank with a volume of 10 million liters contains more than 33 thousand animals, making it one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Rightly so, this center is ranked among the most visited worldwide. In the pre-Covid era, Dubai Mall was visited by approximately 100 million people annually. To illustrate: that's twice as many as the number of tourists who go to New York City in its entirety.
Sources: author's article, Ciel Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa
