Hotels around the world are, quite literally, reaching new heights in terms of what they have to offer: properties are popping up atop sky-high skyscrapers at ever-higher levels. Currently, the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is the world’s highest hotel, although not for long. Here are five hotels poised to steal the crown:
Courtyard/Residence Inn, New York
The concrete jungle that is Manhattan will get yet another skyscraper, measuring 230 metres high, that is to become the city’s tallest hotel complex.
As reported earlier (see story here), the 68-storey building will house two hotels: the 378-room Courtyard by Marriott, occupying floors six to 32, and the 261-room Resident Inn by Marriott, occupying floors 36 to 64. Both are scheduled to open in 2013. The structure will have one main entrance for both hotels on 54th Street and separate public areas for the two on the 3rd and 4th floors.
www.marriott.com
J-Hotel, Shanghai
The new Shanghai Tower, scheduled to open in Pudong in 2014, will eclipse both the Shanghai World Finance Tower and the Taipei 101, making it the second tallest tower in the world.
The 632-metre skyscraper will house Jin Jiang International Hotels’ new luxury brand, a 258-room J-Hotel, on floors 84 to 110, however further details of the hotel are not yet available.
www.jinjianghotels.com
JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai
In a city known to turn sand to skyscrapers, the JW Marriott will set a new record when it opens later this year. The 355 m building might not be as tall as its neighbour, the Burj Khalifa, but it is the tallest dedicated hotel building with a total of 1,608 rooms.
The hotel will open in two phases, the first of which will consist of 804 rooms and several restaurants and lounges. In total, the hotel will have nine restaurants, five lounges and up to 5000 sqm of meeting space.
For an in-depth report about the hotel, click here.
www.marriott.com
Shangri-La, London
The Shard, located near London Bridge, will be as iconic an addition to the city’s skyline as the Gherkin and the London Eye. The building, to be complete in October this year and measuring 310 metres, will be not only be the tallest building in London, but also in Europe.
Floors 34 to 52 will house the UK’s first-ever Shangri-La hotel. Other than breathtaking views, the 195-room property will also offer an indoor infinity swimming pool, spa, speciality restaurant and meeting facilities.
www.shangri-la.com
St Regis, Abu Dhabi
This will be the brand’s second property in the city and will be nestled within Tower 2 of the twin Nation Towers on The Corniche, which is an upscale address shared with several embassies.
The 283-room hotel will occupy floors 33 to 49 of the 51-storey building, while the 1,085 sqm Abu Dhabi Suite will be set within the skybridge linking the two towers, purportedly the highest linking bridge in the world. The hotel will consist of the hospitality brand’s signature Tea Lounge with food from Gary Rhodes and a rooftop shisha bar amongst the standard offerings, as well as the St Regis butler service.
For an in-depth report about the hotel, click here.
www.starwoodhotels.com
Neela Eyunni and Miriam Wong
Courtyard/Residence Inn, New York
The concrete jungle that is Manhattan will get yet another skyscraper, measuring 230 metres high, that is to become the city’s tallest hotel complex.
As reported earlier (see story here), the 68-storey building will house two hotels: the 378-room Courtyard by Marriott, occupying floors six to 32, and the 261-room Resident Inn by Marriott, occupying floors 36 to 64. Both are scheduled to open in 2013. The structure will have one main entrance for both hotels on 54th Street and separate public areas for the two on the 3rd and 4th floors.
www.marriott.com
J-Hotel, Shanghai
The new Shanghai Tower, scheduled to open in Pudong in 2014, will eclipse both the Shanghai World Finance Tower and the Taipei 101, making it the second tallest tower in the world.
The 632-metre skyscraper will house Jin Jiang International Hotels’ new luxury brand, a 258-room J-Hotel, on floors 84 to 110, however further details of the hotel are not yet available.
www.jinjianghotels.com
JW Marriott Marquis, Dubai
In a city known to turn sand to skyscrapers, the JW Marriott will set a new record when it opens later this year. The 355 m building might not be as tall as its neighbour, the Burj Khalifa, but it is the tallest dedicated hotel building with a total of 1,608 rooms.
The hotel will open in two phases, the first of which will consist of 804 rooms and several restaurants and lounges. In total, the hotel will have nine restaurants, five lounges and up to 5000 sqm of meeting space.
For an in-depth report about the hotel, click here.
www.marriott.com
Shangri-La, London
The Shard, located near London Bridge, will be as iconic an addition to the city’s skyline as the Gherkin and the London Eye. The building, to be complete in October this year and measuring 310 metres, will be not only be the tallest building in London, but also in Europe.
Floors 34 to 52 will house the UK’s first-ever Shangri-La hotel. Other than breathtaking views, the 195-room property will also offer an indoor infinity swimming pool, spa, speciality restaurant and meeting facilities.
www.shangri-la.com
St Regis, Abu Dhabi
This will be the brand’s second property in the city and will be nestled within Tower 2 of the twin Nation Towers on The Corniche, which is an upscale address shared with several embassies.
The 283-room hotel will occupy floors 33 to 49 of the 51-storey building, while the 1,085 sqm Abu Dhabi Suite will be set within the skybridge linking the two towers, purportedly the highest linking bridge in the world. The hotel will consist of the hospitality brand’s signature Tea Lounge with food from Gary Rhodes and a rooftop shisha bar amongst the standard offerings, as well as the St Regis butler service.
For an in-depth report about the hotel, click here.
www.starwoodhotels.com
Neela Eyunni and Miriam Wong 
