World's tallest hotel to be overtaken by end of year

Soaring 333 metres and 72 storeys into the air, the Rose Rayhaan Hotel in Dubai, is everything you'd expect from a luxurious building in the emirate - sleek, stylish and a record breaker. However, despite being certified as the tallest hotel in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, the Rose Rayhaan is set to be overtaken in the year by two separate hotels in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.

The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong will occupy floors 102 to 118 of the 484m-high International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong later this year overtaking the Rose Rayhaan, but both hotels will be trumped by the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Saudi Arabia when it opens towards the end of the year.

Towering comfort

The Makkah Clock Royal Tower has been designed to be a super-luxurious hotel in Mecca, servicing wealthy pilgrims performing the hajj. It will be part of the seven tower Abraj Al-Bait Complex and will also boast the world's largest clock (4.7 times larger than Big Ben) on each side of what will be the world's second tallest tower. The project has been estimated to cost USD$3 billion.

In comparison, the Rose Rayhaan, operated by Rotana, is situated in the heart of Dubai, 5 minutes from the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping and entertainment centre and is surrounded by the Dubai nightlife scene making it a less spiritual setting than the Royal Tower.

The Rose Rayhaan has 482 rooms, suites and penthouses with their modern designs complementing the values of traditional Arabian culture. As such, the hotel is also alcohol-free.

"The alcohol-free concept is an entirely new proposition in the region and the market, for that matter.

"With research indicating this category's huge potential due to its inherent appeal in the Middle East, Rayhaan is set for incredible growth in the upcoming years, which is evident with the tremendous feedback Rose Rayhaan has received in the region and the opening occupancy of 65 percent", said Daniel Mathew, General Manager of Rose Rayhaan.

Omer Z Kaddouri, senior vice president UAE operations for Rotana, said: "Rose Rayhaan is not only the tallest hotel in the world but also the UAE flagship for Rotana's alcohol-free brand Rayhaan Hotels & Resorts.

"Rotana will be operating 11 hotels in Dubai, with two more scheduled to open during the first quarter of 2010, which will add 547 rooms to Rotana's inventory in Dubai.

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