The luxury liftoff underway at IHG Hotels & Resorts continues with a new hotel with serious (and lofty) bragging rights.
IHG’s Vignette Collection has officially added a record-breaker to its portfolio with the opening of Ciel Dubai Marina, now recognized as the world’s tallest hotel. Rising 377 meters (1,237 feet) over the Dubai skyline, the 82-story tower also introduces one of the world’s highest infinity pools — another superlative for a city that thrives on them.
The project, developed by Dubai-based The First Group, is now the most high-profile addition to Vignette Collection’s rapidly growing global footprint. Since launching in 2021, the brand has reached 27 open hotels with 41 more in the pipeline, surpassing the halfway mark toward IHG’s 10-year goal of 100 properties.
“We are delighted to welcome guests to Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection, a visionary landmark that redefines innovation, luxury, and creativity at every level,” Heinrich Morio, managing director of Ciel Dubai Marina, said in a statement. “This extraordinary hotel reflects Dubai’s status as a global destination for tourism and business, offering an experience that is as elevated as it is unforgettable. Our team of dedicated professionals are ready to welcome guests with genuine warmth and care, creating an atmosphere of heartfelt hospitality from the moment they arrive.”
A Statement Entry for Vignette Collection
Beyond its height, Ciel is designed to reflect Vignette Collection’s ethos of individuality and “destination-defining” stays. Interiors layer east-meets-west influences, natural textures, sculptural lines and a design approach meant to feel both dramatic and grounded. Public spaces and accommodations are structured around views of the Marina, Palm Jumeirah, and the Arabian Gulf.
Amenities further underscore the hotel’s ambition. Guests have access to a spa slated to open in February 2026, a 24-hour gym overlooking the skyline and seamless transportation links including the Marina boardwalk, tram, and metro. Soluna Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah is also available to guests.
Ciel also debuts with an unusually expansive dining footprint, headlined by Tattu, the acclaimed U.K.-born Asian concept making its Dubai debut across several of the hotel’s highest floors. The journey starts on level 74, where guests enter Tattu Dubai’s mythology-infused world of contemporary Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Two floors up, the experience shifts outdoors at the Tattu Sky Pool on level 76 — now the world’s highest infinity pool — where plush daybeds, Japanese-fusion bites, and sunset DJ sets create an all-day social scene. The crescendo, however, arrives on level 81, where the Sky Lounge & Terrace offers cocktails, music and sweeping 360-degree views from one of the tower’s most dramatic vantage points.
Beyond Tattu, the hotel’s culinary lineup spans several regions and styles.
West 13 brings the flavors of Italy, Greece, Spain, and France into a Mediterranean brasserie setting, while East 14 takes a buffet-style tour through Asia with live ramen and pho stations, sushi and dim sum counters and a range of Indian curries. Rounding out the mix is Risen Café & Artisanal Bakery, a beloved local concept serving pastries, café dishes and locally sourced coffee from morning through late afternoon.
(Ciel Dubai Marina)
For All Types of Travelers
Ciel’s family-friendly amenities include a Kids Club, Splash Pad and tailored check-in touches. Executive guests have access to Nest, the 16th-floor lounge offering meeting spaces, skyline views and service geared toward business travelers.
The hotel is also launching its own Vignette-signature “Memorable Ritual”: the Morning Hydration Ritual, offering OneShot-infused waters at the gym and pool as a nod to wellness culture in Dubai Marina.
As part of Vignette Collection’s “A Means for Good” commitment, Ciel Dubai Marina is partnering with the International Centre for Culinary Arts to support emerging culinary talent. The collaboration includes monthly training workshops and career opportunities for students.
(Ciel Dubai Marina)
A New Anchor for Dubai and IHG
Operated by The First Group Hospitality, the hotel sits within minutes of Palm Jumeirah, Uptown Dubai, JBR, and Bluewaters — key districts for dining, nightlife, retail and entertainment. Proximity to water taxis and Dubai Marina Mall further positions the property as a hub for both leisure and business travel.
For IHG, the opening of Ciel Dubai Marina reinforces Vignette Collection’s positioning in the global luxury and lifestyle landscape by offering owners the scale of IHG’s distribution and brand reach while preserving each property’s independent identity. The move also comes as IHG has makes further strides into luxury and ultra-luxury with a mix of legacy like InterContinental and newer offerings by way of acquiring Six Senses and Regent.
For hotel nerds, er, aficionados like yours truly, it’s increasingly clear IHG continues to sharpen its profile in the luxury space — adding headline-grabbing properties to a portfolio that’s increasingly competing at the very top of the global hospitality game.
The House of InterContinental suddenly has a few more tricks and brands up its lofty sleeve, and it’ll be a fun sport to see what’s next.
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