World’s tallest hotel opens with daring 200km/h XDubai wingsuit fly-through (VIDEO)
Ciel Dubai Marina introduces 1,004 rooms, world’s highest infinity pool and dining icons
DUBAI – Ciel Dubai Marina has officially opened with one of the most audacious launch celebrations ever staged in the city, transforming the skies above Dubai Marina into a theatre of precision flight and architectural spectacle.
The landmark debut was marked by a dramatic wingsuit activation carried out in partnership with XDubai and supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Designed to reflect the hotel’s bold vision, the event fused extreme sport, innovation and skyline-defining architecture.
Rising 377 metres with 82 storeys, Ciel Dubai Marina is now the world’s tallest hotel and a major new addition to one of Dubai’s most prominent waterfront districts. The opening positions the tower as a new benchmark for experiential luxury, combining striking design with immersive hospitality and panoramic views across the city and coastline.
Sky-high stunt
To commemorate the opening, five elite XDubai wingsuit athletes executed a meticulously planned formation flight over Dubai Marina. In the centrepiece moment, the lead athlete performed a high-speed fly-through of Ciel’s signature architectural feature, the “eye of the needle”, navigating the 82-storey opening at speeds exceeding 200 km/h.
The remaining athletes maintained tight formation around the tower, deploying synchronised colour effects engineered with safety as the top priority. The result was a vivid aerial trail that cut across the Marina skyline, creating a rare visual perspective of the district from above.
A custom-rigged FPV drone was used to capture cinematic footage of the stunt, flying alongside and above the wingsuiters. The footage revealed angles of the tower and surrounding skyline impossible to witness from the ground, underscoring the scale of both the building and the activation.
Commenting on the milestone, Aida Al Busaidy, Associate Vice President of Consumer Advocacy and Social Media at DET, said the opening reflected Dubai’s drive to continually push boundaries. She noted that Ciel Dubai Marina joins the skyline not only as the world’s tallest hotel but also as an example of public and private sector collaboration elevating the emirate’s hospitality sector on a global stage.
Rob Burns, Chief Executive Officer of The First Group, said the activation reflected a shared vision between partners to celebrate innovation through memorable experiences. He highlighted XDubai’s safety-driven planning process, which enabled the athletes to deliver an unprecedented aerial display with exceptional precision while maintaining the highest standards of risk management.
Mohammad Javad, Executive Vice President of Leisure and Entertainment at Shamal Holding, described Dubai as a city defined by ambition and reinvention. He said the collaboration aimed to mark the opening of Ciel Dubai Marina in a way that matched the scale and energy of the landmark, while offering a distinctive new perspective of the city through XDubai’s athletes.
Ciel Dubai Marina
Beyond its dramatic launch, Ciel Dubai Marina introduces an extensive hospitality offering. The hotel features 1,004 rooms and suites, each designed with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai’s skyline. Guests are also offered views extending towards Burj Al Arab from select vantage points.
Among its standout amenities is the world’s highest infinity pool, reinforcing the hotel’s vertical identity. Additional facilities include a luxury spa scheduled to open in April 2026, a fully equipped gym located on the 61st floor, and exclusive guest access to Soluna Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah.
The hotel also houses eight dining destinations, blending immersive design with diverse culinary concepts. These include West 13, a Mediterranean restaurant; East 14, offering contemporary buffet-style East Asian cuisine; Risen Café and Artisanal Bakery; and the UK-born brand Tattu, which makes its UAE debut at Ciel with a multi-level restaurant, bar, sky pool and lounge.
Ciel Dubai Marina was developed by The First Group Real Estate and is managed by The First Group Hospitality as part of IHG’s Vignette Collection. The property blends the individuality and character of a boutique hotel with the operational expertise and global reach of an international hospitality brand.