• The tallest hotel in the world puts Dubai on the global business destination map

• Awarded ‘Middle East’s Leading New Hotel’ and ‘Best New Business Hotel’



Mariam Nihal

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Dubai’s fascination with being synonymous with the biggest, the tallest and the best, led us to the JW Marriott Marquis address.



The 72-storey property has successfully acquired the title of the “World’s Tallest Hotel” from the Guinness Book of World Records and is owned by Emirates Group, general manager Rupprecht Queitsch told Saudi Gazette.



Entering the driveway, the guest swiftly emerges into the lobby — silent and vast.



As I proceeded to check in, it was hard not to notice, the Marquis effect on social behavior let alone social media.



It was as if you were there to be seen or at least made sure you were noticed. A Saudi woman tweeted she checked in at their prime address, a Kuwaiti girl posted a picture on Instagram while a European businessman uploaded pictures on his Facebook page.



So lets face it- everyone at JW Marriott Marquis is there to make a statement. And lets just say first impression is the last impression.



The hotel’s towers are iconic and become your favorite along the city’s skyline.



Soaring at 1,164 feet, (the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai just 26 meters shorter than Empire State Building) the view from a JW Marquis suite reinforces the belief in the more unusual records associated with Dubai.



It stands prominently above Dubai’s business district on the Sheikh Zayed Road in Business Bay.



It takes a while to observe and sink into the richness of JW’s culture. The opulent restaurants and leisure experiences offered by the hotel empire match the quality of design, the artifacts on show and the devotion to a philosophy of prime service.



According to the project architect Ashok Korgaonkar, the vision for the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai hotel was to reflect the ambitions of Emirates airline and Dubai.



“We had a great time designing the project, which was challenging. Dubai, an Arab country, has palm and desert as its basic landscape elements. I wanted to reflect the trunk of a palm tree in the shape of the towers,” he said.



Hence, the shape of the towers is inspired by the date palm, rooted in the Arabian culture and reproduces in design the trunk of the palm.



Interior designer Amani Al Lauz, who is also the design manager for Emirates Facilities Department with over 13 years of experience in the company, infused the hotel empire’s contemporary appeal with an Arabic beat. 



It is the first JW Marriott Marquis outside of North America and the 59th addition to the brand’s global luxury portfolio.



Arne Sorenson, Marriott International President and CEO said: “Dubai is an important destination for Marriott International as one of the world’s most exciting cities offering world-class facilities and infrastructure, central location in the region and future growth potential.



“The investment in this unique and visually stunning hotel is testament to the continued opportunities that lie ahead for the brand and company.”



Consisting of 882 King Size Rooms, 486 Double Rooms, 236 Club Suites and 4 Royal Two-Level Suites, JW Marriott Marquis Dubai offers world-class dining and leisure options.



They have nine restaurants and five leisure-based lounges. The hotel is home to Indian Michelin star chef Atul Kochhar at Rang Mahal.



La Farine is a 24-hour bakery and cafe located in the heart of the hotel where guests can enjoy café au laits, authentic French food and freshly baked pastries.



You can have your breakfast at Kitchen 6, which is an international buffet and a la carte restaurant featuring Asian woks, and Middle Eastern grills that feature six live cooking stations.



The sky-high boutique steakhouse Prime 68 is a culinary treat. Along with vault — their stunning cocktail lounge — both are situated on the 71st and 72nd floors with panoramic views of the city.



Positano brings the Italian Amalfi Coast to Dubai with beautiful authentic flavors of Italian cuisine.



Velocity is a chilled out sports and entertainment lounge with a casual vibe that offers snacks and in-house entertainment.



If you love Thai food, try out Tong Thai that allows you to experience authentic Thai food with unique regional dishes in a burst of color and flavor much like Thailand.



Their sushi restaurant, Izakaya is a modern twist on regular sushi bars.



Their Arabic Restaurant offers a selection of the Gulf cuisine. Levant can be a favorite for many Arabs who enjoy sitting and enjoying some mezze with shisha.



Aqua Poolside offers a place to unwind and soak up Dubai’s sun. It is marked to resemble Miami’s South beach with a lively vibe and causal environment.



Queitsch said: “Conference organizers and businesses around the world are noticing Dubai’s growing influence as a global business hub.”



JW Marquis targets MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market by filling the right spot needed for a robust economy such as the UAE. Groups, meetings and conventions of up to 1,000 people can interact simultaneously at the hotel.



The hotel aims to attract major conventions and events to the destination. The hotel property features more than 7,500 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space, including two ballrooms. 



Their suites and rooms are stacked with the latest state-of-the-art technology including touchscreen room controllers.



But could it have been more comfortable and luxurious, albeit modest? Yes. When hotel empires the size of JW Marriott comes to the forefront, one can only expect more.



So even if the room setting seems to be standard or “I-expected-more” many will come back for the name.



Guaranteed tourists and even the bourgeois population, every one would want to experience the tallest hotel in the world.



Their suites invite you to the luxury of a private spa room with extra privacy and personalized treatments.



Otherwise, you have access to the 4,000 square-meter Saray Spa and Health Club, both depict a Mediterranean feel keeping the Arabian influence intact. They offer treatments aimed at mind and body renewal, like Signature Milk and Honey treatment, an Arabic Coffee Awakener, and Lemon Mint Body Polish. 



JW Marriott Marquis caters to self-assured travelers who seek a hotel experience that embodies confidence. 



“Unlike other hotels we don’t bother our customers,” Queitsch said.



He told Saudi Gazette that unlike other hotels that welcome guests with towels, drinks and instant approach, JW Marriott leaves their guests alone and allows them to enjoy time.



He said that the 1,608-room hotel would open in two phases with the first phase comprising 804 rooms.



JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is undoubtedly becoming one of UAE’s most desirable destinations for business travelers offering them cutting edge business facilities.



Its distinctive nature sets is apart from the general scheme of things in Dubai.



Where more opulent hotels are being crafted for luxury and focused on leisure, the hotel is creating its own route to make sure businesses put JW Marquis on their destination map.



Believe it or not, within three months of its official opening, on February 26, 2013, JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai has bagged two prestigious industry awards.



It has been awarded the “Best New Business Hotel” by Business Traveller Middle East 2013 and “Middle East’s Leading New Hotel” by the World Travel Awards 2013.