Dubai is home to some of the world’s most ambitious architectural projects, and several very tall hotels sit within its skyline. The tallest hotel in Dubai is the Gevora Hotel, which reaches 356 meters (1,168 feet) and holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest hotel building. Completed in 2017, it is not part of an airport or mixed-use supertall but is a dedicated hotel structure. This article explains how Gevora Hotel attained this status, its key specifications, and how it compares to other notably tall hotels and mixed-use towers in the city.
Gevora Hotel: verified details and context
Gevora Hotel is a 75-story hotel located on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The building is entirely designed and operated as a hotel, with guest rooms, conference facilities, restaurants, and a distinctive crown element that contributes to its architectural height. Its height of 356 meters is measured to its architectural tip and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest hotel building. The project reflects Dubai’s focus on vertical specialization, where programs are consolidated into singular, record-setting hotel towers rather than mixed-use supertalls that include residences or offices.
Key specifications at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Official name | Gevora Hotel | Developer and official branding |
| Height | 356 meters (1,168 feet) | CTBUH and Guinness World Records |
| Floors | 75 stories | Project documents |
| Completion year | 2017 | Official and industry records |
| Hotel rooms | 528 guest rooms | Publicly reported by the hotel |
| Certification | Guinness World Record — tallest hotel building | Guinness World Records listing |
How Gevora compares to other tall structures in Dubai
Dubai’s skyline features many supertall mixed-use towers that include hotels alongside residences, offices, and observation decks. Those mixed-use towers are not classified as hotels by height organizations because they contain multiple vertical programs. Gevora is distinguished by being a purpose-built, single-program hotel. For context, the tallest residential building, the Elite Residence, and the mixed-use Burj Khalifa are both taller than Gevora, but they are not designated as hotels. This distinction matters for records and classification: Gevora is the tallest structure whose primary and exclusive function is hotel use within the city limits.
Quick comparison of notable heights in Dubai
- Gevora Hotel — 356 m; purpose-built hotel; 75 stories; record holder
- Elite Residence — 317 m; primarily residential with hotel components
- Burj Khalifa — 828 m; mixed-use (residential, hotel, office, observation)
- Address Boulevard and similar towers — tall but under 300 m; mixed-use
Definitional clarity: what qualifies as a “hotel” for records
Organizations such as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) and Guinness World Records define a hotel building by program and usage, not simply by the presence of guest rooms. Mixed-use towers that contain retail, residential, office, and hotel elements are generally not categorized as hotels for height classification. Additionally, structures such as airport hotels or buildings comprising many individual apartments are typically not regarded as hotels. Tall structures that house a hotel but are predominantly something else—such as a residential tower with a hotel lobby—are not classified as the tallest hotel. Gevora meets the criteria of a dedicated, single-function hotel building measured to its architectural tip.
Practical context for visitors and planners
Because Gevora Hotel is built primarily for accommodation, event hosting, and food and beverage offerings, its public spaces and room inventory are oriented toward travelers and groups rather than mixed commercial and residential needs. Its height delivers views and prominence, while its location along Sheikh Zayed Road provides strong connectivity to the business district and the airport. For visitors, this means access to high-floor rooms with panoramic city views; for event planners, it indicates substantial conference capacity within a single-hotel footprint. The existence of a dedicated, very tall hotel also signals Dubai’s capacity to host large-scale events and long-stay guests without relying on mixed-use developments.
Future outlook and stable references
As of now, Gevora Hotel remains the tallest hotel in Dubai according to widely accepted records. While new proposals and concepts occasionally appear, no completed or officially certified hotel has surpassed its height within city limits. This status can be reliably referenced for infrastructure planning, benchmarking, and understanding Dubai’s hotel typologies. The distinction between single-program hotel towers and mixed-use supertalls is likely to persist in classification standards, ensuring that Gevora’s record remains meaningful in conversations about hotel-specific height.
Summary
The tallest hotel in Dubai is the Gevora Hotel, standing 356 meters tall with 75 floors and holding the Guinness World Record for tallest hotel building. Completed in 2017, it is a dedicated hotel structure, distinct from taller mixed-use towers that include residential or office space. Understanding this distinction is key for accurate comparisons and for interpreting what counts as a “hotel” in official records and practical usage.