The world’s tallest hotel will open in Hong Kong in 2010 when the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, welcomes its first guests.

The 312-bedroom hotel will occupy floors 102 to 118 on the International Commerce Centre (ICC) — currently taking shape on the Kowloon waterfront spanning 484 meters and 118 storeys when completed by the end of 2010.

That will make the new Ritz-Carlton the “world’s tallest hotel,” according to the company, although that claim is debatable.

Currently that title rests on top of Dubai’s Rose Tower hotel, which stands at 333 meters and 72 floors, followed by the 330 meters and 105 floors of the Ryogyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, and the 321 meters and 60 floors of the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

But the most commonly followed ranking system used by the likes of construction industry watchdogs Emporis (emporis.com) follows that the building must give over 90 percent of its space to hotel uses — which would count the Ritz-Carlton’s claim out.

Regardless, the news continues the trend of luxury hotels being built throughout Asia, despite the world’s economic turmoil and the downturn in the tourism industry.

It was reported earlier this week in Shanghai — China’s largest city — is expecting nearly 4,000 new luxury hotel rooms by next year, while Hong Kong is expecting 11,000 new luxury hotel rooms by the end of 2012.

“We are delighted to be returning with such an iconic and dynamic hotel,” said Simon Cooper, Ritz-Carlton’s president and chief operating office, at a press conference to announce the new hotel.

“The hotel will be the heart and soul of Kowloon and will attract visitors from all over the world for its world-class style, design, service and its landmark location.”

The new hotel will feature 312 rooms ranging in size from 50-square meters to 365 square meters. Other facilities include six dining venues, a spa and what the company claims will be Hong Kong’s largest ballroom — at 930 square meters.

Source: AFP