The highly anticipated five star JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Dubai has opened its doors to welcome its first guests.

Officially recognised as the world’s tallest hotel at a height of 355 metres, only 26 metres short of the Empire State Building, New York, the JW Marriott Marquis is Dubai’s first world-class convention and business destination hotel.

General manager Rupprecht Queitsch personally greeted the first guests, Tommaso Bendoni of GlobeSoccer, who will hold their exclusive annual event in the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai in December 2012 and Fadi Deek, drector for Boeing IT Middle East & Africa.

“We are excited and delighted to welcome Mr Bendoni, Mr Deek and many more already holding reservations with us.

“The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai is an outstanding addition to the JW Marriott portfolio and we are eager to introduce it to the international business community,” said Queitsch.

The hotel opens in several phases, with its first tower of 804 rooms and suites in its soft opening phase, and with three of the final nine restaurants opening today.

By January, 2013 the hotel will have all nine restaurants and five bars and lounges open, with the grand opening scheduled to take place in February, 2013.

When fully open, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai will cater to a myriad of tastes, while simultaneously providing cutting edge business facilities.

The number of restaurants and lounges that will be open in the initial phase will be limited to build expectation. Located in the heart of Business Bay, minutes from Dubai World Trade Centre, the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and close to Dubai International Airport, the JW Marriott Marquis resides in a prime location and is iconic in the Business Bay skyline.