Hong Kong's preparing for the opening of 'world's tallest hotel'

The date has now been set for the opening of what is being billed as the "world's tallest hotel'' and it is fair to say that visitors to Hong Kong will get a view of the city no one has ever seen before.

From March next year, the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong ( http://www.ritzcarlton.com) will have its home in the 102nd to the 118th floors right at the very top of Hong Kong's new International Commerce Centre (ICC), which sits over the Kowloon waterfront.

The finishing touches are currently being applied to the ICC, which at 484 metres high is Hong Kong's tallest building - and the fourth tallest in the world, behind Dubai's Burj Khalifa (828m), the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan (509m) and China's Shanghai World Finance Centre (492m).

The Ritz-Carlton will take pride of place in the ICC, offering 312 rooms and six dining venues, a lobby lounge and, incredibly given its height, an alfresco rooftop bar.

An indoor pool on the 118th floor will offer another chance to soak in the views and it's being claimed as the "highest pool in the world'', a title which currently goes to the outdoor infinity pool 55 stories up at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands.

All rooms at the Ritz-Carlton will include provide WiFi, iPod docking stations and flat screen TVs, according to the Ritz-Carlton. Room Prices are yet to be officially announced but media reports have predicted they will start at HK$4,500 (430 euro) per night.

"Hong Kong is one of the world's great cities and we are delighted to be returning with such an iconic and dynamic hotel," said Simon Cooper, president and COO of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, said in a press statement. "Occupying the top 16 floors of the ICC tower in Hong Kong is a truly unique location for a hotel, offering panoramic views across Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Modern in design, 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.''

Hong Kong's tallest buildings: 1, International Commerce Centre (484 metres); 2, Two International Finance Centre (416m); 3, Central Plaza (374m); 4, Bank of China Tower (367m); 5, The Centre (346m).

MS