World’s Highest Hotel

Dizzying statistics of the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong—the world’s highest hotel.

Call it King Kong. The tallest building in Hong Kong and the fourth tallest in the world—designed by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates—is now the site of the highest hotel in existence: the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Occupying the top 17 floors of the International Commerce Centre, whose roof is 1,588 feet above the ground, the Ritz gives your heart multiple opportunities to skip a beat—even if you’re not acrophobic. Start with the elevator ride from the reception area on the ninth floor to the main lobby on 103: at 20 mph, it’s about five times faster than the ascent you’re used to. The indoor infinity pool on 118 lets you swim right up to the edge of the void, and the top-floor terrace is used for alfresco yoga and tai chi. Yes, there’s still oxygen three-tenths of a mile up. Doubles from $770.

Facts

• Height: 1,588 feet. Total: 118 floors.
• All the suites have telescopes.
• The top 17 floors make up the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Three of the hotel’s six restaurants are on floor 102; the spa is on 116.
• More than 1.2 million square feet of glass.
• The million-square-foot Elements mall houses luxury boutiques.