TOP FIVE UNDERWATER HOTELS

TRAVEL

A vacation at a luxury resort in an exotic destination is the gold standard, but if that resort still includes an underwater hotel—and there aren't many in the world—it's a bonus that promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we'll try to convey to you

By:

ANA KRALJ

THE MURAKA, MALDIVES

The Muraka is a Hilton underwater hotel, which is part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. It was designed by New York based architect Yuji Yamazaki and local architect Ahmed Saleem. Submerged five meters below sea level, this two-level villa has a master bedroom and a bathroom, both featuring floorto-ceiling glass walls to take in the Indian Ocean’s marine life. At sea level, guests can enjoy two bedrooms and a bathroom, an outdoor deck with an infinity pool, 24-hour butler service, and access to a private chef. The suite sleeps up to nine people, and prices start at $50,000 per night. You can arrive at Muraka via a private seaplane or travel from Conrad Maldives Rangali on a speedboat, which you can keep for the duration of your stay. Access to private jet skis is also available. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island opened its first undersea restaurant a decade ago. The Ithaa restaurant, also located 16 feet below sea level, is surrounded by coral gardens.

The Muraka, Maldives

Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

ATLANTIS, THE PALM, DUBAI

With names like Neptune and Poseidon, the underwater suites at the Atlantis The Palm in Dubai beckon you to experience luxurious accommodations set amid the marine life of the Persian Gulf. The palatial Atlantis sits on a man-made, palm-tree-shaped island and is lauded as one of Dubai’s most impressive hotels, in part for its architecture and aquatic wonderland. The Atlantis underwater room looks onto the resort’s aquarium that houses 65,000 creatures, including rays and sharks. If you want, you can dive in this aquarium. Each room costs around $7,000 per night and comes with in-room dining, a 30-minute personal training session, and free airport transfers.

RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, SINGAPORE

Resorts World is located on the island of Sentosa in Singapore. Key attractions here include one of Singapore’s two casinos and an one of the largest worlds aquarium with more than 100,000 marine animals. This magnificent sea empire can be in the palm of your hand if you stay in one of the 11 underwater suites offered by this hotel. The apartments are on two levels. On the upper level, above sea level, there is a living room with an outdoor jacuzzi, and below sea level there are bedrooms, also with a jacuzzi, with a spectacular view through the glass walls of underwater life of as many as 800 species. Interestingly, these apartments are significantly cheaper than similar ones in other underwater hotels in the world, which makes this amazing adventure more affordable. The price of $1,500 per night includes the service of a personal butler and all the luxury of a five-star hotel. Guests of the resort can also use the Aqua Gastronomy Experience restaurant, which is semi-underwater.

Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

INTERCONTINENTAL SHANGHAI

WONDERLAND, CHINA

This luxury hotel from the Hilton chain was built in 2018 in a deep pit of a former quarry in southwest Shanghai, and of the 18 floors it has, as many as 16 are underground. But, what is most important to us is that, out of 16 underground floors, two are under water. The Underwater apartments have a bedroom overlooking the water surface, while the living room is in an aquarium with sea water, from which you can watch the enchanting show of light and water prepared by the hotel every night. There is also an underwater restaurant within the hotel, which has fantastic seafood specialties on the menu. The price of the underwater apartment is $15,000 per night.

Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland, China

The Manta Resort, Pemba Island, Tanzania

THE MANTA RESORT, PEMBA

ISLAND, TANZANIA

Located off the east coast of Tanzania, Pemba Island belongs to the Zanzibar archipelago, featuring some of the finest beaches and the most beautiful azure waters. In 2013, The Manta Resort unveiled its exclusive Underwater Room, a three-level floating suite offering crystal-clear views of the reef from its submerged bedroom in the Indian Ocean. This all-inclusive villa, perfect for a honeymoon, can be accessed by a quick wooden boat ride from the beach. It’s close enough to the beach, but provides the ultimate seclusion and has a living room, bathroom, and a sundeck crafted from local hardwood. At night, this underwater hotel lights up on the sides to shed light on the sea turtles and reef sharks swimming alongside you as you rest. Prices start at $900 per night.