You know what’s totally played out? Hotels that are on land… That’s what’s played out! Be honest with yourself: you know you’re sick and tired of staying at the same ol’ hotels and the same ol’ Econolodges when you’re on vacation. You want something different! Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to give to you. Believe it or not, there are a number of hotels around the world that have eschewed land entirely. Instead, much like the lost city of Atlantis, these hotels are underwater; giving you and your travel companions the chance to see what life under the sea is really like. So do Ariel (and every mermaid or merman) proud, and come check out these 10 amazing underwater hotels!
1. Atlantis the Palm
When it comes to over-the-top luxury, there are few cities in the world that can hold a candle to Dubai. So, it should come as no surprise that this city is home to perhaps the most luxurious underwater hotel in the world! These hotel rooms are, in fact, suites – three-story suites, to be exact! Each of the floors is underwater and provides floor-to-ceiling windows where you and whoever you’re staying with can watch aquatic life swim past. As if that weren’t enough, these suites also come with every amenity you could ever want, including a butler. As for the price… Well, we won’t ruin the idea of staying here for you
2. Resorts World
If there’s one city that can compete with Dubai for luxury, it’s Singapore… And, wouldn’t you, Singapore is also home to an underwater hotel. This one, however, isn’t based in the ocean. Instead, the hotel rooms are placed adjacent to a giant aquarium. The rooms are two floors, with the bottom floor situated underneath the waterline and containing your bedroom. The top floor is just above the top of the waterline and gives you access to your own private pool. Sounds pretty sweet, right? Well, add in the private butler, and you’ve got a killer underwater hotel experience on your hands!
3. Jule’s Undersea Lodge
You might think that the underwater hotel is a new thing, but it’s actually been around for quite awhile. Jule’s Undersea Lodge is based in Key Largo, Florida, and it’s been in operation since the 1970s. One thing you need to know about this underwater hotel before you book your stay, though: In order to get your room, you actually have to be a scuba diver. Provided you can do that, though, you’ll find that this hotel offers everything you could possibly want, including underwater room service. Think you’ve got what it takes? Staying here is generally a pretty reasonable $300 a night!
4. Hilton’s Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Resort
As you might’ve guessed from the name, this resort is based on Maldives, a well-known vacation destination for the rich and famous. While the hotel isn’t itself underwater, it does offer guests the chance to sleep underwater if they so choose. You see, the resort is home to a small restaurant that’s 16 feet below the waves. If you’re willing to part with around $1,000 a night, they’ll convert that restaurant into your own private suite, where you can lay down and watch the fish (and maybe even some sharks) swim above you!
5.Huvafen Fushi
If staying completely underwater weirds you out, then maybe this other Maldives-based resort will appeal to your sensibilities. Most of the guestrooms come with glass floors from which you can watch the action beneath the waves. Of course, you can also get the complete underwater experience here, if you so choose. Their spa is actually beneath the waves, and you can watch fish swim passed as you get a luxurious and relaxing spa. Just be ready to part with your hard-earned money, though. This is Maldives, after all!
6. The National Aquarium
If you’re looking to get the underwater hotel experience on a budget, then this is perhaps the best opportunity to do so. Instead of staying in a hotel, you’ll actually be able to stay in the The National Aquarium – which is based on Baltimore, Maryland – overnight. The cool part about doing this is that you’ll be able to get a guided tour that explains all the behaviors of aquatic animals during the nighttime hours. Better yet, getting this experience will only run you a little over $100 for the night. Maybe this would be a fun thing to do with the kids on your next vacation?
7. The Mamba Resort
Based on Pemba Island in Zanzibar, the Mamba Resort kills two birds with one stone. Your accommodations are a floating private island out in the ocean. The living space is up above the waves, while your bedroom is down below, 13 feet down below to be exact! From your bed beneath the surface, you can watch the fish swim by as you drift off to slumber land. Of course, you might want to stay awake as much as possible to get your money’s worth! A night at the resort will run you around $1,500!
8. The Hotell Utter InnIf you’d prefer a European destination to Zanzibar, then you may want to check out this underwater hotel, which is based in Vasteras, Sweden. It operates on the same concept as the Mamba Resort, offering you a private floating island as your accommodations. This one, however, is based about a half-mile out in the middle of Lake Malaren. Your bedroom is 10 feet below the waves, allowing you to check out what’s going on with Lake Malaren’s aquatic inhabitants. As for the price, it varies depending upon the time of year and whether or not you want your dinner delivered by canoe.
9. Poseidon Undersea ResortsNow, before you get too excited about this amazing underwater resort, hold your horses, because it’s still under construction. But, when it’s done, it might be the coolest underwater resort in the entire world! It’s going to be based in the South Pacific of the coast of Fiji, where the waters are as warm as they are clear. All of the guestrooms will be 40-feet below the surface, offering stunning views of the ocean floor and the surrounding aquatic life. In addition to this, guests of the hotel will be able to take submarine rides that explore the underwater topography even further. There’s no word yet on pricing, but excitement is growing as this stunning hotel nears completion.
10. Hydropolis
In Dubai, people are always trying to outdo one another, and this is a perfect example of that fact. Hydropolis is set to be the ultimate underwater hotel when construction is completed. It’s going to dip some 66 floors below the surface of the Persian Gulf, which is mind-blowing when you think about, given that this will make the structure taller than most skyscrapers above the waves! In addition to all of the guestrooms, there will be a number of amenities provided, including a cinema and numerous restaurants. No word yet on how much a night’s stay will cost, but given the price tag of construction – which is over half a billion dollars – you should expect rates to be pretty high.
