Once upon a time it might have sounded ludicrous, but dreams of sleeping underwater are now a reality. Hotels around the world offer rooms where the only thing likely to disturb your zzzs are a passing shark or two, floating by your bed. If scuba diving or snorkelling is your idea of a good time, then you'll love these underwater guest rooms. You won't forget these splashing stays in a hurry...
What’s better than an underwater room overlooking a cornucopia of coral wonders? How about your own private submarine fitted with the latest luxury mod-cons that can pick you up and take you to wherever you wish to go. That’s exactly what’s on offer with the Lover’s Deep Submarine, quite possibly the most audacious and romantic gesture money can buy.
The Lover’s Deep Submarine, a concept from luxury travel company Oliver’s Travels, boasts more amenities than most five-star hotels, with a unique experience that few could ever replicate. Made for couples, the submarine is staffed by a captain, chef and butler who share separate sound-proof quarters for extra privacy. As you'd expect, all this luxury doesn’t come cheap. To hire the Lover’s Deep Submarine, it'll cost you around £223,500 ($292k) per couple for one night.
Onboard the vessel you can explore the coral reefs off the coast of St. Lucia, or get up close and personal with sunken battleships in the Red Sea. The experience, which launched in 2014, has been nicknamed the Mile Low Club and guess what, speedboat transfers to and from the sub come as standard. Very James Bond
It’s quite a feat standing out in Dubai, the world’s playground for the rich and famous, but Atlantis The Palm hotel does exactly that thanks to some tricks up its proverbial sleeves. Of all the 1,500+ rooms at this palatial hotel, there are two underwater suites, aptly named Poseidon and Neptune, after the Greek and Roman gods of the sea.
The suites are submerged beneath the surface of the Ambassador Lagoon, a man-made coral reef that attracts thousands of visitors every year. The lagoon is home to around 65,000 marine animals including sharks, the huge napoleon wrasse and colourful angelfish.
Don’t forget this is Dubai, so the luxury doesn’t end there. While the hotel itself stands so majestically outside on the peak of the palm, inside each underwater room has its own en-suite bathroom, with floor to ceiling windows so guests can relax in the Jacuzzi while looking out across their private marine oasis.
The Manta Resort resides on Pemba Island, part of the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of East Africa. There’s everything you would expect from a luxury five-star island resort, from white sandy beaches with tropical trees to private bungalows with uninterrupted views of the ocean horizon. However, 820 feet (250m) offshore awaits an entirely unique experience inspired by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg...
Genberg, who is known for creating alternative living environments including Hotell Hackspett and the Utter Inn (see later in the gallery), also designed the Manta Underwater Room (pictured). Three floors, two above water and one below, the Underwater Room floats anchored to the ocean floor. It’s marooned in an area nicknamed the Blue Hole, a private lagoon in the middle of a conservation area that attracts some of the rarest species in these waters.
The Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is one of the most ambitious buildings ever built, and the world's first underground hotel. This five-star luxury accommodation, from the same team behind Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab, spans 18 storeys, only two of which are above ground. Built on an abandoned quarry in Songjiang, two floors are submerged beneath a 33-foot-deep aquarium filled with marine life. You can choose between six underwater suites, each with their own private views.
When you're ready to eat, you don't need to leave the fish. Take a seat at Mr Fisher, the underwater restaurant where you can dine surrounded by a stunning aquarium with full-length windows that gaze out into corals teeming with life. Where else could you traverse glass walkways hundreds of feet into the sky and only moments later be face to face with a shark or two?
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The hotel took 10 years to construct and boasts some serious eco-credentials. Most of the energy is renewable, while the architects chose this sight to preserve the landscape. The ceiling is covered in greenery to help it blend into the surrounding countryside, while a huge glass “waterfall” atrium runs down the entire length of the quarry. The sports centre is cantilevered meaning guests can experience the thrill of rock climbing and bungee jumping without leaving the resort.
Resorts World Sentosa is one of Asia’s largest theme parks and includes Universal Studios Singapore. Housed within this enormous playground are 11 suites offering underwater views. Each two-storey townhouse boasts floor to ceiling windows revealed with the touch of a button, unveiling one of the world’s largest aquariums that's home to over 40,000 marine animals.
The impressive aquarium is where hammerhead sharks, manta rays and clown fish rub fins. But for those thinking their master bedroom will be part of the wider attraction, fear not, as the exclusive suites are located in a private part of this underwater oasis. The luxury doesn’t end there, however, as each suite comes with its own private butler and plunge pool.
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From more tropical climes we find ourselves in Scandinavia. Remember Swedish artist Mikael Genberg? Utter Inn is another of this wacky designer’s creations, only this time located 980 feet (301m) north of Amundsgrund in the Västerås archipelago. The undisputed king of underwater hospitality has created a typical Swedish wooden hut that floats, with a master bedroom submerged beneath Baltic waters.
The living area has everything guests need for a cosy getaway including a small kitchen and lounge, not to mention 360-degree decking for panoramic views of this beautiful northern retreat. Without electricity or WiFi, just nature for company, this floating cabin is ideal for guests wanting a digital detox.
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Getting up close and personal with marine wildlife doesn’t get much better than the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s most famous marine ecosystem. Stretching more than 1,250 miles, it’s home to the largest diversity of marine wildlife, from the smallest species to nature’s giants: the humpback whales. And you can join them. Located just off the coast of the Whitsundays is a floating two-storey pontoon on Hardy Reef...
Reefsleep at Reefworld offers the chance to stay overnight on board the pontoon, sleeping under the stars in a swag, a traditional Australian bedroll popular with itinerant workers, the “swagmen”, during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Sneak a peek at the marine wildlife from the viewing gallery before catching some rest.
The two-hour journey to enjoy the one-night Reefsleep is an experience in itself, and invoves a flight and boat ride. The site is a veritable treasure trove for snorkelers and scuba divers with an underwater gallery for those who prefer to keep dry, and a sun deck for soaking up the Australian sunshine.
Everything about The Muraka suite at the Conrad Maldives oozes luxury. The two-level, three-bedroom residence has an underwater abode and lounge – even the en-suite bathroom has a panoramic glass wall, so don’t mind a peeping manta ray or two! Sleep underneath the ocean’s surface in what can only be described as a marine lover’s dream.
From the moment you arrrive off the seaplane, with views over the archipelagos that are scattered across the Indian Ocean, you'll be sold on this idyllic island retreat. Think thatched cottages on stilts each with their own private pool and vast, uninterrupted views of the surrounding paradise. The resort even has its own private jungle to explore.
That’s not all this incredible residence offers though. Staying here also means taking full advantage of dining in the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (pictured), five meters below the ocean's surface. Want to be out among the waves? Take the Conrad’s speedboat out to the surrounding Rangali island and experiencing the reefs by night. Guests get to see a completely different side to the corals, like bioluminescent species that glow in the dark, as well as other wildlife that only comes out to play once the sun goes down.
OK so this isn't a bedroom, but a special mention goes to the Niyama resort in the Maldives – another stunning collection of bungalows over the water. However, it's the underwater restaurant and club Subsix that will blow you away. Guests can dine and party the night away surrounded by marine life. The designers have done an exceptional job of bringing the coral in, too, with quirky sea urchin seating and an enormous shoal-like ceiling installation.
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Another honorary mention goes to Huvafen Fushi again in the Maldives. What could be more relaxing than a spa experience in the middle of the Indian Ocean? How about a spa experience elevated by the soothing sights of an underwater performance from all manner of exotic species? That’s exactly what’s on offer at Lime Spa where treatments take place submerged beneath the deep blue.
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