Underwater rooms: The 11 coolest undersea hotels in the world

A sensation of recent years in the Maldives Islands – one of the world’s most coveted and luxurious coastlines – underwater hotels have become a ‘different’ and often luxurious lodging attraction worldwide.

They are, however, not only present in the South Asian archipelago: there are options for different budgets around the globe, each of them entitled to different nuances of the underwater experience.

While some allow you to dine at the bottom of the sea, others allow you to sleep in a lagoon.

Even if you are not in a sun destination that allows for a mid-sea adventure, some accommodations provide similar effects with modern, aquarium-connected architecture.

Considering this diversity of options, Condé Nast Traveler magazine, a traditional international publication specializing in tourism, elected the 11 coolest hotels in this segment.

Get to know the ideal lodgings to spend your vacation ‘as a mermaid’:

#1 CONRAD MALDIVES RANGALI ISLAND, MALDIVE ISLANDS

Launched in 2018, The Muraka suite (or “The Coral” in Dhivehi, the local language) is the go-to for those who want to sleep underwater – almost 5 meters above sea level.

The luxury suite has two floors: the upper portion, overlooking the land, has an antechamber, while the lower portion, with a 360° ocean view, is the bedroom.

The guest willing to pay the hefty price can still enjoy the private infinity pool. Part of the spacious suite complex – accommodating up to 9 people – is also a bedroom for the butler who attends to the visitor.

Daily rate: from R$93,000 (US$18,000)
Website: conradmaldives.com

#2 INTERCONTINENTAL SHANGHAI WONDERLAND, CHINA

While the rooms on the upper floors of this hotel offer views of waterfalls and the city’s surroundings, there are two submerged lower floors, dubbed “Premier Underwater View,” where there are rooms whose windows make it possible to see fish swimming around.

There is also a restaurant and, unusually, a pool located below sea level.

Daily rate: from R$5,700
Website: ihg.com/intercontinental

#3 ANANTARA KIHAVAH MALDIVES VILLAS, MALDIVE ISLANDS

This luxurious resort has villas with infinity pools and other luxurious treats, but one part of its complex – known as “Sea” – has an underwater restaurant and wine cellar.

You can order local specialties like Maldivian-style spiced lobster, more universal options like a beef filet, and wine tasting while watching tropical fish and sharks passing by its panoramic windows.

Daily rate: from R$7,835
Website: anantara.com/en/kihavah-maldives

#4 RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA, SINGAPORE

This hotel, right in the heart of the island-resort Sentosa, offers 11 two-story suites, dubbed “Equarius Ocean Suites,” with direct access to the aquarium.

As in the case of Conrad, the upper floor of the suite functions as a kind of “rooftop” with an outdoor patio for stargazing.

The lower floor allows the guest to ‘sleep with the fish’ – 40,000 of them spread out in its waters.

Daily rate: from R$7,500
Website: rwsentosa.com

#5 HUVAFEN FUSHI, MALDIVE ISLANDS

Although its rooms are not underwater, the Huvafen Fushi resort offers the experience of watching the bottom of the sea through the windows of its spa, with relaxing views of the corals during beauty and wellness treatments.

You can experience more of the ocean at Lony Veyo, a saltwater pool where you can float.

Daily rate: from R$5,150
Website: huvafenfushi.com

#6 THE MANTA RESORT, TANZANIA

The Manta Resort is located on Pemba Island, but to get to its “Underwater Room”, you have to take a two-minute boat ride, as it floats in the middle of the ocean like a small private island.

With three floors, its upper portion is open air, while the lower portion offers a room inserted in the “middle of the corals” and marine life.

Daily rate: from R$9,515
Website: themantaresort.com

#7 JOURNEY BEYOND REEFSUITES, AUSTRALIA

The Reefsuites are an “experience” of the Journey Beyond Resort in the Whitsunday Islands – from where you can see the Great Barrier Reef, one of the great Australian natural beauties.

Part of the package is a mini-cruise through the islands, diving from the barrier and exploring the local waters, and overnight relaxing in the underwater room, watching the aquatic life.

Daily rate: from R$5,145
Website: cruisewhitsundays.com/experiences/reefsuites/

#8 ATLANTIS THE PALM, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The Underwater Suite at Atlantis The Palm in Dubai offers a privileged view of the Ambassador Lagoon, the lagoon with 65,000 sea creatures that are part of the resort’s giant aquarium.

In addition to this impressive landscape, the accommodation in this type of room is entitled to other treats such as breakfast in bed and a 24-hour butler.

Daily rate: from R$36,800
Website: atlantis.com/dubai/atlantis-the-palm

#9 RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL, GERMANY

The specialty of this hotel is the different experiences each room can offer.

While some rooms have a view of the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), those with an aquarium view (ask for the ‘Aquarium View rooms’) overlook a 999,300-liter cylindrical aquarium.

You may not be underwater, but the effect is similar, given the presence of tropical fish.

Daily rate: from R$1,460
Website: radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-collection-berlin

#10 NIYAMA PRIVATE ISLAND MALDIVES, MALDIVE ISLANDS

Another option in the Maldives that, in addition to its villas, offers an underwater restaurant.

At ‘Subsix’, you can have breakfast with Champagne while admiring coral reefs or have a seafood lunch.

To get to this luxurious establishment, the guest must take a mini boat ride from the resort and descend three stories of stairs to “dive” to the bottom of the sea.

Daily rate: from R$3,700
Website: niyama.com/en

#11 JULES’ UNDERSEA LODGE, USA

Diving is the only way to get to a room in this ‘chalet’ in Florida.

That is because not only is one room underwater, but the entire lodge is underwater, as its structure was once a research laboratory anchored off the coast of Puerto Rico, according to Condé Nast Traveler.

There are two rooms available for guests, from where you can even get a pizza delivery to taste while admiring the lagoon waters.

Daily rate: from R$8,700
Website: jul.com

With information from UOL

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