9 Oldest Underwater Hotels

The allure of the ocean’s depths has captivated humanity for centuries. As technology has advanced, so have our opportunities to explore and experience the underwater world. Among the most innovative and intriguing developments in hospitality are underwater hotels. 

Join us as we dive into the history of the nine oldest underwater hotels, each offering a unique perspective on luxury and adventure beneath the waves.

9. The Muraka

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Muraka is a luxurious two-level residence located at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort. The residence’s lower level is submerged 16 feet below sea level and features a master bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the surrounding marine life. 

The Muraka offers guests a truly immersive experience, allowing them to sleep surrounded by the ocean’s beauty.

Did You Know?

The Muraka was designed by Yuji Yamazaki Architecture, a Japanese architectural firm known for its innovative designs. The residence has been praised for its unique concept and stunning underwater views, making it one of the most sought-after accommodations in the Maldives.

8. InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland

The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is a luxury hotel built into the side of an abandoned quarry in Songjiang, Shanghai. While not entirely underwater, the hotel features two floors that are submerged in an aquarium, providing guests with a unique underwater experience. 

The hotel offers stunning views of the aquarium’s marine life, creating a serene and immersive environment for guests.

Did You Know?

The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is known for its unique architecture, which blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The hotel has received numerous awards for its innovative design and sustainable construction practices.

7. The Underwater Room at The Manta Resort

The Underwater Room at The Manta Resort is a unique underwater hotel room located off the coast of Pemba Island in Tanzania. The room is part of a floating structure with a submerged bedroom with windows offering panoramic views of the surrounding coral reef and marine life. 

Guests can enjoy a truly immersive experience, sleeping surrounded by the beauty of the ocean.

Did You Know?

The Underwater Room at The Manta Resort was designed by Mikael Genberg, a Swedish artist known for his underwater hotel projects. The room has received international acclaim for its innovative design and breathtaking underwater views.

6. Water Discus Hotel

The Water Discus Hotel is a futuristic concept that envisions a series of underwater hotels shaped like discs. Each disc would contain hotel rooms and facilities, offering guests a unique underwater experience. 

The hotel is designed to provide guests with a luxurious and immersive stay surrounded by the beauty of the ocean.

Did You Know?

Deep Ocean Technology, a Polish company specializing in underwater architecture, designed the Water Discus Hotel. The hotel’s unique design and innovative concept have generated significant interest and excitement among architects and hospitality enthusiasts.

5. Atlantis, The Palm

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Atlantis, The Palm is a luxury resort located on the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island in Dubai. The resort features two underwater suites, the Poseidon and Neptune Suites, which offer guests stunning views of the Ambassador Lagoon, home to 65,000 marine animals. 

The suites provide a unique and luxurious underwater experience for guests seeking an unforgettable stay in Dubai.

Did You Know?

The underwater suites at Atlantis, The Palm were designed and built by U-Design, a company specializing in the design and construction of underwater structures. The suites have become one of the resort’s most popular attractions, offering guests a truly unique and immersive experience.

4. Huvafen Fushi

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Huvafen Fushi is a luxury resort in the Maldives and home to the world’s first underwater spa. The spa features treatment rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the surrounding ocean floor. 

Guests can enjoy a range of treatments while immersed in the tranquil beauty of the underwater environment.

Did You Know?

Huvafen Fushi is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation. The resort has implemented various initiatives to minimize its impact on the surrounding marine ecosystem, making it a popular choice for eco-conscious travelers.

3. Poseidon Undersea Resorts

Poseidon Undersea Resorts is a luxury underwater hotel project located in a lagoon off the coast of Fiji. The resort was designed to offer guests the opportunity to stay in underwater suites with panoramic views of the surrounding marine environment. 

Although the project has faced numerous challenges and delays, it remains one of the most ambitious underwater hotel projects to date.

Did You Know?

Poseidon Undersea Resorts was envisioned as the world’s first permanent one-atmosphere seafloor structure. It was designed to provide guests with a unique and immersive experience while contributing to the region’s marine conservation efforts.

2. Utter Inn

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons

Utter Inn is a floating underwater hotel located in Lake Malaren. The hotel consists of a red cabin floating on the water’s surface with a submerged bedroom below. 

Guests can access the underwater bedroom through a staircase from the surface cabin. The bedroom offers panoramic views of the lake’s underwater environment, allowing guests to observe fish and other aquatic life.

Did You Know?

Utter Inn was designed by Swedish artist Mikael Genberg as an art installation that also functions as a hotel. The hotel provides a unique and tranquil experience for guests seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature.

1. Jules’ Undersea Lodge

Jules’ Undersea Lodge is a unique hotel located 21 feet beneath the ocean’s surface in the Emerald Lagoon. Originally built as a marine research laboratory, it was converted into a hotel in 1986. 

Guests enter the lodge through an opening in the floor and must scuba dive to reach it. The lodge offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere, with comfortable accommodations and stunning views of the marine life in the lagoon.

Did You Know?

Jules’ Undersea Lodge is renowned for being the world’s first underwater hotel. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, including scuba diving, underwater weddings, and marine biology programs.

Conclusion

The nine oldest underwater hotels represent the pinnacle of innovation and luxury in the hospitality industry. From the world’s first underwater hotel in Florida to the ambitious projects planned for the future, these hotels offer guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the ocean’s depths. 

Whether dining with sharks in the Maldives or sleeping beneath the waves in Sweden, these hotels provide unforgettable experiences that showcase the magic of underwater exploration.