12 Incredible Underwater Hotels around the World
Relax at these retreats that take guests literally beneath the deep blue sea.
Ocean lovers who just can't get enough of the water can take swimming, snorkeling and diving one step further with a meal, a spa treatment or an overnight stay underwater. Mostly located in far-flung places like the Maldives and Dubai, these creative hotels offer visitors a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of sea life undisturbed in its natural habitat.
Huvafen Fushi Maldives: North Malé Atoll, Maldives
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Huvafen Fushi, a five-star luxury Resort in the Maldives, bills its underwater spa as the world's first and only of its kind. While spas often have water features, this one-of-a-kind retreat surrounds guests with water for immersive relaxation. Inside, there are two submerged couples treatment rooms located 26 feet underwater with panoramic views of a reef filled with clownfish, sea anemones and stingrays.
Guests can enjoy treatments like the Huvafen Glow or the Huvafen Coconut Hair Repair, which use the island's native coconut oil. All treatments are followed by fresh island fruit and herbal tea. Past guests have noted the spa as the highlight of their stay, complimenting the excellent therapists and Zen vibe.
Guests can enjoy treatments like the Huvafen Glow or the Huvafen Coconut Hair Repair, which use the island's native coconut oil. All treatments are followed by fresh island fruit and herbal tea. Past guests have noted the spa as the highlight of their stay, complimenting the excellent therapists and Zen vibe.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives: Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
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Look out for groupers, parrotfish and moray eels as you enjoy an elegant meal at Subsix, an underwater restaurant that's part of the Niyama Private Islands Maldives resort complex on the twin islands of Play and Chill. To get to the eatery, which is open for lunch daily, you'll have to travel by speedboat before descending a three-tiered staircase to the dining room.
Once seated, you'll savor a four-course meal that may include local lobster, wagyu sirloin with black garlic and desserts with charred sorbets. For an even more out-of-this-world experience, arrange a private Champagne breakfast or dinner with the resort. Visitors to Subsix have described it as an incredible experience, boosted by top-notch food and hospitality.
Equarius Ocean Suites at Resorts World Sentosa: Singapore
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The two-level suites at the Equarius Ocean Suites hotel – an upscale accommodation option within Resorts World Sentosa on Singapore's Sentosa island – can host up to three adult guests in each townhouse-style lodging. The lower level bedroom overlooks the Open Ocean Habitat in the S.E.A. Aquarium (one of the world's largest with over 40,000 marine animals), while the upper level features an outdoor patio, living room and a Jacuzzi.
When guests (or personal butlers) raise a panel to reveal the aquarium, suite lights automatically dim to ensure prime viewing conditions. Travelers who stayed here have said that they could easily spend hours in the suite taking in the aquarium views.
When guests (or personal butlers) raise a panel to reveal the aquarium, suite lights automatically dim to ensure prime viewing conditions. Travelers who stayed here have said that they could easily spend hours in the suite taking in the aquarium views.
Atlantis, The Palm: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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The underwater accommodations at Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai allow you to admire some 65,000 marine creatures from the comfort of your king-size bed or bathtub. The lavish and three-story suites offer floor-to-ceiling windows that look onto the underwater part of the on-site Ambassador Lagoon, which is one of the largest open-air aquariums in the Middle East.
Enjoy watching fish, sharks and stingrays from bed or while using amenities made from gold in the deluxe bathroom. Otherwise, head upstairs in your private elevator to see the lagoon from above in the suite's lounge. Suite rates also include a private butler, priority reservations for top-notch restaurants, and access to Aquaventure Waterpark and the aquarium. Previous guests rave about the underwater suites, particularly the butler service.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas: Baa Atoll, Maldives
Enjoy watching fish, sharks and stingrays from bed or while using amenities made from gold in the deluxe bathroom. Otherwise, head upstairs in your private elevator to see the lagoon from above in the suite's lounge. Suite rates also include a private butler, priority reservations for top-notch restaurants, and access to Aquaventure Waterpark and the aquarium. Previous guests rave about the underwater suites, particularly the butler service.
Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas: Baa Atoll, Maldives
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Guests of the Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, set within a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, won't want to miss the property's wine cellar. The world's first that sits underwater, this wine cellar features around 450 labels. After choosing a bottle, visitors can dine at Sea restaurant while fish, sharks and turtles swim by. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, the eatery serves gourmet dishes on set menus, such as Maldivian lobster, fresh scallops and wagyu beef. Visitors describe the restaurant as an absolute must-visit experience while staying in the Maldives.
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland: Shanghai
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Located about 20 miles outside of this Chinese city, the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is an architectural marvel, carved into the edge of a former quarry and set among waterfalls. This Shanghai property has two underwater floors with six guest suites you can reserve, featuring views of a saltwater aquarium. Other impressive features include a glass-bottom walking bridge, a rock climbing wall up the quarry's cliff face, and an underwater seafood restaurant. Past visitors have lauded the hotel's stunning architecture and design, calling it an engineering marvel.
The Manta Resort, Pemba Island: Zanzibar, Tanzania
The Manta Resort, Pemba Island: Zanzibar, Tanzania
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Off the eastern coast of Africa sits a true underwater room set within a coral reef that's part of this resort's marine conservation area. Anchored to the ocean floor, this Swedish-designed floating structure, which is only accessible by boat, has three stories, including one with a bedroom beneath the ocean's surface as well as a tanning bed on top of the structure.
You'll find glass panes around the room that offer nearly 360-degree views of the ocean and its fish, octopuses and Spanish dancer sea slugs. More unusual species like squid may also be visible at night thanks to the spotlights found outside the room's windows. Visitors have described the underwater room as like a dream – truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You'll find glass panes around the room that offer nearly 360-degree views of the ocean and its fish, octopuses and Spanish dancer sea slugs. More unusual species like squid may also be visible at night thanks to the spotlights found outside the room's windows. Visitors have described the underwater room as like a dream – truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: Rangali Island, Maldives
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Book a night or three in the Muraka villa, which is perched on the water at this tropical island resort. Equipped with two bedrooms, the master room is 16 feet under the Indian Ocean with a curved, dome-like structure that allows you to peep all manner of tropical fish. Up on surface level, there's also a deck with an infinity pool, and you'll be assigned a private, round-the-clock butler.
If The Muraka isn't available, you can also aim for a seat at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, one of nearly a dozen dining venues at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Here, guests can enjoy lunch or dinner among the fish, with menu options that range from lobster to tuna to wagyu beef. Some diners note that it's an expensive experience, but worth the money.
If The Muraka isn't available, you can also aim for a seat at Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, one of nearly a dozen dining venues at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Here, guests can enjoy lunch or dinner among the fish, with menu options that range from lobster to tuna to wagyu beef. Some diners note that it's an expensive experience, but worth the money.
Hotell Utter Inn: Västeras, Sweden
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Open from May through October, Hotell Utter Inn is set in the middle of a lake, offering guests the rare opportunity to sleep underwater. The lodge looks like a tiny red cottage floating on the lake, but it has a bedroom located about 10 feet below the lake's surface with panoramic windows. The room has two twin beds.
Upstairs, you can lounge on the deck and take in views of the city of Västerås (about 65 miles from Stockholm). The inn is officially an art project by artist Mikael Genberg, but it can be booked online. Guests have described this hotel as eccentric yet charming – some note that while it's not luxurious, it's very unique.
Upstairs, you can lounge on the deck and take in views of the city of Västerås (about 65 miles from Stockholm). The inn is officially an art project by artist Mikael Genberg, but it can be booked online. Guests have described this hotel as eccentric yet charming – some note that while it's not luxurious, it's very unique.
Hurawalhi Island Resort: Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives
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After arriving by seaplane to the all-inclusive, adults-only Hurawalhi Island Resort, guests can sit for a meal at one of three dining venues, including 5.8 Undersea Restaurant. Named for its position 5.8 meters (about 19 feet) below the sea's surface, this glass-enclosed restaurant has a minimalist design to keep patrons focused on what's outside.
With only 10 tables for two, the eatery, which costs extra to dine at, offers a romantic spiral staircase and seasonal dishes like seared scallops and wagyu beef tenderloin. What's more, guests can stay in beach or overwater villas. The restaurant may be expensive, say past visitors, but it's truly one of a kind.
With only 10 tables for two, the eatery, which costs extra to dine at, offers a romantic spiral staircase and seasonal dishes like seared scallops and wagyu beef tenderloin. What's more, guests can stay in beach or overwater villas. The restaurant may be expensive, say past visitors, but it's truly one of a kind.
Reefsuites: Whitsunday Islands, Australia
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Take in the glory of the world's largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef, at this floating hotel off the northeast coast of Australia. You'll reach the Reefsuites by cruising past the Whitsunday Islands and their white sandy beaches, and once you're there, you'll be able to snorkel or dive to admire the reef below (scuba diving is for an extra fee).
The two underwater suites feature large windows right in front of your bed and partial glass flooring to maximize your views of the tropical marine life. There's even windows in the bathroom, so you can shower with a view. All meals and most drinks are included. If the underwater suites are booked up, you can also camp in tents on the deck of the hotel. Those who have stayed at Reefsuites say it's a unique experience, made even better by comfy beds and delicious food at every meal.
The two underwater suites feature large windows right in front of your bed and partial glass flooring to maximize your views of the tropical marine life. There's even windows in the bathroom, so you can shower with a view. All meals and most drinks are included. If the underwater suites are booked up, you can also camp in tents on the deck of the hotel. Those who have stayed at Reefsuites say it's a unique experience, made even better by comfy beds and delicious food at every meal.
Jules' Undersea Lodge: Key Largo, Florida
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This lodge is the only underwater hotel in the U.S., and there's no way to access Jules' Undersea Lodge without getting wet. The only way to reach this Key Largo property is by diving to the bottom of a lagoon – which means you'll either need to be a certified diver or complete a short course before heading to your accommodations.
The lodge itself has two bedrooms, a living room and air conditioning. You'll be delivered pizza for dinner, but special meals can be arranged in advance if you prefer. Don't worry about getting bored down there: The lodge has Wi-Fi (staff can safely bring your devices down there) and a DVD collection on hand for a movie night – or you can watch angelfish through the windows, too. Travelers who have stayed in the lodge describe it as an adventure, noting that the pizza delivery is a cool novelty.
Collect: U.S. News Travel
The lodge itself has two bedrooms, a living room and air conditioning. You'll be delivered pizza for dinner, but special meals can be arranged in advance if you prefer. Don't worry about getting bored down there: The lodge has Wi-Fi (staff can safely bring your devices down there) and a DVD collection on hand for a movie night – or you can watch angelfish through the windows, too. Travelers who have stayed in the lodge describe it as an adventure, noting that the pizza delivery is a cool novelty.
Collect: U.S. News Travel
