Reservations for Australia’s first underwater hotel have opened, with sleeping with the fishes becoming possible as early as December 2019.
Picture this: Enveloped in warm, 1000-thread Egyptian cotton sheets, spreading out on a luxury king-size bed.
The view is spectacular; but instead of a cityscape or lush green fields, the floor-to-ceiling windows show hundreds of fish and marine life swimming past in their own under-the-sea habitat, the hues of the ocean turning the suite a lush, blue colour.
It’s an experience that can only be found by staying in a luxury underwater hotel, and now, Australia’s first, highly anticipated underwater accommodation has opened for reservations in Queensland.
AUSTRALIA: ReefSuites, QLD
After an $8 million redevelopment of the Reefworld Pontoon in 2018, ReefSuites is Australia’s first offering of an overnight, underwater experience.
Located 40 nautical miles from Airlie Beach on the iconic Great Barrier Reef, guests can choose from below sea-level premium king or twin-share suites, with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offering views directly into the sea.
Even in the ensuite features a glass wall. For families, the divider between the two suites can be taken out to create one large suite.
Above water, the pontoon’s upper deck offers a chance to relish in a starlit dinner overlooking the sea, with all meals and drinks, including beer and wine, included in the overnight price.
Also included is a range of aquatic activities, including scuba-diving, swimming and a semi-submarine tour, as well as access to the underwater observatory.
Conservation of the reef was a top priority in the redevelopment, with Cruise Whitsundays General Manager, Shaun Cawood, saying “naturally, we have worked closely with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to ensure we protect the environment.”
The largest ever natural coral transplant was conducted to achieve this, with the sustainable removal of 4000 pieces of coral from old moorings replanted onto the existing reef wall of Hardy Reef.
Additionally, while safety underwater in the suites likely won’t pose any hazards or risks of the structure caving in, a medical disclosure form does need to be signed before attending ReefSuites, as it is located on a pontoon in the ocean.
Price (AUD) per night Single: $1199, Double: $799
Other Luxury Underwater Escapes
MALDIVES: The Muraka, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
A luxury suite submerged more than 16 feet below water, The Muraka, which translates to “coral” in the local language, is a true luxury underwater hotel.
An $15 million investment from luxury hoteliers Conrad Hilton, this villa sleeps up to nine people and has two levels; one above water and one below.
Above water features a living area, two more bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, bar, and outdoor deck featuring an infinity pool. There’s also a 24 hour butler, a personal island host, a chef and massage therapists on call, all included in the room’s price tag.
Head to the main suite, second living room and bathroom by descending down the spiral staircase, or the elevator, to below the water. With a curved ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows of life in the Indian Ocean, a king-size bed awaits, just begging to be lounged in.
Further, the villa offers maximum privacy, only accessible by the hotel’s private sea plane or a speedboat that can be used at any time by guests.
Such luxury doesn’t come cheap. Priced at $73,000 AUD per night, bookings are only available in a four-night stay, bringing this holiday up to near $300,000 AUD.
DUBAI: Atlantis, The Palm
Gazing into a 65,000 marine animal aquarium, the Underwater Suite at The Atlantis is a two-storey marvel.
Complete with an underwater marble jacuzzi, a luxurious king size bed and two lounge rooms, sleeping here you can expect sharks, stingrays and fish to bypass the floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s even an inclusion of two dolphin swims.
Head upstairs via a private elevator, where the aquarium waters lap at the windows and a balcony awaits.
In addition, everything is easy here. A 24 hour private butler service, complimentary interconnecting room, spa treatments and return airport transfers, makes this a beautiful underwater hotel. Price per night: $8,200
ST. LUCIA: Lover’s Deep Submarine
For an underwater hotel with a difference, this is a luxury underwater submarine, literally, in the middle of the Caribbean.
Self-described as the “mile low club” this is a specially adapted leisure submarine catered to couples as the ultimate below-sea lovers’ getaway.
There’s a double bedroom, spacious bathroom and a private chef presenting a specialist aphrodisiac tasting menu of oysters, caviar and chocolate fondant.
There’s also a crew of three on-board to take care of any need; a Captain, chef and personal butler. But not to worry, privacy is still upheld to the upmost; with the staff quarters at the other end of the submarine in sound-proof accommodation.
And the best part? Wherever your heart desires, whether it be at sunken battleship in the Red Sea or a coral reef off the coast of St. Lucia, the submarine can be moored at a location chosen by the customer.
Presented by Olivers’ Travels, there’s also optional extras including helicopter transfers, champagne breakfast in bed, speedboat usage and free rose petal scattering.
Prices starting from $329,241 AUD, per night.
Want more underwater action? Click here for the world’s best underwater restaurants.
