Image Credit : RWS 

At any one time, eleven groups of guests can enjoy these two-storey penthouses fit for royalty. The Ocean Suite’s upper floor is a living area complete with an outdoor veranda and luxurious jacuzzi. Head downstairs to take in the view of more than 40,000 marine creatures swimming in the world’s largest aquarium. Fall asleep and then wake up in the company of the underwater world? It doesn't get better than this.

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After a decade of construction, InterContinental Shanghai was officially opened in late 2018. The 337-room hotel boasts a man-made waterfall and two dedicated sporting centers. Built on the site of an old quarry, this hotel has 17 floors which are below ground level, including two floors which are underwater. The underwater deluxe suites is the place to be for ocean views, with personalised butler service also available.

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As Australia’s first underwater hotel on the Great Barrier Reef, guests can be sure to be in for a treat. Cruise to Hardy Reef and take your pick from water activities such as snorkelling and diving, or board a helicopter ride for scenic views of the reef. As the sun sets, watch the reef take a different form and shape through glass-to-ceiling panels. Keep your eyes out for George, the resident giant grouper, along with well-loved regulars like parrot fish and marine turtles.

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With both the Arabian Gulf and the majestic Dubai skyline in its backyard, The Palm can be clearly touted as a crown jewel in the region. The Underwater Suites are a must-stay, plunging you into an enchanting experience as sharks and stingrays alike glide past you. Take Arabian nights to a new level with views of the marine world in the lounge, bedroom and bath areas. It’ll be really hard to ever step away from your suite.

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This resort is a floating villa which is anchored to the ocean floor. At sea level, spend your time lounging and relaxing, or sunbath on the roof. The underwater bedroom offers unparalleled views of the deep Indian Ocean, perfect as a getaway from a hurried city life. When night falls, the surrounding lamps shed light on the sea creatures swimming around as you lay your head. Newlyweds will find this location fitting for an unforgettable honeymoon.

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If you think underwater cities are a thing of the sci-fi world, think again. Poseidon is the world's first hotel submerged in the Pacific Ocean. The 225-acre Poseidon Mystery Island is engulfed by crystal clear waters up to 27 meters in depth. Suites are accessible via an elevator. Outside the lagoon that this hotel is nestled in, the seafloor drops in depth into a deep abyss, calling out to the most adventurous travellers to explore.

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Utter Inn’s entrance looks straight out of a children’s cartoon, with the tiny structure and bright red paint bound to give amused visitors a good laugh. But head three metres down and you’ll find a single, intimate room with only two beds and a small table. Spend the night engaging in a stare-down with equally amused fish through the four windows or whip up a candlelit meal in the little red shed.

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Enjoy the fine life with the outdoor infinity pool and jet skis for rent, or retire to bed in the midst of marine life above the curved acrylic dome. Dig into the freshest seafood at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, and gaze at the ocean view above while you dine. The restaurant can also be converted into a private suite, so you can splurge on this once-in-a-lifetime experience and make it last a lifetime.

Conclusion

With all the new architectural technologies making such hotel stays a very attainable reality, you don’t have to be a qualified deep sea diver to appreciate the natural wonders the ocean has to offer. What’s more, staying underwater for more than 24 hours exponentially increases your chances of sighting a more diverse range of marine biodiversity. 

That said, going for this kind of vacation seems like a pipe dream for now due to many different reasons, but whatever it may be, you can start by being acquainted with the deep blue sea by scuba diving, freediving and snorkelling. Don’t wait; jumpstart your journey in the water with our Condo Swimming Lessons today.

I’m Isabel, your friendly uni student who’s always waddling knee deep in readings and projects. But I’ll go through hell and high water to have regular suppers with my friends. You can find me with a film camera in one hand and a flat white in the other on the weekends. Also am able to rescue you if you ever capsize from a sea kayak.