10 Most Unbelievable Underwater Hotels: Sweden, Dubai, Florida, Fiji

For those harboring a stronger connection to these underwater realms, a remarkable number of destinations are taking undersea adventure to new heights…or rather depths. We’ve all heard the expression “sleep with the fishes.” The hotels we’ve found here for you give an entirely new meaning to that phrase. No longer do you have to picture gangsters in pinstripe suits throwing curiously large packages off the end of some foggy dock. These hotels let you explore beneath the surface without getting wet. From Sweden to Dubai, Florida to Fiji, we’ve scoured the globe to bring you the best. We know you’ll enjoy this look at some truly remarkable establishments.

The UAE is a fantastically wealthy country. As the playground for a region full of oil barons and royal sheiks, the UAE does luxury like few other places on Earth. With its glittering office towers and posh residential estates, Dubai is a veritable oasis. Located on the Persian Gulf, the city is home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, the 828-meter Burj Khalifa. Not far from this engineering marvel is an equally impressive feat of modern construction. The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago jutting out into the Gulf. Built entirely on reclaimed land, the palm-shaped island cluster is home to over 10,000 people. Set at the apex of its massive outer crescent is Atlantis The Palm. This incredible resort hotel has featured in several films and TV shows since opening in 2008. Warranting many superlatives, Atlantis The Palm hosts a near unparalleled set of rooms dubbed the Underwater Suites. These accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows looking out into the hotel’s massive aquarium. Housing over 65,000 sea creatures, the aquarium is a world-class attraction in its own right. Guests staying in the Underwater Suites can enjoy the majesty and beauty of these sea-dwellers as they dance before you in mesmerizing displays. Once you visit, you will instantly recognize why these are among the best underwater hotel rooms in the world.

Florida has long attracted vacationers searching for ocean-going adventures. The Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a premier travel destination is well-known. Among the many places to visit, the Florida Keys are enchanting tropical islands stretching out from the southern tip of Miami like a string of pearls. With their excellent fishing, boating, snorkeling, and scuba diving, the Keys are something out of a dream. In Key Largo, travelers can take their love for scuba diving to new depths. Jules’ Undersea Lodge is the world’s only hotel where the only way to get to your room is by scuba diving. The unique experience makes it different from just about any of the other underwater hotels we feature here. For a sense of isolation and adventure found only underwater, Jules’ provides guests with the thrills and memories for a lifetime. You can find a range of activities to keep yourself active and busy, including underwater labs exploring marine biology. Jules provides scuba training and courses for both beginners and experts. Even if you don’t intend to spend the night, you can visit the lodge for a few hours and dive down to enjoy a meal or explore the waters in Largo Sound. Jules’ Undersea Lodge is definitely a place to visit and it makes our list of the top-10 best underwater hotels.

It was once said about the Maldives that this is “where the blue sky and white clouds, the coconut trees and shadows, the clear water and white sand, are located in the paradise of the Indian Ocean.” This relatively small country comprises some 26 atolls. It is a place travelers yearn to visit, a place where couples venture for the perfect honeymoon, and a place to find some true rest and relaxation. In November, 2018, Hilton’s Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort opened the world’s first underwater hotel residence. The Muraka, which translates to “coral” in the local Dhivehi language, epitomizes luxury and offers guests a private bar, servant’s quarters, and even an infinity pool. The two-story villa has an above-water bathroom featuring panoramic ocean views perfect for watching the sunset while indulging in a relaxing tub. The underwater sections feature a large domed ceiling with expansive windows looking out to the aquatic life on the reef. The master bedroom is equipped with a king-size bed as well as a private shower (well…semi-private if you count the reef sharks and fish swimming past). The Muraka caters to those who seek spectacular luxury experiences. It’s hard to go wrong in the Maldives and staying at the Muraka is without a doubt one of the top-10 best underwater hotel experiences in 2019.

China’s reform and opening up ushered in a massive construction boom. The country now features a wealth of innovative architectural designs. As Chinese cities race to join their global brethren as top travel destinations, Shanghai has found plenty of ways to capitalize. China’s financial hub has a long and storied history. Now it boasts one of the world’s most unique hotels. Located in the city’s suburban Songjiang District, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland was built in an abandoned rock quarry. With the upper-levels extending above the quarry walls, the hotel descends down and submerges below the water line. An above ground roof has a grassy and partially tree-covered area where guests can rest and relax. Adjacent facilities include a theme park with a glass walkway where visitors can take a hair-raising stroll along the overhanging quarry cliffs. The hotel atrium contains a stunning waterfall and the above ground rooms feature balconies overlooking the quarry. But the real highlight is the underwater levels. The Intercontinental has two, one with guest rooms and one with recreation and leisure facilities. An underwater restaurant faces a 10 meter long aquarium. Guests also can see under the water in the hotel sports facilities. As one of China’s newest and most eco-friendly hotels, the Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland earns a spot on our top-10 list of the best underwater hotels to visit in 2019.

Off Tanzania’s Indian Ocean Coast is tiny Zanzibar. This semi-autonomous region has positioned itself in recent decades as a world-class tourism destination. Through economic incentives designed to spur development and attract investors, the government has largely succeeded in helping Zanzibar blossom into one of the best resort islands in Africa, if not the entire Indian Ocean region. Commonly referred to as the “spice islands,” Zanzibar produces significant quantities of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. The Manta Resort is located on Pemba Island, the second of the two main islands in the Zanzibar archipelago. This remote stretch is the perfect place to enjoy some seclusion and indulge in a great resort experience. Having lots to offer, the highlight is of course the Manta’s Underwater Room. Anchored to the ocean floor, the room is essentially a three-story floating structure 250 meters offshore. The surrounding waters, part of a marine protected area, are remarkably clear. Once you arrive, the room essentially becomes your private floating island. The Underwater Room’s three levels give you plenty of space to spread out and enjoy yourself. On the surface is the bathroom and a large lounge area where you can spend time in the sun or admire starry skies after dark. When you want to retire, descend to the master bedroom with its large windows overlooking the magnificent reef ecosystem. It’s a stunning location and absolutely one of the top-10 best underwater hotel experiences for 2019.

Singapore is a glamorous city-state in Southeast Asia. Long ranked as one of the most family-friendly cities in the world, it’s hard to find a reason this isn’t a good place to vacation. Great street food, amazing culture, and marvelous architecture make this one of the premier destinations in Asia. Set on Sentosa Island, Resorts World Sentosa is right in the heart of Singapore’s adventure attraction district. The city’s best resorts and amusement parks are all located nearby, making it easy to enjoy a family outing or romantic getaway. Resorts World Sentosa features 11 suite rooms located underwater with views into the hotel’s massive aquarium. Containing upwards of 40,000 sea creatures, guests in the underwater rooms will have no shortage of exciting and colorful creatures to admire. Each suite is built in a two-story configuration with the upper-level above the waterline. Here you can relax on a private outdoor patio or soak in the Jacuzzi. The underwater rooms are for the most part separate from the rest of the hotel, providing a degree of luxury and seclusion. Guests can request private transportation to the nearby S.E.A. Aquarium and Adventure Cove Waterpark, where you will enjoy exploring even more amazing marine life. Once you visit Singapore you will surely fall in love. Make a stop at Resorts World Sentosa and experience one of the best underwater hotels in the world.

We return to the Maldives for another amazing resort destination. Huvafen Fushi is a private resort island on the North Malé atoll. Venturing to the Maldives, you find the atolls are primarily divided into residential islands and tourist islands. The tourist islands feature the major resorts catering to upscale travelers. On the residential islands, locals ply various trades mostly related to fishing. Obviously one could spend their entire time at the beaches and spas found on the tourist islands; however, your trip will be much more rewarding if you see life in the Maldives from a local’s perspective. If you venture to Huvafen Fushi, you will enjoy true relaxation. While not offering guest rooms underwater, the hotel does feature a wonderful spa built below the waves. Singles and couples sessions are available in this unique setting, which is made all the more soothing by the ocean blue around you. Experienced massage therapists offer a full range of services including famous Pure Massage and Teresa Tarmey treatments. The guest rooms are built on the surface and feature private access to white sand beaches. If you opt to stay in one of the more than 40 beach bungalows, you’ll spend your time convinced you’ve managed to find your own personal paradise.

If the idea of an underwater hotel isn’t enough for you, how about a private submarine? That’s exactly what’s on offer with Lover’s Deep. The ultimate in luxury accommodations, guests who board can descend just about anywhere in the world. That’s partially what makes Lover’s Deep unlike anything we’ve featured thus far. Guests can literally request where the submarine will go. Popular destinations include the Caribbean, but the only limiting factor is your imagination…and maybe the size of your wallet. This one-of-a-kind accommodation will pull out all the stops to make the perfect romantic vacation. You can choose to be ferried to the submarine via speedboat or by helicopter. A private chef will cater to your tastes and there’s even a special menu designed to help couples get in the mood…if you catch our drift. The specialty dishes include oysters, caviar, and chocolate fondant. With impressive accommodations, you will feel right at home. The submarine features exclusive soundproof rooms so couples need not worry about disturbing the crew. If you’ve been looking for that special, absolutely unique romantic getaway, Lover’s Deep might be right up your ally. Without a doubt this is one of the top-10 best underwater hotels to visit in 2019.

For those who want an underwater hotel experience and a European vacation, you have to try Sweden’s Utter Inn. This quaint, single room floating accommodation is moored near the Amundsgrund municipal nature reserve about 90 km from Stockholm. Designed by the artist Mikael Genberg, Utter Inn is a wonderful little destination. What it lacks in luxury it more than makes up for with sheer charm. When you arrive, you will enjoy relaxation and seclusion in the middle of the fabulous Swedish countryside. Sunbathe on the deck or just chill out with a coffee and a novel. The upper-level features a small kitchen and bathroom. Under the water, the sleeping quarters have windows on all four walls looking out into the lake. The room’s twin beds comfortably sleep two people and make Utter Inn without a doubt the most affordable destination on our list. Västerås offers rail links to the rest of Sweden and there is a small airport as well. Your best bet is to travel in from Stockholm. Make sure you visit places in town as well as some of the many nature preserves in the area. The beauty on offer here very much adds to this unique accommodation and helps to make Utter Inn one of our top-10 best underwater hotels for 2019.

Rounding out our list is a thoroughly entertaining restaurant and club. Subsix, as the name suggests, is set six meters below the surface, in waters off the Niyama Private Islands in the Maldives. Part of the islands resort, Subsix is reachable only by speedboat. You can make the journey from Male or from one of the two Niyama Islands: Chill and Play. Staying on the islands, you will enjoy near unparalleled luxury at one of the world’s best resort destinations. When you reach the restaurant, indulge yourself with succulent treats and champagne-soaked meals whipped up by creative chefs. The restaurant decor is aqua-themed and features dazzling Italian chandeliers and windowpane oyster shells draped from the ceiling. The entire room seems to undulate with the waves, adding to the ambiance. Hawkbill turtles, eels, and parrotfish are visible through the windows as you look out onto the magnificent coral reef. It’s an unforgettable place for a meal and a truly spectacular underwater destination. It’s hard to go wrong in the Maldives and making a visit to Subsix should certainly be on your list of things to do.

Whether you’re soaking in tropical sunshine or exploring the countryside in Sweden, there’s something on our list of the top-10 best underwater hotels for you. Each of these destinations is magical in their own right; however, the incredible underwater facilities you will find make them all the more special. For those who desire unique and noteworthy travel experiences, it’s hard to go wrong venturing to one of these engineering marvels. Once you visit, you will agree these are the top-1o best underwater hotels for 2019.