4 resorts with underwater hotel rooms and restaurants
The ocean is one of the most magical parts of our planet. From vivid schools of fish representing every color known to man to giant whales and vibrant, glowing coral reef systems, life underwater is both mesmerizing and mysterious.
Of course, many vacations are planned around trips to the beach to take a splash in the water or to snorkel or scuba dive to experience "Finding Nemo" up close. However, in some places, hotels and resorts take that one step further by incorporating the ocean and its glorious sea life right into underwater suites, restaurants and more.
From the turquoise waters of the Maldives to the over-the-top hotels in Dubai and other idyllic places in between, we've rounded up some of the most exciting places to visit where, if you're willing to shell out some big bucks, you can fall asleep with stingrays swimming right over your pillow or sip Champagne as a shark sails past you.
These rooms and restaurants probably aren't for everyone – the sea can seem as scary as it is beautiful. However, I can guarantee a trip to one of the spots below will be a trip you'll certainly never forget.
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island — The Muraka and Ithaa undersea restaurant
The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is one of the quintessential resorts in the Maldives. It recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a stunning remodel featuring updated overwater villas, restaurants and the overwater spa. The real magic here, though, is what happens under the water.
The Muraka suite
Guests willing to take the plunge can book the Muraka, a two-level residence with an underwater master bedroom. Upstairs you can enjoy two bedrooms, a plunge pool and an ocean-facing tub in the bathroom, while the downstairs has a 180-degree curved acrylic dome and floor-to-ceiling windows in the bathroom and walk-in closet. It can all be yours starting at $9,999 per night.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant
Guests of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island who forgo the underwater suite (and its $10,000-a-night price tag) can still get in on the underwater action by making reservations at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant – the world's first undersea restaurant, according to Hilton. The restaurant features set lunch and dinner menus of local-meets-Western flavors like tuna ceviche and lobster tortellini, along with wine pairings and even midmorning cocktails. No trip to this Hilton is complete without this once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, but expect to spend some money: Lunch starts at $255 per person and dinner starts at $340.
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai — Underwater Suites and Ossiano restaurant
We all know that everything in Dubai is designed to wow — and Atlantis, The Palm is no exception. Guests can explore many parts of the resort where aquatic life is front and center, like the Lost Chambers Aquarium, but there are chances to get even more up close to the emirate's underwater denizens.
Underwater Suite
Guests who really want to be under the sea book an Underwater Suite, which offers views above and below the Ambassador Lagoon for upward of $7,000 per night. Imagine yourself relaxing in the marble tub as dozens of the 65,000 marine creatures that call the lagoon home swim past. Better yet, a 24-hour butler is on hand to make sure that the experience is exactly what you'd dreamed of. If that's not enough, there's also underwater yoga.
Ossiano
Another option for travelers who might not splurge on an underwater suite but want to have an incredible underwater experience is Ossiano. Diners at this restaurant are surrounded by sea life and served remarkable cuisine from chef Gregoire Berger. Serving nine-course meals at roughly $300 per person, the food here is seasonal and sustainably sourced from the ocean or within roughly 30 miles of the resort. Expect mouthwatering food and an Instagram-worthy view, whether you're staying at Atlantis or just stopping by for the experience.
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland — Underwater view rooms and Mr.Fisher Restaurant
Set in what was once an abandoned quarry, the InterContinental Shanghai — the portfolio's 200th property — is an architectural wonder in and of itself. Factor in that 16 floors of the building are beneath ground level and two of them are actually underwater and it's safe to say this hotel is a mind-blowing engineering marvel.
Underwater view rooms
On the hotel's underwater levels, rooms feature large glass walls looking into the resort's aquarium for upward of $1,000 per night. For something bigger, an underwater loft has two different levels, including a landing deck at water level with an outdoor terrace and an underwater living room surrounded by all the fish one can imagine for roughly $2,500 per night.
Mr.Fisher
Anyone at the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland can experience the magic of the sea without booking one of the undersea rooms by booking a reservation at the hotel restaurant Mr.Fisher. Situated one level below the water, Mr.Fisher serves seafood you can eat as you watch the sea life of the aquarium through the glass walls scattered around the restaurant.
Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore — Ocean Suites
In Singapore, 11 two-story townhouse suites offer a movie theater-like experience when you enter the room. The lights dim as a panel rises to reveal a glass wall looking into the world's largest aquarium. With over 40,000 species of fish, there's plenty to look at — but that's not all. Here, the upper level features a living area with an outdoor patio and Jacuzzi, while the lower level boasts a king-size bed looking straight at the aquarium. Additionally, guests can take advantage of personal butler service, take a ferry to the actual aquarium to learn more about the creatures living right outside their rooms, or have a thrilling day at Adventure Cove Waterpark. These rooms start at around $1,200 per night and go up.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.