The Underwater Hotel That You Should Not Miss On Your Next Trip To The Maldives
In the middle of the Indian Ocean are the more than 1,000 islands that make up the country of the Maldives. With beautiful blue and clear water, swaying palm trees, and white sand beaches, it's a dream tropical destination for many. The isolated archipelago takes some time to get to. There are no direct flights to the main airport in the capital Malé from the United States, per Travel Connection. And if you're not staying in the capital city, you'll need to take either a boat or another plane to get to your resort. But the experience will undoubtedly be worth the time it took you to get there.
The picturesque islands are home to over 150 resorts, according to Dreaming of Maldives. What makes them unique is that many are on their own island, which can amp up both the relaxation and the luxury, making it perfect for a honeymoon. With natural beauty and high-end resorts, it's no wonder that it's a popular destination for celebrities, and some may even buy out the entire resort just for their visit for maximum privacy and relaxation, per Love the Maldives. It's also good for wildlife fans since it has world-class snorkeling and scuba-diving. And if you want to see the magic of the Maldives' underwater world without leaving your bed, there's a room made just for you.
Watch fish, rays, and even sharks swim overhead from your bed
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is home to The Muraka, or what Conrad Maldives calls the first underwater residence on the planet. Opened in 2018 at a cost of $15 million, the one-of-a-kind master bedroom suite is complete with a living room and bathroom, situated 16 feet below the surface. The suite boasts 180-degree underwater views from the bedroom, per euronews.travel.
The underwater level is connected to the second floor at sea level by a spiral staircase. That floor has a twin bedroom, 1.5 baths, a gym, a living room, a bar, a kitchen, and a dining area. For those traveling with an entourage, it also has space for a nanny and/or butler and private security, according to Petrie PR. Oh, and don't forget access to your own 24-hour private resort butler while you're there. Also, there is an outdoor deck with its own infinity pool where you can watch the sunset over the ocean. According to the resort's website, expect to pay upwards of $9,999 for a night at The Muraka.
If The Muraka is booked, the resort also has villas and suites with private pools and some overwater villas that stand on stilts over the turquoise blue ocean waters. The resort is split over two adjoining islands, one of which is family-friendly while the other is adults-only.
The beauty of the Maldives is as much underwater as above
The Muraka wasn't the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island's first foray into underwater construction. The hotel also has the first-ever underwater restaurant, Ithaa, which is also set 16 feet under the water. So while guests sip cocktails or eat a meal, they can enjoy the view of the marine wildlife amidst the coral.
It's the coral of the Maldives that helps give the islands their white sand. Or rather the algae on the coral, which is eaten by the parrotfish. And what they can't digest helps make the beaches such a pretty white, according to KOLD. So if you see the colorful parrotfish from the privacy of The Maraka or from Ithaa, you can give it a thank you for helping make the beaches so beautiful. Along with parrotfish, you can spot eels, manta rays, clownfish, angel fish, and reef sharks in the waters around the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. There's a main snorkeling area at the house reef, and the resort can help arrange farther afield snorkeling, along with sport fishing, whale shark tours, and turtle safari. Remember to wear your reef-safe sunscreen when visiting to help keep the reefs and the ocean healthy.