There is something alluring about an overwater bungalow perched above an open ocean with panoramic views of a sparkling sea and the far-off horizon. But there is something especially beguiling about taking that magnificent view underwater. The following resorts offer an experience that allows guests to wake up to walruses, sharks, manta rays, and an array of peculiar fish in their mesmerizing underwater suites.
The MURAKA, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Maldives
Part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort and in a class of its own, the MURAKA residence stands above and below the Indian Ocean. The upstairs is sleek, modern, and the epitome of luxury, while the true masterpiece of the MAKURA is the undersea bedroom and bathroom submerged over 16 feet below sea level. The master bedroom dome ceiling gives guests 180-degree views of the fantastic local marine life. The VIP package has guests arriving on a private seaplane and are then speed boated to the residence. A personal chef, butler, wave boat, and bar come with the ‘Experience’ package along with a choice of tailored itineraries.
Underwater Suite, Atlantis, The Palm – Dubai
Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai is renowned for its exquisite style, world-class dining, and adventure experiences. The remodeled, ocean-inspired rooms and suites offer a luxurious stay no matter which option you choose. There is a specific suite, however, that puts you in another world and will take your breath away. The Underwater Suite is a two-story accommodation where the downstairs, underwater bedroom features floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the underwater vistas of the Ambassador Lagoon and its 65,000 marine animal aquarium complete with sharks, manta rays, and other hypnotic fish. Head up the private elevator and relax in a lavish lounge where waters lap at the window.
The Walrus House, Pairi Daiza Resort – Belgium
Voted “Best Zoo in Europe,” in 2018, 2019, and 2020, the Pairi Daiza is home to a unique resort offering different overnight accommodations that immerse guests into the worlds of different animal habitats. Along with the Polar Bear House, the Tiger House, and the Penguin House, the Pairi Daiza Resort is home to the Walrus House, located in The Land of the Cold. This room was designed to give guests the feeling they are staying in a snow cave as the design and décor center around an ice motif. Even better, the underground accommodations offer the opportunity to have close encounters with the zoo’s entertaining walruses.
The Underwater Room, Manta Resort, Pemba Island – Africa
On a completely remote, relatively undeveloped island north of Zanzibar lies the famed Manta Resort. The private resort overlooks the cleanest, most turquoise waters fringed by beautifully soft white sand beaches. One of the draws to this African destination is the Underwater Room which lies in in the middle of a coral reef in a conservation area of the Indian Ocean. The floating three-level structure is anchored to the ocean floor and encapsulated within a blue bubble allowing for breathtaking encounters with the surrounding marine life. This tri-level bungalow gives guests new perspectives of the stars, sunsets, and sea life.