Sure, there’s hotels with views of cascading mountains, nestled away, high up in the untamed jungle; and penthouse suites surrounded by dizzying, glittering cityscapes. But The Muraka has the edge on all of them.,
New from Conrad Hotels & Resorts this submerged undersea villa in the Maldives has a 180-degree panoramic structure allowing you to gaze at schools of tropical fish (and for them to gaze back at you), all at your fully-oxygenated leisure.
Courtesy Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Sleeping with the sharks
In 2004, the hotel Conrad Maldives Rangali Island designed and built the world’s first underwater restaurant, ITHAA, under the lead of architect Ahmed Saleem. Now, the same team have come back with an even more outrageous project. Chief engineer Mike Murphy admits, “other people have done a sort of simpler structure, this particular size and scope of project is the largest we would go… it’s got plumbing downstairs and it’s got a lift.”
“Other people have done simpler structures, this particular size and scope of project is the largest we would go"
With investments reaching $15 million, it was large in ambition from the outset, but will result in a luxury experience that can be found nowhere else on earth. It’s not a quotidian experience going to sleep with sharks literally swimming around your head.
Courtesy Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Everything you would ever need
The two-level structure can accommodate up to nine guests, each one most likely fighting to the death for dibs on the underwater cabin.
The upper deck boasts a twin-size bedroom, bathroom, powder room, gym, butler’s quarters, private security quarters, integrated living room, sunrise-facing infinity pool, kitchen, bar and dining which features a deck facing the direction of the sunset.
The aquatic quarters are comprised of a king-size bedroom, living area, bathroom, encased glassy tunnels and spiral staircase sitting at five metres below sea level.
Courtesy Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Everything you would ever want
However, if the calming blue tint of the sun filtering down into your hotel room isn’t quite relaxing enough, as a guest you will also enjoy access to your own private seaplane jetty, a speedboat, a set of jet skis, four dedicated butlers facilitating round-the-clock service for well, just about everything, a chef to cook your meals, and an on-call fitness trainer. If that wasn’t enough, guests also have access to one 90-minute spa treatment per day.
All of this overwhelming luxury will be available from November of this year starting at $50,000, according to sources. If sleeping with the fishes is on your bucket list, there is quite literally no other place in the world for it.
Or, if you prefer your holidays to be slightly more buoyant, try these 10 yachts to charter for less than the price of one night at The Muraka…
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
