Vacation Like a Mermaid at This Dreamy Under-the-Sea Villa in the Maldives

Photo: Conrad
If you're obsessed with the idea of growing gills and living under the sea à la The Shape of Water (or, you know, transforming into an IRL mermaid like Ariel in The Little Mermaid), it's likely that you've read about the underwater restaurant Ithaa at the Conrad Rangali Island resort in the Maldives. (there are actually multiple underwater dining options in the nation!) Now the resort is expanding its beneath-sea-level offerings with what it says is the world's first underwater hotel room.

The hotel shared that the new two-floor suite—the bottom floor is submerged 16.4 feet beneath the surface—can host up to nine people and is aptly named the Muraka, which means "coral" in Dhivehi, the local language. It's set to open this November and will cost a cool $50,000 a night, according to Architectural Digest. If you fill the space to capacity, that still comes down to more than $5,500 a person per night (so start budgeting your expenses and saving now!).

The underwater space, with a king-size bed, has completely clear and acrylic walls that make it seem as if you're living inside an aquarium tank.

The underwater space, with a king-size bed, has completely clear and acrylic walls that make it seem as if you're living inside an aquarium tank. It offers 180-degree views of the aquatic world around you and also boasts a bathroom and living area. Features of the upper level, just above sea level, include two more bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and butler's quarters (fancy). There's also a deck that faces the direction of the sunset and another deck where you can watch the sunrise next to an infinity pool.

The hotel suite sounds like a total dream, and since the prohibitive price might keep it a dream for many people, consider opting for one of these large, accommodating, and affordable spots around the world.

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