Egyptian linens are great. So are spectacular views. In fact, many
resorts go out of their way to present some incredible sleeping
accommodations. But fathom this instead: an underwater hotel
room in a luxury resort, with 360-degree views of the ocean’s most
colorful sealife, all from the comfort of your bed.
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| Courtesy Manta Resort |
Welcome to the Underwater Room, just opened and taking reservations now.
This aquatic lodging is located at Manta Resort on the lush Pemba Island, a secluded drop of paradise off the shores of Zanzibar, a territory that — fun fact — produces most of the world’s cloves.
Pemba Island has been separated from the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar for decades, leaving an untouched and pristine island of great beauty and fertility. The mosaic of forests, swamps, mangroves, hidden beaches and lagoons is scattered with the ruins of mosques and tombs mostly reclaimed by the forest – sites that date back to Arab domination when Pemba Island was seized by the Sultan of Muscat (Oman) in the 17th century.
He loved the Spice Islands and established his court in Zanzibar and ruled Muscat from there.
The water room, crafted by Swedish conceptual artist Mikael Genberg (next up: a room on the moon), is part of a three-level private island located 800 feet off shore and protected by a vast coral reef.
Top floor is where you’ll do your sunbathing, dining and stargazing. Maybe go out for a kayak trip.
The bottom floor, 15 feet below the water’s surface: lie in bed and stare agape at the shoals of reef fish. At night, some curious squid and octopuses may stop by to stare. The unusual new room floats almost 250 m (820 ft) away from the coast and is held in place by several anchoring lines leading to the ocean floor.
Besides a double bed to lie on, the room features two large windows on each wall, giving an almost total 360-degree view of the water around it. Each window even has underwater spotlights on the outside that attract and illuminate nearby sea creatures at night, so guests can watch them as they drift off to sleep.
The floating hotel room is actually situated in the center of a blue hole, an area of the coral reef approximately 50 m (164 ft) wide where the sea drops to 12 m (39 ft) deep during high tide. With a few scattered coral heads below and a full reef surrounding them, guests are sure to see all kinds of marine wildlife right outside their bedroom window. According to the resort, some coral has already begun forming on the room's anchoring lines and a few of the reef's more unusual inhabitants, like octopus and Spanish dancers, have been spotted attaching themselves to the glass.
As you can probably guess, the cost to enjoy your own secluded, half-submerged hotel suite isn't cheap. Spending one night in the Underwater Room costs US$1,500 for two people on top of the regular cost of the resort, which varies depending on the time of year and duration of your stay.
This aquatic lodging is located at Manta Resort on the lush Pemba Island, a secluded drop of paradise off the shores of Zanzibar, a territory that — fun fact — produces most of the world’s cloves.
Pemba Island has been separated from the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar for decades, leaving an untouched and pristine island of great beauty and fertility. The mosaic of forests, swamps, mangroves, hidden beaches and lagoons is scattered with the ruins of mosques and tombs mostly reclaimed by the forest – sites that date back to Arab domination when Pemba Island was seized by the Sultan of Muscat (Oman) in the 17th century.
He loved the Spice Islands and established his court in Zanzibar and ruled Muscat from there.
The water room, crafted by Swedish conceptual artist Mikael Genberg (next up: a room on the moon), is part of a three-level private island located 800 feet off shore and protected by a vast coral reef.
Top floor is where you’ll do your sunbathing, dining and stargazing. Maybe go out for a kayak trip.
The bottom floor, 15 feet below the water’s surface: lie in bed and stare agape at the shoals of reef fish. At night, some curious squid and octopuses may stop by to stare. The unusual new room floats almost 250 m (820 ft) away from the coast and is held in place by several anchoring lines leading to the ocean floor.
Besides a double bed to lie on, the room features two large windows on each wall, giving an almost total 360-degree view of the water around it. Each window even has underwater spotlights on the outside that attract and illuminate nearby sea creatures at night, so guests can watch them as they drift off to sleep.
The floating hotel room is actually situated in the center of a blue hole, an area of the coral reef approximately 50 m (164 ft) wide where the sea drops to 12 m (39 ft) deep during high tide. With a few scattered coral heads below and a full reef surrounding them, guests are sure to see all kinds of marine wildlife right outside their bedroom window. According to the resort, some coral has already begun forming on the room's anchoring lines and a few of the reef's more unusual inhabitants, like octopus and Spanish dancers, have been spotted attaching themselves to the glass.
As you can probably guess, the cost to enjoy your own secluded, half-submerged hotel suite isn't cheap. Spending one night in the Underwater Room costs US$1,500 for two people on top of the regular cost of the resort, which varies depending on the time of year and duration of your stay.
By Sara Liss
Courtesy about.com
