design and building process is challenging, it can be expensive and difficult to maintain. Sharing his thoughts Sajesh Kana says, “Underwater facilities are quite expensive to build and it’s also difficult to maintain them. Each venue is to be built with a proper architectural design because all the safety aspects need to be covered. Building a structure underwater needs to have a proper evaluation of the stability of the structure, the strength of the glass panels, what safety measures are taken to protect the structure from the internal current and the sand accumulation around the structure, etc. Each reef has its own difficulty to build the facility and a proper environmental study is a must before considering building it.” Agreeably, Rachel Hill says, “Ensuring that the structure is sturdy, and 100% safe is the first and most important step when building an underwater facility.” Although there were a couple of simpler and smaller underwater structures at the time, Hill shared that the scope and size of The Muraka was a much larger project, almost 600 tonnes which made it a little more challenging. “The dream project was challenging with plenty of plumbing underwater, building a lift for access from the base to the bedroom etc. Post this, sinking the pre-made underwater bedroom structure was the most critical part of the project.” Top underwater suites and restaurants in the world Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai A landmark tourist attraction – Atlantis, The Palm Dubai is a hotel that defines true Middle Eastern luxury. The hotel, an architectural wonderland, sits on a man-made, palm-tree-shaped island with lavishly designed rooms and suites. And while these are mostly located above land, the hotel decided to partake in the underwater resort trend incorporating a lavish underwater suite to its accommodations. Keeping in line with the underwater theme, the suites are named after the Greek gods Poseidon (god of sea) and Neptune (god of fresh water). The suites have a similar design spread across 1,776-square-feet and fitted with enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, treating guests to a magnificent view of the resort’s aquarium – The Ambassador Lagoon. A 3-million-gallon aquarium, The Ambassador Lagoon houses as many as 65,000 creatures, including rays and sharks, swimming amidst the man-made ancient ruins of the lost city of Atlantis. If the room itself isn’t incentive enough, guests are also treated to a host of special amenities like complimentary 24-hour private butler service, airport transfers, private cabanas at the resort’s pool, beach, and water park, a free 30-minute personal training session, and 24/7 in-room dining and in-suite check-in. All of these at a price of approximately US $8,000 (depending on season) sounds like a fair price to pay. InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, China Wonderland is probably the best name for the architectural wonder that is this luxurious hotel in Shanghai.The hotel is built into the side of an abandoned quarry in Songjiang, the design for which was created by British design firm –Atkins, the masterminds behind the lavish Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. From afar itself, the hotel looks like something from a movie, but it’s real; it’s very real. A fascinating structure with an artificial waterfall on site, the hotel is structurally impressive. And the underwater suites add to the beauty of the place.An 18-floor hotel, two floors including about six suites, are set underwater. These are designed in a way where the bedroom overlooks the surface of the water, while the living rooms are located down under overlooking a saltwater aquarium. Outside these suites, the hotel features a public section called The Lagoon featuring an underground pool and windows looking out at the custom-built saltwater aquarium tanks. Here, guests can enjoy an entertaining water show put on by the hotel every night. Given the exclusivity of these suites, it can be difficult to get a reservation, but that does not mean you miss out on the wholesome underwater experience. Along with the suites, the hotel also has a luxurious underwater restaurant, ironically named Mr. Fisher. Ozen Life Maadhoo Ozen Life Maadhoo 18|L U X E B O O K|J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 |L U X E B O O K| 19
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