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The Maldives may call to mind gorgeous overwater bungalows set above the Indian Ocean, but the Conrad's Rangali Island just subverted that trend—literally. In November, the resort debuted what it claims to be the "world's first" (partially) undersea residence, the result of a $15 million investment, according to the official press release. (It's worth noting that Dubai started rolling out partially underwater luxury villas in 2016, but they aren't projected to be completed until the end of this year.) Named The Muraka (which translates to "coral" in the local language, Dhivehi), the villa is a two-level structure, with the living area above water, and the main bedroom underwater. If you've ever wanted to live The Little Mermaid in real life, now's your chance.
Submerged five meters (16.4 feet), the underwater suite has clear, acrylic walls that provide a panoramic view of the surrounding ocean and wildlife (insert "sleeping with the fishes" joke here). There's a king-sized bed, where you can kick back and watch all the vibrantly colored fish swim by, as well as a living area and bathroom. Should you want to surface, the upper level is connected by a spiral staircase, and it's just as luxurious as the underwater suite, if not more so. There are two more bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, kitchen, bar, and outdoor "relaxation" deck positioned to face sunrise—with an infinity pool, naturally. But the Conrad really went the extra mile by adding butler's quarters—yes, you read that right. The site promises that up to nine people can fit in The Muraka, so you can book a trip for the whole family (and then some).
Believe it or not, this is the Conrad's Rangali Island's second undersea venture—the first is Ithaa restaurant, which opened in 2005 and is also 16 feet below sea level. Guests can enjoy a dinner of "coconut-crusted légine (cod icefish), served with curry bisque, steamed sea beans and spicy sea snails" while sharks swim overhead (talk about a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience). The addition of The Muraka villa represents the Conrad's push to continue experimenting with new architecture and technology. "Our philosophy of innovation is supported by several triumphs at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island," Stefano Ruzza, general manager of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, said in a statement. "From the first construction of Ithaa Undersea Restaurant to our second venture under the Indian Ocean, The Muraka, we are continuously making powerful enhancements to the property that are designed to attract the world's most connected and knowledgeable travelers."
The Muraka's over-the-top amenities come with a pretty steep price tag, according to Architectural Digest, with a nightly rate of $50,000, sold in four-night vacation packages. (Which begs the question, do you want to rent a hotel room, or buy a couple cars?) If that's understandably not in your price range, fear not. We've got a list of our favorite beach resorts in the Maldives, Fiji, and beyond, that you can escape to ASAP—and won't break the bank quite as much.
This story was originally published in April 2018. It has been updated with new information.
