Looking for a spot in the world that hasn’t been discovered? Walk to the water and wade right in.
Think the ultimate island escape is an over-water bungalow whose windowed floors blur the boundary between the dreamy underwater world and yours? Think again. Underwater is the next frontier, and soon you’ll want to sleep with the fished. Poseidon Underwater Resorts will turn the futuristic concept into reality for island travelers beginning December 2006 in luxury rooms, encased in transparent acrylic walls, on the sea floor 50 feet below the surface. The hotel is climate- and pressure-controlled – in other words, you’ll feel exactly the same as you would topside and can come and go at will. Divers have a portal of their own exploring the surrounding coral gardens.
Getting There
Fly on the resort’s private plane from Miami or Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamian out-island of Eleuthera. Then take a tunnel to the depths.
Total Concept
Combine your underwater resort adventure with topside R&R at Poseidon’s onshore bungalows, each with a private pool – a single vacation, wrapped in luxury.
Showtime
No mermaids, but from the comfort of your private living room you’ll be center stage among the real-life dramas of the life aquatic. You can even feed the fish to lure them nearer for a closer look, and external underwater lights give you a rarely seen glimpse at night as the squid hunt and the parrotfish sleep in their mucus bubble.
Waterworks
A large Jacuzzi in each room helps keep you wet and relaxed. Water also plays a major role in the luxury spa, which will feature a hydrotherapy center.
Coolest Room
Word has it that the ultimate in underwater luxury will be found in Poseidon’s Lair, 1,000 feet deep and reached by submarine.
Cost
The nightly rate for the underwater suites will be around $1,500; the resort’s topside bungalows, each with a private pool, can extend your stay for a third of the price, about $500. And for a night at Poseidon’s Lair? About $20,000. Not bad, considering you’ll be among the few on Earth to sleep 166 fathoms beneath the sea.
Each issue of ISLANDS Magazine explores the most beautiful island destinations in the world, from tropical island outposts to the sophisticated gems of the Mediterranean. Our top-rate photographers and writers discover the quiet beaches, boutique hotels, and unique cultural experiences that make island travel unique.
