5 Underwater Aquarium Hotels

The idea of waking up to a view of coral reefs and manta rays from your hotel room or cruise cabin is pretty cool, but underwater hotels take it to another level. From luxury suites with a window into the sea to completely submerged accommodations, these rooms and suites allow guests to sleep, dine, and lounge with the fishes—and even swim in the ocean right from their hotel room.

The aptly named Poseidon and Neptune suites at Dubai’s Atlantis the Palm give guests an undersea view of the resort’s Ambassador Lagoon aquarium. The massive 3-million-gallon tank is home to 65,000 aquatic animals and, while the suites aren’t actually under the water, their floor-to-ceiling windows create the illusion. Plus, guests who stay in the suites will get 24-hour private butler service, a spa-like bathroom, and the ability to go scuba diving in the aquarium.

Housed in what was once a quarry, the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland has 16 floors that are underground and two that are underwater—including the hotel’s dazzling aquarium. The underwater suites have large glass walls that look into the aquarium and are accessible via a spiral staircase in the center of the hotel. Guests can relax in their underwater bedroom and living room, or if they’re feeling adventurous, they can explore the deeper waters surrounding the hotel by snorkeling or scuba diving (all gear is included).

An elder statesman among Las Vegas’ megaresorts, the Mirage’s emphasis on comfortable, well-designed rooms and diverse attractions (including Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” and a giant volcano) appeals to families and people looking for an alternative to glitzy newer properties. Its massive pool, diverse dining options, and attentive staff make this one of the best family-friendly hotels in the city.

Situated in a coral reef just off the coast of Zanzibar, this boutique resort offers both seaside suites and underwater rooms with stunning views of sharks, manta rays, and other marine life from your room’s balcony or glass walls. Guests can also dine at the on-site seafood restaurant, Mr. Fisher, which is ensconced in the hotel’s huge aquarium.

Located in the popular Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu, this hotel is popular with both tourists and locals who are looking for a luxurious experience that’s just a short walk from the beach. The resort has an array of amenities, from a full-service spa and fitness center to a 280,000-gallon oceanarium that features incredible views of local marine life. Guests can also eat in the hotel’s Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, which was the first of its kind when it opened more than a decade ago.

While the eponymous Ithaa Undersea Restaurant is open to all hotel guests, there are also two underwater rooms at the hotel that are only available for overnight stays. Named after an underwater mountain in Hawaii, the room is a two-level suite with a bedroom and living area below a curved glass wall that gives you a full view of the coral reef below. The hotel’s king-sized bed is reachable from the ocean floor by a spiral staircase, and it comes with a butler and access to the property’s private dive boat.