Hydropolis

by Peter Thompson (RSS feed) Jul 31st 2005 at 6:28AM

Dubai has played host to some amazing plans that will re-write engineering and architectural history, but this has to be one of its most ambitious. Hydropolis will, quite simply, be the world's first underwater hotel. Accessed by a connecting tunnel, the marine theme is likely to continue throughout the hotel's rooms and decor. This amazing picture shows what it will be like when complete; are underwater holidays the beginning of a new era? Tell us what you think.

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Max Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

If the walls are made mostly to be transparent, sign me up!

Question -- what happens when there is a really rough storm or a giant wave? I am sure the architects have thought it out (or will), but it seems like a very difficult challenge. Perhaps it is in a cove guaranteed with light weather?

Sam Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

There are in fact already underwater hotels elsewhere in the world. There is one in the Florida Keys (just linked about on gadling) but it only has accomodations for a few people a night. This would likely be the first full fledged hotel to exist underwater. Although I remember hearing about plans for a similar endevor in the Bahamas.

Willy Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

Actually, Hydropolis will be the first LARGE underwater hotel. Key Largo's "Jules Undersea Lodge" has been in existence for a number of years (http://www.divester.com/2005/04/15/jules-undersea-lodge/).

There are others, however, that have some component of the hotel underwater: Huvafen Fushi offers underwater spa treatments in the Maldives; the Utter Inn boasts a small underwater cottage 20 feet below the surface of a Swedish lake. And, of course, the Ithaa and the Red Sea Star both feature underwater restaurants.

Jo Ocean Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

I am doing the concept development for Hydropolis, Well basically just would like to test whether is there any greater consumers demand then other unusual hotels (treetops, icehotel and cave hotel). Anybody have any ideas ?

Jofrijon Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

So in total.. How many underwater hotels exist in the world ? i only knew that there are or will be three which are Jules Lodge, Poseidon in Bahamas and Hydropolis !

Thank you

Willy Volk Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

Jules Undersea Lodge and the Utter Inn exist currently. Hydropolis and Poseidon are both in development. Huvafen Fushi, Ithaa, and the Red Sea Star all have parts of their attractions underwater (http://www.divester.com/2005/06/03/more-underwater-hotels/).

Also, the "City of Dreams" -- an underwater casino -- (http://www.divester.com/2005/05/18/underwater-casino-on-the-horizon/) is scheduled to open in Macau in 2008.

Jo Ocean Dec 18th 2005 6:10PM

Dear Willy Volk,
Thank you very much for your post.
It helps me to go another step for my dissertation.

Talk about unusual hotels, I got 3 more unusual hotels where in
Sweden the Icehotel
http://www.icehotel.com

Turkey Gamirasu Cave Hotel
http://www.greeceturkeyguide.com/hotels/cappadocia/gamirasu/

Kenya Treetops Lodge
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/kenya/safaris/lodges/treetops.asp

On my dissertation, these three hotel will be compared with Hydropolis Hotel to see whether Hydropolis has bigger potential market in unusual hotel bussiness.

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