Skip to main content

Sleep With the Fishes at the World’s First Two-Story Underwater Hotel Suite

The Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Overwater bungalows have been all the rage since well before 2018, but we’re witnessing a whole new era of hotel awesomeness and Conrad Hotels is leading the charge. The luxury hotel brand has just announced what is believed to be the world’s first underwater bungalow and it looks every bit as amazing as it sounds.

Recommended Videos

Located at the exclusive Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, THE MURAKA (the all-caps seems intentional to highlight how over-the-top this room is) is an exclusive, two-story villa that lies 16 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean. Its design is a bit like an oversized fish tank — albeit, a multimillion-dollar, ultra-high-end fish tank.

The master quarters on the ocean floor house a king-sized bedroom, a private bathroom with dual vanities, and a secluded living area — all wrapped in a panoramic glass dome with unparalleled views of the local marine life. It’s all possible through a state-of-the-art industrial acrylic design that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

From the lower quarters, a spiral staircase leads upward to sea level with an additional living room, more bedrooms, and a private infinity pool and relaxation deck that faces the sunrise. If that isn’t enough, there’s also a private gym, butler’s quarters, a kitchen, a bar, and an ocean-facing bathtub. In total, the bungalow sleeps nine guests (or one honeymooning couple with no interest in sharing).

Conrad Hotels was the very first luxury hotel brand to debut in the Maldives. Like similar hotels in the island country, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the pinnacle of five-star travel. The overwater bungalows are among the swankiest in the world, plus guests have the run of two spas, three pools, and 12 restaurants, including the world’s first underwater restaurant, Ithaa. It’s also situated among the best diving and water sports opportunities in the country. Suffice to say, this is the definition of “honeymoon-worthy.” However, Conrad still saw fit to drop USD $15 million to design and develop THE MURAKA (literally “coral” in Dhivehi — the local Maldivian language) just to make sure they’re not being outdone.

THE MURAKA at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is scheduled to open to guests in late 2018. No word yet on price, though the best rates for overwater villas currently start near USD $1,000 per night. Interested guests are encouraged to book now by calling the hotel directly.

Until then, you can check out the stunning sister resort in Tahiti, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Biscuit Basin is closed — here’s what to do in Yellowstone instead
Summer fun at Yellowstone is going to look different this year
Overhead photo of a geyser at Yellowstone National Park

Visiting Yellowstone National Park may look a bit different this year with the continued closure of Biscuit Basin, but it's still going to be worth it. There are so many other geysers, canyons, and wildlife to see that it would be a huge mistake to miss out on it this summer just because the path to Old Faithful is still under construction. Here's everything you need to know when entering Yellowstone this summer, and how to make the most of it according to the National Park Service.
Making the most of Yellowstone this Summer

While Biscuit Basin faces reconstruction efforts after the hydraulic explosion that happened last year, you'll still be able to enjoy wildlife hotspots like the Lamar Valley, which is nicknamed "America's Serengeti" for all of the animals you can see. Yellowstone Lake will also be open for boating or fishing excursions. The Yellowstone Lake hotel and the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is open this summer if you don't want to camp, and a lot of the trails around Mammoth Hot Springs will be open too. You can also see Norris Geyser Basin, which is park's hottest and oldest.
No need to worry about timed entry
One of the best parts about Yellowstone National Park is that they don't require timed entry reservations like Yosemite National Park or Glacier National Park. Summer is still pretty busy, so be prepared for crowds, but the park is 2.2 million acres in total, so there's a fair amount of space to spread out. Still, you will need a park entrance pass to get through the gate.
Make your reservations in advance
Campgrounds do require reservations in advance, so make sure that you book dates before you go. If you plan to do any fishing or boating in the area, make sure that you also snag yourself a fishing or boating permit. You will also need to submit your boat for an inspection.
Expect terrible cell service
Personally, I don't know why you'd want to be on your phone with Yellowstone out your window, but keep in mind that cell service is limited here. I recommend downloading maps and the NPS app beforehand, as well as any road closure information. These closures can be sudden due to the unpredictability of Yellowstone's weather, so prepare in advance by packing a warm jacket, rain gear, and layers when you go.
Be responsible, especially around wildlife
While driving, be sure to observe posted speed limits and use the pullouts to watch wildlife, making sure that all four of your tires are fully to the right of the white line. This will allow other cars to pass easily. Seeing wildlife up close is amazing, but remember to stay a minimum of 25 yards away from all wildlife, and 100 yards away from bears, wolves, and cougars.  Elks are also dangerous, so don't even think about holding your baby near one.

Read more
Inside the new era of aircraft interiors, according to a design expert
STARLUX aviation cabin

Air travel can often seem like a means to an end. You must journey hundreds or thousands of miles, and comfort takes a back seat to reaching your destination. But cramped, crowded cabins can feel like riding a school bus, making a flight something to endure rather than enjoy.

But what if an airplane cabin were a tailored space akin to a luxury hotel? What if designers considered every aspect, from the lighting to the dimensions to the materials, to ensure the in-flight experience was something to look forward to?

Read more
Utah ski resort set for largest expansion ever
Deer Valley Resort will have 7 new chairlifts and over 80 new runs and more this season
View from the top of a trail at Deer Valley

Deer Valley Resort in Utah, one of our favorite ski resorts, is gearing up to deliver the largest ski resort expansion in history, just in time for the 2025/26 season. As a part of the resort's "Expanded Excellence" initiative, this project aims to expand the skiable terrain to 5,726 acres, upgrade infrastructure, and eventually redo the Snow Park base area. Here's what you need to know about the upgrades.

“With multiple large-scale projects underway, we’re strategically focusing our efforts to ensure success at every step,” said Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley Resort. “This winter’s terrain expansion — more than doubling our skiable acreage — is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and it deserves our full attention."

Read more