13 Nov 2018
Undersea living: Maldives unveils world’s first underwater villa
BY Andrew Manns
MURAKA – the world’s first underwater residence – has opened at Hilton Hotels’ Conrad Rangali in the Maldives.
The new US$15m (€13.3m, £11.6m) space, which is set five metres beneath the Indian Ocean, spreads over two levels and features three bedrooms, a gym, bar, and infinity pool.
Guests at the Crown Company-designed villa also have round-the-clock access to a butler who resides on the premises.
Other amenities at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island include 42 beachfront residences, two spas – including one with glass-floor chambers – and 12 restaurants and bars.
Speaking on MURAKA's debut, Ahmed Saleem, head architect and director at Crown Company called it his "personal lifetime achievement", a destination specially made for "worldly travelers who crave the extraordinary".
Stefano Ruzza, general manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island said: "MURAKA is an extraordinary vehicle for a truly immersive journey into nature which cannot be found anywhere else in the world."
MURAKA is not the resort’s only record-breaking submarine venue. In April 2005, Conrad Maldives also make waves when it opened its trademark dining space, Ithaa – then the world's only underwater restaurant.
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