World's First Underwater Hotel-- Open by 2006 (Awesome!)

[JCMach1]

Dubai to build world's first $500m underwater hotel
BY BABU DAS AUGUSTINE

13 August 2003



DUBAI - Dubai has announced the launch of Hydropolis Hotel project - the world's first underwater super luxury resort hotel. It will be built at a cost of more than US$500 million.


The 107,700 square metre development will be built in the sea 300 metres offshore Jumeirah. The project, is the brainchild of German investor Joachim Hauser, who is also the architect, inventor and designer. Hydropolis Hotel is expected to be ready by October 2006. The hotel complex will have 220 suites with the potential for further expansion.

"Hydropolis will impart a unique impression of distinctiveness and exclusivity that will not diminish. It will simultaneously address 'Mind, Body and Soul' in an unparalleled manner," said Hauser, who has set up Hydropolis Holding in Dubai...

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/business/2003/August/business_August193.xml§ion=business

[Fenris]

1. Jesus, the towel budget alone for this place must be astronomical!

:D

[JCMach1]

2. You said it!

:)

[Brotherjohn]

7. It look s like Morrissey is playing volleyball with your happy face!

We all know, of course, Morrissey would only play volley ball with a pouty face.

[MiltonLeBerle]

3. that would be the world's SECOND underwater hotel-

http://www.jul.com/

BTW- $500 million seems like a low figure for the cost of building what they describe.

[JCMach1]

5. Headline should probably say first 'luxury' underwater hotel

I remember seeing the first on the Travel Channel I believe... It wasn't much for luxury.

I am sure the $500M includes the exploitation of cheap labor from India (a common Emirati practice).

[ForrestGump]

10. Yeah, what you just said - posted in haste

:-)

[THUNDER HANDS]

4. there is a

horror movie waiting to happen here, I can feel it.

Perfect setting, you'd have to admit.

:)

[demnan]

6. Wow!

I can feel the pressure on my eardrums already!

[roughsatori]

8. Why must I be the party pooper?

I know how wonderful it may seem at first. But in a world with so much poverty and untreated illness I find it hard to marvel at expensive hotels for the wealthy. Whenever this is pointed out some one will say, "even if they never build this hotel the money won't ever go to the impoverished anyway". I still find it to be another disgusting display. I'm sure it will be covered on the E Channel when Brad and Jenn and Madonna stay there.

500 million seems rather cheap for what they are describing--someone was not good at translating the currency figures I suspect.

[LynneSin]

11. I don't think you're the party pooper here

I think most of you agree about this one. However, UAE is notorious for such expensive trinkets to promote travel to Dubai: the vacation playground for the extremely wealthy.

Personally, I'd rather go to the FIRST underground hotel in the world: Jules Undersea Lodge

http://www.jul.com/overnight.html

Although it seems rather pricy for this hotel, this hotel is geared towards Scuba and seadiver fanatics.

[roughsatori]

14. I just sent that link to a friend

and asked about maybe staying there someday. He was a submariner in the navy and dives.

[ForrestGump]

9. Already done, albeit nothing like on that scale...

Jules Verne Undersea Lodge, in Key Largo, was a scientific saturation habitat used for underwater research off Puerto Rico in the early '70s. It's a three-room hotel now, in 30' of water. It even has TV.

[WilliamPitt]

12. Aside, perhaps, from that hotel made completely of ice,

I cannot fathom (pardon the pun) a place I would like less to spend time in. Egads. This is the Titanic meets Das Boot. I'll be on the beach, thanks.

[Blue_Chill]

17. I'll take the Ice Hotel over this death trap

What will be the next bright idea - 'First hotel made entirely out of surplus c4 explosives'

[AWD]

13. My God

Dubai already has the world's ONLY 7-star hotel (room comes with a servant).

Now this?? Damn, that's cool.

[kmla]

15. Wow. This must be a rich man's wet dream.

I'm sorry.

Really, I am.

:eyes:

[jiacinto]

16. How will this place be safe?

How will they protect it flooding? How will they keep it from being unsafe? I just wonder how they are dealing with the safety issues.