The planned Water Discus Hotel, designed by Deep Ocean Technology for Dubai, is an initiative of the Dubai construction company Drydocks World and Switzerland’s BIG InvestConsult. Image courtesy of Deep Ocean Technology.

Back in 2001, submersible expert Bruce Jones hatched the idea for the Poseidon Undersea Resort, the world’s first underwater hotel. Featuring 24 modular suites with panoramic views of coral reefs and tropical fish, Jones’s luxury human fishbowl was originally slated to open in 2009, then delayed until 2010. With the design and engineering for the hotel completed, Jones’s company, U.S. Submarine Structures, still must raise enough capital for construction to start. And once ground (um, ocean!) is broken, guest-adventurers willing to shell out $15,000 to $30,000 per week for their own little Plexiglas Atlantis will have to wait another two years for the grand opening. Read more!

Image courtesy of Poseidon Undersea Resort

While Poseidon was in limbo in 2010, architect Pawel Podwojewski of Deep Ocean Technology in Poland began designing the Water Discus Hotel for Dubai. His plan consists of two rotating spaceship-discs, one above the water and one below, with 21 undersea rooms and a similar coral-reef habitat. Unlike Poseidon, which would rest on the seafloor, the Discus would actually be able to ascend to the surface for repairs or evacuation. The upper disc includes a garden, swimming pool, and spa—amenities perhaps outdone by Poseidon’s beachside resort and its nine-hole golf course, over-water bungalows, and wedding chapel (time to break out those Ariel-branded wedding gowns!)

Image courtesy of Design Milk

If either project gets built, it will succeed where others have failed. Another ambitious undersea Dubai development, Hydropolis, never made it past the design stage. If we had to choose, our allegiance is with Poseidon. Dubai doesn’t need this, right?

Aerial view of the Poseidon resort.

Closeup of Poseidon’s Plexiglas-encased suites, which will be coated with a reflective film for privacy. Image courtesy of Design Milk

Views of Poseidon’s undersea bedroom suites. In-room consoles let guests release fish food. Left image courtesy of Vanity Fair Italy; right, top and bottom: courtesy of Design Milk

Image courtesy of Vanity Fair Italy

[via Design Milk]

by Lamar Anderson

posted in Uncategorized

tagged dubai, Fiji, hotels, resorts, sci-fi, underwater hotel

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