The Story of The Muraka: An Underwater Villa

Imagine waking up underwater with fish swimming right outside your window.
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Well, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers this dreamlike experience with its incredible underwater rooms.

Take a look.

This luxurious resort has redefined the meaning of ”immersive stay”.

But there’s more to the Conrad Maldives than just its iconic underwater rooms.

It has become one of the most prestigious resorts in the world, blending sophisticated modernity with the natural beauty of the Maldives.

The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island was not just built to impress; it was designed to create an unforgettable experience.

A key highlight is The Muraka, the world's first underwater hotel villa, which was introduced in 2018.

This groundbreaking addition was designed by local architect Ahmed Saleem and Yuji Yamazaki, the principal of Yuji Yamazaki Architecture (YYA).

And did you know that the idea of building The Muraka came from Saleem’s dream of building an underwater bedroom where he could sleep and wake up with the waves?

For the construction, the lower level of the villa was built on land in Singapore using acrylic from Nippura Co. and sealed with Shin Etsu Marine sealant.

The 600-ton structure was then transported to the Maldives on a specialized ship.

In addition, the villa was submerged into the ocean and anchored in place with 10 concrete piles.

But don’t worry because you won’t drift into the abyss in your sleep.

Why?

Well, the piles ensure that the villa won't move during high tides or rough sea.

The Muraka also offers a one-of-a-kind connection to the surrounding marine environment.

They also made sure that its underwater section is engineered to minimize the impact on the delicate local ecosystem.

So, you can say that it stands as a testament to both innovative architecture and environmental responsibility.

However, it’s not just about the novelty.

The Conrad Maldives ensures every aspect of your stay feels magical.

From world-class dining in an underwater restaurant to rejuvenating spa treatments over turquoise waters, it’s the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

The resort’s got this quiet prestige—its spas, The Spa Retreat and Over Water Spa, feel special, the kind that fit right into T+L Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024’s Resort Spas winners.

The Muraka earned a place in Robb Report’s 50 Greatest Luxury Hotel Suites in the World 2024—pretty cool.

Lots of unique stays like this call to us for that one-time visit.

I recently created a video about this one, you can check it out here.

Hope you will like it!