Fancy sleeping with the fishes? Not in the biblical sense but close enough. Taking sleeping arrangements to epic proportions, the underwater hotel room in Zanzibar has to be one the most bizarre yet coolest way to hang out with marine life. You can only read fiction like this in Jules Verne novels and to think that this form of luxury vacationing can happen in Africa is even more incredible. Worth a trip down the Indian Ocean to find out and at a price tag starting from $1500 a room, you can be sure it will be worth every penny.
The hotel room itself is called the Manta Underwater Room that is situated 250 metres off the Pemba Island, perfectly submerged inside the Indian Ocean, some four metres below sea level. Does this mean the hotel itself is submerged beneath the ocean? No, not at all!. The room is part of a holiday retreat called the Manta Resort on the mainland of Pemba Island. It comprises off a three storey structure that floats, leaving the room positioned beneath the water.
Watch the ‘O’ shapes your mouth makes when confronted by the marvel.
Pemba Island – Zanzibar
It is reliably comfortable, safe and designed to a high premium standard. Pemba is one of the best diving spots in Tanzania, and it’s also quiet, so no sea life, nightlife here. Calm seas ahead! To get to your, destination, you can either take a boat or fly to the beautiful spot.
This underwater room acts as a miniature secluded island. Guests can sleep without fear in the glass walled room. Right above it, there is a landing deck which has a bathroom and lounge. You can access it by ladder. The roof of the room is designed to be a sunbathing terrace while, at night, it becomes a stargazing floater. The clear nights make it a perfect place for shooting star spotting.
The sea life activity is blissful here. You’ll witness shoals of reef fish, squid, trumpet fish, octopus plus fish of the more predatorial disposition. The coral is seen developing around the room’s base, leaving you to live out your fantasy in reality.
This African luxury hotel was designed and built by Swede Mikael Genberg, his inspiration came from the floating structure on Lake Malaren, in Sweden called the Utter Inn, and it was modelled on a traditional Scandinavian house.
African holidays have become more fun and exciting in recent years; this underwater room is just another example of how much African tourism is expanding and progressing. For those who are thinking of visiting some of Africa most exotic locations, where comfort and luxury go hand in hand, there is no better place to be than here. You are going to be mesmerised by the sea life here and the overwhelming beauty that surrounds you.
