Conrad Rangali Island to Open the First of its Kind Underwater Suite in November


Maldives
PUBLISHED November 03, 2018

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has announced that its two-story hotel villa, part of which will sit 16.4 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean, is due to be completed in November.

The result of a significant $15 million USD investment, this revolutionary concept will transform the Maldives experience for travellers who want to be truly immersed within the natural beauty of the Indian Ocean. 

As the first international hotel brand to enter the Maldivian market 20 years ago and home to the worlds first undersea restaurant, Ithaa, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island continues to pioneer and innovate with the groundbreaking introduction of the undersea residence in partnership with Crown Company director Ahmed Saleem and M J Murphy Ltd leading engineer Mike Murphy. 

Aptly named  The Muraka (which translates to "coral" in the local language Dhivehi) is designed with the local ecosystem in mind, giving guests' unparalleled views of the Indian Ocean at every turn, with steel, concrete, acrylic, vibrant colours and a diverse array of marine life all around.



The lower level of The Muraka features a king size bedroom, living area, bathroom and spiral staircase that leads to the upper-level living room. The undersea bedroom floor level sits five meters (16.4 feet) below sea level, providing uninterrupted views of the surrounding marine environment.

The entire lower level of the suite was built on land in Singapore, fittingly made of acrylic from Japans premiere aquarium manufacturer Nippura Co., and sealed with Shin Etsu Marine sealant, which was used in the construction of Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. The 600-ton structure was then hoisted by crane onto a specialised ship that could transport it to the Maldives and moor near the reef without damaging it. It was then submerged into the ocean and held firmly in place by 10 concrete piles that ensure it will not move or shift due to a high tide or rough seas.



The suites upper and lower levels were connected by Yuji Yamazaki Architecture, a Tokyo design firm, transforming the space from an acrylic tube into a luxurious vacation destination. The upper level is made of glass walls that offer views of the waves, a twin-size bedroom, bathroom, powder room, gym, butlers quarters, private security quarters, integrated living room, kitchen, bar and dining room, which has a deck that faces the sunset. On the opposite side of the villa sits the relaxation deck that faces the sunrise and is complete with an infinity swimming pool. The upper level also contains an additional king size bedroom and bathroom, which has an ocean-facing bathtub. In total, Muraka will be able to accommodate up to nine guests.



Guests at The Muraka are flown in on a private seaplane that lands at their own private jetty or picked up from the main resort in a speedboat thats theirs to use for the rest of their stay. The Muraka itself is perched out in the ocean, far from Conrads beach villas and over-water bungalows, for maximum privacy. The suite comes with dedicated staff, including a butler and a chef, to facilitate round-the-clock service, and everything else from massage therapists to facialists to trainers can be arranged and included in the (hefty) price tag. Guests are also awarded Diamond Honors Hilton status after booking the suite as a little souvenir of the stay, although the experience will undoubtedly be unforgettable.

Located in the Maldives' best diving and snorkelling spots, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has created a space that invites and inspires with a distinctive design that flows harmoniously with the natural environment. The resort features purposefully designed villas and suites, 12 award-winning restaurants and bars, two spas and a selection of culturally inspired experiences set against the awe-inspiring Maldivian surroundings. With the introduction of the world's first undersea residence, Conrad Maldives continues to evolve the diversity of experiences offered to guests.
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