Yes, you’ve been in an aquarium before but there’s something magical and special about spending longer underwater, living your everyday life. Sleeping, dozing on the bed, enjoying spa treatments or even dancing the night away. Some underwater hotels and experiences are all about a magical nighttime adventure, others are about the food, and some offer all-out relaxation. But they all share one thing in common. The chance to see incredible marine life. In this guide, we’ll look at the best in the world whether you want to sleep under the starfish, be pampered amongst the puffa fish or dance amongst the damselfish. We’ve got underwater suites, spas and restaurants. And in the next few years, we’ll be heading under the sea at new upcoming underwater hotels including Poseidon Undersea Resorts in Fiji and Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel in Florida. Watch this space.

From the best under the sea hotel in Dubai to some incredible offerings in the Maldives and further afield, here are five of the best underwater hotel experiences anywhere on the planet.

Love to lie in bed and watch marine life float on by? Book one of the underwater suites at the Palm in Dubai and discover the best of the sea – these incredible rooms are set alongside a huge aquarium. The average cost of one of these unique underwater hotel rooms (named Neptune and Poseidon) is £6,000 to £7,000 a night but it sure is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And once you’re done gazing at the sharks and rays, head to Ossiano for Michelin-starred dining. Tuck into some delightful fresh seafood with more aquarium views.

The Underwater Room is the most special of all at the very exclusive Manta Resort in Pemba Island, Zanzibar. Board a wooden boat for the swift two-minute journey to this unique accommodation, lying half in, half out of the crystal clear sea of the Manta house reef. It’s like having your own private floating island, complete with the most authentic of sea views from your submerged bedroom. You can still sunbathe – and stargaze – on the deck above and if you want more underwater action, the hotel offers dive trips along the spectacular sites of the Pemba Island coast, so your next swimming companions could be anything from a scorpion fish to a sea turtle. You’ll pay between £1,200 and £1,500 per night for the underwater room. And don’t miss the locally sourced seafood and Swahili-inspired dishes at this exclusive hotel. “Chef’s kiss”.

When The Muraka first opened in 2018, it became the world’s first underwater hotel suite, and it’s still going strong today. A stay at this incredible suite promises one of the world’s most luxurious residences above sea level and a master bedroom below sea level with a 180-degree curved acrylic dome as well as a dedicated tunnel viewing theatre. And you’ll pay £8,000–£10,000 per night for the pleasure of staying in this underwater boudoir. Plus, you can have dinner below the waves too. The Ithaa Undersea restaurant is located six metres below sea level. While you feast on the likes of yellow fin tuna with lemongrass and sumac dipping sauce, shoals of fish, sharks and turtles swirl above your head. Just remember to book ahead at least a couple of weeks – there are only seven two-seater tables.

There’s nothing better than a good party after a good meal if you ask us. Another Maldives gem making the most of the incredible Indian Ocean, Subsix offers food, fun and parties. A restaurant by day, gourmet dinner and party venue by night, the Subsix is part of the luxurious Niyama resort. Dance with the parrot fish beneath the waves or chill with a maritime-themed cocktail, like a Deepwater Daiquiri, a Mariner’s Martini or an Aquatic Cobbler. Tickle your tastebuds with dishes including Pan Seared Seabass or Butter Poached Salmon Fillet. You’ll pay around £250 - £500 per person, depending on how all-out you want to go.

Back to the Maldives, this time with some ‘you’ time at The Lime Spa at Huvafen Fushi resort in Male, the world’s first underwater spa. Enjoy sensual and sensorial treatments and indulge in marine-inspired therapies using natural ingredients whilst gazing out at the rainbow corals of the ocean beyond. Treatments cost between £600 and £800 and include the likes of the 90-minute Underwater Dream and 120-minute Underwater Rendezvous.