Conrad Maldives continues to up its game with the launch of its underwater residence, The Muraka

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island continues to up its game with the launch of The Muraka, the world's first underwater residence
(Image credit: press)

Setting the bar for luxury in the Maldives, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island boasts at least a few firsts: it was the first international hotel brand to set up shop in this island destination, the first resort to introduce the now ubiquitous stilted overwater villas, and the first to introduce an undersea restaurant. 

21 years later, the hotel continues to up its game with the launch of The Muraka. Set at the end of a 300-metre jetty, just off the main stretch of Rangali Island, The Muraka - which means coral in the local language, Dhivehi - is the world's first underwater hotel residence.

Built in Singapore by New Zealand-based engineers and aquarium technology experts, M.J. Murphy, and then transported to the tropical blue waters of the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, the six-tonne structure extends over two levels: on its upper floor, there are two en-suite bedrooms; an open-plan living room, kitchen, bar and dining space; a gym; and a sunset-facing deck complete with an infinity pool, while the master suite, accessed by a spiral staircase, is submerged five-metres below the sea.

Here, New York-based firm, Yuji Yamazaki Architecture (YYA), was careful not to detract from the main event, dressing the bedroom, sitting area, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom in a blend of muted materials - like the brown leather walls and silk carpets - understated furnishings and considered, indirect lighting that highlights the marine life beyoond the acrylic dome. 'People don't go to a theatre to see a theatre, they are there for the show,' says Yuji Yamazaki, principal of YYA.

Upstairs, a refreshing white-on-white palette brings together a tasteful modern aesthetic of natural materials, simple, clean-lined low-slung furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame endless views of the turquoise seas.

And while guests staying at The Muraka have full use of the main hotel's facilities -  including its greedy grab of no less than 12 drinking and dining outlets and an overwater spa - with your own personal chef on call, a butler to personalise your stay and the resort's fleet of yachts and boats at hand, there really is  no reason to leave. 

the six-tonne structure is split over two levels

Built in Singapore by New Zealand-based engineers, M.J. Murphy, the six-tonne structure is split over two levels

(Image credit: M.J. Murphy)

The upper floor bedrooms

On the upper floor are two en-suite bedrooms with endless views of the turquoise sea

(Image credit: press)

Yuji Yamazaki Architecture

(Image credit: press)

There is also an open-plan living room, kitchen, bar and dining space in a refreshing white-on-white palette that brings together a tasteful, modern aesthetic by New York-based firm, Yuji Yamazaki Architecture (YYA) who outfitted the entire residence

Frame views of the tropical blue waters

There are natural materials, simple, clean-lined low-slung furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame views of the tropical blue waters

(Image credit: press)

The interior of pool

The interior leads to a sunset-facing deck complete with an infinity pool

(Image credit: press)

A spiral staircase

(Image credit: press)

Meanwhile the star of the show, accessed by a spiral staircase, is submerged five-metres below the sea. With more than 75% made from clear acrylic, guests are rewarded with 180 degree views of the region's abundant marine life

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Lauren Ho is the Travel Director of Wallpaper*,  roaming the globe, writing extensively about luxury travel, architecture and design for both the magazine and the website. Lauren serves as the European Academy Chair for the World's 50 Best Hotels.