The Muraka is the headline act of underwater stays: the world’s first glass underwater villa, five metres beneath the surface of the Indian Ocean at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The lower level is an encased-in-glass master bedroom and bathroom with the reef swimming past on every side; the upper level sits above the water with its own pool, gym, and staff.
Why it made our list
If the Manta Resort’s underwater room is the accessible dream, The Muraka is the ultimate one — a full two-storey private residence that lets you fall asleep watching sharks and rays glide overhead. It’s one of the most photographed hotel spaces on earth for good reason.
What guests say
Coverage and guest accounts are effusive:
- The underwater master bedroom is described as dreamlike and genuinely unforgettable.
- Guests single out the dedicated butler, chef, and service that come with the residence.
- The honest caution is the price: it’s among the most expensive stays in the world, booked as a whole private residence rather than a room.
The consensus: a true bucket-list-of-bucket-lists experience — extraordinary, and priced to match.
Good to know
- Price: from around $12,000/night (low season) up to far higher in peak — booked as the whole residence.
- Best time to visit: November–April (dry season).
- Getting there: flight to Malé, then a seaplane and boat transfer to Rangali Island.
- Suits: milestone-of-a-lifetime trips, groups splitting a once-in-forever splurge.
Details verified against the resort’s information at time of writing. Prices vary enormously by season and package — confirm directly before booking.