Submerge Yourself At The World’s First-Ever Underwater Hotel, The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s The Muraka
by Heather Cassell
Fall asleep with sharks and an array of marine life swimming around you and wake up to the swaying coral reef. It’s not a dream: here at The Muraka its reality.
The residence is “a triumph of modern design and technology,” according to Hilton’s November 7 news release announcing the opening of The Muraka.
Muraka, translates to coral from the Maldivian language Dhivehi.
The underwater villa is designed to deliver a “truly transformative journey suited to amaze the most sophisticated explorers across the globe,” the release continued.
“We are continuously making powerful enhancements to the property that are designed to attract the world’s most connected and knowledgeable travelers,” said Stefano Ruzza, general manager of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, in the release.
“As the first-of-its-kind residence with dynamic accommodations both above and below the surface of the water, The Muraka is an extraordinary vehicle for a truly immersive journey into nature which cannot be found anywhere else in the world,” Ruzza added on the website. “Through a variety of curated and captivating offerings, we will maximize the potential of this incredible residence to bring unique travel experiences to our valued guests.”
Another Level
The Muraka definitely takes guests’ experience to another level with the two-level sunken residence more than 16-feet below the Indian Ocean at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, a resort for the smart luxury traveler owned by Hilton Hotels and Resorts International.
Guests experience 180-degree panoramic views of the underwater world of the coral reef around them in the two-bedroom residence that sleeps up to nine guests.
The all-inclusive experience begins with arrival by private seaplane to a private jetty or speedboat from the main resort, use of a personal boat and two jet skis, a personal chef for all meals, bar, a private gym with an on-call personal trainer and spa treatments, devoted 24/7 butler service, and an area for private security detail.
The residence is secluded away from the rest of the resort providing ultimate privacy.
The top level of the Muraka is above-water and features a relaxation deck with an infinity pool and a bathroom with an ocean facing bathtub.
Guests can access the different levels of the residence by the spiral staircase or elevator.
The package includes four curated experiential itineraries that define the core ethos of The Muraka: The Wanderers takes travelers to uncharted territory in the Maldives to engage with locals for a cultural experience; The Flavors plays with vacationers’ palates and offers foodies cooking lessons by Celebrity Chef Jereme Leung’s chefs; The Soul takes guests on a “transformative wellness experience”; and The Thrill takes “adrenaline-seeking explorers” on a collection of land and sea adventures.
These and other itineraries are customizable to traveler’s desires.
The butlers, who “share a passion for culture, environment, and adventure,” also customize guests’ experiences providing personalized concierge services, according to the release.
The experience is definitely for the monied crowd who can drop $200,000 for a four-night package at The Muraka.
Innovation
The residence adds to the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s list of firsts. The resort was the first to create overwater bungalows in the Maldives. Under the water, it was the first to create an underwater restaurant by the same team that created The Muraka.
The hotel’s first deep dive venture was the creation of Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, the world’s first-ever all-glass undersea restaurant that opened in 2005.
The aquarium dining experience 16-feet beneath the Indian Ocean offers 180-degree panoramic views of life under the sea in the coral gardens while guests enjoy their choice of a four-course lunch or six-course dinner European cuisine.
The name Ithaa, means “mother of pearl,” in Dhivehi, according to the restaurant’s website, also serves mid-morning cocktails and is available for private breakfast, weddings, and other special occasions.
(Photo: Courtesy of Hilton Hotels and Resorts International)
Ahmed Saleem, a director at Crown Company and chief architect and designer of the residence, called The Muraka “a personal lifetime achievement” upon its completion and introduction to discerning travelers in the release.
Saleem and his team were behind the creation of Ithaa.
“After years in the making, my team and I are proud to officially present The Muraka residence and its accompanying Maldivian experience to worldly travelers who crave the extraordinary,” said Saleem about the reported $15 million project.
The Beach
At the same time, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island announced The Muraka, it revealed its newly redeveloped $8.3 million 42 award-winning Deluxe Beach Villas this month.
Each villa is set amid the dense tropical flora and fauna offering the utmost in privacy, according to the release.
Key design features of the redeveloped Deluxe Beach Villas are the rich natural and understated interiors accented throughout the spacious living areas that are illuminated with natural light. Outside the villas are a Japanese-inspired garden with outdoor seating area and private access to the palm-fringed beach.
Book your ultimate experience at The Muraka or the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island with Girls That Roam Travel. Contact Heather Cassell at Girls That Roam Travel at 415-517-7239 or at .
To contract an original article, purchase reprints or become a media partner, contact .
