Construction on the world's first underwater resort will begin in January in Fiji.
The exact location is being kept secret for the moment, partly for security, and partly we suspect for marketing reasons, since the island will be renamed Mystery Island.
The fashion for adding stars hasn't died, though, with the Poseidon Undersea Resort being termed 'seven star'. It features accommodation both on land, on the 225 acre, yet to be revealed island, as well as 24 underwater suites which will be submerged in 40 feet of water.
The 550sqft suites are made with 70 per cent "durable acrylic", giving guests a clear panoramic view of a coral landscape day and night.
Jean-Claude Carme, executive vice president of Poseidon says: "Not everyone can dive, and they may want to dive, but the problem with diving is that you always have to come up."
The futuristic resort was conceived six years ago by the president of US Submarines, Bruce Jones, and designed with the expertise of US submarine engineers. The facility will house a revolving restaurant and bar, spa treatment rooms and there will be lift access to land where there will be 21 beach bungalows and 27 over-the-water (stilted) bungalows with transparent floors.
Currently, the resort has a fixed stay period of one week for US$15,000 per person. The package includes two nights in a beach villa, two nights in an over-the-water bungalow and two nights in an underwater suite. Meals and some spa treatments are also included, as well as transportation in a private plane from Nadi Airport, scuba diving, snorkeling, walks on the lagoon floor, and wine tasting. Guests will have access to all activities and the under water restaurant and bar for the duration of their stay.
Corporate packages will also be available with exclusive use of the resort (for up to 144 people), costing US$3 million a week.
For the more adventurous, there will be the opportunity to pilot a three passenger Triton Submarine (a mini submarine) to explore the lagoon or take a submersible 1000ft under the ocean. And if you tire of the sea, the island also has a nine-hole golf course, an infinity pool, tennis courts, two gourmet restaurants, three bars and a health club and spa.
Although Poseidon will be the first underwater resort it does have competition from Dubai's Hydropolis underwater hotel, which has a projected completion date of December 2007.
Reservations for Poseidon will be taken from January 15th next year and the resort will open in September 2008. For more information see www.poseidonresorts.com.
Report by Felicity Cousins
