This story was first published on the Maldives resort review site, Dhonisaurus.com
Of all the phrases synonymous with the Maldives’ high-end island resort tourism, ‘Star-Trek’ or science fiction may not immediately spring to mind. However, things could be about to change under a new project reportedly approved by the country’s Ministry of Tourism this week.
CNN has reported that a ‘Water Discus Hotel’, designed by Poland-based design group Deep Ocean Technology, aims to marry the Maldives’ traditional over-the-water luxury and beach appeal with “opulent” undersea bedrooms.
The design, unveiled at the Maldives Hotel and Trade Exhibition in 2011, makes use of over-the-water, flying saucer-like disc sections containing a luxury restaurant and spa that are attached to 21 underwater bedrooms via a glass tunnel.
The article does not specify a date for completion of the project, or details on how it will be funded. Minivan News was awaiting a response from Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb at time of press.
Offsetting
Designers for the structure have explained that the hotel’s two main discs sit on a central pillar. The discs offset their respective weight because of their natural water buoyancy, so only minimal foundations are needed.
“The lower disc is filled with air and is buoyant and is anchored to the ground with steel lines,” architect Pawel Podwojewski explained to Minivan News in December 2011.
![](http://minivannewsarchive.com/files/2011/12/underwaterresort2.jpg)
The seawater swimming pools on the top disc are four metres deep and balance the weight the structure, and can be used for diver training. In an emergency, or in the case of maintenance, the cables can be released, allowing the lower disc to automatically surface.
As well as enjoying a glimpse into the Maldives’ much-lauded underwater environs from the comfort of their own rooms, guests will also be able to use an on-site airlock compartment to dive right into the surrounding habitats, Podwojewski told CNN.
He also claimed that the hotel intended to offer excursions in a three passenger deep-sea submarine.
The hotel has been designed with the minimum structures needed to try and limit environmental impact, Podwojewski said this week.
In the case of local coral reefs that would be impacted directly by the construction, special plantations would be grown and relocated around the hotel once construction was complete, the designers claimed.
“The key is to touch the sea ground at just few points,” Podwojewski told CNN.
“Most probably the hotel will land on a flat sand area to reflect the sun rays inside the rooms and the reef will be additionally planted around the hotel rooms to enrich the view.”
According to the group’s website, Deep Ocean Technology was founded in 2010 by a group of scientists and engineers from the Faculty of Ocean Engineering and Ship Technology, Gdańsk University of Technology, as well using the expertise of local research and development groups.
The company is backed by Swiss investors.
Innovation
The Maldives has in recent years seen a number of resorts trying to provide innovative – not to mention headline grabbing – underwater developments such as restaurants, spas and nightclubs.
Above the water, the country is also reportedly set to see the development of a series of man-made islands, including a 19-hole golf course complex, according to the company overseeing the project.
Paul Van de Camp, CEO of the Netherlands-based design group Dutch Docklands International has said the project, which proposes the creation of five man-made islands to support leisure activities in the Maldives, will begin by the end of 2013.
Set to combine underwater club houses, subterranean tunnels and private submarines, the golf course is expected to cost an estimated £320 million (MVR 7.6 billion), UK media has reported.
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Benjamin and Boxer watched as the pigs sold the eggs in return for jam. The jam was of course only for the pigs.
dhonisaurus? another minivan news propaganda site which only serves the purpose of bringing only negative news and defaming the tourism industry of Maldives
It has taken 3 years for Minivan to bring put this news then ?
Nasheed and his allies can try very hard to defame the tourism in Maldives but will never be able to succeed.
More importantly, does Islam allow 'sci-fi'. I doubt it. It's a deviation and goes against the teachings of our prophet. President Waheed should absolutely not allow these infidels to go ahead with this jewish project.
Yeah, I agree Wives & Con.... 🙂 They should be building medievil caves and hunt for tuna with wooden clubs. What are you doing on a computer anyway, talk about a contradiction re infidels you twit. Go back to your cave, or even better, dig your self a hole in the ground.
@wives & concubines.....Do you actually have a brain? What has Sci-Fi and Jews have in common. I agree with Maldivian. You should go back to herding goats and ride camels. I doubt you are living in a tent, you moron. If you want why dont you go to FATA region in Pakistan or Somalia to live in the 7th Century. By the way how many concubines do you have, you child abuser.
@wives & concubines….... Your comment proves that you really do not know anything about Islam....what a shame not understanding the only book you want others to know that you believe in. A word of advice... stop commenting on this forum.
Before thinking of a Space Odyssey or a Floating Golfcourse, can we think of:
- developing local islands;
- developing proper education;
- developing proper housing;
- developing proper healthcare and health insurance;
- developing the airport without fighting;
- developing an environmental attitude;
- developing more jobs for young people;
- developing better work environment for all employees;
- reducing GST for locals;
- reducing prices during Ramazaan;
How?
- by not being so arrogant;
- by using the money for better things then the own pockets;
- by giving up our EGO's and do our political and democratic duty!