So, you think you’ve seen all that luxury has to offer, have you? Well, prepare yourself, because the future is indeed going to be a brave new world. Hoteliers around the world are rapidly preparing, and in some cases finishing construction on, the most outrageous luxury hotels you’ve ever seen. And they’re not just big buildings outfitted with luxury amenities; these hotels look like something that would be right at home in a science fiction movie about the very distant future.
We’re talking about hotels that are entirely submerged underwater. We’re talking about hotels that aren’t even technically buildings, that are instead floating islands with detachable catamaran rooms. We’re talking about buildings built into the sides of disused quarries. We’re talking about buildings that contort into shapes we didn’t even know existed!
Seriously, the luxury hotels of the future are some truly strange places! That’s why we’ve decided to collect the most outlandish of them in this list. So take a look at the 9 hotels that follow and then decide for yourself: Which one of these hotels looks like it’s a made-up piece of fiction instead of an imminent reality. (Hint: It’s all of them…)
1. The Royal Atlantis
Dubai is building a reputation as a city filled with outlandish looking buildings, and this hotel, slated to open in 2018, will be no exception.
The hotel itself will be made of glass boxes, stacked to a height of 46 floors and comprised of over 800 rooms.
2. Salt & Water Floating Hotels
Currently in development at a Serbian design firm, this hotel concept is truly unique, involving catamaran guest rooms that can detach from the central hotel.
As yet, there’s no date set for the actual launch of the hotel, and the final location has yet to be determined as well.
3. Shimao Wonderland InterContinental
Slated to open at some point in 2017, this luxury hotel located nearby Shanghai is being built in an old quarry.
The hotel will feature 328 rooms all looking out over a massive man-made lagoon at the bottom of the quarry.
4. Keemala Resort
This hotel may be open by the time you read this, and if it is, then you should definitely consider booking a stay!
You’ll find it in Phuket, Thailand, where it offers guests the chance to stay in luxury thatch huts and to swim in tree-house pools. Seriously.
5. The Hotel Crescent
There are some interestingly shaped hotels on this list, but The Hotel Crescent, set to open in Baku, Azerbaijan, takes the cake.
It’s set to open by the end of 2016, and it will be situated on its own private man-made island.
6. Lofoten Opera Hotel
This hotel was supposed to make its debut this year, but it’s been delayed to a still as-yet-to-be-determined date.
When it’s completed, the building will be a metal snake offering views of the Lofoten Islands. It will be home to hotel rooms and condos as well as a theater.
7. Poseidon Underwater Resort
There are several underwater resort plans in the works around the world, but this one is the nearest to completion and it will be located off the coast of Fiji.
Comprised on 24 suites, a bar, a restaurant and an event hall, guests will be able to enjoy beautiful views of the coral reef beyond from their rooms.
8. Dawang Mountain
Did we say The Hotel Crescent was the most interestingly shaped hotel on this list? Well, we lied! It’s this one, for sure.
Also set for completion by the end of 2016, you’ll find this architecture marvel in Changsha, China, where it will offer 330 suites and a beautiful sunken garden.
9. Amillarah Private Islands
You didn’t think we were done with Dubai, did you? This other luxury hotel will be made of villas that are located on their own private islands in the Persian Gulf.
Each villa will have access to its own beach, in addition to all of the high-end contemporary luxuries you can expect from hotels in Dubai.