5 Of The World’s Most Spectacular Floating Hotels

Floating hotels, also called floatels, afford you some of the most magical moments on your vacation.

Below are some of the most spectacular floating hotels around the world:

Manta Resort Tanzania | Image – Pinterest

Manta Resort, Tanzania

Manta Resort is on the island of Pemba, off the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar. The resorts’ most outstanding feature is the Underwater Room.

Guests of the Manta Underwater Room sleep in a glass-walled underwater chamber surrounded only by the sea. Guests can observe shoals of fish drifting past during the day, watch squid and octopus at night, and perhaps even spot rarer underwater creatures.

Meanwhile, above sea level, two additional levels are provided for leisure and recreation. The roof doubles as a sunbathing terrace during the day and a stargazing spot at night.

River Kwai Jungle Rafts Resort Thailand | Image – The Handbook

River Kwai Jungle Rafts Resort, Thailand

This hotel which floats right in the jungle by the River Kwai is unique for its ecology conservation concept.

The entire floatel does not use electricity but rather utilizes traditional kerosene lamps at night.

All floating rooms are tucked into a floating bamboo lodge moored along the historical River Kwai Noi surrounded by lush green mountains and jungle.

The walls are weaved from local bamboo decorated with wooden furniture reflecting Mon living style. Each is appointed with an en-suite private bathroom, balcony and a hammock.

The Jungle Rafts can be easily reached by local river boats – an exhilarating twenty-minute scenic boat trip through spectacular gorges and clusters of brilliantly colored birds delights the senses as one ventures deeper into the wild of the jungle.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Maldives | image – Archinect

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives

The Maldives is heaven for lovers and honeymooners.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort is set on two private tropical islands connected by a 500m footbridge.

Each of Rangali’s 50 villas features an infinity pool while indoors, you can view the clear blue waters below through glass flooring in the center of the living area.

The resort also features the world’s first undersea restaurant and the world’s first undersea residence, The Muraka.

Taj Lake Palace Udaipur | Image – Luxatic

Taj Lake Palace

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur is a white palace in the middle of an Indian lake.

Taj Lake Palace became world-renowned when the 1983 James Bond film ‘Octopussy’ was filmed at it. It was the secluded lair of the film’s eponymous Bond Girl.

This hotel in the middle of a lake has 65 luxurious rooms and 18 grand suites. Guests are greeted with champagne as they arrive via private jetty, while attendants wait with embroidered umbrellas to escort them indoors.

Guests are treated to the fabled lifestyle and savoir vivre of Indian royalty.

Arctic Bath Hotel Sweden | Image – Picuki

Arctic Bath, Sweden

Arctic Bath is both a floating hotel and spa.

It comprises a floating circular main building designed to resemble a bird’s nest, accompanied by a series of floating and land cabins around it.

The surrounding nature is incorporated into the cabins and suites through natural, sustainable materials with a rich history such as wood, stone, leather and luxurious textiles that harmonize together with Scandinavian design.

On water, the cabins contain 24 sqm floating double rooms, connected to the shore by floating walkways. The 57,5 sqm wood deck outside the cabin offers a perfect place for meditation, sunbathing in summer or spot the northern light.

The year-round hotel stands on the Lule river, situated downstream from the bridges of bodträskfors, alternating between frozen and floating depending on season.

During the winter months, the Northern Lights illuminate the skies above.