The world’s first underwater luxury hotel is taking shape in Dubai and is set to open by the end of 2007, setting a new standard in building, even for ultra modern Dubai…

With so many visitors expected in Dubai in the coming years, this hotel will have no problem drawing guests. The World Trade and Tourism Council (www.wttc.org) recently upgraded its predictions for Dubai tourism so that, by 2015, over 14 million visits a year are expected for this fast expanding city.

 When guests arrive at this spectacular hotel, they will start at the land station, where they will board a train to take them to Hydropolis ( http://hydropolis.com ). The train will travel through a 1700 meter tunnel that begins under the shore and takes the guests out to the hotel under the waters of the Gulf. The hotel itself will be 20 meters below the surface of the Persian Gulf and will have 220 luxury suites.

There will be two translucent domes that break the surface of the water. These will hold a concert hall and ballroom with a retractable roof. There will even be a sandy beach on top of the hotel for guests to admire the water from above. Designed and developed by Joachim Hauser, this project sets a new standard for a city that is breaking records on a daily basis, it seems.

New projects abound in Dubai

Hydropolis will join several other fantastic projects either under way or already complete in Dubai. The Burj Al Arab Hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in the world and sits on its own island, 280 meters off of Jumeirah Beach. This 321 meter tall building has 28 two-story floors and 202 ultra luxury suites. It has hosted many luminaries and celebrities, including golfer Tiger Woods. Tennis stars Roger Federer and Andre Agassi once played a game on the helipad at the top of the building, 211 meters off the ground.

Another project that is under way is the Burj Dubai, set to be the world’s tallest building when complete. This tower will have a hotel, offices and apartments and is located next to the Dubai Mall.

The Dubai International Airport makes it easy to get to this cosmopolitan city on the Persian Gulf. Emirates Airlines is headquartered here and there are a number of other international airlines that fly to just about any major city in the world.