Sounds wonderful – the world’s first underwater hotel – but have you thought of staying in such a hotel? The Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, Florida is an amazing underwater habitat capable of providing an unforgettable experience in a mangrove lagoon. The lagoon is a natural nursery place for reef fish and a habitat for a colorful range of finned friends.
You must know scuba diving to make your way to the entrance, which is 21 feet underwater. Even if you don’t, Jules will offer a three-hour crash course to prepare you for the entry. The underwater lodge is supported by legs about five feet off the ground of the lagoon. It is filled with compressed air to prevent water entering the rooms. The lodge provides the necessary scuba gear for its guests.
Once you make it to the entrance, you reach a wet room, which connects to three compartments – a common room and two bed rooms. Leave your gear in the wet room, take a hot shower and enter the living area. The common room has the gallery, entertainment space and dining area. The accommodation provides all the comfort you need – hot showers, a kitchenette with microwave and refrigerator, books, music, VCR/DVD, intercom and telephone.
The grand highlight is the 42-inch circular window in each room. The window looks out into the undersea world. While you are gazing at the undersea wonders, finned friends will be staring at you!
Operations of the undersea lodge are monitored round-the-clock from a land-based command center. The lodge is connected to the control center via a cable that supplies fresh air, power, water and communication facilities.
The undersea lodge debuted in the 1970s as the La Chalupa research laboratory to study the continental shelf off the Puerto Rico coast. It was refurbished in the 1980s to form the first ambient pressure habitat. Operating for over 25 years, Jules has a notable safety record.