Venice Comes to Dubai

Dubai, already known for its ultra-luxury experiences, welcomes a new level of extravagance with an underwater luxury resort themed around the city of Venice. The Floating Venice is set to open in 2020 and is technically a ship, though this one is set to stay in one place, and offers, of course, a hotel (an underwater one, at that), plus restaurants and shopping.

Renderings of the property are impressive, and it looks nothing like an actual ship of any kind, but like a floating resort. The architecture is mostly Venetian (with a little added Dubai glitz and glam) and a dozen floating beaches, glass pools and gondolas surround the main structures. Inside, there are endless entertainment options, from dining to drinks to a spa. Plus, the property has its own coral reef and a coral nursery.

Throughout the year, the resort expects to host a variety of Venetian festivities, such as Carnivale.

In total, it takes up four decks, with 414 cabins (180 underwater) and 12 restaurants and bars (three underwater). The spa is underwater as well. In total, the resort expects to accommodate up to 3,000 guests at once.

Getting to the resort is a trip in and of itself, as it’s located in The World development, only reachable via boat, seaplane or helicopter from Dubai.

The $680 million resort starts construction next year and is on target to open around the same time as the Dubai Expo.