I guess it was only a matter of time. The world’s first 5-star undersea resort-called, of course, the Poseidon Resort–is in the final design stage and looking to start building in the Bahamas. It will feature luxury suites up to 60-feet below the surface, made of clear acrylic for undersea views. So far, so good. But then it gets pretty cheesy, with plans for private artificial reefs outside each room, fish feeders so guests can start their own feeding frenzy (I wonder if they’ll allow bloody chum for some really exciting fish feeding), and the possibility of submarine tours of nearby reefs. The whole thing will be accessed by an escalator, and will include a revolving restaurant with transparent walls. The cost: a cool $1500 a night. If you are intrigued you can read all about the concept and design here. Still interested? Then the FAQ can be found here, including the all-important “How safe is this sucker?” (okay, that’s not exactly how they phrase it, but here’s the answer: “The resort is built to rigid safety requirements with high levels of structural integrity, large safety factors and fully redundant fail-safe systems. Each room is completely isolated from the central hall and other rooms with a double pressure proof door system and independent emergency life support systems.”) I guess you’ll have to check your hammer at the door…
I’m sorry, but this thing has “white elephant” stamped all over it. I see algae all over the windows, dying reefs all around, enless annoying leaks, and tame, overfed fish. It will make a great setting for an undersea disaster movie, however. Hmm. “Poseidon II.” A presidential visit, terrorists, marauding sea life. The thing practically writes itself…
If You Like To Watch: “Honey, forget the stupid clown fish. Just check out what that couple next door is doing…”
The Earthist Chronicles 