We review The Muraka, the US$50,000-a-night underwater villa in the Maldives where Lang Lang and his bride Gina Alice Redlinger honeymooned
The Muraka is part of the Conrad Maldives Rangali resort, and can accommodate up to nine people, perfect for a ‘Crazy Rich Asians’-style holiday
Were you scared? Was it claustrophobic? These were probably the two questions I was most asked when friends found out that I had been a guest at The Muraka, the world’s first glass underwater suite nestled five metres under the crystal clear waters of the Maldives.
The Muraka, which officially opened its doors on November 1, is an extension of the Conrad Maldives Rangali resort in the Alif Dhaal Atoll, over an hour by plane and boat west of the Maldivian capital of Malé. At a rack rate of US$50,000 a night, The Muraka, which means “coral” in the local Dhivehi language and can accommodate up to nine people, is one of the most expensive nights in the Maldives.
After the luxurious beach villas and overwater bungalows of Rangali, the first sight of the nondescript rectangular white building perched at the end of the long wooden walkway doesn’t send any hearts racing. As the buggy approaches the building, the words The Muraka on the pristine white wall come into focus.
My butler (also my buggy driver) Fazeel, gestures me to the front door where I am met by the resort’s hotel manager Akinori Ito. It’s all part of the personalised service that comes with a stay that includes all the usual water activities as well as a free 90-minute spa every day.
The resort also provides a private chef for meals. Guests can request chefs from other Conrad properties around the world – I’m assuming, for a price. Otherwise the main resort has a number of restaurants to choose from.
The finishing touches are still being made to The Muraka when I check in. The gym and the spa are works in progress, as is the private landing dock for the private seaplane transfers.