The United States’ only underwater hotel, the Jules Undersea Lodge in the Key Largo Undersea Park, has reopened for overnight stays.
When Hurricane Irma hit the park, while the lodge itself suffered no damage, unfortunately the above-ground buildings did not escape lightly: Offices, the gift shop, rooms and a generator were all damaged which led to the park’s closure.
According to Terresa Mckinna, the vice president and chief financial officer of the park:
“The excitement of having our first guests back after Irma is that we can again offer the public the technology of undersea living and what is required to sustain it.”
The habitat, which was formerly an underwater lab, lies 25ft/7.6m beneath the surface off Key Largo. Guests access the habitat via an entrance at a depth of 21ft/6.4m.
Once inside, they have two bedrooms a communal living area and a small kitchen and bathroom. The conditions within the lodge are monitored from the surface, to ensure the environment remains safe throughout the guests’ stay.
Food and drink is delivered to guests via a moon pool. Items that can be delivered include Key Lime pie, baked potato, Pizza, and fillet and lobster. Since it opened 30 years ago, the lodge has had more than 10,000 guests.
You can find out more about the Jules Undersea Lodge here or check out a video of the lodge below.
