Underwater hotel in Dubai 'could be ready in five years'

Dubai's ambitious underwater hotel could be ready in less than five years, UAE daily The National reported on Thursday.

The groundbreaking Water Discus hotel made headlines when it was announced last May.

"I think it will be within five years," said Bogdan Gutkowski, president of Swiss firm BIG InvestConsult, who is managing the project.

The project is still in the initial planning stages and the firm has yet to pick the final design and location for the hotel, but one possible location is the Palm Islands, the report said.

"This is still under negotiation and discussions with the final investor," Gutkowski said, without revealing how much the futuristic hotel would cost.

Designed by Polish firm Deep Ocean Technology, the hotel is split into two sections, with one above water and one submerged 33 feet under water.

According to Wired magazine, the underwater section of the hotel will have 21 hotel rooms that will allow guests to take in the aquatic surroundings.

“Special lighting system of the area around the room and the miniature underwater vehicles which can be operated from inside will allow you to take a closer look at even the most microscopic underwater creatures using macro photography,” officials said.

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