A man’s stay in an underwater hotel room has left social media users both fascinated and horrified. Shaun Stanley, 44, embarked on this unique adventure at the Manta Resort on Pemba Island, Tanzania, paying $1,100 for a night in the stunning subaquatic accommodation.
Accessing the room involves descending through a tunnel and steps that lead four meters below the ocean surface. Shaun documented his stay, and the video quickly went viral on Instagram, amassing over eight million views. However, the reception has been mixed, with some users finding the “claustrophobic” room unsettling.
Shaun, a safari lodge owner from Cape Town, South Africa, shared his initial apprehensions but ultimately found the experience unforgettable. “Initially, I was a bit worried I would get bored being there for so long, but in the end, I wished I had more time as it was such an amazing experience,” he told What’s The Jam. “I have stayed in some amazing safari lodges, beach hotels, and private islands through my work, but the Underwater Room was one of the ‘wow’ experiences.”
He expressed how unique the room is, stating, “I am not sure there is anything like this anywhere else on earth, and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who wishes to try something completely unique!”
Despite concerns about feeling claustrophobic, Shaun found the underwater stay so captivating that his worries dissipated quickly.
The room features large windows on each wall, allowing guests to observe the marine life up close. Shaun recounted seeing dolphins from the main deck around sunset and various tropical fish from the underwater room, which they used for shelter as if it were part of a reef.
Nighttime brought even more marine activity, with larger fish feeding on smaller ones attracted by the underwater lights, and he even spotted turtles and octopuses.
The room is securely anchored to the ocean floor, providing stability and minimal movement. Shaun’s video highlights both the underwater and above-water sections of the room.
Above water, there’s a shower, sofa area, deck, access to the stairs leading below, and a ladder to a roof terrace. The underwater section is the main attraction, offering mesmerizing views of the surrounding sea life.
The Instagram post received over 335,000 likes and thousands of comments, sparking a debate among viewers. Some were thrilled by the idea, while others were put off by the thought of sleeping underwater.
Dale commented, “This would be the worst night sleep of my LIFE.”
Thomas added, “That’s gonna be a no from me dog.”
Karlien wrote, “Imagine waking up in the middle of the night and a sea creature staring at you tho.”
Del humorously noted, “What happens in the ocean is none of my f***ng business.”
Busisiwe said, “My anxiety would never allow me.”
Conversely, some viewers were eager to try it themselves. Anna commented, “Omg wow I will not sleep, I will be watching the fish swimming the whole night.”
Georgie added, “Wow wow!! On the bucket list.”
Jota mentioned, “Both wonderful and claustrophobic. I would like to try but having a backup in case I get panicked.”
Nadia simply said, “This is super cool.”
Shaun’s underwater adventure has certainly captured the imaginations of many, even as it sparks debate about whether such an experience is a dream come true or a nightmare scenario.
Source: Tourist stays in ‘claustrophobic’ underwater hotel room and people can’t handle it
