5 spots for undersea luxury

The Jules' Undersea Lodge, named for the science fiction pioneer Jules Verne who authored "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," is located in a tropical mangrove, and used to be the La Chalupa marine biology lab. To enter the lodge, guests must scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface of the sea, swimming past tropical angelfish, parrotfish, barracuda, and snappers on their way.

Given its decidedly utilitarian origins, the lodge is short on both space and luxuries. This destination is designed primarily for avid scuba divers, for whom there is no greater pleasure than to slip seamlessly into and out of the ocean via Jules' wetroom.

The décor is far from plush, but no other hotel in the world currently offers the chance to live underwater. There are only two guest rooms (with air conditioning) and a common room which doubles as a galley, dining and entertainment area with a DVD player.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the underwater rooms, but for something a little bit extra, guests can request the services of a "mer-chef" who scuba dives down to the hotel to prepare and serve a gourmet dinner. Feeling low maintenance? Pizzas can be delivered. Most guests spend their days scuba diving, and excursions to the nearby Marine Lab can also be arranged.

Rates start at $375 for an overnight stay

Jules' Undersea Lodge
Key Largo, Florida
Phone: (305) 451-2353

http://www.jul.com/