Reported By: Jay Cashmere
Photographer: Tom Special
If you checked into a hotel recently you've probably longed for a good night sleep. There’s one place you'll get just that along with a truly unique experience. It's a place tucked away in Key Largo that's attracted guests for two decades.
This is one place you won't forget. Recently I checked into the Jules Undersea Lodge for a closer look at why its such a popular destination.
Quickly I found out why. It’s not exactly the easiest hotel room to find. In fact it’s off the beaten path. At 25 feet below the surface, the Jules Undersea Lodge has made quite a name for itself.
“This is the only place in the world where a public diver can actually stay underwater and sleep for a 24 hour period or longer.”
Guests can strap on dive gear and step into the water below for a journey toward the former research station which turned into a lodge 21 years ago.
Every other hotel that claims to be underwater you walk down a set of stairs under the same atmosphere of pressure the pressure we're at right now.
From beneath we pop up into the wet room where our hostess awaits. I toss my gear and step up for the first realization.
The ceiling is not exactly built to specs. No worries. We’re off to the common room where the true attraction for this place comes into focus.
“Mostly it’s the thrill of being underwater that and you never know what's gonna peek in the windows”
The kitchen and common area are one of three sections to this unique underwater habitat. Two bedrooms make up the other. Modern conveniences adorn the rooms including a refrigerator, microwave, running water and black pearls.
“We also have a bunch of VHS and DVD's for you to look at and if you want own videos more than welcome to do that...is Jaws in there no we don't have Jaws Deep Blue Sea and the Abyss.”
There’s also the classic 20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea but that's all. You won't be able to watch cable TV. Operators want guests to immerse themselves in the undersea experience.
“We cook the dinners topside so if you've having Florida lobster filet mignon we'll cook it topside on the BBQ bring that down.”
Pizza comes in after hours and room service is 24 hours. All requests come in water tight containers and some happen to be lavish like this one on a 20th anniversary.
“We had to bring down 12 long stem red roses bringing them underwater is tricky but we did get that down he also surprised he with a treasure hunt where he hid a diamond ring inside an octopus box he let her discover.”
Guests have included Robin Leach of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. But no matter how high profile you come, don't expect to toast over champagne. Soda and water are the only drinks on order. Alcohol under pressure affects the way the body absorbs gases differently.
Safety is a top priority and in the command center, manned every hour a guest resides in the lodge, five means of communication below exist. Its one way to keep tabs and to make sure you have the ultimate experience. One that has drawn in visitors from across the globe to check in and check out what the Jules Undersea Lodge has to offer.
The cost to stay in the Jules Undersea Lodge is $350 dollars per night. They do offer a lunch special if you don't want to stay the night. If you want to get married they offer wedding packages there as well.
They also provide scuba diving lessons... a certification course for those who are not certified.
*For Jay's Underwater Wednesday photo galleries, blogs and more check out Community.WPTV.com
*If you like this video check out Jay’s Underwater Wednesday Section to see his under water reports like Lake Worth outfall spews controversy or Lemon Sharks or Atocha Wreck
*If you like this video check out our very own Captain Julie's Chopper 5 Section where you can watch videos of Cobia Fish swimming with a rays and surfer's riding large waves. These and many more all found off our coast.
*Visit Special Reports to watch--Sea Serpent off our Shore
