IMAGINE waking up, pulling open the curtains and staring into the mouth of one of the biggest

fish in the world. If you can run to almost $14,000 a night, the experience is yours. Hotels in Dubai are more than places to lay your tired head. They are landmarks, architectural marvels, social hubs. There are many of them, they are impressive and they are as much tourist attractions as the glittering gold souk, the traditional dhows and mega-malls that draw visitors. December 13, 2007 Anywhere but Dubai, the idea of building a luxury hotel 66 feet underwater would sound far-fetched. But next to the Burj-al-arab, the rotating skyscraper, manufactured islands and indoor ski slopes of the desert commerce capital, the Hydropolis will fit right in. At a rough cost of UK300 million, this jaw-dropping engineering challenge will allow guests to get a true taste for the peace and beauty of underwater life and at a projected pricetag of up to USD$5500 per night for a room, you'd certainly be hoping that life is much better down where it's wetter. ( hans) While the idea of an underwater hotel might not be unique (The US$105 millionPoseidon Mystery Island resort in Fiji, also under construction, is likely to open its doors first), the Hydropolis will be several times larger, deeper underwater, and far more opulent than its rivals. Guests and visitors will arrive at the land station, on Dubai's Jumeirah Beach, where they can view a high-tech cinema presentation on the evolution of aquatic life and underwater architecture. The wave-shaped land station will be stunning to look at in its own right, and it will house Hydropolis staff, marine biology research labs, a conference center, parking and even a cosmetic surgery practice. At the bottom level lies a 515-metre long tunnel, which takes guests by silent, automatic train out past the shoreline to where the underwater hotel itself lies. While all 220 of the hotel's bubble-shaped suites lie on the floor of the Persian Gulf, 66 feet (20 metres) under the surface of the water, the twin domes of the hotel's concert auditorium and ballroom will break through the surface. The ballroom's retractable roof will allow guests to enjoy open-air events, with panoramic views of the coastline and the Dubai skyline when the weather's fine which, being Dubai, will be almost all of the time. (cia)

YOUR SAY: Have you stayed at the Atlantis? Tell us about your experience below The brightest jewel in the Arab Emirates' accommodation crown has been the Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped, 321m-high hotel on its own manmade miniisland, which celebrates its 10th birthday in December.

But at Dubai's newest uber-hotel a pink-tinged colossus called Atlantis the Palm two three-level suites, the Neptune and the Poseidon, have windows directly on to a three-storey, 10m-deep aquarium. A floor-to-ceiling transparent wall 70cm thick separates guests from about 650,000 examples of marine life sharks, rays, eels and exotic fish found in Middle Eastern waters. Take in the view from the master bedroom or while lying in the tub. Wait a few minutes and Sammy will glide by. This juvenile female whale shark was caught in the Arabian Gulf last year and is being kept at the Atlantis despite pleas from Dubai residents, the Facebook community and animal welfare advocates around the world for her release. ( raissa ) The biggest star of them all Despite the global financial crisis slowing the frenetic development of past years, the world's tallest structure, Al Burj, is nearing the end of construction, inching ever upwards to its intended opening date in September. The tower will have the world's fastest lift and largest fountain; viewed from above, it will form the shape of a lotus flower and, as a symbol of Dubai, it will rival the Burj Al Arab. The hotel sits 280m from the coastline and is visible from almost everywhere in Dubai, though the picture can be hazy. Visitors don't require a room key to look inside the Burj. But they do need at least a reservation at one of its restaurants to pass through the front doors, where an attendant waits with the traditional Arab welcome of dates and spice-laced coffee. An express lift zooms to the 27th floor, where Al Muntaha (it means "the highest") offers modern European food and views of the Arabian Gulf's everdeveloping shoreline (ira)