Amphibious Luxury: WaterCar’s Dubai Debut
Est. Value: $135,000*
Manufacturer: WaterCar
Originating from Southern California, WaterCar has found a fervent following in Dubai. This company is renowned for creating and perfecting high-end amphibious vehicles. Founded in 1999 by Dave March, inspired by the 1960s Amphicar, WaterCar aimed to bring an unparalleled aquatic automotive experience.
The debut of their first commercial model, the Panther, in 2013 marked a significant milestone. Priced just over $135,000, the Panther quickly became a coveted item in Dubai, especially among the elite, including Sheik Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al-Maktoum, Dubai’s Crown Prince, who owns six.
These vehicles transition seamlessly from land to water, retracting their wheels with a hydraulic suspension at speeds just below 10mph, completing the change in under fifteen seconds. Once transformed, they can cruise at aquatic speeds exceeding 60mph, embodying the essence of James Bond sophistication.
Subaquatic Luxury Accommodations
Estimated Value: Starts at $6,295 per Night
Creator: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Dubai, a city celebrated for its skyscrapers and artificial archipelagos, offers unique lodging experiences in its undersea hotels. Predominantly situated in the Ambassador Lagoon, these aquatic suites afford guests breathtaking views of the deep sea at a premium. The most renowned of these aquatic accommodations are found in Atlantis, The Palm.
The “Neptune” and “Poseidon” suites at Atlantis, The Palm, are named with mythological grandeur. They feature expansive windows from floor to ceiling, offering a direct gaze into the aquatic home of over sixty-five thousand marine species.
Staying in these underwater sanctuaries is a lavish affair. The cost of spending a night submerged in luxury starts at $314, escalating to $25,000 for the pinnacle of undersea elegance. This experience is markedly more expensive than luxury accommodations in many other parts of the world, marking it as a uniquely Dubai indulgence.
