Jules' Undersea Lodge

There aren't many hotels I will list on this site where I can safely declare "I have never stayed there and will never stay there," but Jules' Undersea Lodge is one of them. While the submerged hotel and underwater research lab, located just off of Key Largo, fuels a whole mess of science-fiction fantasies, I'm not big on scuba diving. And the only way to get to the truly underwater lodge is via scuba diving. And that is pretty cool.

For those that do enjoy diving and aren't at all nervous or claustrophobic, Jules's Undersea Lodge provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It's not cheap (between $300-$500 per night per person), but some packages include dive instruction so you don't have to be a certified diver to stay at the hotel. You also don't need your own gear, although you may use your own gear if you have it. Meals are included as well.

One of the most interesting things about Jules Undersea Lodge, and the thing that makes facility so appealing, is that it is not just a gimmicky hotel. It is a working undersea lab, and guests are invited to participate in the research. For those who really want to get hands on with the research, specialized stays can be arranged - including ones with excursions to another nearby lab.