A Dubai-based real estate and property developer Kleindienst Group, has announced plans to build a 3000-guest capacity ‘Floating Venice’, but it looks nothing like the city from which it gets its name.

The ultra-modern, achingly chic, Floating Venice will cost AED 2.49-billion to build and will be anchored 4km off the coast of Dubai, with a marina and jetties for shuttle services to and from land.

The developer promises guests will get a taste of an authentic Venetian experience in the Middle East, but it more likely that this floating hotel resort will be popular with tourists and cruise passengers for the novelty rather than a ‘Venetian experience’, because the early renderings look more akin to Nikki Beach than Venice.

The resort will, however, be the world’s first underwater luxury vessel resort and will have 180 underwater cabins, the other 234 will be above water, with impressive views of the Dubai skyline, recently voted the best in the world.

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Many of the bars, restaurants and boutique shops will also be underwater, “offering guests remarkable views of passing gondolas above and coral reefs teaming with life below”, according to the developer’s website.

“As a developer our vision supports and aligns with Dubai’s ambition to be a leading global destination and home of innovation as the world’s most forward-thinking city,” said chairman Josef Kleindienst.

The Floating Venice will also feature a number of pools, some of which will have acrylic bases giving amazing views of the coral reefs below.

Over 400,000 sq ft of corals will be planted around The Floating Venice from the company’s own on-site coral nursery which will encourage an abundance of sea life.

A collection of 12 restaurants and bars offer a variety of entertainment, 3 of which are underwater giving spectacular vistas of the dazzling marine life, while the resort will also feature the world’s first floating underwater spa.