8 of the world's most luxurious houseboats
Photo courtesy of Dymitr Malcew
Some of the world's super-rich have decided that it's not enough to simply have beachfront vacation homes on the water. They'd rather have homes that are actually floating.
These mansions on the water include all the amenities you'd expect in a luxurious land mansion - from floor-to-ceiling windows to roaring fireplaces to rooftop hot tubs - and have price tags reaching into the millions. Some houseboats, like a replica Taj Mahal floating just north of Sausalito, California, even have elevators.
Others, like the luxe Floating Seahorse vessels planned for a Dubai resort, give new meaning to "sleeping with the fishes" with their underwater master suites.
Some of these boats serve as the owners' full-time residences, others are vacation getaways and some can be rented in lieu of a hotel for your next vacation.
Click ahead to check out some of the most luxurious floating homes on the water today.
O De Squisito
Photo courtesy of Leen Vandaele
This rectangle of glass floating on the Dubai Creek was designed by owner Leen Vandaele, an interior architect. At the time, Vandaele was living on the 30th floor of a high-rise and longed to live where she could enjoy the refreshing sea breeze.
O De Squisito
Photo courtesy of Leen Vandaele
The two-floor boat includes four outdoor decks, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and an open dining and sitting area. The bright white minimalist style gives the home a clean, modern look.
The Taj Mahal
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Michael Andersson
This miniature replica of the Taj Mahal floats just north of downtown Sausalito, California, a city known for its community of often-unique houseboats. The vessel was built in the 1970s by a land developer and vineyard entrepreneur after a visit to India.
It has two kitchens, marble floors, a wine cellar, a solarium, a sauna and a hidden elevator. The owner spent about $2 million on construction and sold the vessel in 1995 for less than $1 million, according to a report from SFGate.
The Floating Seahorse
Photo courtesy of Kleindienst
Designed to be rented out to vacationers, the Floating Seahorse is a three-floor floating home with one level below the water. A number of these vessels will be anchored off St. Petersburg Island as part of the Heart of Europe resort in Dubai. The first Floating Seahorse was completed in December 2015.
The Floating Seahorse
Photo courtesy of Kleindienst
The master bedroom and bathroom are located on the submerged level and the sea level of the vessel includes a kitchen, dining area, open-plan living area and large sun deck. The upper deck features an informal bedroom, mini bar, kitchenette and a jetted bathtub with a glass bottom.
Dol Kyam
Photo courtesy of Wilford Welch
This three-story home in Sausalito, California, is decorated with artwork its globetrotting owners have picked up on their travels. The 3,000-square-foot home has two bedrooms, an atrium with tropical plants, a study and a roof garden with a barbecue grill. The master suite includes a fireplace and a balcony with a hot tub.
Dol Kyam
Photo courtesy of Wilford Welch
The owners lease a separate apartment on the lower floor to a tenant. Because they travel frequently, the owners offer the home to vacation renters. The minimum stay is seven nights and it costs $450 per night.
The Fennell Residence
Photo courtesy of Robert Harvey Oshatz
This curved wooden residence in Portland, Oregon, was completed in 2005 and is designed to mimic the curves and ripples of the water on which it floats.
The Fennell Residence
Photo courtesy of Robert Harvey Oshatz
The 2,300-square-foot home has a master bedroom over a study and an open living and dining area. There's also another bedroom and bathroom for guests. Floor-to-ceiling windows along one side of the home open up onto a wide deck, giving residents plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors.
Mane Decision
Photo courtesy of Thoroughbred Houseboats
This three-level houseboat has four staterooms - two of which have jetted bathtubs - four bathrooms, a kitchen with two dishwashers and a flat-screen television in every room.
Mane Decision
Photo courtesy of Thoroughbred Houseboats
There are natural stone tiles throughout the vessel, as well as gas fireplaces in the salon and the master bedroom. The boat was built in 2008 by Thoroughbred Houseboats, a Kentucky-based company specializing in houseboats, and was last listed for sale for about $1.35 million in 2010.
Floating House
Photo courtesy of Dymitr Malcew
This floating house is still under construction in Singapore, but will offer residents two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large outdoor space that will run along the full perimeter of the vessel. The home will be listed for sale to the public upon completion, but the completion date and price have not been announced.
Floating House
Photo courtesy of Dymitr Malcew
Floor-to-ceiling windows will offer lots of natural light and the home will have hardwood interior walls, floors and ceilings.
The Prestige
Photo courtesy of Coomera Gold Coast
Vacation houseboat rentals are popular getaways on many of the world's biggest bodies of water. The Prestige sails out of Coomera, in Queensland, Australia.
The Prestige
Photo courtesy of Coomera Gold Coast
The houseboat sleeps eight to 10 people with four queen-sized staterooms and two sofa beds. It has a rooftop hot tub and barbecue grill, two bathrooms, large televisions and a full kitchen. Rental rates start at $3,395 for a three-night cruise.