The World's First 5-Star Yacht Hotel Will Never Set Sail

A $200 million "yacht hotel" is set to put down its anchors permanently off the southern tip of Spain by the end of the year.

The Sunborn Gibraltar is one of the largest yachts in the world at an astounding 465.8 feet long and seven stories high, and it's being marketed as a high-end hotel. In land-scarce cities like Gibraltar, ships like these may be the future of hospitality.

The yacht will be moored at the Gibraltar Ocean Village Marina, a prime Mediterranean location, and guests will be ushered on to the boat via an enclosed glass walkway. Six superstrong hydraulic arms, each weighing 8 tons, will hold the boat to its mooring and keep it in place.

The Sunborn Gibraltar is the first of a fleet of luxury yacht hotels by Sunborn. The company is planning to launch more yacht hotels in London and Barcelona.

The yacht hotel is set to open sometime in late 2013, and room rates are expected to cost anywhere between $300 and $3,000 per night depending on the room.