Outside the hotel, a tennis court floated.
The original plan was to permanently moor three cruise ships around the reef, but this was deemed impractical.
No toxic paint was used on the hull.
No waste was discharged into the surrounding waters.
Sewage and all liquid waste were treated and the resulting sterilized water was dumped several miles outside the reef.
Trash was incinerated and garbage was taken to the mainland.
The hotel was completed in 1987 at the cost of USD 40 million.
But a contract dispute with the Singapore shipbuilder delayed delivery until January the next year.
Then it was struck by a cyclone, which delayed opening of the hotel by another two months.
When it finally opened in March, the hotel had missed the lucrative Northern Hemisphere winter tourist market.
The delays had cost millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Rough weather often disrupted connections to the mainland, and when tourists did arrive, they were often seasick.
Then one of the catamarans used to shuttle guests and supplies between the hotel and mainland caught fire.
Although no one was hurt, it had a negative affect on the hotels public image.
Combine that with poor marketing and poor management, and bookings began to dry up.
Eventually the hotel became too costly to operate.
The floating hotel was the perfect overnight solution, and it worked.
The hotel became very popular in the city, where it was fondly referred to as The Floater.
But once again financial troubles forced the owners to close down the business.
The Saigon Floating Hotel moored on the banks of the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
It was renamed Sea Kumgang Hotel, or Hotel Haegumgang.
Hotel Haegumgang is still moored in its place, but has been closed for more than 10 years now.
The floating hotel being transported to its destination.
In 30 years, the hotel has travelled more than 14,000 km.
Back in Townsville, people are still nostalgic about the hotel.
It was an impressive sight.
I got paid to walk, swim and be in the sun.
I look back to those times and think: ‘Did that really happen?
The model of the floating hotel at Townsville Maritime Museum.
