In Germany, Life's A Beach

This is not your everyday blue lagoon. It has palm trees, waterfalls and white-sand beaches, but it lies under the vaulted roof of a former zeppelin hangar 60 km south of Berlin.

The Tropical Islands Resort opened in December to the rhythm of Brazilian samba bands. Banking on the novelty of being Northern Europe's first indoor tropical getaway — and the Germans' reputation as dedicated beach lovers — Malaysian businessman Colin Au paid $18 million in 2002 for the abandoned hangar after zeppelin maker CargoLifter went bankrupt. He spent $91 million creating the resort, a sparkling...