Best Overwater Bungalows with Private Pool for 2026

Why We Like It: Banana Island is an island paradise just off the coast of Doha which is home to Qatar’s only overwater bungalows, and one of only two overwater bungalow resorts in the Gulf region (the other being the Palm Resort in Dubai). All are three-bedroom units and cover a full 2370 sq. feet/220 sq. meters, so for sheer scale alone, they are very impressive. We find them also nicely designed, sleek, and very luxurious, as you might well expect from one of Qatar’s finest luxury resorts. Banana Island has a very highly rated spa and wellness center, commonly thought of as the country’s best, seven restaurants to choose from, and a host of leisure and sports activities both land and water-based including golf, tennis, ten-pin bowling, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating and fishing. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: They have a good range of accommodation choices all of which are spacious and luxurious. Even their cheapest rooms will be at least 500 sq. feet and display very high levels of comfort. Pride of place though of course goes to their overwater villas. They are, as mentioned, enormous with three bedrooms centered around a central living area, which has a giant TV and lounging and dining areas, leading out to a spacious, well-furnished terrace that also includes a private plunge pool. Their sleek bathrooms are noteworthy and come with especially inviting curved bathtubs. Each has also a small kitchen/kitchenette area which, though not a deal breaker of course, may disappoint somewhat we feel, especially when the rest of the villa is so bold and grand. They come with a microwave oven, fridge, and pod coffee maker. There are only 11 overwater villas in total at Banana Island and they can be booked out. If that’s the case the rest of the accommodation doesn’t have to be such a downgrade, our favorite alternative in such a case would be the ‘Two Bedroom Luxury Sea View Pool Villa’. Note: Banana Island is an alcohol-free resort. Note 2: All couples must present a marriage certificate at check-in.  Overwater Bungalow Prices: Check out all the details at Booking.com here or at Resort’s Own Website (Anantara) here. Resort Facilities & Things to Do: Among our dining options at Banana Island are Al Nahham and Azraq, both serving Arabic dishes and mezze platters, the former having nice views over the Doha skyline. For contemporary Italian there is Riva, for Indian and South Asian, the Q lounge and restaurant and for informal American comfort food try Ted’s with its funky retro decor. The island’s spa and wellness center is thought of as Qatar’s very best. It has singles and couples treatment suites, a Thai massage suite, Moroccan Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: Saudi Arabia has recently made huge strides in opening up to foreign tourism and this, the St. Regis Red Sea, which opened fairly in early 2024, is another example of such ambition. It is a high end luxury resort, as you would expect from Marriott’s St Regis line, and it is located on an absolutely gorgeous private island the Saudis call Ummahat. It has access to some of the world’s most pristine coral reefs and marine ecosystems, something both the tourism authorities and Marriott are, by all reports, keen to see be preserved and prosper. It’s all new for this part of the Red Sea so we hope this is exactly what happens. Accommodation is a simple choice between beach and overwater, with some having an extra premium for a sunset view. Standards of luxury are the same across the board, so there are no great price differences or bargain entry-level suites to be snagged. It’s a 5 Star resort and the whole places reeks of opulence and the service, and the food and drink is of the highest caliber (no alcohol available though!) You also have plenty of fun, and relaxing activities to choose from, including some jaw dropping scuba diving and very opulent spa facilities. Getting here is done very much in style from Red Sea International Airport. Contact the resort before you go to arrange. You have a choice between a 25-minute seaplane direct from the airport or a short trip in a luxury car to the airport marina for a 30-minute speedboat ride. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: Their overwater bungalows, which they term Coral Villas, are nothing short of stunning. They have, for overwater bungalows, a fairly unusual, round, seashell-inspired design, plus floor to ceiling windows that make them feel extra open and spacious. The interior design is on point. Luxury of course, but nothing ostentatious. The outside decks are particularly inviting too, and neatly arranged to ensure privacy and open sea views. All are practically identical except some command a relatively reasonable extra premium for a sunset view. Well, I say reasonable, but if you go for the sunset view, you’ll have to forgo the sunrise view, which the others get for free 🙂 And a sunrise or a sunset over the Red Sea are both pretty special, it has to be said. You have direct access to the sea below for swimming and snorkeling. The waters are teeming with life and ridiculously clear. All the overwaters bungalows also have infinity pools on the deck. Back on land, there is the beach accommodation, what they call their Dune Villas. These are awfully luxurious and spacious too, maybe more so, internally Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The 5-star, adults-only Anantara Veli Resort has 67 chic overwaters in a sublime setting just half an hour by speedboat from Mali’s International Airport. The location is more private and secluded than many other overwater bungalows in The Maldives and is very much designed for romantic getaways. It is still just a two-minute speedboat shuttle to the busier (& family-friendly) Anantara Dhigu Resort across the lagoon. There, you’ll find a broad range of facilities and entertainment; restaurants, bars, shops, water sports, etc. Antara Veli also has facilities of its own though with tennis courts, a fitness center, an outdoor spa, and three very fine restaurants serving Japanese, Thai, and international food. The service here is consistently impeccable, and you are allowed as much, or as little, interaction with staff and other guests as you would like. Water Villas & Other Accommodation: You can choose between a classic water villa/overwater bungalow on the lagoon or an ocean bungalow set on a secluded cliff edge overlooking the ocean. All the accommodation choices are doubles and all come with a suitably grand king-size bed. Your choices among the water villas are: ‘standard’ 62 m² units with an outdoor sun deck and direct access to the lagoon. Deluxe units have about 30 m² of extra space plus some very special open-air bathrooms with terrazzo bathtubs overlooking the lagoon. The ‘superior’ water villas go a step further with a plunge pool overlooking the lagoon and a full 125 m² of space over two floors. Finally, there are the ‘Ocean Bungalows’, not overwater bungalows per se but their position on the edge of a small, secluded cliff directly over the ocean grants them a similar feel. They are broadly similar, too, in layout in size, to the superior overwater bungalows, also having that lovely plunge pool, but this time overlooking the Indian Ocean. All the accommodation choices are B&B and have a pleasing array of modern facilities; air-con, WiFi, cable TV, music system, refrigerator, coffee maker, mini-bar (with private wine collection), bathtub, rainfall shower, walk-in closets, yoga mats, etc. plus plenty of lounging and dining furniture both inside and out. There is 24-hour room service too, and the service levels in general, including the concierge, are excellent. Prices & Availability: Check out all the details at Booking.com here or at the Resort’s Own Website (Anantara) here. Food & Drink: At the resort itself, you have a choice of three dining options; international food at 73 Degrees, Thai food at Baan Huraa, and some theatrical Teppanyaki cooking as well as hand-crafted sushi at Origami. For something a little more special and private you can also consult with the chef to organize a unique evening Deep Dive: Read the Review…

  The couples-only Sandals Royal Caribbean, near Montego Bay and just minutes from Sangster International Airport, was the very first overwater bungalow resort in Jamaica and indeed the first overwater bungalows in the Caribbean. The concept was an immediate success and the Sandals company soon followed with more at Sandals South Coast (also in Jamaica) and then, a little later, came their first overwater bungalows in St. Lucia. Sandals Royal Caribbean though was the groundbreaker, or well…water breaker, in this region, and we found standards high. extremely high from the beginning. It is a high-end luxury, all-inclusive paradise with a private island (where the overwater bungalows are to be found), top-of-the-range facilities, superb food and drink, and consistently great service. It also has a tremendous location: getting to most overwater bungalow resorts usually involves a long journey from an airport. But here we are, tantalizingly, not much more than 5 minutes drive (via the resort’s private shuttle) from Sangster International. Pro Tip: Book Sandals VIP Airport Fast Track service as an add on. This is where you their representative whisks you through the border formalities. It’s really worth it.   Private Island Luxury: Infinity Pools & Glass Floors We have a great range of accommodations to choose from here – from standard rooms & suites to, of course, overwater bungalows, which offer varying levels of space and luxury to suit most budgets. Their overwater bungalows, attached to a gorgeous little private island, were the Caribbean’s very first and set the standards high from the very beginning. We found them sleek, modern, and luxurious, and come with outdoor terraces, large glass floor panels, romantic spa bathrooms with bathtubs, and there’s an outdoor bathtub and shower on the terrace. They also have a wealth of mod cons, plus 24-hour room service with an exclusive in-room dining menu. As you will see on the booking page they are divided into two categories – those with infinity plunge pools and those without. Those with the private pools will cost you quite a bit more but they are also far larger than the standard bungalows, with an enormous outdoor deck, and in general, have much more of the wow factor.   Booking Information & Availability Check availability and prices at own website (Sandals) here, or at Expedia.com here. Note: Like most luxury overwater bungalows in the Caribbean the overwater bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean are incredibly sought after – you should reserve your stay as soon as possible. You are allowed free cancellation on most bookings. Note 2: As with all Sandals Resorts there is a minimum stay of three nights.   How to Score Sandals Last Minute Deals In order to fill gaps in Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The family-friendly Four Seasons overwater bungalow resort forms an exclusive enclave by the coral reefs to the northeast of Bora Bora. We found their overwater bungalows more modernist than most and they have the feel of luxury design apartments where everything feels crisp, clean, and new. All come with tremendous views over Mount Otemanu and the lagoon, the overwater bungalows particularly, and the resort itself is a pleasure to stroll around with plenty to do and see, and a cozy, friendly, atmosphere throughout. Though the vibe is, this being Bora Bora, generally one of romantic indulgence, We think the Four Seasons takes care of children better than most with a kid’s club and plenty of organized activities. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora has one hundred overwater bungalows and seven beachfront villas to choose from, ranging in size from 1070 ft² to over 3200 ft², with a maximum occupancy of 6 for the larger units. We think you’ll find them extremely comfortable, spacious, and beautifully styled with teak woods and pastel-shaded soft furnishings. The outside spaces are expansive and kitted out, with the overwater bungalows having private access to the water as well as outdoor showers, chaise lounges, circular daybeds, and dining tables. All the overwaters have internal glass floor panels to watch the sea life in the lagoon below too and some also have plunge pools on the deck. You can expect king-size beds as standard in all of the units as well as plasma screen satellite TVs, coffee machines, mini-fridges, music stations, etc. in the lounge areas. All the bathrooms come with nice, large, and deep baths with some opening out to the sea via sliding doors. Room service is 24 hours and the service throughout the resort, which also provides concierge and business services, is of the highest quality. Prices: Check availability & prices here at Expedia or here at Booking.com Resort Facilities & Things to Do: You can enjoy some tremendous food at the Four Seasons, where you have a choice of four venues from casual to fine dining. We love the seafood-centric French-Polynesian Arii Moana Restaurant. It is one of Bora Bora’s most heralded, and definitely worth trying out at least one evening. Private dining can also be arranged, with a particularly nice experience being to have a gourmet meal delivered to your villa by traditional canoe, and set up on your deck, for a relaxed, romantic evening in. The infinity swimming pool which blends beautifully out with the sea also has a swim-up bar and some fine cocktails, which can also be enjoyed into the early hours at the casual chic Fare Hoa Bar which has live Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, opened in May 2024 as the third super-luxury resort to welcome guests to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea’s Ummahat Islands. Inspired by the word Nujum, meaning ‘stars’ in Arabic, it is also the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the broader region, and one of only seven worldwide. It’s a special place, then and the location sure is special too; on its own private island in the same Ummahat Archipelago as the St. Regis Red Sea, the first resort in the area. The design, the work of British firm Foster + Partners, is incredibly impressive, particularly their enormous overwater bungalows, of course. It’s broadly minimalist, with clean lines, graceful curves, and sandy hues that blend beautifully into this unique desert and coastal environment. You have some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world right at your doorstep here. Only very recently opened up to tourism, it is one of the world’s most pristine marine environments. Tourism is a tricky business in such an environment, but Nujuma, along with the other Ummahat resorts, has made guarantees for its preservation.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: You have a choice of one and two-bedroom bungalows here, both overwater and on the beach. They are all broadly similar in style, spaciousness (and yup, they sure are big!), and features, but with a small premium being charged for ones that face the sunset. Connected to the shore by an elevated ring walkway, the overwater villas really feel far out to sea. You’ll spend most of your time on deck, we imagine, which has a large private pool, lounging furniture, and direct access to the fish teeming waters below. There, you have pretty much full privacy and panoramic views over the sea. And, with so little light pollution around, the sky at night is a very impressive show. Each villa, both overwater and onshore, has the services of a dedicated personal host. Najm and Najma Guides they call them, and they might be seen as a mix of a concierge, a guide and a butler. Their main job though, is to arrange experiences, such as educational nature tours with the resident naturalist and conservationist.   Prices & Availability: Check prices and availability at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.   Food & Drink: You have four excellent restaurants at the Ritz-Carlton with dress codes and atmospheres ranging from laid-back casual to fine dining formal. Sita is the main venue, the place for the all-inclusive deal meals, and acts as both a French-style patisserie and a traditional clay oven type Levantine restaurant. It does a range of familiar international fare too; the choice is broad and the Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: There may be a lot of competition in overwater bungalows in Bora Bora and indeed in the broader region of French Polynesia, but we think the 5-star InterContinental Thalasso Bora Bora is really quite a place. It is located on its own private island, a 20-minute boat ride from Bora Bora Motu Mute Airport, and it is hard to overemphasize the extraordinary setting, with the craggy peak of Mount Otemanu towering above and the most beautifully clear turquoise waters you could imagine swaying gently all around. It also has consistently high levels of service, great facilities, and a laudable commitment to eco-friendly and sustainability principles, all of which, for us, make it stand out somewhat from the rest and lend the place an extra exclusive feel. It is very much a once-in-a-lifetime vacation venue, and smoothly manages to be both family-friendly and ideal for honeymoons.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The overwater bungalows and villas are in a choice position to enjoy the setting with their boardwalk jutting out right in the middle of the bay. They are also all exceptionally spacious; the smallest covers a minimum of 1020 ft² while the largest, the ‘Marlon Brando Suite’, comes in at a whopping 3465 ft². As you will see there is a great range of accommodation to choose from, most, but not all, of which are overwater. Of those that are overwater, they come with glass floor coffee tables from where you can peer down into the coral reef and see all manner of exotic creatures. Many also have their own private, on-deck, infinity swimming pools. We found the design and interior decoration a pleasing mix of modern and traditional Polynesian and they have all the modern facilities and comforts you would expect from a luxury hotel: air-con, WiFi, cable TV, music system, refrigerator, coffee maker, mini bar, some lovely bathrooms with bathtubs and rainfall showers, as well as plenty of lounging and dining furniture both inside and out. Room service is 24 hours and you can expect the absolute best in service throughout the resort. As mentioned above InterContinental Thalasso makes great efforts to be sustainable and not adversely affect the delicate ecosystem that surrounds it. It was for example a pioneer of revolutionary technology that draws cool water from the deep ocean to power its air conditioning system.   Overwater Bungalow Prices: Enter dates and check prices at Booking.com here or at the hotel’s own website here   Resort Facilities & Things to Do: There are three main restaurants at the resort; the elegant Reef Restaurant which serves French and international food, the more informal beachside Sands Restaurant which does a particularly nice line Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The 5-star, St. Regis Bora Bora was the setting for the 2009 comedy ‘Couple’s Retreat,’ starring Vince Vaughan, an extra publicity boost that such a confident, sophisticated resort really had very little need for. Its overwater bungalows are stunning and we’re sure you’ll be extremely impressed with almost everything this resort has to offer. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The resort is spread out over 44 acres which includes a private lagoon and various beach areas. The accommodation is a mixture of overwater bungalows and beach villas, all of which are extremely spacious; the largest overwater bungalows and villas in Bora Bora in fact. The very smallest on offer at the St. Regis are 1550 ft² for example, with the very largest being a quite magnificent 3960 ft². The design and decor are mostly traditional Polynesian; airy and with lots of wood. You will have a large bedroom(s) with a super comfortable king-size bed, seating, closet space, and a giant flat-screen TV. The lounge areas have comfy sofas, another TV, and a minibar, and outside there is lots of deck space with lounging, seating and dining furniture, outdoor showers, and, in the case of the overwater bungalows, private access to the water. The bathrooms are suitably luxurious, and large, too. There you have a rainfall shower, a deep bath to sink into, and a choice of exotic bath salts and other pampering products. For us another nice touch is of course the glass floor paneling. Many, if not most, luxury overwater bungalows will have them, but usually just in one room. Here they have them in the hallway, the living room, and the bathroom. The overwaters come in various levels and prices as you will see on the booking page with the top of the range being their Royal Villas which are really quite magnificent and, surprisingly enough, are the only ones that have private pools on the deck. You have a private butler service at your disposal at the St. Regis and one of the best concierge teams around. They are particularly adept at arranging grand romantic gestures, for honeymoons or otherwise, via their ‘Romantic Concierge’ service, and they organize weddings too with a bridal boutique also on the premises where you can rent wedding dresses, groom suits, etc. Overwater Bungalow Prices: Check out all the details here at Booking.com or on the resort’s own website (Marriott). Resort Facilities & Things to Do: The resort has two swimming pools one of which has a swim-up bar and there is a private lagoon teeming with water life; coral, exotic fish, stingrays, and turtles. There is a resident biologist at the St. Regis too, and he is on Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Total: 12 overwater suites in three categories: Junior, Presidential, and Chairman. Junior Suites: 1,138 sq. ft., plunge pools, outdoor showers, glass floor panels. Presidential Suites: 1,912 sq. ft., larger layouts with upgraded features. Chairman Suite: 3,049 sq. ft., two bedrooms, two terraces, two plunge pools, hammocks, bar, and kitchenette. Extras: All bungalows include Royalton Diamond Club perks—VIP lounge, 24/7 butler, seamless check-in.   Opened in May 2024, Royalton CHIC Antigua is the second resort in Antigua to host overwater bungalows, the other, also from the same company (Marriott), being the original Royalton Antigua in Five Islands. The Royalton CHIC is built on the site of Halycon Cove Hotel, Dickenson Bay, just a few miles the other side of St. John’s, and follows the Royalton model of luxury all inclusives. It offers 12, very picturesque, Caribbean overwater bungalows, or suites as they prefer to describe them as, in three different categories: Chairman, Presidential and Junior Suite. Their entry-level, Junior Suites, are one-beds, and pretty large at 1138 square feet and cover all the bases for a luxury overwater bungalows experience: outdoor deck with plunge pools, direct access to the Caribbean, nice looking bathrooms plus outdoor showers, and large lounge areas with glass panels in the floor. The Presidential Overwater Bungalows are also one bed, and have all the above amenities but over 1,912 square feet. Then there’s their very impressive looking Chairman Overwater Bungalow Two Bedroom Suite, a full 3,049 square feet, it comes with all the above plus two terraces, two plunge pools, and overwater hammocks, three bathrooms, a bar, dining area and kitchenette. All overwater bungalows offer automatic access to Marriott’s Royalton Diamond Club with extra services such as seamless check-in, VIP lounge and butler service 24/7.   Prices & Availability: Check out all the details at Expedia here, at Booking.com here or at the resort’s own website (Marriott) here.   Location Category: Caribbean Antigua Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is an award-winning 5-star all-inclusive with overwater bungalows on a stunning private island in The Maldives’ Noonu Atoll. The resort has a great reputation for family vacations, winning the World Travel Awards’ category of Best Family Resort in the Indian Ocean for three years running from 2016 to 2019, while also being nominated multiple times for the world’s best family resort. We find it’s also a popular place for a romantic getaway too though – this being the Maldives adults/couples tend to dominate anyway. There are also dedicated adults-only zones and the resort is large enough to find plenty of space for rest, relaxation, and romance. It offers various options – b&b, half board, full board, and all-inclusive. For a multiple award-winning, 5-star resort in The Maldives, we find Sun Siyam Iru Fushi pleasantly very reasonably priced, with the all-inclusive being overall the best value package.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: It has a nice choice of accommodation on offer, villa style, around the beach or overwater. All of them fit a maximum of two adults and two children up to the age of 12. They are all as plush and comfortable as you might expect from a 5-star private island paradise with sleek interiors and a nice sense of open space both inside and out. Though some may deem the water villas too close to each other careful design means that even on their outside terrace they are still very private. The pick of their Maldives overwater bungalows are very much the ‘Infinity Water Villa with Separate Living Room’, all 1668 square feet/155 square meters of it. It, as the name suggests, features a separate lounge area and an infinity pool on the terrace. The others are smaller, though we couldn’t accuse any of them of being too small – your most basic choice will still be over 900 square feet/85 square meters. And though won’t have a private pool it will still have either a semi-open bathroom with a photo-worthy spa bath overlooking the sea, or a jacuzzi on the terrace. All their water villas also come with those classic glass floor panels so you can stare down at the sea life below from the comfort of your living room. Though they are a little on the small side it has to be said. Their Beach Villas are all larger than the water villas except for the aforementioned ‘Infinity Water Villa with Separate Living Room’, with a minimum size of 1378 square feet/128 square meters. They are tucked neatly away just back from the beach so do have privacy, all will also have a private open-air courtyard with a pool Deep Dive: Read the Review…

  Soneva Jani is one of The Maldives’ most exclusive private islands and for us its overwater bungalows are uniquely spacious, stylish, and luxurious. We find the very largest of them, the two and four-bedroom ‘water reserves’ around the end of the walkway, really quite extraordinary creations. These opulent wooden palaces come with private pools, water slides, and retractable roofs that allow stargazing direct from the master bedroom. All-inclusive packages have been available here since 2021. Check below for details as to what is included. We like that most of the island is left natural and wild so, anytime the feeling takes you, you can have a wander through mangrove forests and deserted beaches, and feel yourself enticingly detached from civilization.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: The first stand-out feature of Soneva Jani’s overwater bungalows is their sheer size – all of them are spread over two floors and their very smallest one-bedroom units still cover 4477 square feet/416 square meters while their largest, the four-bedroom water reserve, covers a whopping 15295 square feet/1421 square meters. There are five other categories between those two extremes none of which will disappoint, we feel. All come with water slides from the upper floor if you’re ever in a hurry to get downstairs. Other standard features include large private pools, various glass floor viewing panels, study rooms, huge walk-in wardrobes, kitchenettes, and stunning bathrooms. The largest five sit at the very end of the pier by themselves with the largest of all – the aforementioned 15295 square feet ‘Water Reserve’ – being also the most isolated and private. Outside of the water villas you can also choose to stay in their two-bedroom beach bungalow hidden away in the mangrove forests. It is titled the Robinson Crusoe Residence and comes with lots of very private space. Or you can also choose to stay in their very indulgent, 23-meter private yacht. It has two en-suite bedrooms and a glass-bottomed spa tub amongst other things. Your crew includes a captain, sous chef, butler, and a wellness therapist as standard, and a dive master and an expert astronomer can be added on request. You can organize bespoke tours and voyages with the guidance of your captain.   Overwater Bungalow Prices: Check prices and availability at Booking.com here or at Expedia here   Food & Drink:  All-inclusive packages are available at Soneva Jani, where we have four main restaurant options and one laid-back bar. The main restaurant is called So Fresh and is a relaxed place with sunken tables, couches, hammocks, and even a giant waterslide. They serve daily buffets (different each day) here as well as à la carte, the food is excellent and their menu Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The 5-star celebrity haunt that is the Conrad Bora Bora Nui has perhaps the most opulent overwater bungalows in Bora Bora. The setting is beautiful – a private cove on Motu To’opua – it is secluded and thoroughly romantic, and for us the resort really has an extra touch of class, even by Bora Bora’s high standards. We think it also has a strong candidate for the world’s finest overwater bungalow, and that is the incredibly impressive Presidential Overwater Villa. Their hilltop Hina Spa has soothing treatments and tremendous panoramic views, there are four excellent dining options, a large infinity pool and pool bar, and some lovely stretches of the purest of white sands. The Conrad is family-friendly; it has its own Kid’s Club, but overall we think you’ll find the atmosphere is one of romance and indulgent tranquility. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: We have a total of 114 accommodation units at the Conrad, with a choice between overwater, beach, and garden. The Conrad, in its previous incarnation as a Hilton, was the first resort in Bora Bora to offer the now ubiquitous overwater bungalows and these are of course as plush and opulent as you may imagine. They all offer lots of space too, with the smallest on offer covering around 1200 ft². They have sleek and stylish interiors, king-size beds, and wall-to-wall sliding doors opening out to a large deck where you have direct access to the sea, lounging, and dining furniture, and an outdoor shower. Some, the ‘Pool Villas’, also come with an infinity plunge pool and overwater catamaran-style hammock nets to sink into. For us the crème de la crème of the overwater bungalows are certainly the two Presidential Overwater Villas. They are absolutely stunning two-story overwater palaces, probably the finest in Bora Bora. These are where A-list celebs stay when they’re in town. Feast your eyes here. The Conrad’s Beach Villas though are also quite special and compare well to the overwaters. Sitting on the beach, just feet from the water, they boast the same luxurious qualities and come with infinity-style plunge pools as standard, overlooking the sand and the sea. Then there are the Garden Suites. They are situated in the garden area just behind the beach. They are spacious and equally beautifully designed and decorated, though the ‘Garden View’ choices don’t have much of a view. The pick of them therefore are the ‘Horizon View Villas’ which are higher up on the hill and have terrific views over the resort and the ocean beyond. Throughout the accommodation choices, you can expect modern facilities worthy of The Conrad’s 5 Star status; A/C, mini bar, coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, and Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen is among the latest additions to resorts with overwater bungalows in the Caribbean generally, and the newest of only four overwater bungalow resorts in Mexico. Of the three others in Mexico two are very nearby – Palafitos El Dorado Resort and Rosewood Mayakoba – both of which are fabulous resorts and Banyan Tree Mayakoba matches them on all fronts. We saw it wins consistently great reviews for its eco-friendly principles, its choice setting, its luxury accommodation and facilities. These include a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course and an award-winning spa, and gourmet food & drink. Their overwater bungalows are more European chalet-like than rustic Polynesian. The interiors are sleek, modern, and plush but with plenty of nice earthy, back-to-nature touches. They are set over two floors and we think they offer a much greater sense of privacy than most.   Lagoon luxury: Banyan Tree’s two-story overwater villas The above-mentioned over-water villas are all doubles with king-size beds and are very spacious indeed – over their two floors they cover a full 2400 square feet / 222 sq. meters. They have a heated plunge pool on the private terrace which has views over the lagoon. Their bathrooms are particularly nice with spa baths as standard. As with the resort in general, though they have a sleek modern design, the overriding philosophy with the overwater villas is harmony with nature. The decor and furniture are generally of wood or other organic materials and the many native Yucatan potted plants add an extra earthy, jungly vibe. We found these overwater villas an extremely popular choice, and there are only 6 in total, so expect to be disappointed unless you book well in advance. If they do happen to be booked out though we find Banyan Tree has a tremendous choice of other luxury accommodation, some of the finest in the Cancun region, in fact.   Check rates and reserve Check availability & prices at Booking.com here or at Expedia here   Gourmet food: From Mayan to Thai fusion plus romantic, private dining We have a choice of eateries here from fine dining to relatively informal offering a wide range of cuisine, from traditional Mayan and contemporary Mexican to Thai and international. Their seafood is especially note-worthy, and plentiful. Along the beach and the resort’s main pool area, we can kick back with something from their extensive cocktail menu, grab a beer, or choose from their lists of premium mixed drinks, spirits, and wines. Romantic, private dining experiences can be arranged – al fresco on the beach or a traditional boat floating peacefully through the lagoons for example, and even fine dining deep in the jungle. We saw Deep Dive: Read the Review…

First opening its doors in May 2019, then acquired by the Marriott Hotel group in late 2021, Royalton Antigua is a classic 5 Star Caribbean all-inclusive that became home to Antigua’s first overwater bungalows. We think it offers opulence and luxury and has a choice setting on the clear, calm waters of Antigua’s Deep Bay, less than twenty minutes from St. John’s, and a half an hour from V. C. Bird International Airport. There are two resorts with overwater bungalows now in Antigua, among just a handful of other luxury overwater bungalows in the Caribbean. Both of them are Royalton properties. You can check out the other; Royalton Chic Resort here.   Overwater Bungalows: Spacious: 1442 sq. ft. with king bedroom, lounge, dining area, and terrace. Private perks: Infinity plunge pool, jacuzzi, glass floor, butler service. Luxury amenities: Aromatherapy, IPTV movies, pillow menu, twice-daily minibar restock. Restrictions: Children under 13 not allowed in overwater bungalows.   The overwater bungalows cover a full 1442 square feet and have king-size bedrooms, lounges (with sofa bed), dining areas, and gorgeous outdoor terraces overlooking the Caribbean. We think you’ll find them sleek, sophisticated, and luxurious. Expect private infinity plunge pools, jacuzzis, glass floor viewing panels, private butlers, and 24-hour room service. Other standards include in-room aromatherapy, satellite TV, top-of-the-range music systems, complimentary IPTV movie selections, twice daily re-stocked minibars and a pillow menu. On-land we have a mixture of suites in different locations around the private beach and all of them share the same sleek interiors and modern luxury features. They can all sleep up to four but are generally smaller than the overwater bungalows which have over 1,100 square feet (106 square meters) of space. Note: Children (under 13) are not allowed to stay in the overwater bungalows. In all the other accommodations though children are welcome.   Prices & Availability: Check out the details at Booking.com here, Expedia here, or on the resort’s own website (Marriott) here. Note: Like all luxury overwater bungalows in the Caribbean those at Royalton Antigua are extremely sought after – you should really reserve your stay as soon as possible. You are allowed free cancellation on most bookings.   Food & Drink: Seven restaurants: Caribbean, American, and European cuisine. Flexible dining: Buffet, à la carte, in-room private dining available. Bars & entertainment: Themed bars, live entertainment, fine wines, and cocktails.   The resort has seven restaurants in total, with complimentary in-room private dinner and drinks service also available. The choice of food is enormous with a mixture of Caribbean, American, and European to be enjoyed, both buffet and a la carte. Each eatery has a different atmosphere and you can chill out with beef burgers and beer Deep Dive: Read the Review…

  W Maldives is a sophisticated 5-star, private (heart-shaped!) island overwater bungalow resort with cutting-edge design and facilities. It receives its fair share of international celebs and is a glamorous and fun place to hang out. Facilities include high-quality restaurants and bars, a sublime sauna & fitness center, and a water sports & dive center. The resort sits by what we consider the best house reef in the Maldives and you can admire a vast amount of sea life directly from your overater bungalow: reef sharks, angel fish, stingrays, and glow-in-the-dark plankton and jellyfish.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: Most of the accommodation units at W Maldives are overwater bungalows. Their entry-level overwater villas are listed as Fabulous Overwater Oasis and Spectacular Lagoon Oasis. Entry level or not these are incredible places to stay and we think they could be marketed as pretty much presidential suites in a lot of other resorts less extravagant than this. They are sleek and stylish and cover 1570 square feet/146 square meters of space which includes one double bedroom, a lounge with glass floor panels, a bathroom, and an outside terrace that has lounging space, a plunge pool, and direct access to the water below. The only difference as far as we could see between these two is that the ‘Spectacular Lagoon Oasis’ has an overwater hammock on the terrace and the ‘Fabulous Overwater Oasis’ doesn’t. For such a minor difference you’d expect them to be priced very similarly but for some reason, as we can see here at booking.com, the Spectacular Lagoon Oasis will cost you a couple of hundred dollars more per night. Nice feature but definitely not worth that much more, we feel. Then on to the Vice Presidential and Presidential Overwater Villas. These are jaw-dropping two-bedroom units that are enormously spacious, the former being 3476 square feet/323 square meters and the latter a full 5295 square feet/492 square meters. They share the same general facilities and features of the more er…’ basic’ villas, what you are mainly paying for here is their much greater space and a greater sense of privacy. On land, there are the Beach Villas which share the same touch of class and come as doubles with king-size beds or two twin beds. Their setting may even be preferred by some guests – nestling in the jungle just at the edge of the beach they are thoroughly secluded and romantic.   Prices & Availability: Check out all the details at Booking.com here and at the resort’s own website (Marriott-Bonvoy) here.   Resort Facilities & Things to Do: Their AWAY® Spa has a sublime setting and a range of massage, Ayurvedic, and facial treatments. Water sports are Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: The enormous, 5 Star, Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson Resort, just south of Kuala Lumpur, is one of Malaysia’s most iconic resorts, and it has the largest number of overwater bungalows of any resort in the world. There are an astonishing 522 overwater of them stretching out nearly a mile into the Strait of Malacca in the shape of a hibiscus flower. On land too there are a further one hundred-plus guest villas. We think each water villa has been beautifully put together, with luxurious interiors, and outdoor decks with private plunge pools. The only negative we can see though is that with such a huge number of overwater bungalows together they are relatively close together and not as private as some people may like. The resort itself has excellent facilities we have to say, including a great choice of restaurants and snack bars. Spa facilities, a kid’s club, and a huge range of fun water and land-based sports activities are all here. Water Villas & Other Accommodation: So there are 522 overwater villas and a further 117 on-land villas divided into categories and price points depending on location, view (sea view or beach view), and size. For us the pick of the bunch at Lexis Hibiscus is of course the spectacular Presidential Suite, right at the tip of the hibiscus. It is a four-ensuite bedroom duplex covering a full 4,112 square feet (382 square meters) with an enormous living, and dining area, kitchen, and bar. It also has unobstructed sea views, two infinity pools, and an outdoor jacuzzi. Check out all your options at Agoda here or at Booking.com here.  Across the board, we think you’ll find the accommodation spacious and airy. They all come with king beds and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that open onto furnished outdoor decks with private plunge pools. We see the designers paid particular attention to the bathrooms – more spacious and luxurious than most they have double sinks, rainfall showers, steam rooms, and soaking tubs with sea views. They also have direct access to the terrace and the aforementioned private plunge pools. Mod cons include large TVs, WiFi, mini-fridges, and minibars. And all the overwater bungalows have that classic overwater feature we’ve grown to love – glass viewing panels in the floor to watch the marine life below. Prices: Check out all the details – prices, reviews, and more photos, at Booking.com here or at Agoda here. Resort Facilities & Things to Do: There is a relatively small beach at the resort with umbrellas and loungers and a water sports area with a huge range of fun water sports on offer. Segways, yoyo cars, and bikes can be rented on land Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: Lily Beach Resort is a 5-star all-inclusive with overwater bungalows on a stunning private island in Ari Atoll, Maldives. Their all-inclusive plan offers a generous array of quality services, with a range of free water sports activities and excursions and lots and lots of premium food and drink. It is a well-known resort and consistently popular; people return here year after year, so we’d recommend you book well in advance.   Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: We have a choice of water villas, beach villas, and lagoon villas at Lily Beach. The typically Maldives romantic overwater bungalows come in two categories: their ‘Deluxe Water Villas’ have 1356 ft² of space including a private outdoor deck with a jacuzzi plunge pool. Their ‘Sunset Water Villas’ are a step ahead with 1960 ft² to play with, a proportionally larger deck and a larger pool, as well as a 24-hour personal butler service. All the overwater choices have our favorite feature – a section of glass floor panels to gaze at the sea life below your feet. The Lagoon Villas are at the edge of the lagoon and cover just short of 1000 ft², are secluded and private, and come with an outdoor bath on the terrace. The Beach Villas have a nice location right on the beach with a private deck and about 730 ft² of space for the ‘standard’ villas and 1463 ft² for the two-bedroom ‘family’ villas, which are effectively two interconnected standard villas. The style is modernist and fairly minimalist we feel, with the emphasis being more on comfort than fancy decor. All the accommodation choices include luxury hotel standard facilities and features as standard: air-conditioning, WiFi, flat-screen TV & home theatre system, tea/coffee making facilities, minibar and safe, etc. The bathrooms are all suitably plush too and come with powerful rainfall showers and luxury spa bathtubs.   Prices & Availability: Check out all the details at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.   Food & Drink: We have four restaurants and three bars to choose from here, and the quality of the food and drink is excellent. Many 5-star all-inclusives let themselves down a little when it comes to food and drink, both in quality and quantity offered, but not here. Choices include the main centerpiece restaurant; the buffet-style Lily Maa, which is partly open air, has sand floors, and two open cook stations. It offers a great variety of international food and has a selection of around 70 premium wines. The á la carte Tamarind Restaurant serves a fusion of Indian and Chinese cuisine while the Spirit Bar offers a range of premium, complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, is open until 1 am, and Deep Dive: Read the Review…

Why We Like It: All-inclusive resorts, be they with overwater bungalows or not, can tend to fall short when it comes to real luxury but Ozen Maadhoo is the Maldives’ finest example of how to get it right. We think it’s a really fabulous place: the setting is stunning, as is the accommodation, there is a generous supply of top quality food and drink and, if staying more than 4 nights, complimentary activities to enjoy too – spa treatments, scuba diving, and a meal at the resort’s very special underwater restaurant, just to give you an idea. All that plus very high levels of service make Ozen All Inclusive, for us, excellent value compared to other similar resorts in the Maldives. Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation: We have a choice between classic Maldives overwater bungalows and beach villas here, ranging in size from 85 m² to 285 m². They are all doubles, with king-size bed and a sofa bed in the lounge area if needed, with the exception of the large ‘Beach Pool Pavillion‘, which has two bedrooms – a master bedroom and one twin bedroom. The water villas are a classically romantic choice with direct access to the water and uninterrupted views as far as the eye can see. They also all have, amongst other luxury features, glass floor panels in the living room and standalone ellipse-shaped bathtubs that open up to the outside via sliding doors. The standard villas will not disappoint but the ‘Water Villas with Private Pool‘ are the pick of the bunch, having 1205 sq ft/112 sq meters of space and a nice infinity-style plunge pool on the outside deck. The beachside villas may not have that but they all have a private pool as standard and across the accommodation choices the interior design and decor is crisp and smart with sleek furniture, bright fabrics, and tasteful art pieces. Modern luxury hotel facilities are standard too with AC, WiFi, flat-screen cable TV, Segafredo coffee machines, and free minibars that are generously restocked twice a day. We think you’ll find the service top quality at this resort and you will have room service, a private butler, and concierge services throughout your stay. Prices: Check out prices & availability at Booking.com here or at Expedia here. Food & Drink: We find food can be an issue at all-inclusive resorts, in terms of quality anyway. But the Ozen deserves plaudits for it being consistently good. You have a choice of buffet and à la carte international food at The Palms Restaurant, a range of traditional South Asian at IndoCeylon, Chinese at The Peking, and sushi at Raw. We cannot fail to mention the M6m, the resort’s signature (adults Deep Dive: Read the Review…

El Dorado Maroma, an adults-only, luxury resort near Cancun is home to the very first overwater bungalows in Mexico. We think it really is a tremendous resort, and sets the standard for other luxury resorts to follow. Its location sure helps though – Maroma Beach, Playa del Carmen – rated one of the Caribbean’s, and in fact, the world’s, best beaches. We think you’ll find accommodation wonderful across the board, not just the overwaters, and their gourmet food and drink are of the highest quality.   The Overwater Bungalows: Elite vs. Standard, Which to Choose? The overwater bungalows come with all the features we would expect from such a pioneering resort – glass floor panels, hot tubs, private infinity pools, outdoor showers, and direct access to the water below your feet. We have two basic types here – the standard Palafitos, with nightly rates starting at about 1300 USD, and the Elite Palafitos which starrt at around 1500 USD. They’re practically identical, except for one well…location, location, location. The Elite Bungalows face directly out to the open sea, offering better privacy and far superior views. The Standard Bungalows, by contrast, are located along the sides of the pier, closer to the shore or farther out, but facing the beach. As a result, they tend to offer less privacy and have partially obstructed views of the ocean. So, the overall experience can be quite different. If your budget can stretch that bit extra, we’d definitely recommend the Elite Bungalows.   Check Availability With All-Inclusive Rates Check dates & prices at Expedia here or at Booking.com here.   Overwater Fine Dining & Gourmet Tasting Corners El Dorado Maroma is an all-inclusive resort with a great emphasis on gourmet food and drink, and with much of the ingredients coming fresh from their own greenhouses. We have a very good choice of restaurants here, as well as small, informal ‘Gourmet Tasting Corners’ serving everything from Mexican and Caribbean to Oriental and Italian. The main restaurant is the Overwater Grill & Wine Bar which features two glass-floor dining rooms, spectacular views, and a wide selection of local and international dishes. The breakfast at El Dorado Maroma is a legendary spread and you can order some to be delivered to your room. The same goes for any meal actually, 24 hours, and picnic hampers, etc. can also be arranged for romantic days out which your private butler will be happy to arrange.   Indulgent Spa Treatments & Endless Activities There are swim-up bars at the two communal swimming pools, a shisha bar, and other bars with live entertainment. The resort also has a gym/fitness center and a lovely overwater Spa, the Náay Spa, which uses treatments Deep Dive: Read the Review…

One of three overwater bungalow resorts near Cancun, Mexico – the others being the nearby Banyan Tree Mayakoba and Palafitos El Dorado resorts – Rosewood Mayakoba shares the same serene Caribbean coast setting along with high-quality accommodation, service, and facilities, in particular its award-winning spa. We found it a sophisticated resort and though it attracts a high-end clientele, there seems little in the way of snootiness. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly throughout.   Mayan Lagoon Suites: Luxury Overwater Bliss for Adults-Only The resort has 129 sleek and modern suites and villas for us to choose, including overwater bungalows, of varying sizes from 780 sq. ft. to 1500 sq. ft., all of which come with an array of luxury facilities and the finest interior design. They all have a sleek and classy modern design and a real sense of luxury. Features include private plunge pools, spacious open-plan bathrooms with bathtubs, indoor and outdoor showers, walk-in closets, and a separate lounge area with seating and dining space. Facilities include WiFi, Satellite TV, Bose music systems, personal butlers for the overwaters and some other villas, and 24-hour room service. Their overwater bungalows are adults only, though the rest of the resort is family-friendly. They have a maximum occupancy of two and feel very spacious indeed with 977 sq. ft. of interior space and 498 sq. ft. of private terrace outside which includes an infinity-style plunge pool (that can be heated, rather unnecessarily perhaps!)   Rosewood Mayakoba Rates & Seasonal Availability Check dates & prices here at Expedia   Culinary Excellence: From Italian-Mexican to La Ceiba Fine Dining We have a number of fantastic restaurants to choose from here; Caso del Lago serves Italian with a Mexican twist, while Agave Azul mainly does Asian-influenced seafood dishes. Punta Bonita is a Mexican bistro while the cool Aqui Mi Quedo serves Mexican and Caribbean street food, has a casual bar-like atmosphere, and is adults-only. La Fondita is a Mexico City-style informal tostaderia with indoor and outdoor seating and with a menu mainly composed of small dishes and snacks including some signature tostadas and fresh ceviche. And we have to give a special mention to La Ceiba, a 20,000-square-foot outdoor fine dining experience that is more than just a restaurant. The food is mainly traditional Yucutan, with a spotlight on traditional Mayan open-flame cooking techniques, and much of the ingredients come fresh from the adjoining kitchen garden. The place is designed to be an interactive experience for guests who can partake in cooking demonstrations, cocktail-making lessons, and various tasting sessions. Bespoke dining can also be arranged from any of the above restaurants, in secret, romantic locations around the resort or, if you would prefer, in your Deep Dive: Read the Review…