Overwater Bungalows near the USA (2025)

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…

  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…

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…

One of now three resorts with overwater bungalows in Jamaica (the others being Sandals Royal Caribbean & Princess Senses The Mangrove), we can say that Sandals South Coast is our particular favorite among the three. It is a 5-star, adults-only, all-inclusive resort that offers Epicurean indulgence in luxury overwater bungalows. The resort, in general, is large and we find the amount, and quality, of facilities and activities on offer very impressive. The food is a particular attraction – we have a full nine gourmet restaurants to choose from here with food that spans the globe.   Plush Luxury Over the Water with Private Butler We have a wide range of luxury accommodations to choose from here – rooms, suites, and over-water bungalows/villas, all offering varying levels of space, luxury, and privacy. Their 1,100 square feet over water bungalows are suitably plush and luxurious and come with outdoor sun decks with soaking tubs and overwater hammocks. Inside we have glass floor panels, a plush lounge/bedroom area and particularly nice, spa-style bathrooms. Guests in the overwater section have personal butler service as standard, and an exclusive in-room dining and room service menu.   Booking Your Stay: Direct Rates & Availability Check out all the details at the resort’s own website (Sandals) here, or at Expedia here   Sandals South Coast Deals & Free Nights Offers In order to fill gaps in occupancy (if they have any) due to cancellations etc., we find Sandals sometimes offers discounts on last-minute stays, generally one free night on stays of 3 or 4 nights if booked up to a few weeks in advance. Check for any last minute deals here.   Unlimited Gourmet Dining at 9 Specialty Restaurants Sandals South Coast is very large indeed with different European-themed sections such as French Village, Italian Village, Dutch Village, and Venetian Piazza. You’ll find a lot going on around the resort though the overwater bungalow section is slightly away from it all and so very peaceful. You have nine gourmet restaurants to choose from which serve consistently good European, Asian, and Caribbean cuisine, as well as eleven different bars with a range of musical, and other, entertainment, and a wide range of premium drinks.   Shopping, Water Sports & Indulgent Red Lane Spa Treatments You can do some duty-free shopping at the collection of resort boutiques and luxury jewelers, browse art galleries, or play sports such as beach volleyball, tennis, billiards, table tennis, and shuffleboard. We have a state-of-the-art gym and fitness center here, and the tranquil oasis of the Red Lane Spa has, amongst other things, a beauty salon, a yoga-pilates studio, a steam room, plunge pools, and several secluded outdoor relaxation areas. The all-inclusive package includes 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…

Thatch Caye is an all-inclusive, private island paradise with cozy Caribbean overwater bungalows 25 minutes by speedboat from mainland Belize. It is eco-friendly and has a kind of rustic, barefoot-chic vibe. It caters to no more than 30 people at any one time too and so feels relatively intimate and exclusive, but with a friendly, communal atmosphere. Numerous activities are offered at Thatch Caye and your days can be as busy or as peaceful and relaxed as you may wish.   Overwater Bungalows & On-Land Penthouses: Barefoot Luxury We have a choice of beach cabanas and overwater bungalows here. The latter are divided between Standard and Premium with the standard units being three bungalows sitting practically right beside each other just off the shore. Thus they’re really not ideal if privacy is what you’re after. But for a group of friends, if booked together, they could be perfect. We think the premium overwater bungalows on the other hand offer a huge amount of privacy. Though they are pretty much the same internally as the standard bungalows they have their own private walkway so feel very secluded. They don’t cost all that much more so we believe an upgrade to these premium bungalows will make sense to most people, especially those seeking a romantic getaway. Both have 320 sq. ft of nicely furnished and very comfortable space, including an outside terrace, so they’re not enormous but are certainly cozy and romantic. On shore, we have a choice of beach cabanas, divided into Standard, Premier, and Penthouse, with the Penthouse being the most desirable and most expensive. It is the largest at 441 sq ft and offers views over the open ocean from the terrace. In line with the island’s back-to-nature, modern-life detox philosophy none of the accommodations has Wi-Fi (or TV) but you can find both in the common areas – The Grove and Coco Lounge – described below.   All-Inclusive Rates & Current Availability Enter your dates & check prices here at Expedia.   Communal Dining: Farm-to-Table Belizean Cuisine Between its three all-inclusive restaurants/cafes/bars, the food at Thatch Caye is well received by guests, with much of the ingredients coming from their own organic gardens. We start every day with a made-to-order breakfast where you’ll find international staples alongside more Belizean choices, plenty of tropical fruits and juices, and good coffee. The breakfast is served in Coco Lounge, with one of the resort’s other venues, The Grove, then opening for lunch – full meals and various smaller bites, with much wonderful fresh seafood are all there, and they can also arrange food for you to take away on excursions, boat trips, picnic food, etc. In the evening The Grove is Deep Dive: Read the Review…

A Premier Overwater Bungalow Experience This 5 star Sandals’ resort opened the very first overwater bungalows in St. Lucia back in 2017, and they still remain one of just a handful of luxury overwater bungalow resorts in the Caribbean. So, not a lot of competition, and there are only only nine of them, so make reservations as early as you can. They all come with glass floor panels that allow us to peer into the sea beneath your feet, tranquility soaking tubs, private patios, and over-water hammocks amongst other special features. They also have a 24-hour personal butler service and the service throughout the resort is excellent. Sandals Grande St. Lucian is, like all Sandals resorts, 5-star, all-inclusive, and strictly adults-only.   Luxury Overwater Accommodation Plus Beachside Suites We have an enormous range of accommodation to choose from here, with the above-mentioned overwater accommodation absolutely the most popular. These have a spacious, luxurious feel with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, king-size beds with soft linens and plush pillows, smart TVs, sun decks, outdoor showers, swish bathrooms, and personal butler service. Many of the other choices will match, if not surpass, the style and sophistication of the overwaters though just without the novelty of having the ocean directly under our feet. The beachside suites in particular are extremely opulent and very much worth considering if the overwaters are not free.   Rates, Reservations, & Booking Direct Check out all the price details on the Sandal’s website here. Note 1: The overwater bungalows at Sandals St. Lucian are only available to book via the Sandals’ official website above. Note 2: Like all luxury overwater bungalows in the Caribbean the ones here are incredibly sought after – you really should reserve your stay as soon as possible. You are allowed free cancellation on all bookings within a certain time frame (check their site for full details).   Sandals St. Lucia Deals & Last Minute Specials In order to fill gaps in occupancy (if they have any) due to cancellations etc., we find Sandals sometimes offers discounts on last-minute stays, generally offering one free night on stays of 3 or 4 nights if booked up to a few weeks in advance. Check for any last minute deals here.   All-Inclusive Dining & Unlimited Land and Water Sports Sandals Grande St. Lucian is a huge resort with 311 accommodation units, twelve restaurants, and six bars including a British Pub and a swim-up pool bar. All of this is all-inclusive of course and we find the quality of food impressive. There is also a mile of gorgeous sandy beach at your disposal, a huge swimming pool, and excellent spa facilities. You can also enjoy many complimentary water Deep Dive: Read the Review…

St. George’s Caye, Belize, is a scenic private island with overwater bungalows near the Caribbean’s largest, and the world’s second-largest, barrier reef. We think it offers adventure and excitement on the one hand (it is a popular vacation spot for divers for example) and peace and tranquility on the other (honeymooners come here too). The food is highly praised, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included in the room rate, the service is great and the atmosphere is relaxed, warm, and friendly. It sells itself as a luxury resort but we think the accommodation, including the overwater bungalows, though charming and comfortable, may be a tad underwhelming for the price range. Despite the oversell, though, we think the resort, the island, and the general atmosphere of the place make it a unique and very enjoyable place to spend time in.   Rustic Overwater Bungalows, Plus Beachfront & Garden View Suites We have a choice of broadly similar thatched roof cabanas, all doubles/twins in three different locations – Overwater, Beachfront & Garden, with the Oceanfront being the most expensive, the Garden cheapest, and the Overwater in the middle price range. In the vast majority of resorts, the overwater accommodation is the most expensive choice but not at St. George’s. This is, we imagine, because they are quite closely huddled together, in a half circle facing the sea, and therefore offer less privacy than other cabanas. Some people may like this almost sociable setting but if it’s a relaxing romantic sojourn you’re after then you’d be far better off in a Garden or Oceanfront Bungalow, with the latter being our favorite. All the cabanas are pretty much the same size (roughly 380 sq ft.) and design and are rustic, romantic, and cozy with thatched roofs and lots of native wood furniture and fittings. We have air-con and a mini fridge here but not much more in terms of modern facilities. Wifi for example is only available in the main building. Outside all have nice verandahs with hammocks and seating. The overwaters are just offshore and don’t have private access to the water, you can go for a dip though by just stepping out the front door.   St. George’s Caye Rates & Availability Check out all the details at Booking.com here or at Expedia.com here. Note: There is a minimum stay of four nights.   Adventure on the Reef: Diving, Snorkeling & Island Spa The island has two beaches, the one on the eastern side being the largest and where most people spend more time in. The resort also has a saltwater swimming pool. You can snorkel just offshore – snorkel gear as well as paddle boards Hobie cats etc. are all free to Deep Dive: Read the Review…

  Sandals St. Vincent is the Caribbean resort chain’s newest resort, opened in March ’24, with among its broad accommodation choices St Vincent & The Grenadines’ very first Sandals overwater bungalows! They are also among the very newest overwater bungalows in the Caribbean, and seem to offer good value compared to some of the more established alternatives. They come as two-story units with outdoor decks with access to the water below, overwater hammocks, a semi-open air upper floor for lounging and dining, and glass floor panels downstairs. They are large too and have that space divided over two floors, giving more of  a luxury villa feel. The resort in general too is fabulous, and is shaping up to be one of Sandals’s very best. It’s more laid back and peaceful than many a Sandals, and feels more exclusive, but you still have twelve restaurants and nine bars to choose from. And the food is top class. The bar seems to be set very high from the start at Sandals St. Vincent. Hopefully they can keep up that momentum.   Check Prices & Availability: Check out all the details and book direct at the Sandal’s website here. Note: The overwater bungalows at Sandals St Vincent are currently only available to book via the Sandals’ official website.   Location Category: Caribbean St Vincent Deep Dive: Read the Review…