Butler service is a given: here, they arrange welcome cocktails, dining reservations, and can even unpack your luggage and press your clothes. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. If you're going to stay in an overwater bungalow, there is no other place to consider other than French Polynesia. Though these rooms are not the same as those you would find in the Maldives, they still offer great views of the ocean and island from your private deck. Bora Bora is synonymous with the word Overwater Bungalows. This is because these areas are home to crystal clear, shallow blue waters that are suited to such accommodations. Mooreas overwater bungalows are most likely to have fish and coral directly underneath the bungalow and offer several three and four-star resort options. You wont find resorts that small with such luxury in other South Pacific islands. Of course, to make it to the top of our list, it also has to have great views. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and twins. Talk about the ultimate in pampering! The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora has long been home to some of the most sought-after overwater bungalows in the world, but recent upgrades have made its upscale villas even more impressive. Our favorites are the ones that can see Bora Bora, and also those at the end of the pontoon with views back towards the island of Tahaa. Nightly rates for three-bedroom villas that sleep up to six guests start at $2,689 for reservations in 2022. At a whopping 3500 square feet (321 square meters), there's plenty of space for two bedrooms and two bathrooms, separate private terraces for each bedroom, direct . Pros: This hotel is surrounded by incredibly unspoiled natural beauty with no crowds in sight. Water depth is about . While it was not always a region known for overwater bungalow offerings, Central America and the Caribbean now offer plenty of options, ranging from sky-high price points to budget-friendly options. 7 Nights Link on TravelByJen.com or call for help 1-800-603-3178. Samoa's only Overwater Fales Luxury and Romance Defined. The resort features plenty of traditional accommodation options, as well as overwater honeymoon suites with a roomy sun deck, an outdoor shower, an outdoor soaking tub for two and an overwater hammock. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Contact us to get started planning your trip today! Ten of them are in the Mamanuca Islands, at a five-star luxury resort called LikuLiku Lagoon Resort. Guests can enjoy exclusive treatments at the Waldorf Astoria Spa, relax the day away at the resort's pool or stay active with water sports like kayaking and diving. Travelers who want a convenient all-inclusive experience in an overwater bungalow should look into the Chairman Overwater Bungalows at the Royalton Antigua. There are 24 overwater suites and bungalows and entry-level Overwater Suites come with living rooms, large bathtubs, and private decks with shaded sitting areas and direct access to the lagoon. Las Lagunas is located in the heart of the Mayan world near the ancient ruins of Tikal, Uaxactn, and Yaxh in Guatemala. . Here, you can book an overwater bungalow for about $1,100 per person per night, but the all-inclusive pricing model offers significant value. Though a visit to overwater bungalows in Belize is considered the height of luxury travel as the cost can run into thousands of dollars, it is worthwhile to know that some resorts and villas are reasonably priced. This family-run resort caters to a wide variety of travelers, and rates start around $600 per night. When I think of the South Pacific Islands I see coral gardens, thatched roofs, and gorgeous water just screaming at me to come float for hours. The adults-only enclave has 30 plafitos (stilt houses) on a secluded stretch of the Riviera Maya. The oddball idea became an instant phenomenon: Now known as an overwater bungalow, the design became the hotel's signature detail and helped establish French Polynesia as a tropical getaway. The location on Samoa is ideal for water sports of all kinds, including surfing and scuba diving. The resort features five restaurants and vibrant tropical bars, and guests can also take part in theme nights that include traditional cuisine and dance. All rights reserved. Fiji is best known for its luxury boutique islands that are often truly breathtaking. Make is a full week in Paradise and add 3 Nights at El Dorado Maroma from +$999 per person! Some villas even feature their own private infinity pools with adjacent hammocks positioned over the water. All overwater bungalow hotels provide excellent service and picture-perfect amenities to ensure each property meets your lofty expectations. We were fortunate to get upgraded to the Over Water Fales. Otemanu, a requirement for any top Bora Bora overwater bungalow. On-site amenities: Restaurant, water activities, all-inclusive packages. The closest island to Tahiti is Moorea, and this is where overwater bungalows really start to get good. . A high concentration of overwater bungalows are found in Asia, most famously, in the Maldives. Sign up for our monthly Overwater Bungalows newsletter. This private island resort is located on the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, which is flanked by spectacular white sand beaches and some of the clearest waters in the world. Best Authentic Samoan Experience National Park of American Samoa's Home Stay Program Web site: www.nps.gov You can even go spelunking! . Pros: The price offers excellent value for an intimate, indulgent room with a more under-the-radar location than Tahiti or Fiji. El Nido is situated in a cove of the mountainous Apulit Island in Taytay Bay in North-eastern Palawan. Here is a list of the top 10 best and cheapest overwater bungalows in the world: 1. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. However, the resorts with the best views, the most space, and the most bells and whistles are on motus that face back towards the lagoon and volcano. The South Pacific is the most popular place in the world to stay in an overwater bungalow. From Bora Bora to the Maldives and everywhere between, overwater accommodations provide the utmost privacy and exceptional views, often with overwater hammocks, private pools and other amenities that help make your trip special. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Reaching Coconuts Beach Club is easy. On-site amenities: Pool, fitness center, restaurant, spa, activities. The 12 overwater bungalows at Sandals South Coast, on Jamaica's northwestern coast, couldn't be more romanticthey're even arranged in the formation of a heart! We are return Coconuts of 2007. This top-notch resort is located on the main island of Tahiti in French Polynesia, yet it feels a world away. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. However, many countries are now accepting fully vaccinated American travelers or those who can show proof of a negative COVID test. To reach the Aga Reef Resort youll first fly into the Faleolo International Airport. Samoa | Overwater Bungalows Home Destinations Samoa Destination travel guide for Samoa WHEN VISITING ANY DESTINATION IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO PREPARE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Nightly rates for overwater rooms start at around $7,000 for double occupancy in May. Guests can dine at the property's three eateries or indulge in a private meal for two on the resort's piano deck. Cons: The island is small, which might (or might not) feel sleepy to your pace. El Nido Resort Apulit Island. Sign up for Australia and New Zealand Travel Updates. Traditional Fijian decor with touches of nautical style and thatched roofing completes the look. The tides move a lot in Fiji, hence why their coral is so vibrant, so Fiji is not famous for its overwater bungalows. Our Rating. These bungalows are surrounded by the Caribbean Sea in every direction, and each boasts an outdoor shower, a two-person Jacuzzi, glass-bottom floors, a balcony with a micro-infinity plunge pool and a ladder that lets adventurous travelers climb directly into the ocean. Teetering atop the reef at the northern headland of a crescent shaped cove, 10 bungalows are styled on a traditional Fijian village. Guests can book any number of overwater bungalows with private pools and sizable decks for lounging, but they can also reserve the Muraka Suite a two-level multibedroom "residence" that features a submerged bedroom 16 feet below sea level. All-ages. Stay in the largest overwater villas in French Polynesia and the South Pacific, starting at 1,550 square feet, and revel in the turquoise blue waters visible from the glass panel floors. The property boasts several overwater accommodation options, including overwater bungalows with up to three bedrooms. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, part of Hilton Hotels, is unique from other resorts in the area because it's located on two islands instead of one, resulting in more room options, privacy, and added amenities. Butler service is also included for a truly luxe stay. Also, Fiji is far you'll have to cross the international dateline to get there if arriving from the US. The overwater bungalow rates start around $500 per night, with premium overwaters starting at $750 . They're spacious, clean, and come with huge bathrooms with a shower, bathtub, and large window overlooking the balcony. In the Caribbean, Sandals now offers overwater bungalows in Jamaica and St. Lucia for a worthy splurge. The Maldives, Mexico and the Caribbean are a few popular regions where you can find hotels with overwater bungalows. Vanuatu has two adjacent resorts with overwater bungalows. Along with an alcohol-free atmosphere, Banana Island Resort Doha boasts a spa and wellness center, a surf pool, a dive center, a 20-seat movie theater, a bowling alley and a putting green, as well as five restaurants serving everything from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine to retro American diner favorites like burgers and milkshakes. Our other favorite on Moorea is the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort. World-famous for having top-notch luxury and lots and lots of overwater bungalows. Samoa Packages. For more on hotel safety during COVID, read our reporting on what experts say you need to know. Fiji's Koro Sun Resort sprawls over 160 acres on the island of Vanua Levu. Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort is the only boutique hotel in Tuamotu Archipelago, located on one of its most beautiful atolls. Bora Bora is the most famous island of Tahiti. A rather small 4-star resort featuring a total of just 16 rooms, the Aga Reef Resort in Samoa is ideal for visitors seeking a tropical stay alongside luxury amenities. Rates for OWBs start at around $250-$300 a night, although regular room rates can be booked for less. Sheraton Aggie Greys Hotel & Bungalows. Waterfront Villas Over-water bungalows with a difference, the Lake Crackenback apartments stretch out over an inland lake affording magnificent mountain and Thredbo Valley views across a breathtaking expanse of crystal clear mountain lake. VIP Villa Here, Edgewater Floating Bures are adults-only accommodations offering 380-square-foot rooms, each one floating within the resort's calm marina. This shading could result in a decreased survival rate, or at least promote behavioural changes in various components of the biological community. Sa'Moana Beach Bungalows Show prices Enter dates to see prices 312 reviews The resort also features a spa and two restaurants. Guests come here to get away from it all, and to enjoy treatments at the Spa Village, guided jungle walks, yoga and tai chi morning sessions and more before retreating to their luxury lodging. Pros: This hotel enjoys total seclusion off the beaten path and is surrounded by raw, natural beauty. Some have freshwater plunge pools in the deck, suspended over the water. While most overwater bungalows are located in far-flung island chains, there are some that are more easily accessible, including a few within all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. The resort's overwater bungalows are known for offering spacious outdoor verandas, sun loungers and soaking tubs with 360-degree water views. Up the romance by booking a dinner cruise aboard the resort's dhoni, a traditional Maldivian fishing boat. The overwater bungalows at Sandals South Coast are located a quick walk down the dock from the white sandy beach. The location itself is also a favorite and guests praise the views that come with each room. Those who have stayed in the island villas state that they were able to wake up to a beautiful view each and every morning. The first is best for those who want a more authentic Polynesian feel at a smaller resort with fewer than 100 rooms and 30 overwater bungalows, and also with a more affordable price: the Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea. Learn more about coverage options for frequent travelers and those with multiple upcoming trips. Nightly rates for double occupancy for overwater accommodations at this Le Mridien property start at $677 per night for early 2022 reservations. Thrill-seekers will love climbing and rappelling down the 60-meter limestone cliff or exploring the Japanese shipwrecks just of the coast. Find the right agent for your trip. The property has a spa, impeccable scuba options, and an overwater room category billed as Fiji's only floating accommodation. A two-person kayak is tied to each bure's 120-square-foot private front deck, so you can hop right in the water for either kayaking or swimming. The Holiday Inn Resort has ten, and next door, the Warwick Le Lagon Resort has four. Cons: Expect accommodations overall to be much pricier than those that might be found in other regions, like Central America. Ever since photos of the first overwater bungalows appeared in Time magazine in 1962, they've sparked wanderlust the definition of inspirational travel way before Instagram was even a thing. Just off the bedroom are doors that open to an additional, small, mini-deck. Made of wood and constructed on stone jetties, the bungalows are an extension of our award-winning Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa. October 30, 2015. The best of the best there is the two-bedroom Overwater Royal Otemanu Villas with Pool. Both resorts have coral underneath the bungalows, making for more entertaining viewing than if they just had sand, but both tend to have fairly shallow waters that make it harder to jump right in. The majority of these are located in the Maldives and the South Pacific, but they can also be found in Mexico, the Caribbean , the US and Kenya and . The best of the best are the four Otemanu Overwater Bungalow Suites with Plunge Pool. While all-inclusive bungalow resorts are very rare in Bora Bora there are meal plans that can be purchased with half board or full board inclusions at many resorts when staying at an overwater bungalow resort. Bora Bora Island - Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Next, preferences went to bungalows that maximized the overwater experience. In order to reach American Samoa Islands, you have to go all the way to Honolulu in Hawaii. Cons: Tikehau is remote don't expect to get there in a fast jaunt from Tahiti's international airport. Our other favorite overwater bungalows in the South Pacific are at the St. Regis Bora Bora. After landing you can then either choose to rent your own vehicle and drive about 2 hours to the resort or you can use the resorts 24 hour shuttle service for a small fee. Do keep in mind that the seafloor tends to be mostly sand here, which makes for great swimming but you wont see as much fish through the glass panel on your floor. Follow these steps (and allow plenty of time) to get your child a passport. A luxurious adults only retreat, Likuliku means calm water and perfectly describes its Yasawa Islands location. Bora Bora is easily one of the most stunning and luxurious destinations in the world thanks to its crystal clear waters and location next to Mount Otemanu. Pros: This hotel offers excellent value with access to stunning Mayan ruins and a jungle feel that is unlikely to be found with other overwater villas. Even more exciting are the Coconuts VIP excursions that allow you to visit different locations on the island with a private car and driver. Guests who want to leave the privacy of their bungalow can enjoy the resort's beautiful white sand beachfront on Antigua's Deep Bay or dine at seven different restaurants serving international, Italian and American steakhouse cuisine. Ladders plunge directly from a sundeck into the shallow waters below, and glass floor panels allow for views of the marine life below. Wi-Fi: No Its island of Tahiti has a few overwater bungalows, but Moorea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora are far better. Wi-Fi is also weak. Overwater bungalows in the Tahiti Islands of French Polynesia Nestled in the iconic turquoise South Pacific, 118 islands many still uninhabited make up a unique paradise that draws scores of honeymooners, celebrities, and bucket list adventurers each year. These are the best affordable overwater bungalows, from rustic and eco-minded to over-the-top posh. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Palafitos - Overwater Bungalows Offers Get inspired Scroll Check In Guests 2 Book Now Palafitos Overwater Bungalows A Top Rated Resort They're pricier, but all-inclusive options add serious value. Palafitos Overwater Bungalows surround you with the sapphire serenity of the Caribbean. Cons: While some options represent the highest-end overwater experience, others in this region might be more rustic and less luxurious. overwater bungalow VRBO Known as Little Peter Oasis, this two-bedroom overwater bungalow features a thatched roof, mahogany floors and 1,500-square feet of decking, all perched on a. Gently lapping waves both beckon you for a swim and lull you to sleep every evening. We rate Likuliku as one of our favourites too. Whether youre coming from Phoenix or Winnipeg or in-between, we can assist you with a dream vacation staying in one of the best overwater bungalows in the South Pacific. We stayed for three nights in one of the Overwater Fales..Very beautiful and well catered for. Certified specialists from America's #1 agent network. These stunning islands rival the South Pacific in terms of reputation for coveted ultra-luxury accommodations and otherworldly scenery. If adults-only peace and quiet are important, then ensure your resort doesnt allow kids and offers intimate, personalized service. Most of its overwater villas have their own private pools, and some feature multiple floors and outdoor whirlpools. Email us at reviews@insider.com. It's expensive but justifiably so as everything needs to be grown or imported. We stayed at Coconuts Beach Club in October for 4 nights and were lucky enough to stay in over the water Fale Lima which was the furtherest out Fale. Each has a large sun deck, expansive bedroom with a King bed, and a high traditional Samoan ceiling. You'll need time. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 4.5 / 5. In the 50 years since the Bali Hai Boys debuted their overwater bungalows in Bora Bora, these types of accommodations have sprouted up .