Even by Tahitian standards, this resort's remote location might be as close as you ever get to living that Robinson Crusoe life. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more Book Now. Palafitos Overwater Bungalows surround you with the sapphire serenity of the Caribbean. Number of Overwater Bungalows: 12. Bungalows are quite large at nearly 750 square feet, and decor is modern and tropical, done in creams and vibrant colors. 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. Individuals who choose this property will find unparalleled luxury, a spa with overwater treatment rooms, gourmet dining at six on-site eateries and some of the best views of Mount Otemanu in all of Bora Bora. The resort's overwater bungalows are known for offering spacious outdoor verandas, sun loungers and soaking tubs with 360-degree water views. Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort is the only boutique hotel in Tuamotu Archipelago, located on one of its most beautiful atolls. The best of the best there is the two-bedroom Overwater Royal Otemanu Villas with Pool. The views from these bungalows are excellent, gazing over the impossibly turquoise and sandy-bottomed Aitutaki Lagoon. For the cheapest prices, look to travel in off season, away from holiday periods, and when the weather might mean more rain. Overwater bungalows: 6 A luxurious adults only retreat, Likuliku means calm water and perfectly describes its Yasawa Islands location. For the latter, places in Central America like Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, and Panama are all strong choices. Read on to find out! Prices start in the low $300s and include full board with no catch. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. 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. I did not want to leave. The highlight of these unique Over-the-Water Fales is the expansive sun decks, where lucky couples will savor their own private retreat. If you're interested in a meal plan, there is one available that you can add on each day of your stay. There is simply nothing more romantic than a stay in an Overwater Bungalow in the tropical South Pacific. 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. Vanuatu has two adjacent resorts with overwater bungalows. Located in the culturally rich but much lesser-traveled South Pacific destination of Samoa, Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa is located on Upolu's southern coast where you'll experience incredible sunrises and sunsets. For those looking for the classic overwater experience, the place with the most options is French Polynesia. Most Water Villas have outdoor showers for you to rinse yourself off with after a swim. Some even have little glass doors in the floor which you can open, drop a few bread crumbs, and watch the tropical reef fish scurry for their prize. The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is an excellent choice if you want a luxury experience in the Maldives as a romantic couple or a family. Okay, heres where things get really good. So at low tide, most of the water under the Fiji bungalow disappears. We stayed at the Overwater Fale. Butler service is a given: here, they arrange welcome cocktails, dining reservations, and can even unpack your luggage and press your clothes. The overwater bungalows are in shallow water over a tidal, sandy area. Otemanu, a requirement for any top Bora Bora overwater bungalow. In order to reach American Samoa Islands, you have to go all the way to Honolulu in Hawaii. These newly built overwater bungalows deliver an immersive journey of the Caribbean's finest turquoise waters. All overwater bungalow hotels provide excellent service and picture-perfect amenities to ensure each property meets your lofty expectations. 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. As long as you follow proper precautions and choose hotels that promote the health and safety of guests, you can travel with little risk, especially if you are vaccinated. Located in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort offers overwater bungalow options in an all-inclusive, private-island setting. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider There are many free amenities, which help offset the price, and the views from rooms alone are worth it even if you don't take advantage of the perks. Service gets high marks, as do the facilities, keeping in mind this is more of a 3-star resort as opposed to one of the 5-star resorts in Bora Bora or the Maldives. All-ages. And if you opt for true luxury resorts, they likely will inch closer to $1,000, especially if you opt for all-inclusive or full-board packages and travel during popular times of the year and holidays. Sandals' Over-The-Water Bungalows and Villas are among the Caribbean's most alluring accommodations and include sea-through glass floors where you can catch a glimpse of what's happening in the marine world, king-size beds for ultimate comfort, and spa inspired bathrooms. 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. This unique resort is located on its own 300-acre private island, and it's surrounded by a centuries-old rainforest and white sand beaches. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. 9 Top Affordable Overwater Bungalows Around the World. 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 . Nightly rates for overwater accommodations with double occupancy start at around $630 for dates in early 2022. Palafitos Overwater Bungalows surround you with the sapphire serenity of the Caribbean. Those Wooden huts sitting on stilts are one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in French Polynesia and the whole of the South Pacific. 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. Reaching Coconuts Beach Club is easy. 2.2 Soneva Fushi Two-Bedroom Water Retreat with Slide - Chapter 2. Otemanu, but you also get your own private plunge pool on the deck! How we selected the best overwater bungalow hotels, Overwater bungalows in the Caribbean and Central America, people who are vaccinated can travel safely, read our reporting on what experts say you need to know, The best affordable hotel rooms with private plunge pools, The best wellness retreats in the Caribbean, The best honeymoon destinations and hotels, Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. 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. The CDC said people who are vaccinated can travel safely, though their current recommendations are for travel within the US. Bora Bora is also more expensive to visit than Fiji! A short flight from Tahiti and with views of Bora Bora in the distance, Le Tahaa is the only resort on this remote island so it offers seclusion and plenty of peace and quiet. We considered price first and foremost, and every hotel on this list ranges from $121 to $570 per night to start in off-peak seasons (aside from one worthy splurge). The ultimate bucket list item: staying in an overwater bungalow. Like at other resorts, the overwater bungalows differ only in view. You can even dine in a private gazebo outside your bedroom with a view of the mountain in the distance. Private decks can be closed off with sliding glass doors for privacy and the use of AC. The overwater bungalow rates start around $500 per night, with premium overwaters starting at $750 . . Sandals South Coast, Jamaica. Creating the lagoon, keeping it safe, sandy, and shallow, are a ring of tiny coral islands called motus. 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. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Pros: These regions are short distances from the mainland US, so you'll save both time and money on flights. The truly luxurious properties are where the most spectacular overwater bungalows can be found. Head to Le Meridin Tahiti, with a dozen overwater bungalows and 150 total rooms, for a bit more seclusion and more space. Find the right agent for your trip. Made of wood and constructed on stone jetties, the bungalows are an extension of our award-winning Fern Tree, A Salamander Spa. These six cabanas are situated on a half-moon-shaped dock with prime sunset views. Best Authentic Samoan Experience National Park of American Samoa's Home Stay Program Web site: www.nps.gov Up the romance by booking a dinner cruise aboard the resort's dhoni, a traditional Maldivian fishing boat. Guests will find an on-site spa with luxurious treatments, two impressive infinity pools, tropical gardens and endless water sports and activities. 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. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. Award-Winning Samoa Overwater Bungalows Embrace the tropical vibes of the South Pacific at Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa Samoa, home to the only overwater bungalows in the country. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. You can even go spelunking! 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. 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. Here, there are no other resorts, so you're isolated among secluded bays, impeccable beaches, and magical sunsets. Nightly rates for double occupancy in overwater villas at this Hilton resort start at $1,886 per night in early 2022, (Courtesy of Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts). These are places that not only would I feel comfortable staying in them myself, I would also send my clients to them. You might have heard this country called Tahiti, or the Society Islands although Tahiti is just one of many islands that also include Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, and Huahine, to name a few. We rate Likuliku as one of our favourites too. You'll get a private porch with a hammock and thatched roof overlooking the Caribbean Sea on the west side of the island. Enjoy scenic views and relaxing atmospheres at these resorts. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. The first overwater bungalows were constructed on the French Polynesian island of Ra'itea in 1967 by three American hotel owners, Jay Carlisle, Donald McCallum and Hugh Kelley. The St. Regis does allow children, but given its focus on romance and privacy, we think its best for couples and tend to recommend the Four Seasons more for families. We stayed for three nights in one of the Overwater Fales..Very beautiful and well catered for. Ocean View Hotel Rooms. Measuring at roughly 590 square feet each, the overwater bungalows accommodate up to 2 adults and provide direct access to the lagoon. Fiji's Koro Sun Resort sprawls over 160 acres on the island of Vanua Levu. All rooms are crafted from recycled timber sourced from old Filipino homes for floors and furnishings and also feature sliding glass doors that open to a private veranda. Bora Bora is synonymous with the word Overwater Bungalows. Cons: Critical reviews note the food lacks variety and a remote location means other options are limited. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. Its island of Tahiti has a few overwater bungalows, but Moorea, Tahaa, and Bora Bora are far better. Finally, an on-site kids club called the Young Discovery Park keeps little ones busy thanks to its water recreation area and supervised games and activities. In addition, because this resort is located a good distance away from the airport, you'll find that it serves as a great location for a romantic vacation. Pros: Koro Sun has a spectacular location in Fiji with kayaks included in every room's personal dock, plus free water activities. For something a bit more off the beaten path, you could try Fiji, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa, or The Cook Islands. Cons: Expect a very long journey to reach such a remote paradise. The free use of the resorts snorkeling equipment is also a big hit with guests. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Situated about an hour southeast of Negril, this resort sits along a 2-mile stretch of white sand and turquoise water among a 500-acre nature preserve. Grab a drink and lay back in a hammock over the water to catch Jamaica's famous sunsets. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. 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. Pros: You'll enjoy the classic overwater bungalow experience at this Maldivian stunner for far less than many other counterparts cost. Cheaper rooms that are not overwater exist, but if you have your heart set on one, nightly rates dip reasonably low in off and shoulder seasons. The adults-only enclave has 30 plafitos (stilt houses) on a secluded stretch of the Riviera Maya. Glass floor panels and lit water ensure you can enjoy undersea views at any time. For those who want the epitome of overwater bungalow experience, they should look no further than staying in a Tahitian bungalow. 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! Theyre a large resort with more than thirty overwater bungalows and 250 total rooms. These architecturally-designed Over-the-Water Fales are unlike any accommodation anywhere in the world.