Overwater Bungalows for Every Vacation (& Where to Find Them)

When you picture your dream vacation, what comes to mind?

A luxuriously soft mattress dressed in silk sheets? Tropical breezes scented with salt and frangipani? Candy-colored sunsets and endless ocean views?

That blissful solitude, desert island decadence, and million-dollar view can be found all over the world in the form of one of the hottest travel trends around: the overwater bungalow.

Overwater bungalows come in all shapes and sizes, from opulent resorts and mini-mansions on stilts to secluded villas and eco-hideaways. No matter your budget or preference, there’s a bungalow to suit every type of trip.

Read on for a roundup of our favorite places to find a little slice of paradise.

St. Regis Bora Bora | Bora Bora

St. Regis Bora Bora is as mammoth as it is heavenly.

It offers the largest overwater villas in the South Pacific (the floor plans here start at 1,550 feet), each one outfitted with a separate living room and bedroom, a massive bathroom, and glass viewing panels cut right into the floor so you can watch all sorts of fascinating marine life swim by.

Amenities at St. Regis Bora Bora are exactly what you’d expect from the type of 5-star resort visitors call “beyond amazing”: miles of pristine beach, a private “Lagoonarium,” a state-of-the-art fitness center, gourmet dining facilities, and a gigantic spa perched on its own private island within the island.

Vacations here are postcard-perfect—one night at this sublime resort will have you dreading your inevitable return to the real world.

Song Saa Private Island Hotel | Cambodia

Cambodia might not be the first place you think of when you hear “luxury resort,” but Song Saa Private Island hotel aims to change that.

Tucked away in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago, this stunning island resort conjures up castaway fantasies and ultramodern comfort in equal measure. Villas here are rustic-chic, their thatched roofs and timber beams contrasted with earthy stone accents and polished marble walls. Each one is perfectly equipped for lounging around (think: sheltered sundecks, plush canopy daybeds, and private infinity pools) but guests who want a change of pace will find a wide array of activities on offer, including sea kayaking, diving, island safaris, yoga, conservation tours, and traditional Buddhist ceremonies.

Not only is Song Saa dazzlingly beautiful, but its mission is one of environmental protection. Husband and wife co-founders Rory and Melita Hunter founded both the resort itself and the million-square-meter marine reserve that surrounds it (Cambodia’s first-ever protected marine area). The hotel supports all sorts of sustainability and conservation initiatives in Koh Rong, meaning you can feel good about spending your hard-earned cash here.

El Dorado Maroma | Mexico

“This is not just a resort. This is romantic escape,” El Dorado Maroma declares, and we’re inclined to agree.

Named the 4th Best Resort in the World by Condé Nast Traveler, El Dorado Maroma blows the competition out of the water with unparalleled beachside vistas, bespoke experiences, and Mexico’s first and only overwater bungalows—beautifully-appointed palafitos kitted out with glass floor panels, outdoor showers, private decks, jacuzzis, and an exquisite view of the sunset.

El Dorado Maroma is an adults-only resort, which makes it the perfect destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. Indulge in a couples spa treatment, find nirvana together at an outdoor yoga session, or get spicy in the kitchen with a cooking class.

With the sun-kissed sands of Maroma Beach at your doorstep and the jungle-wrapped ruins of the Riviera Maya just a quick day trip away, this is the perfect place to experience wild adventure and supreme relaxation side by side.

Sandals Royal Caribbean | Jamaica

The name doesn’t lie—Sandals Royal Caribbean resort is a destination fit for royalty.

Set on its own private island in Montego Bay, this place is a glamorous cocktail of trendy Asian influences and irresistible Caribbean rhythms. The most spectacular of all the suites are the overwater villas, which are arranged in a heart shape above the crystal-clear water.

A stay in one of these magnificent villas involves every luxury imaginable: mahogany beds with soft Egyptian linens, exclusive in-room dining, private infinity pools on secluded terraces, marine viewing panels, and your own personal butler.

If you manage to get tired of being waited on hand and foot in your cushy suite, there are plenty of resort activities to keep you entertained. Hit up the Red Lane Spa, strap on a snorkel and explore the reefs, try your hand at a new sport (land or water), or order a cocktail and soak up the incredible live entertainment happening around the clock.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

Mainstream has its appeal, but sometimes you want an experience that’s truly one of a kind. You might have to venture a little farther abroad to uncover these over-the-water gems, but I promise it’ll be worth it.

Constance Prince Maurice | Mauritius

2,000 miles off Africa’s east coast, adrift in the blindingly blue waters of the Indian Ocean, lies the island nation of Mauritius.

Its natural beauty is jaw-dropping, with swaths of tropical rainforest giving way to towering mountain ranges and coastlines dusted with powdery white sand. Balmy temperatures, ample sunshine, and a relatively small population give the island a real hidden paradise feel—a feeling that only intensifies when you walk through the doors of the extraordinary Constance Prince Maurice.

Designed with the principles of feng shui in mind, the Constance Prince Maurice is a collection of architecturally dazzling buildings: open-air restaurants, thatch-roofed villas, a world-class spa, and (of course) overwater bungalows. The bungalows blend upscale touches with hints of Mauritian warmth for an intimate, relaxed experience that would make for a perfect couples holiday.

Sunbathe or stargaze on your private furnished balcony, sample gourmet delicacies on a floating, candlelit deck, or unwind in bliss at the spa—no matter what, you’ll leave feeling serene and refreshed.

Hôtel Palafitte | Switzerland

Switzerland is basically the furthest from “tropical paradise” you can get, but even this land of snowy mountains and alpine valleys isn’t immune to the charms of the overwater villa. Case in point: Hôtel Palafitte.

This strange and wondrous hotel sits perched on tall stilts right over Lake Neuchâtel, the largest lake in Switzerland. It was built in 2002 as part of a national exhibition and its artsy roots are evident in both the clean, modern look of the exterior and the understated Nordic decor of its suites. Lake rooms come equipped with a private terrace that offers sweeping views of the distant Alps as well as direct access to the water via a swinging ladder.

One of Hôtel Palafitte’s highlights is its staggering array of high-tech integrations, from fingerprint-scanning door locks to room tablets that control the lighting, window blinds, and entertainment system.

Despite its futuristic technology and sleek design, however, the hotel maintains a warm and peaceful atmosphere that has you unconsciously relaxing from the moment you arrive. Whether you visit in summer or winter, the magic of the mountains and the lake is sure to pull you in.