It’s easy to find yourself dreaming about an overwater bungalow stay — the hard part is picking one! Escape with us to one of these incredible spots, where rainbow reefs and crystal water await beneath glass floors, and lazy mornings begin with open air showers and breakfast delivered by canoe.
WHERE: TAHITI | PERFECT FOR: HAVING THE TOTAL PACKAGE
CONRAD BORA BORA NUI
Newly built and seriously modern, these private bungalows stretch into sparkling seas from the private island of Motu To’opua. The luxurious bungalows aren’t even the most beautiful part of this property: You’ll have a long stretch of white sand beach, six restaurants and bars, an onsite spa, infinity pool and the resort’s own private islet. Nearby Mount Otemanu and the surrounding forests offer ample trekking…if you can bring yourself to leave the bungalow.
WHERE: MALDIVES | PERFECT FOR: TOP TIER SNORKELLING AND DIVING
CENTARA GRAND BEACH RESORT & SPA
This five-star, all-inclusive resort boasts spacious villas set over the crystal-clear turquoise waters of South Ari Atoll. Three elegant onsite restaurants and bars offer tempting meals — including Champagne breakfasts! — as part of your stay. But this property’s most standout feature has to be the incredible snorkelling and diving: It sits over a reef that’s home to a kaleidoscope of colourful fish and right near a shipwreck dive site just off the island. On top of that, you’ve got easy access to some of the world’s best dive sites, which aren’t far away.
WHERE: TAHITI | PERFECT FOR: THE BEST GLASS FLOORS IN THE BUSINESS
LE MERIDIEN BORA BORA
One of the most memorable features in many overwater bungalows are their glass floor panes, which open up the stunning seas below. Most of these floor panes are relatively small, like little windows into the azure water. Not so at the Le Meridien, which can easily claim the largest glass floors in the islands and gives you the unforgettable feeling of, quite literally, walking on water. Descend a short spiral staircase and meet your sea turtle neighbours.
WHERE: TAHITI | PERFECT FOR: HONEYMOONS AND ROMANCE
ST REGIS BORA BORA
The St Regis offers classic five-star Bora Bora luxury with the dreamiest, most loved-up amenities: candlelit restaurants looking out over the water, secluded private dining and an onsite spa offering treatments for two. Let us know it’s your honeymoon and we’ll make sure the resort includes a bottle of bubbles, chef’s sweet treat, tropical flower bed dressing and 45-minute couples massage.
WHERE: MALDIVES | PERFECT FOR: GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY
CENTARA RAS FUSHI RESORT & SPA
This four-star resort offers one of our best values when it comes to overwater bungalows in the Maldives. It’s also adults-only, so you can expect an extraordinarily relaxing vibe. Less than 20 minutes away from Velana International Airport by speedboat, it waits on a pristine island in North Malé Atoll. Your stay will include meals at the fabulous on-site restaurants, one of which offers Middle Eastern cuisine memorably styled in a Bedouin tent. You’ll want to watch the sun set from the Viu Bar, which boasts unobstructed views and even overwater catamaran nets.
WHERE: TAHITI | PERFECT FOR: THE BEST VIEWS AROUND
INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA RESORT & THALASSO SPA
The views here are nothing short of spectacular. You’ll gaze straight from the pool to majestic Mt Otemanu and the lush forests surrounding it. The resort sits on a clear lagoon surrounded by endless sparkling waters—there is beauty everywhere you turn. Just as incredible: the resort’s onsite Thalasso spa, which integrates deep-sea nutrients into healing treatments in ancient Polynesian tradition. You know, for when you need to give your retinas a break from all that staring in amazement.
WHERE: MALDIVES | PERFECT FOR: FAMILY-FRIENDLY STAYS
HOLIDAY INN RESORT KANDOOMA MALDIVES
If you’re generous enough to consider taking your kids, this is the perfect place to bring the lucky mugs! With ‘Kids Stay & Eat Free’ offers, little ones dine free at the excellent on-site restaurants. Even better, the resort’s Kandoo Kids Club gives kids their own space complete with library, arts & crafts, gaming and an outdoor splash pool. The club is open daily from 8am to 8pm for children ages 4 to 12 years, and you can rest assured they’re being looked after by expert staff— which leaves adults free to enjoy lower-key pursuits, like Happy Hour or the gorgeous on-site spa. Babysitting services are also available, which makes this an ideal spot for everyone to get a little R&R!
