Our guide to overwater villas around the world

Overwater villas have long been the stuff of dreams! These luxurious havens of peace offer travelers the chance to escape from everyday life and experience unique moments in the middle of the ocean.

These types of accommodation are particularly common in French Polynesia and the Maldives, but are also found in other sunny destinations such as the Caribbean, Asia and increasingly in the Middle East.

Our guide to overwater villas gives you an overview of some of the most sought-after hotel experiences around the world!

With its lagoons and numerous tropical islands, French Polynesia boasts a high concentration of overwater villas, particularly on Bora Bora.

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort offers superb overwater villas with a minimum surface area of 140 m², revealing turquoise-blue waters beneath their glass floors.

The St. Regis butlers, available 24/7, will ensure that your every wish is fulfilled! You’ll be able to meet blacktip sharks and stingrays, and enjoy the Lagoonarium, fitness center and spa.

This exceptional setting is perfect for a wedding or honeymoon! The hotel has four restaurants.

The Four Seasons Bora Bora features spacious overwater bungalow suites and beachfront villas with magnificent views of Mount Otemanu.

Facilities include an outdoor gym, spa, infinity pool, tennis court, four restaurants and the Sunset Bar & Lounge.

Free activities include snorkeling in the lagoon sanctuary, canoeing, windsurfing and catamaran trips, as well as the chance to feed the sharks.

The InterContinental Bora Bora Thalasso and Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea are also worth a mention in the world of dream resorts offering overwater villas in Polynesia. These establishments offer upscale services including spas and gourmet restaurants.

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui and Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts also offer superb overwater villas.

A paradise archipelago of magnificent coral islands, beaches and diverse marine life, the Maldives is also renowned for its abundance of overwater villas.

An hour and a half by speedboat or 25 minutes by seaplane from Malé International Airport, the W Maldives will make you feel like you’re in paradise! Enjoy spacious villas with direct access to the ocean or beach.

Enjoy international cuisine at Kitchen, grilled meats at Fire and delicious seafood at Fish!

On a private island, a peaceful place that respects nature, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is bordered by lush green rainforest and white sandy beaches.

Enjoy the private lagoon, Iridium spa and outdoor infinity pool. The hotel boasts 33 villas on the mainland and 44 overwater villas, all with distinguished furnishings and island-inspired decor.

The St. Regis butler service offers personalized service day and night.

Located on a private island in Lhaviyani Atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is reached via a scenic 35-minute seaplane ride over the atolls.

The overwater villa is surrounded by a sparkling lagoon, offering panoramic views of both tropical vegetation and the ocean and coral reefs.

On site, six restaurants and bars will be at your disposal, as well as the Explore Spa by Le Méridien and the Méridien Family Kids Hub.

Of course, there are many other impressive hotels offering stilt villas in the Maldives. These include the Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Six Senses Laamu, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Located on Jamaica’s south coast, Sandals South Coast boasts a superb cluster of heart-shaped overwater bungalows. In addition to overwater bungalows, the resort, with its four distinct European villages, offers fine restaurants, a romantic chapel on the water and water sports activities.

Also in Jamaica, Sandals Royal Caribbean is renowned for its elegant, romantic atmosphere, white-sand beaches and luxury facilities. Among its highlights are its superb overwater villas!

Royalton Antigua has the only overwater bungalows on the island of Antigua. Set on a magnificent private beach with clear waters, the resort boasts 294 rooms, 8 restaurants and 3 bars. Children aged 4 to 12 can enjoy the Clubhouse Kids Club, while teenagers aged 13 to 17 have access to the Hangout Teens Lounge.

Mexico, too, has its own overwater bungalows! At Riviera Maya, this adults-only section of the El Dorado Maroma includes 30 palafitos (overwater houses) with glass floors, infinity plunge pools, outdoor showers, 24-hour butler service and a ladder leading directly to the sea for swimming!

In Gros-Islet, on the island of Saint Lucia, Sandals Grande St.Lucian features sumptuous overwater bungalows with suspended terraces, luxurious spa-like bathrooms, and glass floors offering a unique view of the ocean floor right next to the massive bed. The resort is ideal for wedding ceremonies, with the charming Serenity chapel overlooking the turquoise sea.

In Panama, the Nayara Bocas del Toro is a private retreat for adults located on an island off the Caribbean coast. Guests stay in magnificent overwater villas with direct access to the sea, and can enjoy snorkeling from their rooms. The resort also offers fresh meals and a unique white sand beach.

Off the coast of Belize, you’ll find eco-resorts like Cayo Espanto, which offers seven exclusive villas, including Casa Ventanas, a 1,100-square-foot overwater bungalow surrounded on all sides by the Caribbean Sea and located at the end of a private dock.

Opened last January, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort offers 90 overwater and beachfront villas. With five on-site restaurants and snorkeling excursions to the world’s fourth largest coral reef system, this establishment promises an unforgettable experience.

This year will also see the opening of Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the Middle East. Its 63 contemporary villas, designed with seashells in mind, blend harmoniously along the beach and over the water. They are decorated with found objects and local crafts, and feature a swimming pool overlooking the sea, as well as a telescope for stargazing!

In Cambodia, Song Saa Private Island offers luxurious villas with private pools, spectacular ocean views and activities such as yoga, snorkeling and spa.

In Fiji’s Momi Bay, the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay boasts magnificent overwater villas. On site, visitors have access to a white-sand beach, three swimming pools, a spa and the Turtles Kids’ Club.

The ultimate symbol of tropical luxury, nights in an overwater villa can turn out to be very expensive. Fortunately, the hotels featured in this guide can all be paid for with points, and many are part of the Marriott Bonvoy program.

Read our guide to saving on hotels with points to find out how to earn enough points to book an overwater villa. And don’t forget to use the fifth-night-free tip to get the most out of your points! While you’re there, don’t forget to pay all your hotel expenses with your Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card to quickly earn points for more free nights.

Overwater villas that are not part of the Marriott Bonvoy program can be booked using points from numerous travel credit cards.

For example, with the TD Rewards, you can go through Expedia for TD to earn or redeem points on your hotel reservation, and to use the TD First Class Travel^® Visa Infinite* Card as a payment method to take advantage of travel insurance while collecting even more points.

Located in the four corners of the world, these dream resorts with overwater villas offer privacy, spectacular ocean views and unrivalled luxury, providing travelers with unique experiences in the heart of nature. Read our reviews on other hotels we’ve visited with overwater villas: