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Overwater Villas have long been the stuff of dreams! These luxurious havens of peace provide travellers with an opportunity to escape daily life. Here, they can experience unique moments in the heart of the ocean.
These types of accommodation are particularly prevalent in French Polynesia and the Maldives, but they are also found in other sunny destinations, such as the Caribbean, Asia, and increasingly in the Middle East.
Our guide to overwater villas provides an overview of some of the most intimate and luxurious hotel experiences worldwide, perfect for an unforgettable honeymoon!
The ultimate symbol of tropical luxury, nights in an overwater villa can be quite 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 discover how to accumulate enough points to book an overwater villa at a luxury resort. And don’t forget to use the fifth-night-free tip to get the most out of your points! When you’re there, don’t forget to pay for all your hotel expenses with your Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card to quickly accumulate points for more free nights.
For overwater villas that are not part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, it is possible to book them using points from various travel credit cards.
For example, with TD Rewards points, you can go through Expedia for TD to earn or redeem points on your hotel reservation, and use the TD First Class Travel® Visa Infinite* Card as a payment method to take advantage of travel insurance while earning even more points. These destinations, whether near the coast or in the open sea, are accessible with a good points strategy.
With its lagoons and numerous tropical islands, French Polynesia has a high concentration of overwater villas, especially in Bora Bora, renowned for its breathtaking turquoise waters.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort offers overwater bungalows and superb overwater villas with a minimum area of 140 m², revealing turquoise waters beneath their glass floors.
The St. Regis butlers, available 24 hours a day, will take care of your every need! 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 features four restaurants, including a gourmet dining room with lagoon views.
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.
Complimentary activities such as snorkeling in the lagoon sanctuary, kayaking, windsurfing, and catamaran excursions are offered, as well as the opportunity to feed sharks.
In the world of dream resorts offering overwater villas in French Polynesia, the brand-new Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa, the InterContinental Bora Bora Thalasso, and the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea are also noteworthy. These establishments offer high-end services including spas and fine dining 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 the beach, your own private island in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
You can enjoy international cuisine at the Kitchen restaurant, grilled dishes 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 tropical rainforest and white sandy beaches.
Enjoy the private lagoon, Iridium spa, and outdoor infinity pool. The hotel features 33 land villas 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 the Lhaviyani Atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa is accessible via a scenic 35-minute seaplane journey 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 overwater 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 the south coast of Jamaica, Sandals South Coast features a stunning collection of heart-shaped overwater bungalows. In addition to the overwater bungalows, the resort, with its four distinct European villages, offers fine dining, a romantic overwater chapel, and water activities.
Also in Jamaica, Sandals Royal Caribbean is renowned for its elegant and romantic atmosphere, white sandy beaches, and luxury amenities. Among its highlights are its stunning 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 features 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 also offers its own overwater bungalows! In Riviera Maya, the adults-only section of El Dorado Maroma features 30 palafitos (overwater bungalows). These bungalows come with glass floors, an infinity pool, an outdoor shower, 24-hour butler service, and a ladder that leads directly into the sea for swimming.
In Gros-Islet, on the island of Saint Lucia, Sandals Grande St. Lucian offers sumptuous overwater bungalows with a suspended terrace, a luxurious spa-like bathroom, and a glass floor providing a unique view of the seabed right next to your expansive 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 beautiful overwater villas with direct access to the sea and can enjoy snorkeling right from their room. The resort also offers fresh meals and a unique white sand beach on stilts.
Off the coast of Belize, you will find eco-resorts such as 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.
Open January 2024, The St. 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 property promises an unforgettable experience.
Also in Saudi Arabia, Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve has just opened its doors. Its 63 contemporary villas, designed with the inspiration of seashells, blend harmoniously along the beach and over the water. They are decorated with found objects and local handicrafts, and feature a 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 a spa.
In the Momi Bay of Fiji, the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay features magnificent overwater villas. On site, visitors have access to a white-sand beach, three swimming pools, a spa, and the Turtles Kids’ Club.
Located around the world, these dream resorts with overwater villas offer privacy, spectacular ocean views, and unmatched luxury, allowing travellers to enjoy unique experiences in the heart of nature. Read our reports on other hotels we have visited with overwater villas:
The price of an overwater villa typically ranges from CAD 440 to CAD 2,900 per night, depending on the destination, level of luxury, and season. The Maldives tend to have the highest rates, while Southeast Asia offers more affordable options.
The best time to visit depends on the selected destination. For the Maldives, prioritize the dry season (November to April). For Polynesia, choose the period from May to October. Book 6 to 12 months in advance to secure the best rates.
Although luxurious, not all overwater villas are suited for families with young children. Some resorts have a minimum age requirement for safety reasons. Check the specific policies of the establishment and choose villas equipped with safety railings if necessary.
Meals at these establishments are generally quite expensive. Expect to pay between CAD 50 and CAD 120 per person for dinner, excluding drinks. Half-board or all-inclusive packages might be more economical, ranging from CAD 150 to CAD 300 per day per person, depending on the resort.
Overwater villas are primarily found in tropical destinations renowned for their lagoons and turquoise waters. The most popular are French Polynesia (notably Bora Bora) and the Maldives. They can also be found in the Caribbean (Jamaica, Antigua), Southeast Asia (Cambodia), Central America (Panama, Belize), as well as in the Middle East and certain Pacific islands such as Fiji.
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