Our guide to overwater villas around the world

Updated May 31, 2024
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa
To the point Our guide will take you on a tour of the world's most extraordinary overwater villas!

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!

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort 1

In French Polynesia

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

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 St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

Four Seasons Bora Bora

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.

Four Seasons Bora Bora page facebook
Four Seasons Bora Bora

Other resorts in French Polynesia

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.

In the Maldives

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

W Maldives

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!

W Maldives

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

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.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

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.

Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Other resorts in the Maldives

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.

In the Caribbean

Sandals South Coast

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.

Sandals South Coast – Over-The-Water Bungalows

Sandals Royal Carribean

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!

Sandals Royal Caribbean

Royalton Antigua, an All-Inclusive Resort & Casino Autograph Collection

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.

Royalton Antigua

El Dorado Maroma

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!

El Dorado Maroma de Karisma

Sandals Grande St.Lucian

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.

Sandals Grande St.Lucian

Around the world

In Central America

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.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0108.JPG
DCIM100MEDIADJI_0108.JPG

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.

Casa-Ventanas-CayoEspanto

In the Middle East

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.

The St. Regis Red Sea Resort

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!

Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve4

Asia & Oceania

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

Song Saa Private Island

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.

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay

Paying for overwater villas with points

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.

Bottom Line

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:

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Marjorie

Marjorie

Marjorie
Marjorie has three passions in life: writing, travel and the world of wellness. The last decade has been full of exploration for her! Her travels have taken her all over the world, from Central America to Asia, Europe and Africa. This former travel consultant loves to inspire us and share her best discoveries. She is also the author of several novels and guides.
All posts by Marjorie

Suggested Reading

Receive our newsletter every week!

Savings are here:

Milesopedia