Nearly 10 years in the past, I had the chance to go to French Polynesia and keep in an overwater bungalow on the breathtaking island of Moorea. Waking up each morning and diving off the deck into among the most crystalline waters I’ve ever seen was actually magical, and when it was time to go dwelling I used to be already dreaming about going again.
What I wasn’t dreaming about repeating was the journey from Nashville to French Polynesia, which become a longer-than-long affair with a protracted layover in Los Angeles and a long-haul flight in the course of the night time.
Related: Best all-inclusive resorts on this planet, in response to frequent vacationers
But do you know you do not have to spend a day of your life (and cash) flying around the globe for an overwater bungalow expertise? There are literally a handful of unimaginable resorts that supply the expertise in places dotting the Caribbean, which means you may dive off your personal non-public deck after touring only a few straightforward hours.
From Jamaica to Aruba and islands in between, listed below are our favourite picks for resorts with overwater bungalows within the Caribbean.
Royalton Antigua
Five Islands Village, Antigua
Best for: Romance-seeking duos on the lookout for tropical overwater bungalows.
Why keep right here: For Bali vibes within the Caribbean, head to this resort the place the romantic overwater bungalows come full with infinity plunge swimming pools.
Overwater bungalows are uncommon in Antigua. Luckily, the one resort that has them occurs to be a Marriott all-inclusive resort, so visitors can get pleasure from a tropical paradise whereas incomes or burning Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Known because the Chairman’s Overwater Bungalows, these stylish one-bedroom lodging include a king-size mattress, a big seating space and eating room, an overwater hammock, a personal infinity plunge pool and glass flooring that enable visitors to admire the colourful marine life within the waters under.
On prime of all this, the adults-only Chairman’s Overwater Bungalows Diamond Club bungalows embrace one master suite with a luxurious king-size mattress and a soothing dwelling space with a eating room.
Beyond the privateness of the bungalows, visitors at this Royalton property also can get pleasure from a handful of bars and eating places — starting from a standard buffet to a steakhouse — together with reside leisure every night time. For energetic sorts, facilities embrace numerous swimming pools, grass tennis courts, nonmotorized water sports activities and a lot extra.
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Rates for normal rooms at Royalton Antigua begin at $341 per night time or 116,500 factors, based mostly on double occupancy. To e book a Chairman’s Overwater Bungalow, go to this hyperlink to fill out an inquiry for extra info.
Sandals Royal Caribbean
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Best for: Couples looking for that Instagram-worthy overwater bungalow expertise.
Why keep right here: This adults-only haven is ideal for {couples} on the lookout for a particular getaway in an oh-so-romantic ambiance.
An aerial view of Sandals Royal Caribbean proves that love is alive and properly in Montego Bay, Jamaica: The overwater bungalows are organized to kind a coronary heart proper off their very own non-public island. Even if you cannot see the center from the bottom, you will actually really feel the love at this adults-only, all-inclusive property designed for googly eyed {couples}.
The overwater bungalows are available in quite a lot of layouts; some have non-public infinity swimming pools, and others have outside soaking tubs. Each one, although, has these signature glass ground panels that look down into the water. They all even have overwater hammocks, an out of doors bathe, a private butler, BMW transportation to and from the airport, and a devoted boat to shuttle visitors between the non-public island and the mainland.
Related: The finest all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica
The resort has 9 eating places, together with one serving Thai delicacies and a waterfront Caribbean restaurant; there’s additionally premium liquor at most of the on-site bars. There’s leisure all through the day, swimming pools to lounge by or swim in, water sports activities and numerous land actions (suppose: volleyball and garden chess). You’ll even have the chance to get PADI licensed to scuba diva, included within the fee.
Even higher, visitors at this resort even have entry to all the things at its sister resort, Sandals Montego Bay.
Rates for overwater bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean begin at $1,663 per individual per night time.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Best for: Water-sports lovers seeking to benefit from a beautiful pure setting.
Why keep right here: Every conceivable exercise and proximity to vibrant, modern Rodney Bay.
Another property from the all-inclusive model Sandals that provides overwater bungalows, Sandals Grande St. Lucian sits on a peninsula providing breathtaking views in each route. St. Lucia has lengthy been a dreamy vacation spot for honeymoons and romantic journeys, and staying in one of many resort’s Over-the-Water Honeymoon Butler Bungalows is the proper strategy to get pleasure from it.
These overwater Caribbean bungalows characteristic glass ground panels so you may see the attractive sea under. They additionally provide a personal outside space with both overwater hammocks or a soaking tub designed for 2, a king-size mattress, an out of doors bathe, outside furnishings, and butler service to verify your each want and need is met.
The resort has a whopping 12 eating places, starting from an upscale steak and seafood restaurant on a romantic pier to Italian, Caribbean and Asian eating places, amongst others. Guests also can anticipate top-shelf liquor at many bars.
For actions, choices are practically limitless. There are swimming pools to get pleasure from, a spa (at an extra value) to chill out in, and actions like windsurfing or snorkeling (that are included in your fee) to strive. You can get PADI scuba licensed at no extra value. There’s reside leisure all through the day and night time, plus entry to golf with transportation.
If that is not sufficient, visitors at this property also can get pleasure from entry to 2 different Sandals properties. This approach, you may get pleasure from new eating places, expertise completely different seashores and principally get three holidays in a single.
Rates for overwater bungalows at Sandals Grande St. Lucian begin at $1,836
Nayara Bocas Del Toro
Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Best for: People who need an off-grid expertise surrounded by nature.
Why keep right here: Frequently known as the “Galapagos of the Caribbean,” visitors right here can actually come face-to-face with among the planet’s most lovely creations.
In Panama, the pure wonders of land and sea watch for you at Nayara Bocas del Toro, an adults-only resort on a personal island that feels completely luxe and completely off-grid.
Accessible by a 15-minute boat trip, the resort has 16 overwater bungalows — together with some that measure greater than 1,000 sq. toes and have a personal saltwater pool. Others characteristic glass panels trying into the water under and firepits to lounge by. Or, if you happen to change your thoughts in regards to the overwater choices, there’s additionally an unimaginable new treehouse accessible to e book.
At the resort, visitors can eat on the Elephant House restaurant, set in a 100-year-old constructing introduced over from Bali. Or, dine at Coral Cafe, the poolside restaurant.
Activities on the resort embrace paddleboarding, kayaking by mangroves or snorkeling by waters the place dolphins, starfish and different sea creatures reside. Guests can rent a personal boat to discover the encompassing archipelago, and so they may even signal as much as go to Monkey Island and volunteer to assist with the lovable critters.
For those that journey with sustainability in thoughts, this resort makes use of loads of recaptured and purified rainwater; the electrical energy is generated by photo voltaic panels.
Rates at Nayara Bocas del Toro begin at $1,026 per night time, based mostly on double occupancy.
Thatch Caye, a Muy’Ono Resort
Dangriga, Belize
Best for: Travelers who need an all-inclusive trip with out all of the crowds.
Why keep right here: Overwater bungalows on a personal island. What else is there to say?
There’s a very nice theme working between many Caribbean overwater bungalows: They’re on non-public islands. This is strictly the case with Thatch Caye, an all-inclusive resort in Belize that hosts a most of 30 visitors at a time. The theme of this off-grid resort is rustic luxurious with an island twist.
In the overwater bungalows, visitors will discover hammocks on a deck looking to the water, air-con to assist beat the warmth (however there’s nothing higher than an island breeze, proper?), king-size or twin beds and loos with walk-in showers. Just word that Wi-Fi is simply accessible in sure areas of the resort, excluding the overwater bungalows.
Meals at Thatch Caye use recent, native elements and are served 3 times day by day; you may eat within the devoted breakfast room, the coated eating room and even exterior underneath the celebrities. There’s additionally a bar to moist your whistle.
As far as actions go, there’s one thing for everybody, together with complimentary paddleboarding, snorkeling, kayaking, biking and crusing on a Hobie Cat. Other actions (principally paid) embrace a bar crawl on a ship that visits completely different islands, scuba diving, fishing or heading out on an journey to the jungle to zip line, go to caves or tube down a river.
Rates for overwater bungalows at Thach Caye range all year long, however sometimes begin at round $650 per night time based mostly on double occupancy.
Aruba Ocean Villas
Savaneta, Aruba
Best for: Couples seeking to recharge in an simply reachable paradise.
Why keep right here: Come for the overwater villas, keep for the overwater eating experiences.
At the adults-only boutique resort Aruba Ocean Villas, there are simply seven overwater bungalows (or villas), 5 seashore bungalows and an off-property property with loads of room to unfold out.
What’s particular about this place is that no two overwater bungalows are the identical. Depending in your style or funds, you may select a smaller cabana with a pool, open-air rest room and closed-off bed room, or splurge for a two-story bungalow with a plunge pool, outside bathtub, loads of seating and picture-perfect views.
Outside the bungalows, visitors can have a barefoot drink at Toteki Beach Bar earlier than grabbing an area meal on the Hemingway-inspired restaurant The Old Man and the Sea. Or, for one thing actually romantic, inquire about having a personal meal on the seashore or the overwater eating cabana.
Indulge with a spa therapy or get your adrenaline going with water sports activities comparable to snorkeling or kayaking. There are additionally tons of off-property actions like exploring lovely close by seashores, horseback driving, venturing to close by caves or getting on the water in a sailboat.
Rates at Aruba Ocean Villas begin at $1,499 per night time, based mostly on double occupancy, together with day by day breakfast.
Sandals South Coast
Whitehouse, Jamaica
Best for: Happy {couples} on the lookout for a romantic escape in paradise.
Why keep right here: At Sandals Resorts just about all the things is included, even scuba diving tools.
Rounding out the checklist of Sandals properties with overwater bungalows is one other property in Jamaica, Sandals South Coast. This all-inclusive resort has a 2-mile stretch of seashore and actually goes all-out with “over-the-water” choices. It options overwater bungalows, an overwater bar and even an overwater wedding ceremony chapel.
The bungalows are, as soon as once more, unfold out over the water within the form of a coronary heart. They include butler service, king-size beds, outside showers, solar loungers, an out of doors soaking tub and overwater hammocks. As an added bonus, you will obtain round-trip airport transfers in a luxurious automotive, plus expedited immigration on the airport.
Throughout the resort, bask in quite a lot of cuisines throughout 9 eating places, starting from conventional Jamaican fare to Mediterranean classics. To infuse slightly extra romance, contemplate a personal candlelight dinner. As is the Sandals normal, top-shelf alcohol is offered at most eating places and bars.
For enjoyable, make the most of free scuba diving classes and get PADI licensed, go snorkeling or strive your hand at windsurfing. There’s additionally reside leisure provided constantly by any keep, and the spa has an array of pampering remedies to select from.
Rates for overwater bungalows at Sandals South Coast begin at $1,632 per night time, based mostly on double occupancy.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Best for: Luxury lovers, the wellness-obsessed and well-traveled households.
Why keep right here: Whether you need to play golf or simply chill out by the seashore, there’s one thing for everybody.
We normally consider overwater bungalows unfurling throughout the turquoise waters of the ocean, however at Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, the posh overwater bungalows are literally set above a lagoon close to the seashore. And wow are they up to date wonders. Measuring in at a big 2,385 sq. toes, every contains a rooftop heated plunge pool, minimalistic design and an out of doors soaking tub. (Note: When on the lookout for these lodging sorts on-line, they’re known as Lagoon & Sunset Rooftop Pool Villas.)
Come for the villas, keep for all the things else. Banyan Tree presents world-class actions like a spa with Mexican- and Asian-inspired remedies, an tour to the world’s famed historic ruins and cenotes and a Ranger’s Club for the child. Or, simply spend your days meandering between the seashore, pool and cabana.
Food is available in each kind and taste at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, together with romantic meals on a personal boat, informal Mexican, traditional Italian and Thai meals above the lagoon.
Rates for Lagoon & Sunset Rooftop Pool Villas begin at round $800 per night time.
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Source: thepointsguy.com”