Comparing Overwater Bungalows Around the World

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The South Pacific and the Maldives are often touted as having the best overwater bungalows in the world, but how do they compare to each other? And how do they compare to luxury overwater bungalows in the Caribbean? I’ve stayed in overwater bungalows in each of these tropical destinations and I’m breaking down travel time, cost, amenities, and more to help you decide which overwater bungalow is right for your next luxury vacation!

Research Approach

I based my research approach for comparing overwater bungalows on both personal experience and hard data. This multi-faceted approach includes personal perspective and factual insight.

Travel Dates: Since the resorts are in regions with varying peak and low seasons, I used dates near Christmas (December 22, 2024 – December 29, 2024) as an equalizer when searching for flights and room rates.

Flights: I chose the cheapest roundtrip flight, regardless of connections and length of time. No baggage, seat selections, or any other extras were added. Flights were from any New York City area airport (NYC) which includes: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

Airport transfers: I chose the fastest way to the resort from the international airport, regardless of price. There may be other more affordable (slower) options available.

Room: Price is based on the lowest priced overwater bungalow villa, based on 2 adults. All villas have a private terrace over the water that offers panoramic views of the ocean.

Other: All of the luxury overwater bungalows listed include a glass floor panel to view the ocean below. All resorts have a fitness center and spa. Spa treatments are not included in the price unless otherwise noted.

Criteria Discussed

To ensure that I fairly compared these overwater bungalows, I used a set of specific data:

• Location: I chose an overwater bungalow in each of the three regions that I have personally stayed at.

• Amenities: I evaluated the range and quality of amenities offered by each overwater bungalow. This included luxurious features such as private infinity pools, private solariums, and outdoor showers, which enhance the overall guest experience.

• Amenities: I considered the availability of modern amenities, such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and satellite TV. These features ensure that guests can enjoy a comfortable and connected stay.

• Direct Access: I included overwater bungalows that offer direct access to the ocean, including private decks and stairs leading into the water. This feature allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of their tropical surroundings.

By applying these criteria, I was able to identify the best overwater bungalows that offer exceptional experiences in stunning locations.

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Maldives Overwater Bungalow

Resort: Soneva Jani, Maldives

Location: Medhufaru Island in the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives

High season: November to April

Low season: May to November

Flight Time from NYC: 33 hours, 10 minutes plus a 45-minute seaplane transfer direct to the resort

Cost to fly from NYC: $1966 + $1300 per adult for seaplane transfers = $3266

How to get there: Fly from NYC to Velana International Airport (MLE) on Male, the main island in the Maldives. Then take a 45-minute seaplane flight from Velana International Airport direct to Soneva Jani.

Room Type: 1 bedroom water retreat with slide

• Sleeps: 4

• Beds: 1 king bed, 1 single

• Room Size: 4,424 SQFT

• Direct water entry: Yes

• Plunge pool: Yes

• Glass floor: Yes

• Butler service: Yes

• Overwater bungalow air-conditioned: Yes

• In-room television: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Housekeeping: Twice-daily

• Rain shower: Yes

Cost for 7-night stay: $57,521.63 (includes taxes and fees) Includes room and breakfast only.

Add:

• Half board $230 per adult, per day

• Full board $350 per adult, per day

• Unlimited $1220 per adult, per day (includes unlimited spa treatments)

Cost for a 7-night all-inclusive stay: $74,601.63 which includes unlimited spa treatments (includes taxes and fees)

Tips/Gratuities included: No

Bookable with Points? No

Restaurants and bars: 13 restaurants plus a cheese room, a chocolate room, and a 24/7 ice cream area

Unique Features and Amenities

• This two-story overwater bungalow features a waterslide with direct access into the sea

• The bedroom features a retractable roof over the bed that allows views of the night sky for stargazing

• All guests are provided with a bicycle or tricycle to navigate around the resort

• Cinema Paradiso is a private floating overwater water movie theater where guests can watch movies in the evening after dinner

• So Starstruck at Soneva Jani is a unique dining experience at the resort’s observatory where guests enjoy dinner followed by a telescope viewing of the night sky

• Your overwater bungalow also features an outdoor bathroom

• A large private infinity pool with an ocean view is the highlight of this overwater bungalow

In full disclosure of my bias, Soneva Jani was my absolute favorite of the three overwater bungalow properties I stayed at. The unique architecture, the ring of sugar white sand ringing the property, the waterslides, and the unique amenities set it apart from the other resorts by far.

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Caribbean Overwater Bungalow

Resort: Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Location: St. Lucia island (part of the windward islands in the Lesser Antilles) in the Eastern Caribbean

High season: mid-December through April

Low season: June through October

Flight Time from NYC: 24 hours, 24 minutes plus a 1 hour, 30 minute drive from airport to resort

Cost to fly from NYC: $1051

How to get there: Fly to George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU) on the island of St. Lucia then take the complimentary airport transfer drive to the resort

Room Type: Over the water honeymoon butler bungalow

• Sleeps: 2

• Beds: King

• Room Size: 1100 SQFT

• Direct water entry: Yes

• Plunge pool: No, but has an outdoor tranquility soaking tub

• Glass floor: Yes

• Butler service: Yes

• Overwater bungalow air-conditioned: Yes

• In-room television: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Housekeeping: Daily plus nightly turndown service

• Rain shower: Yes

Cost for 7-night stay: $27,731

Cost for a 7-night all-inclusive stay: $27,731

Tips/Gratuities included: Yes

Bookable with Points? No

Restaurants and bars: 12 restaurants and 6 bars plus access to additional restaurants and bars at two nearby Sandals properties

Unique Features and Amenities

• The resort’s all-inclusive pricing includes unlimited gourmet dining (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and anytime snacks); unlimited premium spirits and Robert Mondavi Twin® Oak wines; stocked bars in all villas

• Guests have access to all amenities and inclusions at 2 nearby Sandals and roundtrip shuttles are provided

• Pricing includes round-trip transfers to and green fees at nearby Sandals Golf Club

• PADI-Certified SCUBA diving (and all equipment), waterskiing, snorkeling (and all equipment), Hobie Cats, paddle boards, kayaks, beach volleyball, basketball, pool tables, day and night tennis are all included

• Villas have a private outdoor shower

While the overwater villas at Sandals Grande St. Lucian are stunning and the included butler service and all-inclusive pricing make them feel quite luxurious, you’re still staying at a Sandals, which means that when you leave your villa, you’ve got that big, crowded resort to deal with. And for me, that detracts from the luxurious vibes of the bungalows.

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South Pacific Overwater Bungalow

Resort: Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort

Location: Moorea is part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia in the South Pacific

High season: June through August

Low season: May and October

Flight Time from NYC: 17 hours to Tahiti Island + 15-minute flight from Tahiti Island to Moorea

Note: If you arrive on Tahiti Island in the evening, you will need to overnight on the island of Tahiti as there are no transfers between the islands of Tahiti and Moorea after 5 pm.

Cost to fly from NYC: $2590 + $115 flight to Moorea = $2705

How to get there: Fly from NYC to Fa’a’ā International Airport (PPT). Then take an interisland flight from Papeete to Moorea followed by a free shuttle from Moorea airport to the resort.

Room Type: Luxury Overwater Bungalow, 1 King Bed

• Sleeps: 3

• Beds: King

• Room Size: 559 SQFT

• Direct water entry: Yes

• Plunge pool: No

• Glass floor: Yes

• Butler service: No

• Overwater bungalow air-conditioned: Yes

• In-room television: Yes

• Wi-Fi: Yes

• Housekeeping: Daily plus nightly turndown service

• Rain shower: Yes

Cost for 7-night stay: $10,831.71 Includes room and breakfast only

Cost for a 7-night all-inclusive stay: n/a

Tips/Gratuities included: No

Bookable with Points? Sofitel is part of the Accor Live Limitless rewards program.

Restaurants and bars: 4 restaurants/bars

Unique Features and Amenities

• The South Pacific is home to the original overwater bungalows so it’s an iconic place to stay in one of these unique villas

• The resort is located in a protected marine area on a picturesque white sand beach on the eastern side of Moorea

• The resort’s location allows for easy access to the airport

The Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort is a South Pacific classic and with its thatched roof and Polynesian styling it’s a wonderful take on the classic overwater bungalow that feels nostalgic. The mid-size resort is big enough to have a solid range of amenities without feeling overcrowded and overwhelming.

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The Best of the Best

Picking the best of anything is largely subjective, but there are a few objective factors that we can compare in choosing the best overwater bungalow.

Size Matters

• Soneva Jani Resort – 58 villas, including 51 one- to four-bedroom overwater bungalows and seven beachfront island villas
• Sandals Grande St Lucian – 311 total rooms, including nine overwater bungalows
• Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort – 110 total bungalows, including 38 overwater bungalows

Largest Overall Resort – Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Smallest Overall Resort – Soneva Jani Resort
Largest Overwater Bungalows – Soneva Jani Resort
Smallest Overwater Bungalows – Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort

Total Cost (includes flights and hotel)

• Soneva Jani:  $77,867.63 all-inclusive
• Sandals Grande St Lucian: $28,782 all-inclusive
• Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort:  $13,536.71 NOT all-inclusive

Most Expensive: Soneva Jani (all-inclusive)
Least Expensive: Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort (NOT all-inclusive)

Most Luxurious Resort
Soneva Jani Resort wins the luxury category for me with its butler service, extensive high-end dining options, and thoughtful touches like the stargazing skylight over your bed.

Best Amenities
Sandals Grande St. Lucian takes the prize for the widest variety of included activities like golf, diving, tennis, a wide range of watersports, and more.

Most Unique
Soneva Jani Resort gets high marks for its unique experiences like So Starstruck at Soneva Jani and Cinema Paradiso.

Best Classic Overwater Bungalow
With its traditional South Pacific styling, the Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort takes this category, hands down.

Most Instagram-worthy Resort
Soneva Jani Resort thanks to its waterslides and unique architecture.

In terms of luxury, unique amenities, and wow factor, Soneva Jani is clearly the standout property. However, the jaw-droppingly high price is an entirely different type of wow factor. If you’ve got deep pockets and are looking for a unique once-in-a-lifetime overwater bungalow trip, Soneva Jani would be my recommendation. If your budget is a bit more on the reasonable side, you can’t go wrong with the Sofitel Moore Kia Ora Beach Resort. If you’re looking to stay close to home and like having the wide variety of amenities that a big resort offers, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is an ideal choice.

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