Overwater bungalows typically conjure pictures of far-flung locations just like the Maldives or French Polynesia — locations that will require long-haul flights, a number of connections, and a major funding of money and time. However vacationers need not enterprise too removed from the mainland U.S. to benefit from the magic of waking up over crystal-clear water and diving straight from their deck into the ocean under.
In actual fact, there are beautiful overwater bungalow choices a lot nearer to residence, scattered throughout the Caribbean. These dreamy stays ship the identical luxurious expertise — some even bookable with factors — with out the epic journey ordeal. From Jamaica to Aruba and plenty of islands in between, these are a few of the finest Caribbean resorts providing that iconic overwater expertise.
Associated: Greatest all-inclusive resorts on the planet, in response to frequent vacationers
Royalton Antigua
5 Islands Village, Antigua
Greatest for: Romance-seeking duos in search of 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.
Greatest method to e-book: Reserve by way of Marriott Bonvoy so you possibly can earn or redeem factors to your keep.
Overwater bungalows are uncommon in Antigua. Fortunately, the one resort that has them occurs to be a Marriott all-inclusive resort, so company can take pleasure in a tropical paradise whereas incomes or burning Marriott Bonvoy factors.
Often called the Chairman Overwater Bungalows, these stylish one-bedroom lodging include a king-size mattress, a big seating space and eating room, an overwater hammock, a non-public infinity plunge pool, and glass flooring that permit company to admire the colourful marine life within the waters under.
On high of all this, the adults-only Chairman Overwater Diamond Membership Bungalows embody one main bedroom with a luxurious king-size mattress and a soothing dwelling space with a eating room.
Past the privateness of the bungalows, company at this Royalton property may take pleasure in a handful of bars and eating places — starting from a standard buffet to a steakhouse — together with stay leisure every evening. For lively varieties, facilities embody varied swimming pools, grass tennis courts, nonmotorized water sports activities and a lot extra.
Charges for traditional rooms at Royalton Antigua begin at $369 or 74,500 factors per evening, primarily based on double occupancy. To e-book a Chairman Overwater Bungalow, go to this hyperlink to fill out an inquiry for extra info.
Sandals Royal Caribbean
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Greatest for: {Couples} trying to find that Instagram-worthy overwater bungalow expertise.
Why keep right here: This adults-only haven is ideal for {couples} in search of a particular getaway in an oh-so-romantic environment.
Greatest method to e-book: For the very best charges and availability, e-book instantly on the Sandals web site.
An aerial view of Sandals Royal Caribbean proves that love is alive and nicely in Montego Bay, Jamaica: The overwater bungalows are organized to type a coronary heart proper off their very own non-public island. Even if you cannot see the guts from the bottom, you will actually really feel the love at this adults-only, all-inclusive property designed for googly eyed {couples}.
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The overwater bungalows are available in a wide range of layouts; some have non-public infinity swimming pools, and others have out of doors soaking tubs. Every one, although, has these signature glass ground panels that look down into the water. All of them 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 company between the non-public island and the mainland.
Associated: The very best 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 varied land actions (assume: volleyball and garden chess). You will even have the chance to get PADI licensed to scuba dive, included within the fee.
Even higher, company at this resort even have entry to the whole lot at its sister resort, Sandals Montego Bay.
Charges for overwater bungalows at Sandals Royal Caribbean begin at $1,847 per individual, per evening.
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Greatest for: Water sports activities fans trying to benefit from a beautiful pure setting.
Why keep right here: You will discover each conceivable exercise right here whereas having fun with proximity to vibrant, trendy Rodney Bay.
Greatest method to e-book: E book instantly with the lodge for the very best last-minute offers, complimentary nights and packages.
One other property from the all-inclusive Sandals model 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 Overwater Honeymoon Butler Bungalows is the right method to take pleasure in it.
These overwater Caribbean bungalows function glass ground panels so you possibly can see the attractive sea under. In addition they supply a non-public out of doors space with both overwater hammocks or a soaking tub designed for 2, a king-size mattress, an out of doors bathe, out of doors furnishings, and butler service to verify your each want and want 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. Friends may count on top-shelf liquor at many bars.
For actions, choices are almost limitless. There are swimming pools to take pleasure in, a spa to loosen up in (at a further price), and actions like windsurfing and snorkeling (that are included in your fee) to strive. As with the opposite Sandals resorts on our record, you possibly can dive right here at no further price in case you’re already PADI licensed. (However to get licensed, you’d have to finish the programs with an related price.) There’s stay leisure all through the day and evening, plus entry to golf with transportation.
If that is not sufficient, company at this property may take pleasure in entry to 2 different Sandals properties. This fashion, you possibly can take pleasure in new eating places, expertise completely different seashores and principally get three holidays in a single.
Charges for overwater bungalows at Sandals Grande St. Lucian begin at $1,931 per evening.
Nayara Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro, Panama
Greatest for: Individuals who need an off-grid expertise surrounded by nature.
Why keep right here: At this resort continuously referred to as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, company can actually come face-to-face with a few of the planet’s most lovely creations.
Greatest method to e-book: E book by means of Amex Fantastic Inns + Resorts for elitelike perks together with every day breakfast for 2, potential room upgrades, assured late checkout and extra.
In Panama, the pure wonders of land and sea watch for you at Nayara Bocas del Toro, an adults-only resort on a non-public island that feels completely luxe and completely off-grid.
Accessible by a 15-minute boat experience, the resort has 16 overwater bungalows — together with some that measure greater than 1,000 sq. ft and have a non-public saltwater pool. Others function glass panels trying into the water under and fireplace pits to lounge by. Or, in case you change your thoughts concerning the overwater choices, there’s additionally an unbelievable new treehouse accessible to e-book.
On the resort, company can eat on the Elephant Home restaurant, set in a 100-year-old constructing introduced over from Bali. Or dine at Coral Cafe, the poolside restaurant.
Actions on the resort embody paddleboarding, kayaking by means of mangroves, and snorkeling by means of waters the place dolphins, starfish and different sea creatures stay. Friends can rent a non-public boat to discover the encircling archipelago, and so they may even signal as much as go to Monkey Island and volunteer to assist with the lovable critters.
For many who 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.
Charges at Nayara Bocas del Toro begin at $1,077 per evening, primarily based on double occupancy.
Thatch Caye, a Muy’Ono Resort
Dangriga, Belize
There is a very nice factor about quite a lot of Caribbean overwater bungalows: They’re on non-public islands. That is precisely the case with Thatch Caye, an all-inclusive resort in Belize that hosts a most of 30 company at a time. The theme of this off-grid resort is rustic luxurious with an island twist.
Within the overwater bungalows, company 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. Simply word that Wi-Fi is barely accessible in sure areas of the resort, excluding the overwater bungalows.
Meals at Thatch Caye use contemporary, native substances and are served 3 times every day; you possibly can eat within the devoted breakfast room, the lined eating room and even exterior below the celebs. There are additionally three bars on the island to moist your whistle.
So far as actions go, there’s one thing for everybody, together with complimentary paddleboarding, shoreline snorkeling, kayaking, biking and crusing on a Hobie Cat. Different actions (largely paid) embody a bar crawl on a ship that visits completely different islands, scuba diving, fishing, and heading out on an journey to the jungle to zip line, go to caves or tube down a river.
Charges for overwater bungalows at Thach Caye fluctuate all year long, however usually begin at round $640 per evening all-inclusive for 2 individuals.
Aruba Ocean Villas
Savaneta, Aruba
On the adults-only boutique resort Aruba Ocean Villas, there are simply eight overwater bungalows (or villas), 5 seaside bungalows and two homeowners’ estates (Sundown Villa and Cunucu di Nana, each now managed by Aruba Household Villas).
What’s particular about this place is that no two overwater bungalows are the identical. Relying in your style or finances, you possibly can select a smaller cabana with a pool, open-air toilet and closed-off bed room, or splurge for a two-story bungalow with a plunge pool, out of doors bathtub, loads of seating and picture-perfect views.
Exterior the bungalows, company can have a barefoot drink at Toteki Seaside Bar earlier than grabbing an area meal on the Hemingway-inspired restaurant The Previous Man and the Sea. Or, for one thing actually romantic, inquire about having a non-public meal on the seaside or on the overwater eating cabana.
Additionally anticipated to open in June 2025 are a number of new areas on the property: Oliver’s (a cocktail lounge), Benny’s (a non-public theater for eight individuals), Chito y Chenta (a restaurant) and Olmos (a non-public chef’s desk).
Indulge with a spa therapy or get your adrenaline going with water sports activities reminiscent of 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.
Charges at Aruba Ocean Villas begin at $579 per evening, primarily based on double occupancy, together with every day breakfast.
Sandals South Coast
Whitehouse, Jamaica
Rounding out the record 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 seaside and actually goes all-out with “over-the-water” choices. It options overwater bungalows, an overwater bar and even an overwater marriage ceremony chapel.
The bungalows are, as soon as once more, unfold out over the water within the form of a coronary heart. They arrive with butler service, king-size beds, out of doors 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 automobile, plus expedited immigration on the airport.
Bask in a wide range of cuisines throughout 9 eating places, starting from conventional Jamaican fare to Mediterranean classics. To infuse slightly extra romance, think about a non-public candlelight dinner. As is the Sandals normal, top-shelf alcohol is accessible 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 stay leisure provided constantly by means of any keep, and the spa has an array of pampering therapies to select from.
Charges for overwater bungalows at Sandals South Coast begin at $1,721 per evening, primarily based on double occupancy.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Greatest for: Luxurious lovers, the wellness-obsessed and well-traveled households.
Why keep right here: Whether or not you need to play golf or simply loosen up by the seaside, there’s one thing for everybody.
Greatest method to e-book: E book by means of Amex Fantastic Inns + Resorts for elitelike perks together with every day breakfast for 2, a $100 resort credit score, potential room upgrades and extra.
We normally consider overwater bungalows unfurling throughout the turquoise waters of the ocean, however at Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, the luxurious overwater bungalows are literally set above a lagoon close to the seaside. And wow, are they up to date wonders. Measuring in at a big 2,385 sq. ft, every encompasses a rooftop heated plunge pool, minimalistic design and an out of doors soaking tub. (Be aware: When in search of these lodging varieties on-line, they’re referred to as Lagoon & Sundown Rooftop Pool Villas.)
Come for the villas, keep for the whole lot else. Banyan Tree gives world-class actions like a spa with Mexican- and Asian-inspired therapies, an tour to the realm’s famed historic ruins and cenotes, and a Ranger’s Membership for the children. Or, simply spend your days meandering between the seaside, pool and cabana.
Meals is available in each type and taste at Banyan Tree Mayakoba, together with romantic meals on a non-public boat, informal Mexican, traditional Italian and Thai meals above the lagoon.
Charges for Lagoon & Sundown Rooftop Pool Villas begin at round $1,115 per evening.
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