It’s not uncommon for friends and family to reach out and ask for an amazing vacation setting. However, my response often comes with a warning: I’m not going to merely settle for amazing; instead, I am going to offer concepts that redefine that word. After all, why choose a vacation experience that thousands of other families are either planning at the same time or have already done? Instead, go bigger than big and choose a resort and destination that will make every family’s collective jaw drop.

For example, let’s head to Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and check out the unbelievable Overwater Reef Residence. Now, we’ve seen some spectacular overwater bungalows over the years, but those that exist in the Maldives are legendary for raising the bar time and time again. Still relatively new, this option is the latest to change the game, and we just cannot help appreciating the thoroughly impeccable design job.

As many as eight guests can stay in this masterpiece, as it boasts a master with oversized king, another master king bedroom, and one twin bedroom, which is undoubtedly where the happiest kids in the world will sleep after a long day of adventure. Each accommodation has its own ensuite bathroom, while the beautifully subtle décor will have everyone wishing they could call this place home forever.

The centerpiece is obviously the private 16-meter infinity pool and terrace that offers sunken loungers, as parents can kick back and relax while the younger guests explore the house lagoon reef in guided snorkeling sessions or even embark on a journey to several locations around this vibrant atoll.

Even the most extravagant villas are still mostly defined by the intimate aspects and the personal touches that are conceived to ensure the family vacation of a lifetime. The Overwater Reef Residence offers a full kitchen and spaces for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as an outdoor BBQ area for anyone who understandably doesn’t want to be inside at any point during this journey.

And for anyone whose only goal is ultimate rest and relaxation, the sprawling private terrace also boasts a whirlpool and in-villa spa treatments. If that’s not enough, the views will take care of the rest.

The post Inside the Extraordinary Overwater Reef Residence at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa appeared first on Islands.

You’ve seen the pictures, you’ve dreamed the dream and now you’re ready to book a trip and stay in an overwater bungalow. To help you get the most out of your bucket-list trip, we’re sharing our top know-before-you-go tips about what it’s like to stay in an overwater bungalow.

1. Ia orana loosely translated means good morning, good afternoon, good day, or hello. Maururu means thank you. English is widely spoken on the Islands of Tahiti, but the locals love when guests give basic Tahitian words a try.
2. In 1967 the original overwater bungalows cost $34 per night and included meals. Today, room only rates start around $600 per night, depending on the time of year, but take your time looking because there are always great deals available.
3. There are no true all-inclusive overwater bungalows in the Islands of Tahiti, but some resorts offer half board (breakfast and dinner) packages that can help you manage your costs.
4. Overwater bungalows are typically located on long piers that stretch away from the island and they’re usually very close together. Bungalows are not totally soundproof, so you may hear honeymooners, um, honeymooning. Be sure to pack a nice set of headphones.
5. Bungalows also look alike, especially at night when you’ve had a cocktail or two, or when you’re swimming back to the ladder on your porch. To make sure you’re going into the right bungalow, leave a brightly colored towel or shirt on your deck so your room is easy to locate.
6. Yes, you can walk or stand on the glass windows built into the floor. They’re made to withstand the weight of an average adult male.
7. Splurge on breakfast delivery by outrigger. It will cost a pretty penny, but the moment a staffer in traditional Tahitian garb paddles up to your deck and sets out a perfect morning feast, you’ll realize it’s worth every cent.
8. Air Tahiti offers multi-island flight passes that allow you to affordably island hop. Compare the bungalows on Moorea and Bora Bora to those on Taha’a and Rangiroa.
9. Ten nights is the average stay for travelers from North America, with about half of those nights spent in bungalows. The majority stays on Bora Bora, with shorter stays on Moorea and Tahiti. With flight times of around 16 hours from New York and eight hours from Los Angeles, a week just doesn’t feel long enough. And, let’s be honest, you’ll never want to leave.
10. Each of the Islands of Tahiti has its own unique vibe. Lush Huahine, the endless lagoon of Rangiroa, and the vanilla island of Tahaa are all magical in their own right, and often overlooked in favor of Bora Bora and Moorea. Visit multiple islands during your trip to see their distinct character or plan a return trip to experience different islands.

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It’s late and boutique Aruba Ocean Villas’ romantic open-air restaurant The Old Man and The Sea, channeling Hemingway, is quiet. The 10 tables set in the sand are vacant, but the outdoor bar is casting a welcoming golden hue thanks to dancing fairy lights. With glass in hand, I take in the final moments of a gorgeous star-studded night in Aruba, the “A” of the ABC Dutch Caribbean islands. Jovial bartender Michael is surrounded by resort staff, trickling in at the back end of their day. This is truly the default gathering spot at the resort. 

Also behind the bar is owner and visionary designer Osyth Henriquez. She signals and clapping erupts as a group of staff appear with a guitar to sing, “Happy Birthday” to the executive chef who has emerged to hang out with his resort family. I find myself drawn into this intimate moment and join in the clapping and singing. The spirited camaraderie is infectious, and the staff makes you feel like you’re one of them—part of the family.

The quiet, secluded Aruba Ocean Villas in the old capital of Savaneta is an adults-only, 13-bungalow paradise that is home to the only overwater villas in Aruba. The micro-resort sits cozily along the water amid mangroves, unspoiled and refreshingly uncommercial on an island dubbed the Las Vegas of the Caribbean. Without question, it offers a nice contrast to Aruba’s storied nightlife replete with upscale casinos, bars and clubs, and glitzy global upscale hotel brands along Palm Beach.

Injecting new meaning into “One Happy Island,” Henriquez’s property is designed to remind you how to live with a sense of purpose. 

Artistic and soulful, she says that she aims for perfect imperfection. “Nature is our best example of the beauty of the perfect imprecation.” It’s colorful and messy, just how it should be. “My work doesn’t have neat categories. I don’t follow a template as a designer,” she explained. What guides her is heart and inspiration. 

One of the many things which distinguishes this mini resort is that it offers not only Aruba’s only overwater accommodations, but also the island’s only overwater dining cabana. Where else would you want a romantic dinner? This magical space is decked out with draping curtains and lots of foliage to provide a private, memorable setting. Stylistically, the overwater dining cabana is constructed as a palapa, as are all the structures on property, which feeds this intoxicating sense of being swept into a different world far from home.

Each villa is intentionally crafted and brims with rich character, reflecting the work of an artist. Named after Henriquez’s loved ones, every villa channels the personality, whims, and passions of a person in her life. Villa Lola is named for her beloved dog, Elle Marie celebrates her niece, Mai Wisha offers spectacular applause for her mother-in-law and the two-story villa Chupi, for her son who plays piano—explaining the piano displayed in the villa’s living room.  

The differing villas provide an array of luxurious features, such as full kitchens, outdoor wet bars, open-air showers, private hot tubs, jacuzzies, plunge-pools, hammocks, and additional outdoor shaded beds for lazy napping. Further making the point that there’s nothing cookie-cutter about Aruba Ocean Villas, Joy runs entirely on renewable energy and Penthouse Villa Sophia—perfect for honeymooners—features a handcrafted bathtub made by a Filipino artist centered in the open-concept bathroom.

To help you immediately acclimate to the restorative R&R culture of the property, a bottle of champagne sits waiting in every villa. Henriquez says that iPads will soon be available in overwater villas to order food, so that you can sip and nosh without leaving your chair. 

Though most villas are overwater (10 total by 2023) and include ladders to access the clear ocean waters, the tiny private beachfront features irresistible lounge chairs and undisturbed views. Claim a chair and recline with a book you’ve borrowed from one of the many resort’s stashes. Look up and let the water enchant you and notice a little strip of land in the distance called Seaglass Island. If watersports are your jam, the resort provides kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear. Massages are available in palapas allowing for a continuous ocean breeze.  

While you’ll be tempted to stay close to your luxe villa, exploring the island without disrupting the nature-driven, wholesome vibe of your getaway is possible.

Take a stroll through San Nicolas, the island’s cultural capital on the southern tip. The second largest city on the island next to Oranjestad, it’s quieter and serves up authentic Caribbean character. Vivid street art and murals enliven the narrow historic streets, which explode with life during the annual Art Fair. 

Get expansive views of over 70 percent of the island from the top of California Lighthouse and walk Arikok National Park or Ayo Rock Formations where Indian rock drawings have been discovered in caves, experiences promising an introduction to the history of this complex island, today filled with 98 different nationalities.

Early-birds will be drawn to a private meditation and yoga session with Shanti at Mangel Halto Beach—a meaningful way to start the day. Rent e-bikes through Tamarijn Aruba for a morning ride on the extensive bike-walk-run path which passes Aruba’s famous beaches, including Eagle Beach, which is home to a couple of the island’s legendary Fofiti trees. Discover outside-the-box great food served in an original way when you’re out-and-about. Picnic Aruba offers a posh healthy popup breakfast spread on the beach, a calming way to greet the morning. Tuck into a Burrito Bowl at Origin Café, the island’s first 100% vegan restaurant, and just steps from the resort cool your toes in the shallow surf as you indulge beneath a blanket of stars at Flying Fishbone. The grilled shrimp and risotto is memorable as is their barefoot elegant setting, enchanting with lights in the water which attract a diversity of fish. 

Back at Aruba Ocean Villas, the bewitching sanctuary reminded me of Henriquez’s hope that her resort would reconnect you to nature, providing a haven for lovers, the curious, and the wanderer. Unlike anything else in Aruba, it’s a place you’ll never forget.

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Staying in an overwater bungalow is one of those bucket-list items you must check off. Conjuring thoughts of iconic boardwalks and thatched roofs in the Maldives, Tahiti and Bora Bora, overwater bungalows provide an experience unlike any resort, and despite the expectations of luxury and seclusion, there are affordable overwater bungalows that won’t break the bank, in places you might not expect.

Of the world’s 8,000 rooms over the water, we’ve rounded up the 20 best — all worthy of those long-saved dollars and precious vacation days. From the South Pacific to the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean and even Cambodia, your overwater oasis is waiting.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui – Bora Bora

Formerly known as the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa, the recently refurbed Conrad Bora Bora Nui is the proud owner of two impressive superlatives. Not only does the 114-room escape sit on Bora Bora’s longest stretch of white-sand beach, but now it boasts the region’s first two-story overwater bungalows. At the 3,229-square-foot Presidential Overwater Villa, decide between lounging in the pool or on your balcony’s day bed.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort – Fiji

Designed specifically for couples, Likuliku Lagoon Resort (Fiji’s first resort with overwater bures) is a romantic haven of unmatched stillness. While you’re here, your mind turns to a permanent state of repose, slowly quieting as it retreats from daily woes. Fall in love all over again as you sip a Fijian Bitter from your private deck, wander up the hilltop to Jona’s Lookout or stroll along Naivaka Beach. Bula!

St. Regis Bora Bora

Here, even the smallest bungalows feel like mansions. Set on 44 acres of fastidiously manicured grounds, the St. Regis Bora Bora is marked by bespoke service, including a private butler as part of the standard. Add to that a restaurant by the James Beard Award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and you’re in for a once-in-a-lifetime rendezvous with stardom.

El Dorado Maroma – Riviera Maya, Mexico

You don’t have to travel around the world to feel like you have. At the El Dorado’s palafitos, glass-bottom floors, Jacuzzis, large decks and private infinity pools create an exotic setting for a customized getaway. This Riviera Maya overwater bungalow offers 24-hour room service, hand-delivered reading material, a tailored-to-your-taste beach picnic, an ancient Maya spa treatment — all without the jet lag.

Four Seasons – Bora Bora

The Four Seasons name is synonymous with luxury, and the Four Seasons Bora Bora’s 85 overwater bungalows — with walls made from volcanic stone and speckled with mother-of-pearl accents —are no exception. There’s even a washer and dryer on every boardwalk. Be sure to snorkel the resort’s Ruahatu Lagoon Sanctuary, which is exclusively accessible to Four Seasons guests. Guided by marine biologist Oliver Martin, you will learn to graft bits of coral so they can grow large enough for planting, eventually becoming a permanent part of the lagoon’s ecosystem.

Soneva Jani – Maldives

At Soneva Jani, the sister property to Soneva Fushi, you’ll be asked to remove your shoes on arrival — you won’t need them while you’re here. Spend your days at this Maldives overwater bungalow lounging in the private pool or catamaran net and capturing Instagram-worthy moments on your own personal water slide. Come nightfall, it’s time for dinner atop the resort’s observatory at So Starstruck, where astronomer Mike Dalley regales you with stories about the constellations.

Manava Beach Resort & Spa – Moorea

Built on the bones of one of the first Bali Hai hotels, Manava Beach Resort & Spa is committed to preserving its delicate environment. By installing a coral nursery named To’a Nui, colonies of corals can regenerate in perfect ecological conditions. You’ll feel like you’re leaving a smaller carbon footprint when you take a dip in the island’s largest infinity pool and splurge for that premium overwater bungalow.

Gili Lankanfushi – Maldives

Gili Lankanfushi is barefoot luxury at its best. The 45 overwater suites include the standalone Crusoe Residences and the jaw-dropping Private Reserve, accessible only by boat. From an artisanal cheese room and a chocolate cave to jungle cinema and an overwater spa, you’ll be left imagining what they could possibly think of next.

Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort – Moorea

Sitting at the edge of a turquoise lagoon framed by emerald-green mountains, the Sofitel Moorea Ia Ora Beach Resort exudes French styling and Tahitian hospitality. The 39 bungalows float over the water next to a beach that is consistently rated Moorea’s most beautiful. From snorkeling with manta rays to golf to exploring the pineapple fields via roadster, Moorea is a mecca for active travelers.

Rosewood Mayakoba – Riviera Maya, Mexico

Just 50 miles south of Cancun is Rosewood Mayakoba, a blissful, close-to-home escape rivaling that of the South Pacific or Maldives. Nicknamed the “Venice of Mexico,” Mayakoba is a 600-acre resort community with a labyrinth of canals linking the property’s many mangrove forests and emerald lagoons. On the boat ride to your overwater villa fashioned from Yucatan limestone, you’ll sample fresh fruit served just like the locals eat it with squeezed lime juice mixed with salt and tajin pepper. It’s the perfect precursor to the welcome tray of tequila that awaits you.

Vahine Island – Tahiti

A distinguished Small Luxury Hotel of the World, Vahine Island sits on the tiny private island of Motu Tu Vahine. Sugar-white beaches, an underwater coral garden and stands of coconut groves set the scene at one of the region’s most intimate escapes. The hotel has just three overwater bungalows, each featuring an aquarium table that reveals the sea life that call this place home. Don’t leave Vahine without learning how to weave coconut leaves or exploring the island’s many shades of blue in a traditional Polynesian pirogue.

Song Saa – Cambodia

An escape to Song Saa comes with a deep connection to the people and environment. Don’t be surprised if you find a note outside your villa door wishing you “Souse Day,” or good day, and inviting you to dinner. The food here at the region’s first luxury resort is unparalleled (the chef even makes his own sea salt). Khmer classics meld with Western comfort food — think wok-fried seafood in kampot pepper sauce, lamb burgers and coconut crème brulee — at Vista restaurant, complete with panoramic views of the Koh Rong archipelago.

InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa – Tahiti

The largest luxury resort on the island of Tahiti is also the most accessible. Just five minutes from the airport, the InterContinental exudes Polynesian charm amid a haven of tropical gardens, hosting the island’s most popular traditional Tahitian dance show every Friday night at Tiare Restaurant.

Sandals South Coast – Jamaica

On the heels of Sandals’ huge success with its first-ever overwater villas at Royal Caribbean in Jamaica comes the debut of 12 more — this time at Sandals South Coast. Available to book now for travel in November, the heart-shaped throng of overwater suites invites pure immersion. Don’t miss grabbing a drink (or two, or three …) at the resort brand’s first overwater bar, Latitudes. Grab a hammock (yep, it’s overwater too!), and you’ll never want to leave.

Hilton Moorea Lagoon & Resort – Moorea

At Hilton Moorea Lagoon & Resort, you’ll find crystal-clear lagoons, mountains blanketed in green and the region’s only overwater bar. At Toatea Bar & Creperie, chef Claude Gerard dishes up more than 100 crepes a night as schools of blacktip reef sharks swim below. Try a mango daiquiri and choose from a dizzying selection of crepes before sauntering back to your overwater oasis beneath a starry night unlike you’ve ever seen.

St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort – Maldives

Pop open your welcome bottle of prosecco at the Overwater Regis Suite and look out the floor-to-ceiling glass doors: It’s hard to tell where your private pool ends and the ocean begins. It’s this kind of seamless luxury that defines the St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort that opened in November 2016. See the artistry of the architecture in the 44 overwater villas that resemble manta rays and in the library, which mirrors the shape of a giant conch shell. The shrewd styling continues inside, where carpets depict the ripples of the lagoon and the lighting elements conjure the look of coral reefs.

Le Taha’a – Tahiti

Designed in authentic Polynesian style, the private-island hideaway of Le Taha’a was built seamlessly into its surrounding vegetation of bamboo groves and pandanus trees. Featuring 45 overwater suites, the region’s only Relais & Châteaux resort is just a five-minute boat ride from Taha’a Island, famous for its vanilla plantations and black-pearl farms.

Cocoa Island by COMO – Maldives

Cocoa Island by COMO‘s 33 overwater suites mimic the style of the local dhoni boats, their gentle curves reaching out from the water in distinctive arcs. The villas are spaced 24 feet apart for the ultimate in privacy, each suite boasting its own terrace for slipping right into the lagoon below. After a day of water play, your muscles will beg for a hot river stone massage at the COMO Shambhala Retreat.

Le Méridien Bora Bora

Offering epic views of Mount Otemanu, Le Méridien Bora Bora’s thatch-roof overwater bungalows feature local woven-palm walls, a canopy bed, timber floor and signature Le Méridien beds that hug you right to sleep. The resort is also home to an ecological center that focuses on preserving coral and caring for turtles, including a touch pool, museum and aquarium.

Sandals Grande Lucian – St. Lucia

Nine more overwater bungalows have become part of Sandals Grande Lucian’s giant’s growing inventory, along with the Caribbean’s first overwater wedding chapel. Of course, it’s hard not to be a beach bum here, with a butler-prepared spot on the sand complete with hand-delivered jerk chicken and Piton beers. But it’s worth peeling yourself away for the Helen of the West Indies.

Climb the Pitons; tour the Caribbean’s only “drive-in” volcano, which erupts with sulfurous steam instead of lava; take a mineral bath; explore Diamond Botanical Gardens; and learn how rum is made at St. Lucia Distillers. The bungalows just opened for booking in May, so get one while you still can.

The post 20 Best Overwater Bungalows in the World appeared first on Islands.

Our editors and writers scoured the globe to find the best all-inclusive resorts based on standout offerings, from top-notch dining options and cool bars to over-the-top suites and white-glove butler service. We also asked our readers to vote for their favorites in each category. We’re proud to present the winners of the 2020 Islands All-Inclusive Awards.

For many, overwater bungalows are the be-all-end-all vacation accommodations. They are what people imagine when they think of paradise, and they offer an experience unlike anything you’ll find at any “ordinary” resort. It also doesn’t hurt that overwater bungalows provide the perfect settings for the best Instagram photos you’ll ever share.

The only thing that makes an overwater bungalow better? When it’s located at an all-inclusive resort. These overwater bungalows take things up a notch by eliminating the need to plan, well, anything. They truly are among the best of the best.

Winner, Editors’ Choice: Club Med’s Exclusive Collection Finolhu Villas

For a true oasis of peace and privacy, Club Med’s Finolhu Villas are surrounded by natural beauty. Whichever one you pick, these stilted bungalows are carefully placed against the backdrop of their own unique natural beauty, such as a blue lagoon or shores filled with white sand. For couples who love the elegance of nature, these eco-friendly residences are especially an ideal getaway.

Along with these stunning bungalows, the all-inclusive resort offers a personal plunge pool, staircases outside that lead straight into the ocean and a dedicated butler that will cater to your every need.

From the resort, you can enjoy pampering spa treatments, stunning scenic views, gourmet dining and chic cocktail parties. Off-site, you can take part in everything from scuba diving to sailing, all under the careful supervision of Club Med staff.

Winner, Editors’ Choice: Sandals Royal Caribbean, Jamaica

Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica boasts bungalows that are innovatively designed to offer both modern luxury and traditional palapa-influenced architecture. Nestled over the Caribbean’s turquoise-blue waters, these bungalows have expansive, suspended patios with a swim-up platform, along with a two-person soaking tub, an over-the-water hammock and outdoor shower.

Inside, you can watch the ocean life unfold through the see-through glass floors along with a king-size bed, and spacious bathroom inspired by the finest spas. Of course, you’ll also have your own personal butler trained to the rigid standards held by the Guild of Professional Butlers to ensure unmatched service and attention to help you relax.

Winner, Editors’ Choice: Komandoo Maldives

Built on stilts atop a lagoon, the Jacuzzi Water Villas at Komando Maldives will afford you an unbelievable view of the Indian Ocean. Each bungalow is placed discreetly along the coast with a large wooden deck and staircase that leads right down to the ocean to give couples their own private slice of paradise.

Designed as the perfect romantic getaway, the decor of the adults-only resort is reminiscent of traditional Maldives, while the tranquility of the roomside lagoon comes along with a private jacuzzi. There, you can take a spa bath while gazing out over the horizon of the ocean, or take part in a range of leisure activities to ensure you’re making the most of your romantic retreat.

Winner, Readers’ Choice: Six Senses, Laamu, Maldives

The Six Senses Laamu bungalows are stylishly sustainable, built facing a lagoon, and artfully hidden between the lush tropical vegetation to offer you absolute privacy. With the beach just a short stroll from your front door, the sun loungers on the private patios are carefully placed for the ideal mix of sunshine and shade alongside the sparkling waters of the hideaway retreat.

You can relax in the open-air branch-encircled shower or in the outdoor bathtub, or feel free to take in the scenery of the private garden area, complete with day beds. There’s also a treetop deck with a sitting and dining area with a stunning view of the island wherever you look.

Along with the turquoise waters of the lagoon, you can enjoy private access to the beach, in addition to the resort’s restaurants, lounges, and any of the unique, exciting excursions nearby.

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When you vacation in the islands of Fiji, there are some enticing resorts where you can sleep perched over the water with the sound of the waves sloshing below, just mere steps away from a refreshing snorkel or swim, whenever the whim arises. Yes, it’s romantic, which is why an overwater bungalow in Fiji is a popular choice for honeymooners.

Read on for some of the best overwater bungalows in Fiji—or overwater bures, as they prefer to be called in Fiji—for getting close to nature, in the lap of luxury.

Likuliku Lagoon Resort

As you approach this spectacular Fiji resort on Malolo Island in the Mamanuca chain, the first thing you’ll see is a string of 10 overwater bungalows hugging the coral reef that surrounds the island.

While there are also gorgeous beachfront and garden villas at Likuliku Lagoon Resort, chances are you’ll have serious overwater bungalow envy during your vacation if you don’t go ahead and splurge on one of these postcard perfect pads. The overwater bures don’t have their own plunge pools, but that’s what the sparkling turquoise waters surrounding you here are for.

What they do have are wide decks with dedicated “bathing pavilions” where you can soak in an oversized tub while soaking in views of the lagoon. It’s just a few steps from there over to your private ladder that descends directly into the sea.

Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay

Ocean or lagoon views are standard in all 250 rooms and bures at this gorgeous property worthy of separating you from your hard-earned Marriott points. But when it comes to bedding down overwater bungalow style, the real stunners at the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, south of Nadi on Fiji’s sun-splashed Coral Coast, are the 22 over-water lagoon bures.

For adults only, these little pieces of paradise are the only overwater bungalows on Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. They stretch along a long boardwalk jutting out into the center of a placid lagoon, and your only disappointment will be the day you have to bid them adieu.

Laucala

Guests at Laucala’s overwater residence arrive by private boat transfers to their pied-a-terre in paradise at this private island resort that sprawls across over 3,000 tropical acres. The residence’s living space segues seamlessly from indoor to out, with rooms spread across several different levels and a spacious sundeck hung over the turquoise lagoon.

The villa’s private pool was carved into the rocky shoreline and is the perfect place to admire the surrounding seas while soaking up the sun. When it’s time to head out snorkeling or to explore the area by boat, guests can simply call to be picked up at the overwater residence’s private jetty.

Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina

Secreted away amongst the coconut palms on the island of Malolo Lailai in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago, Musket Cove Island Resort seduces guests in search of the overwater experience with the promise of a peaceful stay in one of the six overwater bures perched over an inland canal.

The bures all have gracious lanais that yawn out over calm waters. An Adirondack chair is an idyllic perch for sipping a coffee in the morning or cozying up with a book for sunset. The resort’s pretty beach is just a short stroll away.

Koro Sun Resort

Hop a quick and impossibly scenic flight from Nadi on Viti Levu to reach Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. Then feel your pulse quicken with anticipation as you check into one of Koro Sun Resort’s exclusive Edgewater Floating Bures.

For adults only, the bures float in the resort’s calm lagoon, surrounded by water yet conveniently connected to the main resort by a short jetty. Guests enjoy large private decks, shaded from the sun and equipped with lounge chairs. There’s direct access from the decks down into the water for a swim or a snorkel session. Two-person kayaks, tied up to sun decks, are free for floating bure guests to use throughout their stay.

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Plastic Oceans International has teamed up with the Muraka at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, the world’s first undersea hotel, to raise money and spread awareness about plastic pollution in ocean waters. Via the fundraising website Omaze, aspiring travelers can donate and, in turn, submit a corresponding amount of entries for the competition.

The winner of the contest will receive an all-inclusive package of flights, transportation, meals and four nights at the Muraka, which typically costs approximately $22,000 a night, for the winner and three other guests.

At sea level, guests have access to two bedrooms and a bathroom with an ocean-facing tub. There’s also an on-the-water outdoor deck with an infinity pool, a private, 24-hour butler and private chef, an on-call fitness trainer, on-call spa treatments and a private speedboat and jet skis.

Sixteen feet below the upper level is the master bedroom, its accompanying bathroom and a dedicated tunnel viewing theater. The underwater level is accessible through a spiral staircase or an elevator. Inside the master bedroom is a 180-degree, curved acrylic dome with floor-to-ceiling windows in the bathroom and the walk-in closet.

The Muraka also offers four tailored experiences for its guests: the Wanderers, Flavors, Soul and Thrill.

With the Wanderers experience, guests star in and direct their own undersea film, diving or snorkeling with a film crew that documents the experience. The Flavors experience invites guests to join a personal chef on a culinary experience at literally any hour of the day, learning the techniques of Chef Jereme Leung. As for the Soul experience, guests will indulge in natural-wellbeing programs with meditation, yoga and relaxation experiences. The Thrill experience is for those interested in enjoying time on the water and water sports, like paddle boarding.

Entrants can donate up to $5,000 for 50,000 entries or as little as $10 for 100 entries. The deadline to enter for this extremely unique, underwater experience is Sept. 5. A winner will be announced on Sept. 25.

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If you’ve ever looked at a photo of overwater bungalows and thought, “That’s paradise,” you might have to invent a new word for Waldorf Astoria’s latest property. As Hilton celebrates its 100th anniversary, the company’s luxury brand opened the doors this week to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi resort, and it could redefine the overwater experience as we know it.

After landing at Malé International Airport, guests will take a 30-minute yacht trip to the resort’s three interconnected islands. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi boasts 122 beach, reef and overwater villas, all of which include a private infinity pool in addition to world class amenities.

At 2,500-sq. ft. the “smallest” offering is the King Beach Villa, which opens directly onto the beach and accommodates two adults and two children. The King Overwater Villa offers a little more space in addition to a large deck that features a dining pavilion, daybed and overwater hammocks that might make guests forget there’s a bed inside. The three villa styles are also available with two queen beds.

For larger families, the 11,976-sq. ft. three-bedroom overwater villa can host six adults and three children. Of course, more people mean a second infinity pool and two outdoor dining areas, as well as a hot tub and relaxation gazebo, just in case parents need to get away from the kids without ever leaving the deck.

Need a little more privacy? Two Stella Maris Ocean Villas are only accessible by boat, and not only do they include an infinity pool, hot tub and overwater hammocks, but they also have an upper deck area with a BBQ station and chef service.

Still need even more privacy? Rent the Ithaafushi Private Island. This option includes five bedrooms, two villas, five pools, an entertainment club house, spa and gym, children’s pool and playground, watersports and yacht mooring. There are also dedicated chefs and a personal concierge to ensure everything lives up to the Waldorf Astoria standard.

For guests who don’t book a villa with private chef, there are 11 dining options at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Leading the way is the BBQ grill restaurant The Ledge, which is run by chef Dave Pynt, who also operates Singapore’s Michelin-starred Burnt Ends. Other dining concepts include Glow, which offers farm-to-table meals in a greenhouse setting, and The Rock, a rustic wine cellar made to look like a cave.

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Wakatobi delivers everything a traveler expects in an Indonesian getaway without the one thing you won’t miss: crowds.

This private-island resort, just a two-and-a-half hour plane ride east of Bali, fronts a magnificent coral reef at its doorstep, and is home to just 25 bungalows and four villas. In other-words, it’s as private as it gets without buying your own island. Off the grid, yes—but Wakatobi’s attention to amenities and level of service provide so much extravagance that you get the best of both worlds: a natural island escape and a high-end getaway with unlimited pampering, especially for villa guests.

Wakatobi offers four villas, two with two full bedrooms and a private pool, and two one-bedroom models. As if luxuriating in your own secluded retreat weren’t heaven enough, each of the villas comes with butler service. Should you wish for a watermelon mojito or club soda and lime while sunbathing on your own stretch of sand, your butler will bring it to you. Guests of the villas also enjoy the services of a private snorkel or dive guide. This same guide is available to you throughout the entire trip, anytime you wish to scuba dive or snorkel. Your guide will lead you on a swim overtop the resort’s famed House Reef or on boat trips to nearby reefs, all the while pointing out unique fish and critters to help you make the most of your in-water time.

All guests of the resort with dive or snorkeling in their packages can partake in guided snorkel / dive trips from one the resort’s large boats. Every day, the crew brings guests to one of 40 named sites. Plus, all guests can enjoy unlimited snorkeling from shore on the house reef, one of the most renowned in the world for its clownfish, cuttlefish—cousins of the reef squid—schools of bright-pink and orange anthias fish, hard and soft corals in a rainbow of colors, as well as sea turtles, the occasional passing eagle rays and more.

What’s exceptional about the House Reef is that Wakatobi offers a service that few other resorts do. It’s a one-way boat-taxi service that will drop you at the far—or near—edge of the reef, allowing you to snorkel as much as you like, then meander your way back to the beach or the resort’s jetty. Easy.

For both snorkelers and divers, one of the reasons Wakatobi remains a top favorite resort is its seclusion. Situated within the famed ‘Coral Triangle,’ the resort is located in the Wakatobi Marine Reserve, the third-largest marine park in the country. Here, guests of the resort will typically see no other snorkelers/divers for many miles. That means unfettered access to pristine reefs where 500 species of reef-building corals crowd one another, creating habitat for an abundance of macro life, from nudibranchs to robust ghost pipefish. Moreover, the area is home to more than 2,000 fish species, including the exotic mandarinfish with its electric-cobalt coloring, and 15 species of frogfish.

When the day ends on Wakatobi, the colors keep going. On this tiny isle, sunsets—with their wispy bands of pastel pink and fuchsia—are the kind you settle in for. The best perch for taking in the show is the Jetty Bar, where drinks are served at the end of a long dock just a few feet above the waterline. There’s no better place to sip a Wakatobi mai tai or an icy cold beer while snapping sunset photos, relaxing as the pinks fade to black, and a canopy of stars claims the horizon stage. Come day’s end, you’ll also want to take time to plan your next day’s adventure, be it snorkeling or diving, or taking advantage of everything else offered at Wakatobi.

Such as the Wakatobi Spa. Here, treatments include body scrubs, Balinese massage and pedicures, all with products incorporating numerous botanical essences and the resort’s custom spa oil blends, which can be created based on a guest’s desired treatment.

Guests seeking active pastimes can paddleboard, kayak, kitesurf, or walk the Onemobaa nature trail and spy on local birds as well as monitor lizards. Trips to nearby island villages are also offered, allowing guests the chance to experience a bit of local life, including customs and traditions.

Another unique opportunity is a picnic on a private portion of the beach. Resort staff pack a high-end picnic—with sparkling wine and a wide variety of treats—for you to enjoy while playing castaway. For an afternoon, you and yours can enjoy the utmost in seclusion before returning to the resort. Here, you just might realize that as much as the fantasy of your own island sounds incredible, it’s much more satisfying to visit an island that includes the services of snorkel and dive guides, chefs, massage therapists, bartenders, and ecology experts—who, together, create the one-of-a-kind luxury island retreat that is Wakatobi.

To book your next getaway to Wakatobi, visit wakatobi.com. Click here for a quick inquiry.

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Truly the pioneer of the All-Inclusive Resort, Club Med has been on the scene since 1950 when founder Gerard Blitz’s revolutionary vision of offering families unforgettable, stress-free vacation experiences in pristine locales first took shape on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Mallorca. Nearly 70 years later, it operates almost as many resorts, or “villages,” in breathtaking destinations around the globe.

Club Med has also expanded Blitz’s vision into something that’s likely more than he could have ever imagined. Today, guests (or GMs – Gracious Members) enjoy full-board gourmet cuisine prepared by internationally trained chefs, an open premium bar, unending sports and activities, entertainment day and night, and more. All this amid refined accommodations and attentive staff (or GOs – Gracious Organizers) whose only mission is to make you happy.

With that kind of lead-in, it’s easy to understand why Club Med has received the 2019 Islands All-Inclusive Awards for being among the best in three categories. Let us count a few more of the reasons why.

All Inclusive, Choices

Reason 1 & 2 You might think “all inclusive” is a given and doesn’t count as a reason, but not all AIRs are created equal. There’s a Club Med vacation experience for every type of resort goer. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a friend, with your significant other or an entire family, you can choose experiences ranging from those designed for the relaxed and peaceful-minded to the pumped-up-for-action sort — and everything in between. Plus, some experiences are unique to Club Med destinations. Take award winners Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Club Med Finolhu Villas in the Maldives.

Cirque du Soleil Inspired Performances, Circus Playscape, Learning to Fly on a Trapeze

Reasons 3, 4 & 5 As winner of the Best Entertainment category, Club Med Punta Cana is a year-round beach escape in the sun-soaked Caribbean for couples and families that includes an array of activities, day and night, seven days a week. Including one-of-a-kind entertainment featuring themed demonstrations and immersive experiences inspired by world-renowned theatrical production company, Cirque du Soleil. Imagine a 38,000-square-foot playscape where more than 25 circus-inspired artistic and acrobatic activities come alive. At Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil, adults and children can interact with and learn from trained Cirque artists and Club Med GCs (Gracious Circus Artists). Better yet, the artists can also train you in the circus arts, like flying on a trapeze, bouncing on a trampoline, stretching on aerial silks, face painting, juggling and bouncing on the acro-bungee, to name a few. After your workout and before dinner, rejuvenate at the Club Med Spa by L’Occitane and you’ll be ready to continue the fun taking in nightly theater performances.

And now the reason why Punta Cana is a readers’ choice winner of the Best Included Amenity category: Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil is included in your vacation experience at no extra cost. Does “the greatest show on Earth,” ring a bell?

Living Over Crystalline Azure Waters, Private Swimming Pool, Personal Butler, Sunset or Sunrise View

Reasons 6, 7, 8 & 9 Looking for more of a dreamscape vacation with your own private oasis? Like its Caribbean sister resort, Club Med’s Finolhu Villas in the Maldives is all-inclusive — but then some. As part of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection, GMs are pampered with personalized services and hospitality amid luxurious spaces that exceed the imagination. It’s such spaces that have garnered Finolhu Villas the Best Overwater Bungalows award. Not an easy feat in a crowded field — after all, this tropical nation of nearly 1,200 coral islands in the south pacific is home to a majority of the world’s overwater bungalows.

Today, modern, luxurious structures boasting sophisticated architecture and amenities like those found at Club Med Finolhu Villas are a far cry from the rustic hut-on-stilts concept born more than half a century ago in French Polynesia. Perched above the tranquil crystalline azure waters surrounding the private island of Gasfinolhu, each eco-friendly villa has a private swimming pool — and a personal butler who intuitively knows when to make an appearance. Choosing a villa that offers either a sunset or sunrise view is the most difficult decision you’ll have to make.

If you feel inclined to leave the privacy of your magical surroundings, you can begin your days with oceanfront yoga or meditation before soaking up the beauty and wonder of your natural aquatic environment with a myriad watersports. Later, head beachside for a pampering CINQ MONDES spa treatment, gourmet dining or a movie under the stars. All you have to do is return to your villa on the water and wake up to do it again. No, you’re not dreaming.

“All-Inclusive” just gets better and better! Learn more about Club Med’s all-inclusive vacation destinations.

The post Top 9 Reasons Club Med Is Among the Best All-Inclusive Resorts appeared first on Islands.