Ten sensational overwater bungalows
There’s nothing better than your own private bungalow hanging right over a sparkling patch of clear blue water.
Dilvin Yasa counts down the top 10.
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Best for kids
Located along a pristine reef within the Southern rim of the Gaafa Dhaalu Atoll, this self-styled ‘seven-star’ property is one of the new kid on the block, boasting a wide range of activities one should quite rightly expect from a resort which has skipped ‘six-star’ altogether.
You might enjoy the 3500 square metre spa complete with Turkish hamam, shopping arcade and 24-hour butlers to cater to your every whim, but it’s when it comes to the little ones that they pull out all the stops. And by that we mean: a kids’ club with its own pool, a nanny room, stage and playground area, activities such as supervised snorkelling and cooking lessons, plus a daily menu tailored exclusively for little gourmands. Prices start from $US856 a night.
Most affordable
Seldom do the words ‘cheap’ and ‘overwater bungalow’ go hand in hand, but in tropical Langkawi, you can get live out all of your Bora Bora or Maldives fantasies for around $170 a night.
Admittedly, the lagoons around this way are not quite the azure you might have hoped for, but what you will get at the Berjaya is nine restaurants and bars as well as the usual spas and pools, an in-house activity list as long as your arm, a great kids club and playground, and – as the resort is sandwiched between the sea and rainforest – a wealth of destination activities such as jungle trekking and mangrove tours.
European adventure
3. Hotel Palafitte, Switzerland
Located on the shores of Lake Neuchatal, just a few minutes away from the city centre (close to Bern and Lausanne), this five-star hotel’s claim to fame is that it’s the only one in Europe to be built directly over the water.
Compared to the island-style bungalows we’re used to seeing, Hotel Palafitte is strangely lacking in the usual “resort” facilities such as a spa, in-house water sports and in-room plunge pools, however those staying in the slick pavilions can enjoy easy access to the nearby ski fields (as well as hiking and golfing opportunities), three excellent restaurants, in-room computers, plus breath-taking views of the Alps. Priced from $390 a night.
Romantic
4. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
Any garden variety rock star knows that the way you make an entrance can set the tone for the rest of your performance, and it appears One&Only is in on the secret. Rather than send a pedestrian speedboat over to pick you up for your 30-minute zip over from the mainland, they kick things off with a luxury yacht pick-up (but of course!) and quickly get you accustomed to the kind life you deserve to have as a duo (a Grand Water villa with not one but TWO private pools plus a dedicated concierge and villa valet); an award-winning spa, dining options where the Kobe beef is flown in regularly from Japan etc. Check out their honeymoon packages which include a scenic three-course dinner, couples spa treatment, scuba diving and daily in-villa breakfasts. Rates start from $730 a night.
Urban retreat
For some people, there’s only so much lazing around the pool they can do before they find themselves pining for some action by way of a heavy nightclub scene or shopping strip. In cases like these, they should look no further than Malaysia’s glorious AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort, a huge property featuring close to 400 sea view rooms and overwater villas in the shape of a palm tree.
Like the other resorts, AVANI life is all about infinity pools, spa treatments and endless dining and water sport options however as the resort is only located some 90 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, you can easily get the transfer into town to catch up on your shopping, Formula 1 racing or bar-hopping needs. Priced from $165 a night.
Teen-friendly
Kids clubs may be nothing new but rarely are the 12+ crew catered for. Five star property Centara Grand has changed all of this with the introduction of their genius E-Zone sanctuary, a dedicated teen space loaded with the latest in entertainment including Playstations, Xbox 360s and Nintendo Wiis so you won’t have to listen to any more sullen cries of ‘Urgh, this is so lame’.
It’s not all about your teens of course; elsewhere on the property, you can enjoy a variety of scenic dining and drinking options, three swimming pools, a luxury spa, as well as your very own shipwreck (a must for dive enthusiasts). Prices start from $US660 a night for a Beach Suite.
Something different
7. KC Resort and Overwater Villas, Koh Samui, Thailand
At first glance, KC, a luxury hillside resort set in stunning Chaweng Bay, looks like any other tropical overwater bungalow – all teak wood and effortless indoor/outdoor design. However look a little closer and you’ll see that rather than hovering over a lagoon or other natural body of water, the villas (which feature light therapy Jacuzzi for two and a rain shower) are actually built on stilts above a private infinity edge pool, making it the perfect choice for those who are strongly opposed to sharing their swim space with finned creatures (it happens).
Traditionalists however, will be pleased that the rest of the resort offers the same luxury options you might expect from such a location including a wellness spa featuring a signature WATSU massage in the floating salt-water pool, poolside bars and restaurants, rooftop lounge and kids club. Priced from $125 a night.
Pretty penny
With an amenity list featuring such gems as an underground spa, outdoor floatation pool and a unique cellar cave of some 6,000 fine wines artfully located some eight metres under sea level, it’s clear that this is the kind of place you stay when only the best will do.
And if you don’t mind blowing some $7500 a night for the pleasure, the place to be is in one of the property’s two-bedroom ocean pavilions – each one featuring a fibre optic-lit infinity pool which starts in the middle of the living room and flows out onto the deck, a private jetty, 24-hour butler service, two-tier deck complete with Jacuzzi and BBQ, as well as your own personal library updated regularly with the latest New York Times bestsellers.
Two-story
9. Hilton Nui, Bora Bora, Tahiti
The natural wonder of Bora Bora is such that you really can’t go wrong with any of the overwater bungalows dotted around her atolls, however those after something a little more decadent need look no further than the world’s only two-story bungalow at Hilton Nui. Titled the Presidential, this 300sqm villa features two bedrooms, three bathrooms and two dressing rooms, as well as a living area and private outdoor space complete with personal pool, whirlpool and sundeck.
And upstairs? Why not indulge in the spa, sauna and massage facilities of your personal wellbeing room before retiring to your scenic bar area for a cocktail? Prices for the Presidential start from $3070 a night.
Foodie Heaven
Set to open in early December, super-luxe Amilla Fushi might be the latest offering in the Maldives, but it also seems set to be the jewel in the island nation’s crown. Located in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve-declared Baa Atoll, it’s home to both the largest pool in the Maldives (1200 metres) as well as a 15-room spa (with each guest receiving a complimentary 50 minute treatment every day), but what really sets this resort apart from the others is the genius addition of Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan to oversee the dining and beverage offerings.
From lobster plucked straight from the underwater tank at signature Lonu by Luke Mangan and what Mangan promises will be the “world’s best fish and chips” at Baazaar, to a world of some 8000 bottles of wine accompanied by a gourmet selection of cheeses and charcuterie at the Wine Shop & Cellar Door, Amilla Fushi will quickly become the go-to for gourmands around the globe. Rates from $2000 a night.
