Overwater bungalow of the week: Manihi Pearl Beach Resort

Of the twenty or so overwater bungalow resorts clustered around Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora, the most remote is one of the more affordable in the region, called the Manihi Pearl Beach Resort.

Some people may prefer to be on an island with another resort every few hundred yards, but for those looking to feel that they are in paradise at the edge of the world, this is one to consider.

Overwater bungalow of the week: Manihi Pearl Beach Resort
Overwater bungalows in Florida: Under construction at Disney Resort

When it comes to overwater bungalows anywhere near the Caribbean, the pattern lately has been to announce them long before they are ready to break ground. That wouldn’t be so bad if not for the fact that years seem to go by and ground is never broken. Getting funding AND government approval for construction at the same time has been a major challenge, but not for the project we recently learned about.

Evidently there had been rumors in 2013 that Disney would be adding up to 20 overwater bungalows to its Disney’s Polynesian Resort complex in Lake Buena Vista (near Orlando) as part of a major 2-year renovation.

Overwater bungalows in Florida: Under construction at Disney Resort
Best videos showing what Bora Bora resorts are really like

As fond as we all are of drooling over photos of Bora Bora resorts, we are in the age where everyone is walking around with a video camera all the time. Needless to say, you can tell a lot about a resort hotel on video that you can’t get a good sense of in photos alone, so we’ve collected the best video tours of all the Bora Bora resorts below.

There are nine different luxury resorts on the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora that have overwater villas.

Best videos showing what Bora Bora resorts are really like
Overwater bungalow of the week: Premier Overwater One Bedroom Villa at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

this overwater bungalow of the week feature we like to mix in some good-value resorts with a few “fantasy” resorts that most of us couldn’t dream of ever affording. This week we are highlighting what most people consider to be the finest resort in the South Pacific – the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.

This 5-star deluxe property has 77 overwater villas along with 14 island rooms, and none of them is likely to be available for under US$1,000 per night.

Overwater bungalow of the week: Premier Overwater One Bedroom Villa at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
LUX Collective overwater resort opening in The Maldives in 2024

The resort brand, LUX Collective is currently undergoing the initial construction stages of a new resort that will be open to visitors at the end of 2024. This overwater resort, the Luxnam Phu Quoc Resort, will house both land based rooms and those over the water. In total, there will be 126 villas, with 109 being overwater villas. In addition, it should be noted that the suites will range from 1 bedroom, all the way up to 5 bedrooms.

LUX Collective overwater resort opening in The Maldives in 2024
Water villa of the week: Beach House Maldives – A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Featuring 48 water villas, the Beach House Maldives – A Waldorf Astoria Resort is unusual in several ways, and a perfect hotel for honeymoon couples seeking an upscale destination that is out of the way. Its location is part of the key to the solitude, as you actually have to fly to Malé International Airport, and then a 55-minute flight to Hanimadhoo Airport before you board the speed boat that takes you to the Beach House.

Water villa of the week: Beach House Maldives – A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Overwater bungalow of the week: InterContinental Tahiti Resort

week’s featured overwater bungalow is not among the largest or most glamorous in the South Pacific, but it’s an extremely popular resort for a few key reasons that many people will want to consider.

The InterContinental Tahiti Resort has 32 overwater bungalow in addition to over 200 other rooms, making it one of the largest resorts of any kind in French Polynesia. Perhaps its best selling points are that it’s quite reasonably priced, and it’s very close to the Tahiti Airport without being too close.

Overwater bungalow of the week: InterContinental Tahiti Resort
The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa introduces 10 new pool overwater villas

The island of  Bora Bora is home to a few great resorts that offer an overwater stay dripping in luxury. One of these such resorts is the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. This resort features a collection of first class overwater rooms that provide views of a lifetime from private decks. Recently it has be revealed that the resort is in the process of building 4 two bedroom suites, titled the Brando Overwater Suites.

The InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa introduces 10 new pool overwater villas
Maldives 4 1/2-star water villas with ocean access for US$317 per night

Welcome to the Maldives! This low lying tropical nation is home to hundreds of islands, some of which are home to luxury resorts whose mission is to create the best island stay possible. Because of this, each resort actively competes with the next to attract visitors. Though this may cause more work for the resorts, this is fantastic for potential guests as you’ll be certain to get the best of the best when it comes to amenities, activities and service.

Maldives 4 1/2-star water villas with ocean access for US$317 per night
Water villa of the week: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu – Maldives

This week we are highlighting one of the handful of Maldives resorts that promotes what they call a “No news, no shoes” policy. The Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a luxurious private-island resort where the emphasis is on being casual and comfortable rather than fancy and posh.

This style is perfect for those who might have to wear a suit every day during their normal life and the last thing they want to do on holiday is to dress up for dinner on a tropical island.

Water villa of the week: Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu – Maldives