Are you looking for the ultimate in a romantic getaway? Overwater Bungalows are all the rage!
Overwater accommodations (aka overwater bungalows, overwater rooms, or overwater villas) are pricier than typical oceanview or beachfront rooms, but they offer an unbeatable experience that gets you up-close-and-personal with the ocean and marine life within it.
TIP: Many overwater bungalows tend to be booked pretty far in advance, so be sure you plan ahead!
AND it’s important to note that not all are “all-inclusive”, these on our list below ARE all-inclusive, so you can vacation the “no wallet, no worries” way.
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Fully All Inclusive Resorts with Overwater Bungalows
Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma (Mexico)
Check PricesEl Dorado Maroma is located on one of the world’s top beaches, renowned for its talcum-powder soft white sand. It’s a boutique 5-star adults-only resort that added 30 thatched-roof overwater bungalows, known officially as The “Check PricesPalafitos at El Dorado Maroma“. Each features a private infinity pool, glass-bottom floors (with underwater lights so you can enjoy nighttime marine viewing), a private outdoor shower, and a private patio from which you can descend a short ladder right into the ocean.
The bungalows are also part of Karisma’s new Connoisseur Collection, which offers guests a personal concierge, and the Palafitos also has their own exclusive restaurant and Spa, both located over the water, although Palafitos guests may also enjoy all of the El Dorado Maroma’s other restaurants, Spa, amenities, and beach.
Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Set to open in March 2024, the brand new Check PricesSandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines will feature 15 two-story overwater bungalows that includes Butler Elite service (along with the usual upscale room amenities), upper and lower balconies (perfect for drinking in the gorgeous sunsets from this west-facing resort), netted hammocks that hang over the water, an outdoor shower and tranquility soaking tub, and a short staircase into the water from the lower balcony, making easy access to the water for a swim around the stunning cove that the resort is located on.Sandals Royal Caribbean (Jamaica)
All of the overwater villas and bungalows at Check PricesSandals Royal Caribbean are located adjacent to their popular off-shore resort island, which is open to all guests and features food and fun activities. Guests staying in overwater accommodations are met at Sangster International Airport transferred to the resort via BMW sedans (sweet!). Upon arrival guests are welcomed by a personal butler and transferred aboard an electric powerboat to their villa for the check-in process.
The overwater suites feature full kitchens and large private decks with temperature-controlled infinity pools. Two large windows set into the bedroom and living-room floors are illuminated in the evenings, allowing guests to view passing schools of fish, and all suites face the western sky so that guests can enjoy fabulous sunsets.
Sandals South Coast (Jamaica)
Each luxuriously appointed Overwater Bungalow at Check PricesSandals South Coast features a private patio equipped with an extended sun deck, outdoor shower, sun loungers, a private outdoor soaking tub for two, over-water hammocks, and a bistro set for two. Inside, glass floor panels and lit water ensure you can enjoy undersea views any time.
Bungalow guests will also receive the following additional inclusions: Exclusive in-room dining and room service menu. Personal airport greeting. Expedited immigration. Private transfers to and from the airport in chauffeur-driven luxury car. Welcome gift, including branded tote and towel set. Molton Brown bathroom amenities. This category also includes the exclusive indulgence of round-trip Private Airport Transfers.
Sandals Grande St Lucian (St. Lucia)
Just off shore from the main resort are six overwater bungalows at Check PricesSandals Grande St. Lucian, each featuring a private patio equipped with an extended sun deck, outdoor shower, sun loungers, a private outdoor soaking tub for two, over-water hammocks, and a bistro set for two. Inside, glass floor panels and lit water ensure you can enjoy undersea views any time.
Oh yes, the rooms are spectacularly luxe also, and Bungalow guests will also receive the following additional inclusions: Exclusive in-room dining and room service menu. Personal airport greeting. Expedited immigration. Private transfers to and from the airport in chauffeur-driven luxury car. Welcome gift, including branded tote and towel set. Molton Brown bathroom amenities. This category also includes the exclusive indulgence of round-trip Private Airport Transfers.
Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa
The Chairman’s Overwater Bungalows at Check PricesRoyalton Antigua are adults-only, and feature a separate master bedroom with a sumptuous king size bed as well as a relaxing seating area with a dining room, a swim-out infinity plunge pool overlooking the sparkling waters, an over-water hammock and glass floors for you to admire the vibrant marine life below.
As the top room category (all are part of their Diamond Club level accommodation category), a stay in their overwater bungalows includes numerous additional luxury amenities (yes, in addition to their Diamond Club upgrades), such as private luxury transfers between the airport and the resort, complimentary snorkeling equipment, a complimentary romantic dinner served in your bungalow, and much more.
Royalton CHIC Antigua Resort & Spa
Although the main resort, the adults-only Check PricesRoyalton CHIC Antigua (which features an overwater restaurant) offers Marriott’s world-famous top-notch luxury, you can also now experience overwater bungalows. You can choose from three different bungalow (overwater) categories: Chairman, Presidential, and Junior suites – all include butler service – and the Chairman overwater bungalow can come in a two-bedroom configuration. Similar to the Overwater Bungalows at Check PricesRoyalton Antigua, the overwater bungalows at Royalton CHIC Antigua feature a sumptuous king size bed as well as a relaxing seating area, a swim-out infinity plunge pool overlooking the sparkling waters, an over-water hammock and glass floors for you to admire the vibrant marine life below. As a Diamond Club level accommodation, a stay in the overwater bungalows includes numerous additional luxury amenities (yes, in addition to their usual Diamond Club upgrades), such as private luxury transfers between the airport and the resort, complimentary snorkeling equipment, a complimentary romantic dinner served in your bungalow, and much more.Looking for even more all-inclusive opulence?
If budget is no issue or you’re looking for that once-in-a-lifetime celebration destination, consider the Check PricesWaldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, or the Check PricesHurawalhi Island Resort, both in the Maldives and offering an ultra-luxury all-inclusive experience. Both are featured on our list of the Best Ultra Luxurious All-Inclusive Resorts.
Nearly All Inclusive Resorts with Overwater Bungalows
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo (Maldives)
Definitely one of the more “boutique” options for overwater accommodations, even though Check PricesMercure Maldives Kooddoo offers 70 overwater villas (some with private pools!), it’s still a very small and intimate resort that provides a sense of seclusion as well as romantic serenity.
Located on Kooddoo island in Gaafu Alifu Atoll (in the southern Maldives), this resort has both all-inclusive and non-all-inclusive meal options and — even with fewer restaurants than many other resorts — their gourmet cuisine is winning rave reviews. Its beautiful location offers stunning views and plenty of recreation opportunities.
Coco Plum Island Resort, Belize
Stunningly gorgeous and romantic, this highly rated but very small, intimate resort has a single 3-bedroom overwater villa, so you’d need to book way ahead if vacationing over the water is your dream. We include this resort even though it’s different from those listed above in a couple of important ways: It technically sits atop a boardwalk that extends over the water, but lacks the transparent glass floor opening as the resorts above feature. And, similar to Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, Check PricesCoco Plum Island Resort offers an ‘all inclusive’ package you can add on as another upgrade, the package includes only 3 daily meals at a single restaurant, instead of the numerous restaurants and all-day dining that the above resorts include, BUT does include unlimited drinks, as well as a number of non-motorized activities such as snorkeling, kayaks, hobie cats, and SUP’s. It gets rave reviews from travelers, so if the limitations don’t deter you, then this is a resort you should consider.AND for those who may be tempted to loudly exclaim “But wait! I know there are more overwater bungalows than you have listed!” Yes, it’s quite true that there are — Bora Bora, Tahiti, Honduras, Panama, and a few other places sprinkled throughout the Caribbean — BUT they are not all-inclusive, and/or don’t offer meal plans…..any meals you enjoy will cost you extra, and in many cases it’s pretty pricey. Here at Best All Inclusive we stay focused on all-inclusive resorts (or those that do offer meal plans as an option, making them nearly-all-inclusive), so we’ll let other websites feature non-all-inclusive resorts.