7 Luxe Resorts That Take Overwater Design to the Next Level

No wonder there are so many opulent overwater suites in honeymoon hot spots such as Bora Bora and Tahiti: Put a thatched hut on stilts, position it over the waves, and it becomes the stuff of fantasy.

Overwater accommodations are a relatively modern resort concept, with the first such structures opening on the small Tahitian island of Ra’iātea in 1967. The resulting combination of privacy, luxury, and scenery quickly gained traction, and soon similar bungalows appeared in Bora Bora, the Maldives, and other destinations where shallow waters meet scenic and serene shorelines.

At the seven resorts, lodges and villas that follow, however, extra effort has been taken to not only turn thatched huts into architectural eye-candy, but also to locate them in watery settings that may or may not conform to South Pacific stereotypes.

Soneva Jani, Maldives

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Set at the north end of the lagoon-dotted island of Medhufaru, Soneva Jani’s 17 overwater villas are all reached via a spectacular serpentine boardwalk. India’s Habitat Architects has undeniably succeeded in blending innovation, luxury, and nature: Retractable roofs are designed for bedtime stargazing, curving waterslides plunge into the crystal-clear Indian Ocean, and private infinity pools provide more tranquil soaks. Ranging from one to five bedrooms, the villa’s additional amenities range from wine cellars to personal gyms.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

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Led by Mexico City’s Sordo Madaleno Architects, a $70-million expansion of this luxurious Mayan Riviera resort included the 2022 addition of seven Sunset Pool Villas perched above a tranquil lagoon. As well as offering more than 2,300 square feet of luxuriating space — all of it open-concept and high-design — each two-storey villa includes an outdoor shower, a whirlpool bathtub, a sunset-facing private solarium, and a heated plunge pool.

Hotel Palafitte Neuchatel, Switzerland

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Said to be Europe’s only overwater bungalow resort, the 23-year-old Hotel Palafitte offers 16 eye-catching pavilions along the shore of Lake Neuchatel. Designed by architect Kurt Hofmann in collaboration with students at the Hôtelière School in nearby Lausanne, the pavilions provide private lake access and panoramic views of the distant Alps. The hotel’s La Table restaurant, meanwhile, is renowned for its seasonal menus starring local ingredients sourced by chef David Sauvignet. Other amenities include a tranquil terrace and a cozy bar for coffee or cocktail hour.

Sweet Bocas, Isla Colon, Panama

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Owned, designed and built by Canadian restaurateur Annick Belanger, Sweet Bocas’ seven-bedroom villa is perched on stilts in the tranquil waters of Panama’s Bocas del Toro archipelago. Accessible only by boat, the villa blends luxury with sustainability, featuring handcrafted furnishings made from locally sourced hardwoods, farm-to-table dining, a personal chef, and water activities like paddleboarding, snorkeling, and sailing aboard a 30-foot yacht. The surrounding lush rainforest provides opportunities for guided hikes, while the villa’s expansive terraces and infinity pool promote relaxation.

Sea Cabins, Leinesfjord, Norway

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Designed by architect Snorre Stinessen for famed polar explorer Børge Ousland, five of these seven remarkable cabins are cantilevered over the brooding waters of the 155-kilometre-long Vestfjorden. Positioned to capture panoramic ocean views while ensuring privacy, the cabins feature floor-to-ceiling glass walls that blend indoor and outdoor spaces. Constructed with prefabricated elements to minimize environmental impact, the cabins’ sleek, minimalist design has won multiple Architizer A+ Awards, and complements that of the refurbished 18th-century farmhouse that serves as a communal dining area for guests.

Waldorf Astoria, Maldives Ithaafushi 

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Accessible only by boat, the Waldorf Astoria’s two stunning Stella Maris Ocean villas are perched gracefully above the pristine turquoise waters of the Maldives, which has surpassed both Bora Bora and Tahiti as the world’s top destination for overwater accommodations. Designed by the architects at Qatar’s Highness Engineering Consultants, the villas feature lavish outdoor living spaces with barbecue stations and infinity pools, with Stickman Tribe of Dubai handling the interior design of the airy open-concept lounges and gleaming gourmet kitchens. And last but not least, the dining room of the resort’s sushi restaurant, Zuma, is also set over the Arabian Sea.

King Pacific Lodge, Princess Royal Island, British Columbia

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Pulled by tugboats to its anchorage off Princess Royal Island each June, this 17-guestroom floating lodge in the heart of the misty Great Bear Rainforest is accessible only by floatplane. Owned by Hideo “Joe” Morita, son of the late Sony founder Akio Morit, the seasonal property is also home to a spa and a fine-dining seafood restaurant, with luxurious linens and deep soaker tubs in the suites, and world-class fishing, sea kayaking, wildlife-spotting and whale-watching right outside guests’ doors.

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