The stilted hut hovers majestically above the stunning clear crystal waters of the South Pacific. Beneath the floor, tropical fish swim and explore while your personal butler brings you a cool pina colada to sip before you slink into the warm waters beneath your bungalow for a refreshing dive.
If staying at an iconic thatched-roof overwater bungalow is your idea of heaven and paradise all rolled into one - you are not alone. While there are over 130 different resorts worldwide that offer stay in an overwater bungalow, here are four award winning hotels in the South Pacific that should be on everybody’s holiday wish list.
Te Tiare Beach Resort, Huahine
Awarded 8thplace in The Conde Nast Traveller 2012 Choice Award, the Te Tiare Beach Resort offers a selection of 17 overwater bungalows to choose from; each boasting first class amenities and the luxury of being able to dive off your private deck straight into the ocean. Just ashort 35 minute flight from Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport, a business class return flight from Sydney will set you back approx $4, 500AUD with the bungalows themselves charging from $850AUD per night. The temperatures are warm and temperate all year round, so you are guaranteed a great vacation. Honeymooners get a special deal so enquire when you book.
Four Seasons, Bora Bora
With a private plunge pool and glass panels looking into the lagoon below, it is easy to see why the 100 overwater bungalows at Four Seasons Bora Bora won the Travel + Leisure’s 2013 World’s Best Awards Readers’ Poll. Each bunglow contains internet access, a private bar, satellite television, twice daily housekeeping, complimentary snorkelling gear and breakfast. The hotel itself boasts a fitness centre, holistic spa, tandem treatments and an Infinity Pool that edges onto the ocean. The bungalows starting from $1,410AUD per night and return business-class flights from Sydney will start from $4,334AUD with the best times to travel in the high and dry season from June to October.
Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji
Likuliku Lagoon Resort is the only overwater bungalow (bure) resort in Fiji and has won the Best Overseas Resortby Australia’s Luxury Travel Magazine’s Gold List Awards four years in a row, as well as the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards as Best Luxury Accommodation. With these accolades, it’s hard to pass up the opportunity to visit Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands where the resort is located, and enjoy the wonderful warm tropical climate that Fiji is renowned for.
To get there, fly into Nadi International Airport on the mainland and then it’s your choice of catamaran, private speedboat, seaplane or helicopter which the Resort’s reservation team can assist in organising. From $1674AUD a night all your meals are included with complimentary Chef’s Canapé Plate delivered to your door. The bungalows include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and complimentary non-motorised water sports. Business Class flights with Fiji Airways will set you back a mere $1732AUD from Sydney.
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, French Polynesia
Situated on what impressionist artist, Paul Gauguin, often called ‘The Island of Love’, the award winning Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa is the perfect place to spend a honeymoon. Winner of Trip Advisor’s 2012 World Romance Category and Spa/Relaxation in the South Pacific,you and your partner will be hard pressed to find better location to celebrate your union.
Each overwater bungalow is over 60sqm in size and is complete with claw foot bathtubs and glass floor so you can peek at the fish darting around below your feet. Starting from $884AUD a night, the best time of year to visit is during the high season: January through to April and November and December. The resort has plenty of special offers available so check out the site to nab a deal. Fly into Tahiti’s Faa’a International Airport in Papeete and take a 7 minute flight or 30 minute catamaran ride to Moorea where the resort lies.
Four Seasons Bora Bora
Likuliku Lagoon Resort
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa
