It’s the ultimate dream, right? Staying in an overwater bungalow in actual paradise. There are only a handful of these luxurious accommodations in the world, and they’re rarely budget-friendly. So when you get the chance to book one, you want to make it count! Here are a few things to know before you book one of these glamorous, Insta-worthy accommodations.
Reality check: Was It Worth It to Plan a Trip to French Polynesia During the Pandemic?
Not Every Room is an Overwater Bungalow
Don’t be fooled by that oh-so-affordable price you see online! Hotels that feature overwater bungalows also have rooms or villas onshore, which are, predictably, less expensive. Hotel websites and third-party booking sites alike are configured to show you the lowest price available, which certainly won’t be the price for an overwater bungalow. Be sure that you’re looking at the room or bungalow you want when choosing which one to book!
Here’s what it’s like: Staying at a Sofitel Kia Ora Overwater Bungalow in Mo’orea
It’s Expensive
Relatedly, overwater bungalows are expensive. It all depends on the season, day of the week, and the location, but plan on spending around $1,000-$5,000 per night, give or take. This is a great opportunity to cash in credit card points, hotel loyalty points, or do some good old fashioned saving up. I’ve written extensively about How I’ve Been Able to Afford Travel and How to Use Credit Card Rewards for Travel, but don’t underestimate Hotels.com’s Rewards Program (100% not sponsored)!
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And find balace with Travel Splurges Worth the Price.
You (Usually) Can See Through the Floor
Not always, but often! Many overwater bungalows feature a plexiglass cut-out to capitalize on the uniqueness of actually staying over the water. You can look right down to see the coral and the fishes! If it freaks you out, you can put a table or a towel over it, but don’t worry! It’s made to withstand the weight of the people staying there!
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French Polynesia was the First
It’s true! You can now find overwater bungalows in Fiji, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Maldives, but French Polynesia is home to the original concept. The first overwater bungalows were built just offshore of the island of Ra’iatea. A group of American expats started one of French Polynesia’s first hotels, but the island had no beaches. The reef was beautiful, though, so they took the accommodations where the beauty was. That was 1967, and the rest is history. Check out the Tahiti Tourisme Website for more!
More here: What to Know Before You Visit French Polynesia
There are No Drawbacks
The water pressure is great, the electricity works like a dream, we didn’t have any bug or other “critter” problems, and there’s air conditioning when the sea breeze isn’t quite enough. Steve was more concerned about these things than I was, and he was pleasantly surprised! Overwater bungalows certainly take more effort and cost to maintain, but for us, we could tell everything was being done to make these rooms function just like the ones onshore. This did not feel like glamping; instead, it truly felt like staying in a super luxurious hotel!
More here: Legendary Hotels of the World
There are Some Unexpected Benefits
Most notably for us was the fact that it was the best place to be during the (many) rain storms we experienced during our stay–admittedly, during the rainy season. We could literally still enjoy being on the water, even in the less than perfect weather. We got to see the fish right from our room! We got to snorkel right under our bungalow and swim over to the beach if we wanted to. It’s not just a cool place for memorable Instagram photos, it’s a whole experience of its own!
Want more? Check out all my post from our trip on my dedicated French Polynesia Page!
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