The World’s Best Overwater Bungalow Escapes

If you haven’t heard of our Escapes holiday range yet, now is the perfect time to find out more. Launched in June, Escapes are amazing travel experiences to the world's most desirable hotels and resorts, including the world’s best overwater bungalows.

Where: North Huvadhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives

Overwater offering: 180-degree ocean views, ideal for watching the sunset, is just one of the highlights of the Park Water Sunset Villa at Park Hyatt Maldives. Along with its prime positioning, you’ll also be able to enjoy two sunbeds, private deck, indoor bathtub and rain shower, in-villa iPad and private access to the Indian Ocean below.  

Our experience: "What I loved about the Park Hyatt was just how untouched the surroundings are. It is actually one of the best places in the world to learn to dive. The diversity of marine life is amazing - I got to dive with turtles, manta rays and sharks just off the island. Go at the right time of year and you may even get a glimpse of the whale sharks. My favourite aspect of the island though was how quiet it was. It's very adult focused. The Vidhun Spa has won lots of travel awards - the treatments were the best I've ever had, and the resort has a real island castaway feeling to it. Go there for a few days and you won't want to leave!" Dean Armstrong , Flight Centre Head Office.

Where: The tropical setting of Burau Bay, Langkawi, Malaysia

Overwater offering: Berjaya Langkawi offers four overwater accommodation options including the Premier Suite on Water which features a prime position between a lush rainforest backdrop and overlooking the calm waters of the Andaman Sea. To make the most of this location, the Premier Suites feature semi-outdoor lounges with Jacuzzis.

Where: A private island setting on the North Ari Atoll, Maldives

Overwater offering: The resort’s Water Villas will see you enjoy a 5-star, front row seat to one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Inside the villa you’ll find an incredibly spacious open-plan design with modern amenities and high-raftered ceilings. Outside, the villa boasts stunning lagoon views from its private deck, where you can choose to take a dip in the lagoon below or in your private plunge pool.

Where: A private coral island called Baros in the Maldives

Overwater offering: Stay in one of the Water Pool Villas at Baros Maldives and you’ll find yourself sleeping soundly in a spacious and private enclave at the end of a boardwalk jetty. Within the villa you’ll enjoy plush furnishings, separate shower and bathtubs, generous wardrobe space, a Bose surround sound system, and a 24/7 Villa Host service. The villas also feature incredibly spacious timber decks with various sun lounges, a private plunge pool and direct private access to the island’s stunning lagoon.

Our experience: "I stayed at Baros Maldives for my honeymoon. It was a stunning and intimate stay with beautiful clear water and gorgeous white sandy beaches. We had a fabulous time diving just off the beach on the house reef – we even saw a couple of turtles. My best advice for staying here is don’t pack too much. I packed ambitiously packed 12 pairs of shoes when I visited but only ended up wearing one pair as everywhere has sandy pathways for complete barefoot luxury," Zoe Wong, Flight Centre Business Travel.

Where: The only resort on the Laamu Atoll, Maldives

Overwater offering: Six Senses Laamu has four overwater accommodations, the most lavish being the Laamu Water Villa with Pool. Located at the end of the jetty and offering complete privacy, the villas feature incredible uninterrupted ocean views. With such a stunning location, the villa does a fantastic job of making the most of its surrounds and features a private deck with plunge pool, outdoor relaxation platform with day bed and sun lounges, outdoor rain shower, private water garden, glass bottom table and even a sunken glass overwater bath tub.

Where: Lankanfushi Island, Maldives

Overwater offering: Amazingly, all accommodation at Gilli Lankan Fushi enjoys an overwater location. In terms of size and style though, there are five options to choose from: Villa Suite, Residence, Crusoe Residence, Spa Suite and The Private Residence. At one end of the spectrum, The Villa Suite features a rooftop terrace with day bed and dining table, semi open-air private bathroom and overwater sundeck with lounges. At the other, the Private Residence spans 1,400 square metres of total overwater opulence with two master suites, private indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, private cinema, natural coral pool, couple’s spa with sauna and steam room, wine cellar and a water slide into a private lagoon swimming area. Combined with a 'no news, no shoes' philosophy and a Robinson Crusoe themed service (private butlers are called Mr Friday, after the character's loyal friend), and you've got one of the world's most lavish overwater stays in the world.

Our experience: "I stayed at Gilli last year for my honeymoon. The setting was of course stunning but it was the service that actually left a lasting impression. When we arrived at the airport someone from the resort met us to transfer us to the resort via speed boat. Before we got in the boat they asked us to take our shoes off, with the aim of spending the whole time on the resort without them. Once we arrived at the resort all of the people who would be taking care of us were waiting for us on the jetty. Our 'Mr. Friday' Abu was incredible. At one point when we were in our villa (which was bigger than my flat in London), I mentioned that the upper deck (yes it was two stories), would be amazing to sleep on.  When we arrived back from dinner that night Abu had set up plush beds for us to sleep on the upper deck underneath the stars! Its those kind of touches that really make Gilli Lankanfushi unforgettable," Misty Hughes, Flight Centre Head Office.