One of the most exciting aspects of planning a trip to French Polynesia is sorting through the various lodging options: hotels, beach bungalows, even overwater bungalows. The overwater bungalow stems from the French Polynesian tradition of building grass huts on ironwood stilts. Today, many resorts and spas have taken this traditional dwelling and, in keeping with its cultural integrity, transformed it into a unique lodging option for travelers.
No matter how simple the overwater bungalow, the one guarantee is that you will be surrounded by views you can’t find anywhere else in the world. This particular overwater bungalow, found at the Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora, boasts a towering mountain panorama in the background.
There are many different styles of overwater bungalows. In addition to a spacious sleeping area, the above example offers a glass floor that doubles as a window to the warm waters of the South Pacific. At Le Meridien Bora Bora, you aren’t just confined to sitting over the water; you can also watch it flow beneath you!
Another amenity offered by many overwater bungalows is the plunge pool, ideal for those who love the sea but would prefer to relax a little closer to home. This bungalow at the Hotel Four Seasons Bora Bora features a private pool right at the edge of the bungalow deck, where guests can soak up the sun and enjoy a refreshing dip in the water.
Sometimes, one room is simply not enough! The Hilton Bora Bora Nui’s overwater bungalow suites offer a vast amount of space perfect for families, large groups, or anyone who just wants to spread out over two luxurious floors. If the Kardashians deemed it perfect for a seven day visit, then it must be fit for a king.
The Hotel Kia Ora also hosts an overwater bar bungalow, a favorite for travelers. Here, guests can enjoy more than just drinking their cocktails out of a coconut; they can drink them while sitting above the calm, cool waves and watching the sunset.
A trip to French Polynesia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and staying in an overwater bungalow can make the experience one to remember. Whether you’re relaxing beside a plunge pool or enjoying views of a mountain range rising above the sea, you can have all of Tahiti at your fingertips in an overwater bungalow.