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Picture Maldives holidays and the first image that comes to mind will be of classic water villas and luxury bungalows perched on stilts over the crystal clear Indian Ocean. This destination is all about luxury, and many of the best resorts and hotels in the Maldives offer a selection of overwater villas and rooms that offer access to the ocean just steps from your bed.
Extravagant features like glass floors, private pools and even steps leading right into the water offer even more luxury. Whether you're heading to the Maldives for a diving holiday to explore the underwater world, are on a romantic honeymoon escape, or are simply looking for a sun-soaked getaway for the perfect amount of relaxation, browse our selection of overwater villas in the Maldives for some inspiration...
Though it might sound too good to be true, Maldives overwater villas (also known as overwater bungalows or overwater suites) are just what they sound like; luxurious, comfortable accommodations built right over the blue water of the Indian Ocean. Rather than being nestled on the golden sand, these villas are attached to stilts or a platform that hovers above the ocean surface.
It's the ultimate way to experience the natural beauty of the Maldives, with all the amenities and comforts of a luxury resort plus the experience of true private island paradise. Experience total privacy and luxury seclusion - many overwater bungalows and villas at five-star Maldives resorts offer private terraces with sunloungers and even private pools for romantic floating breakfasts and impromptu midnight dips.
You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the best overwater villas, as you really can't go wrong. Clear Indian Ocean water, attentive service, private luxury, unobstructed views of the most glorious sunsets... what's not to like? That being said, every resort offers its own version of luxury so you're sure to find the right overwater bungalow for you.
When you're thinking about the perfect water bungalows and luxury rooms for your Maldives holiday, there are a few things to think about. Some options offer overwater views and a host of extra features - the Water Suite at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO comes with a private gym, overwater pool and outdoor dining pavilion, for example.
Any water villa in the Maldives will come with superb views of the Indian Ocean, and you can be guaranteed only the best service no matter which resort you choose. Consider things like proximity to the beach and other resort amenities, any extras you might like, the choice of accommodation types and inclusions like water sports and spa treatments. If you're a keen snorkeller you might want to research the best villas for instant access to the ocean, or foodies might be keen to stay at villas with extravagant room service dining options.
Let's get the obvious question out of the way first - is it worth paying to stay in an overwater bungalow or villa for your Maldives holiday?
Though overwater options will cost more than the most basic or entry-level accommodation choices at most resorts, the experience really is exceptional. The feeling of luxury and privacy is unmatched, particularly for special occasion holidays like honeymoons or anniversaries.
Some villas have incredible upgrade options and extra features - like glass floors for literally watching the sealife beneath your feet, private al fresco dining areas or entire kitchens.
Choosing to stay in a water villa or bungalow for your Maldives honeymoon or couples holiday is an easy choice. You can indulge in room service to enjoy your meals gazing out across the ocean and spend quality time together in the most luxurious of settings. If you opt for one of the islands' top deluxe water villas, you can even sip champagne from a private plunge pool or have an intimate dinner on your own secluded terrace.
For an exceptional escape with your loved one, the Deluxe Spa Overwater Villas at Centara Ras Fushi offer endless luxury, with direct lagoon access and an outdoor spa bathtub for nights spent stargazing. The villas at LUX* South Ari Atoll are also ideal for romantic getaways, with some offering private infinity-edge pools, cabanas, rain showers and overwater hammocks.
While lots of resorts in the Maldives don't allow children to stay in water villas for safety reasons, our travel specialists can advise on the best options for you and your little ones. If you're considering overwater accommodation for your family holiday to the Maldives, it's important to think about things like private plunge pools and direct access to the ocean.
Families will love the kid-friendly facilities at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa - the Family Overwater Villa has bunkbeds and even Playstations for young guests (or the young at heart).
For many, choosing to visit the Maldives is the easy decision, and picking between the multiple accommodation options is the difficult part. The first step will be to decide whether you want to go for an overwater villa, beach bungalow, or both. Don’t forget that our travel experts are on hand to help make personalised recommendations and suggestions too.
Beach bungalows or villas are usually located right on the shore, so you can walk out of your front door and walk barefoot into the sand. These are different from overwater options, which sit on stilts directly over the water.
Opting for a holiday that includes both options can offer a great compromise - you can enjoy the bliss and bucket list experience of an overwater villa, before switching to a beach bungalow for instant access to water sports, the beach, and the resort's main restaurants and other amenities.
Resorts like Reethi Beach Resort offer both an over-lagoon water villa and several villas right on the sand for watching the sunset and heading out on adventures.
Many Maldives resorts and hotels offer a range of accommodation options, and there are plenty of overwater bungalows to choose from across the islands.
