Your Maldives columnist is back with you! This time I will take on houses on stilts - the so-called water bungalows (water bungalow, water villa, ocean villa, over-the-water villa, etc.).
Myth No. 3. Water bungalows are awesome
Water bungalows are the hallmark of the Maldives; they have been built since the 70s. The Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Hotel shows one of the first bungalows built on the local islands. Halupka They were invented, however, not by the Maldivians, but by the Polynesians. The first water bungalows for tourists were built on the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia.
The appearance of the bungalows differs little from hotel to hotel, but in their location the designers are perverted as much as they can. It is the necklaces and chains of water bungalows that give the Maldives a unique aerial view; the hotel is easily identified by their shape. Let's see!
1. COCO PALM BODU HITHI 5 * (and this is what it looks like on a professional shoot, hehe) 
2. Baros Maldives 5*. In fact, it is most easily identified not by the shape of the bungalow, but by the restaurant in the form of a white tent; it is the only one in the entire archipelago. 
3. And in search of this hotel, I spent half an hour on the Google satellite map of the Maldives It’s kind of incredible to look at the Maldives from the air. You can see houses, boats and literally almost men In the end I found: THULHAGIRI ISLAND RESORT 4*, not far from Baros. We weren't there. Here is the island on Google Maps. 
Whether from the air or from the ground, the houses on stilts look very cozy and exotic. Water bungalows are far ahead of beach bungalows both in price and in terms of show-off. It seems that if you settle there, complete relaxation is guaranteed. However, on the spot it turns out that everything is not so rosy.
a) Noisy! Even in calm weather you can constantly hear the splashing of waves. Some may find it soothing, but let’s imagine that the wind is blowing. By nightfall, as a rule, the excitement intensifies. As if this were not enough, from 6 am, buggies - funny little cars that carry guests and luggage - roar along the decking. A little later, other guests begin to wander past your bungalow, stomping and talking loudly. By the way, the presidential villas and other VIP bungalows are located right at the end of the pier, so that all sorts of people don’t walk past
b) Swimming is inconvenient. There is no beach with soft sand, so dear to the heart of a resident of cold Russia. The water is colder than near the shore, the waves are stronger, and there are much more corals in the water. Various unpleasant reptiles often swim, more about them below.
c) Go far! Please walk back and forth a hundred times along the entire pier if you need to go to the beach, to a restaurant, to a spa or somewhere else. Sometimes they carry you in buggies, but you still have to wait for them. And the length of the pier is sometimes almost equal to the entire length of the island. In some hotels, the pier is very “cleverly” painted dark color and it heats up like hell, you can’t walk through it barefoot. Often there is no fence on the pier, it’s somehow uncomfortable in the dark, although lanterns stick out every meter.
In general, beach bungalows are dearer to my heart, surrounded by greenery, with access to the beach and closer to useful points.
4. Detached bungalows for newlyweds at the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo 5* hotel. Normal, right? Whenever you want to get to the island, you need to call a boat. Theoretically, you can walk through the water, but it’s not too shallow, up to your thighs. And corals. 
5. The lagoon in this hotel is not very good at all, there are no ladders into the water, only tiny pools (better visible). 
6. COCO PALM BODU HITHI 5 * - the length of the pier is impressive, right? And this is not the very beginning. One of the advantages is that there are separate tracks for each number - this is not the case everywhere. IMHO, it saves you a little from the noise, everyone will walk and drive past your door. 
7. This is the beginning of the pier, just where our buggies are standing. It is impossible to walk here on foot. 
8. Crawling on the steps of the stairs, bungalow at the Adaaran Hudhuran Fushi hotel. Around 5 pm, it was already cold to swim - I flew into the water and flew back out five minutes later. Waves, corals, a concrete platform in the water is overgrown with algae and is sliding. Kroleg doesn't want to swim, neither do I 
9. Of course, a huge water villa with a large swimming pool looks cool. But this is not for us mere mortals. Hotel Beach House Maldives 5* (IMHO, all 6 or 7 stars). 
10. But the ladder is like in a Soviet swimming pool, by God, what, did you feel sorry for the tree? 
11. Toilet When they see this photo, everyone suddenly begins to wonder where the sewage system is in water villas)) It seems that it is laid under the floor, under the pier and goes somewhere deep into the island. But when I see this photo, I feel like there's a hole in the floor. 
12. No comparison to the luxury of huge outdoor baths in beach bungalows. Here is an example of a picture, the first two are Anantara, the third is Velassaru. 
13. Although, of course, water villas have something to cover. Such views from the bedroom or bathroom are impressive! 
I’ll tell you separately about the water villas at the SUN ISLAND RESORT & SPA 5* hotel - this was the first time I lived in a house on the water, and the new experience amazed me to the core. And not positively. It seems to me that here they are quite affordable, but there are a lot of disadvantages.
14. At the end of the pier there is not a presidential villa, but a Thai restaurant. This is important, I’ll tell you why later
So what do we see? The houses are located very close to each other, and each has two rooms connected by a door. Not bad for family or friends, but there is no sound insulation, you can hear voices. 
15. View from the outside. The separation between the terraces of two adjacent rooms is minimal. 
16. Various reptiles swim in the water. Harmless baby sharks, already familiar to you from previous issues, cruise past the pier. 
17. But this is far from a harmless trigger fish that bites! I took a swim, went up to the terrace and saw the reptile swimming! Right where I was just now! Well, yes, only females bite, protecting the laying of eggs, and only in a certain season, but in all other seasons I am not drawn to meet them closely. And in the water - you see - there are corals, you can’t step on them! 
18. The worst one, however, lay in wait after sunset. I went to the other end of the island to watch the stingrays feeding. These are the healthy fools swimming around there, sorry for the shaking hands and uneven handwriting 
Okay, this is the other end of the island, not where the water villas are. But coral sharks are fed right on the Water Villa pier, from the terrace of a Thai restaurant. You see, I was just swimming about a hundred meters from the place where... Words are powerless, watch the video
Since then, I have no desire to swim next to water bungalows. I choose cozy houses on solid ground.
On this optimistic note, I say goodbye to you, all the disadvantages of the Maldives are outlined in three posts, the rest are bold advantages
The Maldives are located at a considerable distance from European civilization, which allowed them to preserve their pristine nature with clear ocean waters and snow-white beaches. It is nature - tropical, untouched, bright and fascinating - that attracts tourists and travelers from all over the world. all year round. To be as close as possible to this natural fairy tale, a significant part of vacationers prefer to rent a bungalow in the Maldives.
Types of bungalows in the Maldives and who they are for
Bungalows in the Maldives have several varieties, for example, overwater bungalows, with glass floors, hotel bungalows, etc. Most often you can find hotels in the Maldives with bungalows on the water - these are detached authentic houses built directly on the beach or even in shallow water on durable stilts, with their own small beach and access directly to the ocean. This is exactly the image that tourists who dream of going to the Maldives paint for themselves - beautiful house, open veranda, and all around are turquoise lazy waves of the ocean, coconut palms, a light breeze and not a single soul around.
Bungalows in the Maldives with glass floors are also a romantic option. Both types of such houses are preferred by newlyweds, couples in love and, oddly enough, diving fans. After all, this is real bliss - relaxing in your living room, while simultaneously observing the underwater life of the Maldives archipelago! Divers are also attracted by the possibility of daily diving near the bungalows. Coral caves and mysterious reefs with a unique ecosystem Maldives are a real treasure for divers all over the planet.
The isolated atmosphere and free daily routine will also appeal to families with children. And the opportunities to ride the waves on some islands attract surfing enthusiasts to the Maldives. Athletes sometimes book a bungalow in the Maldives for several people at once, which allows them to discuss and prepare for upcoming swims at any time of the day, and also pay for their stay on the island together.
Cost of booking a bungalow in the Maldives
,p>The Maldives are considered a popular, but quite expensive tourist destination. The round trip flight alone will cost a significant amount. Staying in a hotel, villa or bungalow in the Maldives is also a pleasure for wealthy tourists. The entire infrastructure is aimed at meeting the needs of a luxurious holiday. There are no budget or middle class hotels here - everything is only according to highest level. The only way to reduce costs is to use the early booking system. The staff of the Ayurveda Tour tour operator will help you choose profitable vacation options and book all the necessary air tickets, bungalows in the Maldives, organize a transfer in the form of an internal flight or boat services, take out medical insurance, order additional bungalow maintenance services and much more.
We will talk about water bungalows, which can be found in many hotels in the Maldives, where the islands are surrounded by reefs that protect the island from large waves. The houses stand on stilts and move away from the shore like a snake into the ocean. Photo taken at the Velasaru Maldives Hotel.
Water villas are much more expensive than villas on the shore; hotels offer special conditions and service specifically for water bungalows. Let's see if it's so comfortable.
Pros of water villas
The biggest plus is new experiences and impressions! Living for a week or two in a house on the water, without going to the beach, and swimming in the warm ocean is the dream of almost every person.
Water villas often have terraces with umbrellas and sun loungers, soft beds, hammocks, which makes your vacation especially private. From the terrace there is a staircase leading down to the ocean. Some water villas also have a swimming pool.
Sea view guaranteed! Most villas have panoramic glazing. Right from the bed you can see the water shimmering and the waves crashing on the reef in the distance.
Fewer people, more privacy. Villas are usually larger than standard rooms, the area often starts from 100 sq. m. m., located a little further from each other. Hotels sometimes offer special treatment for water villas, from welcome champagne to butler service - depending on the hotel.
Cons of water villas
Now let's talk about the disadvantages; perhaps for some they will not be significant.
Firstly, at night the waves become stronger and make quite a lot of noise, crashing against the piles; the first days were quite scary. For me, sleeping on the water was not very comfortable, but this is a very subjective opinion.
It is worth noting here that the villas are built where the island is surrounded by a reef, the villas stand on high stilts, the distance to the water is about two meters. Therefore, as my friends asked me, “Isn’t water pouring into the room, are the waves hitting the walls?” - No. The water is just making noise under the villa. Therefore, water villas are not built everywhere, but only in the Maldives, Fiji, Bora Bora and other islands, where reefs reliably protect from large waves.
If you imagine that going down the stairs into the ocean there will be the same convenient entrance into the water, as if from the beach, then this is not so. Having gone down the stairs, you must immediately swim. At the bottom there are a lot of coral fragments and various living creatures.
Waking up in the morning to the soothing sounds of the waves and opening your eyes, you realize that the sounds are coming from the sky-blue water on which the bungalow is located. Just one step - and here is a small, neat terrace, one more step - and here it is, a world of exotic fish, crystal clear water and the sun shimmering on the waves. On the terrace under the transparent tabletop glass table The same bright fish are splashing around, there is a breakfast prepared from fresh fruit and champagne. And under your feet you can feel the gentle sway of the waves. A real paradise on the water.
If everything sounds tempting, then you should pay attention to such luxury as relaxing in a bungalow on the water. This perfect way spend a honeymoon, celebrate an anniversary or just take a break from Everyday life and relax. From the Maldives to French Polynesia, many luxury hotels are ready to provide tourists with such bungalows.
10. InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, Motu Piti Aau, French Polynesia: $530 per night
The eco-resort is located on the Motu Piti Aau coastline. The name can literally be translated as “a reef formed from broken corals and sand” - or something similar. The resort opened in May 2006. To ensure ventilation in the bungalows and throughout the resort, special pumps were installed that pump icy ice from the vast depths of the Pacific Ocean. sea water. Thalasso Spa is the first resort to use water from the depths of the ocean for spa treatments. Plus, at this time you can enjoy the beauty of marine life through special glass panels. Visitors have the choice of dining at three different restaurants: Le Corail restaurant, Sands Bar and Reef restaurant. Mostly Polynesian cuisine is served throughout. There's no need to worry about a slight morning hangover from tasting delicious wines as the resort's staff will deliver breakfast directly to your private bungalow in traditional canoes.
9. Sofitel Moorea la Ora Beach Resort, Moorea Island, French Polynesia: $600 per night
Ora Beach Resort is located on the coast of Moorea Island overlooking Tahiti. Surrounded by white beaches and crystal clean waters Moorea Lagoon is the most desirable place for snorkeling. The bungalows, which are built in Polynesian style from local wood, have all the amenities that can make your holiday simply unforgettable. For dinner you can order lobster, which will be served right on the seashore. And after that it’s worth dancing exotic Polynesian dances.
8. Cocoa Island by COMO, South Male Atoll, Maldives: $800 per night
The private island of Cocoa Island, known locally as Makunufushi Island, is just a forty-minute boat ride from Maldives International Airport. This beautiful resort has only 33 bungalows different types to choose from, depending on who the guest is vacationing with. There are five types of apartments, each with their own advantages. Dhoni rooms are built in a traditional wooden boat, which is used by local fishermen. For families, the Duplex Dhoni Rooms are ideal. For those looking for truly luxurious apartments, COMO villas are offered. Organization of private snorkeling tours, picnics, romantic dinners - the staff will make your vacation simply unforgettable!
7. Six Senses Laamu, Lamu Atoll, Maldives: $860 per night
Diving, snorkeling, surfing, island tours, a picnic on a deserted island - this is all that can be found at Six Senses Laamu, the only resort on Laamu Atoll, far away in Indian Ocean. To get to the island you need to take an inter-island plane at Male airport, and then take a boat. But the trip is worth it! For surf lovers, this is a great opportunity to experience the waves of Yin Yang as well as the Hithadhoo Islands. For lovers of more have a relaxing holiday The staff of the Six Senses resort will be happy to organize a holiday on a desert island, where you can be completely alone among the sea and sand. Of course, they will also take care of a picnic with amazing wine.
6. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, Motu Tehotu, French Polynesia: $1,190 per night
The Four Seasons Resort in Bora Bora features thatched bungalows lined in rows over clear turquoise waters Pacific Ocean at the foot of Mount Otemanu. The resort was built in 2008. Some bungalows have their own infinity pools. In addition, the waiter will solemnly deliver breakfast to each guest on a Polynesian canoe, and while he is serving the table, the guest can take a boat and go with a rower to the shore to listen to folk music in order to finally wake up.
5. Song Saa Island, Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, Cambodia: $1415 per night
Most of the islands around Cambodia remain undeveloped. However, the private island of Song Saa gives you the opportunity not only to visit it, but also to stay here for the night. Song Saa means "lovers" in Khmer. The bungalows on the island are built partly from old fishing boats. Thanks to this, they fit very harmoniously into the surrounding landscape. However, the bungalows are not without signs of luxury: picturesque terraces, endless infinity pools, amazing baths. Don't worry that staying on the island for a long time might get boring. Here you can spend useful and pleasant time: yoga at dawn, meditation or Buddhist treatment in a wellness center located in the tropical forest. At night, a villa or bungalow easily turns into a real cinema with a screen and projector.
4. Cayo Espanto, Ambergris Caye, Belize: $1,595 per night
Cayo Espanto Resort is limited to 18 guests. But if a guest wants to be alone, not wanting to see anyone else, then he will undoubtedly succeed on the paradise island with an area of 1.6 hectares. For lovers of true luxury, there is a Royal Villa with two bedrooms and a private 50-meter berth.
3. Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Malolo Island, Fiji: $1600 per night
Likuliku Lagoon Resort is located on one of the islands of Fiji. There are only 10 bungalows here, which will provide guests with a feeling of complete solitude. The resort is built on the edge coral reef, whose coastline is a tidal lagoon that fills completely at high tide and drains at low tide. When there is no water in the lagoon, the seabed opens up. Taking just one step onto the island, you forget about modern world. Work, money, stress - everything remains somewhere behind. A great place to unwind and unwind amidst the beauty of the rainforest.
2. Anantara Kihavah Villas, Kihavah Huravalhi Island, Maldives: $1800 per night
Just 35 minutes by seaplane from Male (the capital of the Maldives) and here are the luxurious Anantara Kihavah Villas. In individual bungalows, everything is done for the comfort and convenience of guests: a bed with an ocean view, a private infinity pool, a glass-bottom bathtub (for two), in which you can admire the tiny fish in the ocean while lazing in warm water with rose petals. In addition, there is an amazing wine cabinet, a hammock, a rain shower, as well as a personal servant, who is at the guest’s complete disposal around the clock. Luxury doesn't end with the superb bungalows. The resort has six different restaurants, one of which is underwater. You can dine there and watch amazing marine life.
There are only 25 villas on the island of Laucala, each of which is decorated in the traditions of Fiji homes. There are many luxury bungalows, but the Overwater Villa is simply unique! Two-bedroom apartment with a multi-level terrace located above the water of a green lagoon. Not only is the villa completely surrounded by the ocean, it also has its own huge swimming pool and hot bath, built right into the rocky shore. The beauty of one of Fiji's islands is not the only thing it has to offer. Each villa contains great amount modern household appliances: Acustic systems, a giant plasma TV, a personal bar stocked with champagne! The decor of the villa is very extravagant, light unobtrusive shades, hundreds of butterflies and cocoons, and a bathroom made of a huge granite slab. In addition to the luxurious villa, there are five more restaurants, a stable, a spa and, finally, an 18-hole golf course! Just a royal holiday!
Those who like to relax in traditional bungalows can take a closer look at the proposals of modern architects. And even if there is no sea nearby, it can grow in the nearest forest.