With over 80 different water-villa resorts in the Maldives to choose from, it should be of no surprise that they are spread out over huge distances in this archipelago nation. Most of the earliest resorts opened up very near the main international airport, but most of the more recent openings are a long way away, which requires a sea-plane flight that can be both time consuming and expensive.
Fortunately, there are many water-villa resorts within a short range of the airport, including many newer ones and a surprising number of the top-rated resorts. These private-island hotels are all between a 15 and 55-minute speedboat ride from the dock at the airport itself, so guests can literally be swimming in the lagoon below their water villa an hour after their flight lands, while many are still waiting for their sea-plane flight to leave.
There are 4 of us that would like to depart Seattle and get to Sunshine in January. We were thinking Bora Bora but are wide open. I was wondering if there are any water bungalows that accommodate 4 people but are still affordable?
Theresa,
Most of the Bora Bora resort hotels allow 3 guests per room, but I’ve only heard about a couple that allow 4, and those are the super expensive ones that go for close to US$2,000 per night.
The option that might work are the so-called Brando overwater bungalows, which are privately run and not part of a resort. A couple of them have two bedrooms and they are actually more reasonably priced. Good luck! -Roger
Hi, there is 5 of us wanting to stay closest to Jacksonville Florida (Mom not doing well). That has the bungalows over the water, but HAS to be clear water? Can you help me? I am a disabled vet, and they wanted to do this for me. Thank you, Lisa🌞
Lisa,
The closest real overwater bungalows to Florida are in Jamaica at two different Sandals resorts, but the water isn’t turquoise like it is in Bora Bora and the Maldives. Unfortunately Florida is pretty much half a world away from the ones with clear water. The closest are probably in Tahiti, but if you go there you might as well go to Moorea, which is right next door. -Roger