Top #3 Dreamiest Overwater Bungalows on Earth

 Let's face it, we could use a little escapism right about now. Though flying is pretty much off the table, that doesn't mean we can't armchair travel to far-off lands. And what better place to mentally get away from it all than at some gorgeous overwater bungalows on a remote island? To help fuel your wanderlust, we've found the most serene seaside abodes, where you can dream about sipping poolside cocktails, lounging on palm tree-fringed beaches, and jumping into crystal-clear cobalt water right off your private deck. And when you do feel safe to take to the skies again, these oceanfront resorts will be there waiting for you. For more tropical paradises where you can actually take a vacation, check out the Top 3.

1|Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

The brand new Waldorf Astoria knows how to arrive in style. When you touch down in the Maldives, a gleaming yacht will pick you up and personally transport you to this off-shore oasis. With 122 villas spread across three private islands, there are lots of options to choose from. But the secluded Stella Maris Villas—nestled in the middle of the cerulean sea—are the way to go. These modernist glass bungalows feature all the opulence you'd expect from this high-end brand (think: marble bathrooms, rich textiles, and a classy European interior design). However, they shine in all of the excess perks, including a massive outdoor lap pool, two overwater hammocks, and a spiral staircase that leads to an upstairs deck with an infinity hot tub, grilling station, and dining area. And if you opt for a resort restaurant, Terra is an otherworldly experience where you can eat in a nest-like bamboo treehouse overlooking the ocean.

 

2| If you dream of living like a rockstar.

Heritance Aarah delivers in spades. The luxury retreat in the Maldives has an array of accommodations, but the splurge-worthy ocean suites go above and beyond your wildest expectations. The 1,700-square-foot, two-story overwater bungalows feature a second-floor bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and balcony perfect for curling up with your morning cup of coffee. Yet, the royal treatment is on the main level, where the plush L-shaped sofa frames a glass floorboard with tropical fish swimming underneath and floor-to-ceiling windows, which lead to a deck with an infinity pool and swinging daybed. Next to the living room is an even larger bathroom with a deep tub that opens onto the deck, so you can soak with a view of the sea. And for more ethereal resorts, check out the 17 Most Exotic Off-the-Grid Hotels in the World.Heritance Aarah, the Maldives.

 

3|Kudadoo Maldives

This adults-only private island is a pioneer on many fronts: It's the first solar-powered resort in the Maldives, and one of very few to offer a completely all-inclusive experience. Kudadoo is home to only 15 overwater bungalows—and this privacy is why A-listers like Naomi Campbell have discreetly checked in. Each Japanese-inspired abode, designed by Yuji Yamazaki Architecture, is done up in rich cedar wood and granite, with a sprawling bedroom and sliding glass walls that open up to an equally massive outdoor living room. When you're not wading into the crystalline water off your deck or having your personal butler deliver a floating breakfast right to your plunge pool, you could be sipping your way through the property's exclusive wine and cheese cellar, where the champagne collection is hand-picked by the bottle, or relaxing in the spa's Himalayan salt chamber, the only one in the entire country.