On my honeymoon, we spent our first few nights in a Luxury Beach Bungalow at Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, where our patio was about 20 steps from the sand, and then finished in overwater bungalows at The Westin Bora Bora and The St. Regis Bora Bora. So I’ve done both, and I can tell you honestly: choosing whether to stay overwater in Tahiti is one of the most exciting (and most stressful!) decisions couples make when they’re planning. For some people, the overwater bungalow is the whole reason they’re going. For others, once they really think about how they like to travel, it turns out a beach or garden villa is the better fit. Both can be private, luxurious, and unforgettable, so here’s how I help my clients decide!
Why couples love overwater bungalows
There’s nothing quite like waking up with the lagoon right outside your door! At The Westin Bora Bora, we spent hours swimming straight off our deck, and some of our favorite quiet moments of the whole honeymoon were sunsets right from our bungalow. That’s the biggest perk of staying overwater: at a lot of resorts you can swim or snorkel right from your own ladder, and there are often fish swimming right underneath you. The sunrises and sunsets feel even bigger with open water all around you, and being up over the lagoon usually means a nice cool breeze in the evenings. And of course, there’s the experience itself! For so many couples, staying overwater is something they’ve dreamed about for years, and that feeling absolutely matters.
What people don’t expect about staying overwater
The thing that surprises people most is how much walking can be involved! Depending on the resort layout, your bungalow might be pretty far from the restaurants, pools, and spa. Some resorts, like The St. Regis Bora Bora, assign a bike to every bungalow, which makes getting around so much easier (and more fun!), while others mean long walks, especially at night. Overwater bungalows are also more exposed to the weather, so you’ll feel the wind, rain, and strong sun more directly, and some decks get very hot in the middle of the day depending on which way they face. Getting to the beach usually means leaving your bungalow entirely, and if you’re a light sleeper, you might notice the water moving underneath you. Then there’s the cost. Overwater bungalows are almost always the highest room category, and depending on how much time you’ll actually spend in your room, they’re not always the best use of your budget.
Why I love beach and garden villas, too
The biggest surprise for a lot of couples is how private a non-overwater bungalow can be! Garden and beachfront villas often feel completely secluded, surrounded by tropical landscaping. The Garden Pool Villa at Le Bora Bora (one of my favorite properties!) feels like having your own tropical backyard, fully fenced, with a private pool, outdoor seating, and lounge chairs. They’re also more convenient, since they’re usually closer to the restaurants, main pool, and resort amenities, which makes everyday life easier on a longer stay. At the Sofitel on Moorea, I loved being able to wander down to the beach whenever we wanted! These villas also tend to be quieter at night, with more shade during the day thanks to the palms and gardens. They can also stretch your budget further, so you can add nights, upgrade your experiences, or book a private excursion without raising your overall spend.
The tradeoffs of skipping overwater
The biggest drawback is the look. Beach and garden villas are still gorgeous, but they don’t give you that iconic overwater picture so many people associate with Tahiti. Privacy also varies by resort and room category, since some beachfront bungalows sit closer to walking paths, which is exactly why the resort layout and the exact room matter more than people expect! Views can be more limited in garden categories, too, so if ocean views are your top priority, that’s something to weigh. And one honest tip from my own stay: the beach at Sofitel Moorea can be rocky until you get out a little deeper, so bring water shoes!
What about a private pool?
Both overwater and non-overwater bungalows can come with private pools! If a pool is important to you, it doesn’t have to decide this for you, because there are great pool options in both categories. What matters is choosing the right bungalow type at the right resort.
So which should you choose?
An overwater bungalow is probably right for you if this is a trip you’ve dreamed about for years and the overwater experience is the priority, if you love being in the water and plan to spend a lot of time on your deck, and if you don’t mind walking or biking around the resort. A beach or garden villa might be the better fit if you love convenience, if you want greenery, privacy, and a more grounded tropical feel, or if you plan to spend most of your time exploring the resort and going on excursions.
For a lot of my couples, though, the best answer is both! I build every trip from the bottom to the top, so each property tops the last one. That usually means a beach or garden villa first, on an island like Moorea, while you’re doing the action and adventure, and then Bora Bora goes last, with fewer nights, so you can unwind in your overwater bungalow and end with a bang. That’s exactly how I planned my own honeymoon, and it meant we got the best of both without feeling locked into one style.
This is where knowing the resorts really matters. Which ones have the best layouts, which categories are the most private, and where a pool or a bike truly makes a difference can completely change your trip. My clients trust me on rooms, so once I know you, I’ll skip the long menu and just tell you: THIS is the room you want, don’t even bother digging. And because we’re a Virtuoso agency, my clients get VIP treatment at the hotels I book them into!
If you’re torn between overwater and the beach (or wondering if you can do both!) and you’re not sure where to start, that’s where I come in! Book a complimentary consultation with me! We’ll get to know each other, I’ll walk you through how Susan’s Travel Services works (including what being a Virtuoso agency means for you), and we’ll talk about next steps.