Overwater bungalows offer truly unique accommodation amidst the sights and sounds of the sea and here is the captivating tale of their origins.
In Today’s World
Overwater accommodation is a big hit especially with couples who stay at a top luxury resort in Maldives; such private island properties like Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives offer overwater villas perched above a lagoon or the ocean; unique features include direct access to the waters below, a private pool, overwater hammock and see-through glass floor.
Where It All Started
The story begins in 1959 when three American friends namely Hugh Kelley, Jay Carlisle and Donald McCallum arrived in Tahiti. After having talked about and dreamed of Tahiti for many years, they decided to quit their regular jobs, combine their savings and purchase a plot of land in Polynesia for farming vanilla.
A Change of Plan
Their plan failed however as the land wasn’t suitable for vanilla cultivation and so this enterprising trio managed to collect a bit more money and bought a rundown hotel with four rooms. Around this time, Tahiti became a popular tourist destination and they enjoyed success at the hotel and later, added two more, one on the island of Ra’iātea.
An Innovative Option
This island didn’t have a beach and a creative solution had to be thought of to promote the destination. What resulted was the addition of three rooms on stilts above the water, the first one built in 1967; it gave guests a chance to directly snorkel around a nearby reef and featured a plexiglass panel to see marine life too. And so, overwater bungalows came to be!
