Wearing a bright pink shirt and a badge that says ‘Hey, my name is Shandell’, a smiling butler escorts my wife and me into the minimalist cocoon of a sunset overwater suite at Royalton CHIC Antigua, a ritzy new adults-only, all-inclusive beach resort in the north-west of this popular Caribbean isle.
Twelve of these mini palaces- on-stilts are thatched with palm leaves and endowed with everything required for an indulgent (and very social media-braggable) stay relaxing above the bewitchingly turquoise ocean.
There’s a large, glass-walled infinity pool, a hardwood deck with a hammock stretched over the waves and a ladder so we can descend like gods for a dawn or moonlight swim.
Shandell shows us the double- size bath, the Bulgari lotions and potions, the generously stocked bar and complimentary canapés.
‘And here’s the surprise,’ he quips, whipping back a mat to reveal a ‘window’ in the bedroom floor that looks down at the passing fish.
Royalton CHIC Antigua, a ritzy new adults-only, all-inclusive beach resort in the north-west of this popular Caribbean isle
Suites a features a ‘window’ in the in the bedroom floor that looks down at the passing fish
Then he sets to work doing useful butlery things, such as logging our devices into the wifi, bagging us a prime table at the resort’s Pescari fish restaurant (also overwater), and arranging a private yoga session on our terrace for the following morning. ‘Could you get me a snorkel?’ I ask. ‘And I’d love a fresh coconut,’ my wife adds.
Sleeping above the waves in your private, pampering love nest isn’t new – the first overwater bungalows opened in French Polynesia as early as the late 1960s.
Today they are standard issue in the honeymoon resorts of Bora Bora, but that takes almost 26 hours to fly to. The Maldives, which has grown to become overwater-villa central with more than 170 such resorts, is easier to reach but still requires a flight of more than ten hours.
Now, at last, the overwater dream is growing in the Caribbean. Antigua is a mere eight-and-a-bit hours away from the UK and this glamorous accommodation can also be found on another five islands.
Is it worth splashing out on an overwater villa? With all-inclusive rates of over £1,000 a night for two, this is very much special occasion territory. Think of a stay as comparable to other bucket-list overnight experiences, such as sleeping in an artist-crafted ice hotel, designer treetop cabin or under the African skies in a raised-up bed open to the stars.
If you love the sea – especially the bath-warm Caribbean with its soft breezes, flamboyant fish and dive- bombing pelicans – you’ll be in a happy place, although avid snorkellers and divers will find a richer marine life in the Maldives.
When making your choice, think about what else is available at your resort and what the view will be. Sunset or sunrise? Lagoon or ocean? We loved the serenity of the suites at Royalton CHIC Antigua with their exclusive entrance, grandstand view of big sky and bright ocean, and the chance to sit in utter peace with a rum cocktail in hand, watching another splendid day slip below the horizon.
And just a boardwalk away lay a full-on resort we could dip in and out of as we pleased. Five bars, seven restaurants, DJs and watersports, a spa and four pools – plus one of the longest beaches on Antigua – were all there for the taking.
As a large pink-and-blue neon sign puts it, this is a place to ‘Party Your Way’ – although it does help to have a butler.
And, as previously mentioned, there are now plenty of other places in the Caribbean to enjoy an overwater stay…
Discover Aruba
An eco-conscious collection of eight adults-only overwater villas in Aruba
Explore the safe and sunny Dutch island of Aruba, served by a weekly British Airways flight, from an eco-conscious collection of eight adults-only overwater villas backed up with a restaurant, spa and evening entertainment.
Book it: From £1,212 per night B&B (arubaoceanvillas.com).
St Vincent hideaway
Check into one of ten Vincy overwater villas at this adults-only, all-inclusive beach resort that opened last March. Set in a private cove with two floors, they come with butler service, premium spirits and a telescope for star gazing.
Book it: Seven nights from £8,725pp all-inclusive, including Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow and transfers (sandals.co.uk).
BVI bliss
On Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands, Bitter End Yacht Club is a nautical village with shops, restaurants, watersports and six overwater rooms with interiors inspired by vintage sail lofts.
Book it: From £578 room only (beyc.om).
One to love in Jamaica
Opened in November, adults-only Princess Senses The Mangrove all-inclusive beach resort features 12 sunset-facing overwater villas with an infinity pool, plus access to an exclusive beach area.
Book it: From £3,124 per night all-inclusive with transfers (princess-hotels.com).
Fun in Turks & Caicos
Varying the theme, Wymara Villas and Beach Club on Providenciales has three family-loving Amuse Villas set on cliffs that come with a long curling water slide so you can whoosh down into the sea.
Book it: From £7,094 B&B per night for eight guests with transfers (wymara.com).
And see where else they’ve surfaced…
Stella Island, Greece
A five-star adults-only resort on the north coast of Crete with contemporary overwater bungalows opening on to a lagoon pool; from £456 half-board (stellaisland.gr).
The Float House, Thailand
The Float House resort on the River Kwa
Accessible only by boat, this floating resort on the River Kwai has thatch-roofed wooden villas with a private deck; from £174 half-board with boat transfer (thefloathouseriverkwai.com).
Aitutaki Lagoon Resort, Cook Islands
In the South Pacific, the thatched overwater bungalows at this private island adults-only beach resort are set beside an enchanting turquoise lagoon and come with a bicycle, kayak and stand-up paddleboard; from £1,351 B&B (aitutakilagoonresort.com).
Thatch Caye, Belize
A 25-minute speed boat ride from the mainland, this family-friendly private island on the Belize Barrier Reef has overwater bungalows and villas free of television and wifi, plus a dive centre; from £771 all-inclusive (thatchcayebelize.com).
Isaraya, Tanzania
On the island of Zanzibar at the Konokono Beach Resort, these lavishly furnished overwater villas include a private pool and sundeck; from £493 half-board (isarayazanzibar-water.com).