THE HISTORY OF THE
OVERWATER BUNGALOW
What started as one man ’ s dream quickly became a traveler ’ s paradise . Here ’ s how it all began .
WORDS / ROSSILYNNE SKENA CULGAN
It ’ s hard to believe now , but when overwater bungalows were first introduced back in the 1960s , they were offered as the resort ’ s entry-level option because the inventor thought few would want to stay there . Today , these in-demand accommodations reach the height of luxury and can come with a hefty price tag .
First invented on the island of Raiatea in 1967 , the overwater bungalow concept has transformed over the years , expanding from French Polynesia and becoming an ever-evolving , worldwide phenomenon . But one thing has remained in the past five decades : These spectacular rooms present an unparalleled experience nestled amid natural beauty . And that ’ s exactly what Hugh Kelley , their inventor , intended .
The history of the overwater bungalow is a story about a larger-than-life character , a boat and a big idea . Let ’ s start at the very beginning .
The Bali Hai Boys in
Moorea .
In French Polynesia , the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora puts its own spin on the overwater bungalow with thatched roofs that feature solar panels .
HUGH KELLEY
S . BORISOV / SHUTTERSTOCK . COM
SUMMER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 55