dream . One luxury feature , in particular , drew attention : The Tahitian Television . Kelley coined the term to refer to a window in the floor so travelers could watch the fish swim by . Though the glass panels have gotten bigger in the decades since , the term “ Tahitian Television ” is still used today .
“ They evolved over the years and became fancier and fancier ,” Kelley said . “ They look nothing like the original ones .”
As a sailor and diver , the opportunity to jump into the water directly from a hotel room delighted Kelley . After the first overwater bungalows found success on Raiatea , the Bali Hai Boys built more on Moorea and some over a lake in Huahine .
From Primitive Accommodations to a Luxury Experience Like Kelley decades before , the concept of staying not just in a hotel on the beach but literally on the water continues to enchant and dazzle travelers .
Thousands of miles away in Mexico , Senora Dolores Lopez Lira dreamed of someday traveling to Bora Bora to stay in an overwater bungalow . Eventually , she and her husband decided to build their own , a process that demanded five years of careful construction because the property is located
near a massive coral reef .
The Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma in Riviera Maya , which opened in 2016 , are Mexico ’ s first and only overwater bungalows and feature a king-sized bed , a jacuzzi , a plunge pool and an outdoor shower . Thirty cabanas with glass floors dot the landscape — a luxury experience tucked away inside each one .
“ They feel very exclusive ,” Lira said . “ The staff makes a big difference , so they feel at home . It ’ s like being in your own house except you have the ocean below your feet : very relaxing .”
Walking inside the Palafitos , guests are immediately relaxed by the smell of seawater , the feeling of the ocean breeze , the sounds of seagulls and a thoughtfully designed bungalow . With demand for overwater bungalows increasing , Lira and her team will begin building more Palafitos a bit farther north on Maroma Beach . While the current properties are available for adults only , Lira said the new ones may be offered for families as well .
“ After the pandemic , we realized people would rather pay more for exclusivity and living a dream ,” Lira said . “ That ’ s why we decided to start building more overwater bungalows , rather than a building .”
HUGH KELLEY
A woman watching the “ Tahitian Television .”
2016
The all-inclusive SANDALS ROYAL CARIBBEAN in Montego Bay opened overwater bungalows , becoming the first to be seen in the Caribbean . Rooms feature large glass floor windows , floating water hammocks and luxurious features .
2020
FOUR SEASONS RESORT BORA BORA gave its overwater bungalows an upgrade . New designs feature solar panels on thatched roofs and luxurious elements throughout .
2016
Senora Dolores Lopez Lira opened THE PALAFITOS at El Dorado Maroma in Riviera Maya , becoming Mexico ’ s first and only overwater bungalows . Within the all-inclusive resort , the luxurious bungalows feature glass floors , plunge pools , and jacuzzis .
SUMMER 2023 / THE COMPASS / 59