17 cool stays by the water for a once-in-a-lifetime trip

Hotels with four walls? Overrated. Spice up your next vacation with some of the coolest stays in the world, that’ll have you sleeping inches away from the ocean, or right in the middle of it.

We’ve put together a list of 17 unique retreats by the water—from stunning overwater villas in the Maldives to cliffside resorts in Santorini.

The Maldives has some of the most beautiful overwater bungalows in the world and at the top of the list is Gili Lankanfushi. This eco-friendly resort on the private island of Lankanfushi is just a short 20-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport. You can relax in one of the resort’s 44 palm-thatched villas–each with private sundecks and stunning ocean views—or for ultimate privacy, stay in one of the seven stand-alone Crusoe Residences that are only accessible by private boat.

Expect top-notch and personalized service the moment you step into this family-friendly five-star resort on Bora Bora island. Apart from the stunning views of Mount Otemanu and the ocean, each villa is furnished with traditional teak wood furnishings and Polynesian artwork.

Best of all? The little ones can enjoy the resort’s supervised Kids for All Seasons program, while you have a rejuvenating spa above glass panels that look over the lagoon.

Surrounded by a protected marine sanctuary, Likuliku Lagoon Resort is Fiji’s first-ever resort with overwater huts, also known as bures. This exclusive adult-only resort has only ten bures, each with direct access to the ocean from the private deck. Roll out of bed and take a dip in the cool waters, where you can snorkel or swim to explore the vibrant marine life and corals.

Don’t miss the Friday night cocktail parties. Enjoy traditional Meke performances and a light assortment of canapes for the ultimate Fijian experience.

Picture this: You’re soaking in a marble bathtub while watching sharks and stingrays glide past. Experience this in the underwater suites of Atlantis The Palm in Dubai. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring you inches away from the 65,000 marine creatures in the Ambassador Lagoon—one of the world’s largest aquariums. The luxurious suites span three floors and come with a private elevator and 24-hour butler service.

Spend the night 16 feet beneath the Indian Ocean in a 180-degree curved acrylic dome at The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. The two-level villa, or The Muraka (meaning “coral” in the native language of Dhivehi), houses up to 9 people, and has a private outdoor deck with an infinity pool on the top floor.

Don’t miss the resort’s award-winning Ithaa Undersea Restaurant too, an intimate 12-seater underwater restaurant serving fusion cuisine and fine wines.

Now here’s an unforgettable way to explore the Great Barrier Reef—stay the night at Reefsuites, located on a pontoon boat moored offshore at Hardy Reef. Your journey begins with a cruise across Whitsunday Islands to the reef, where you can snorkel, dive, or even take a scenic helicopter flight. At sunset, have a cocktail and enjoy a starlit dinner on the boat’s upper deck before retreating to your private underwater suite—the floor-to-ceiling windows offer incredible views of the reef.

Wake up to magnificent views of the famous salt lake at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea in Jordan. This luxe spa resort, with architecture inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, offers direct access to a private beach on the shores of the Dead Sea.

Take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of the lake, explore the resort’s nine freshwater pools, or have a spa at the award-winning Ishtar Spa, which offers hammam sessions with mud and sea salt treatments.

Sleep right above the largest lake in Switzerland at Hotel Palafitte. The modern and sleek pavilions are perched on stilts above Lake Neuchâtel, surrounded by calm waters and stunning Alps views. Go for a dip in the lake anytime—each pavilion has a private deck with a ladder that swings directly into the water.

The hotel’s restaurant, La Table de Palafitte, also serves seasonal dishes and daily chef specials made with the freshest regionally-sourced ingredients.

The historic family-run Grand Hotel Tremezzo is an iconic Art Nouveau masterpiece on Lake Como surrounded by 12 acres of lush greenery. Sun loungers and daybeds line the hotel’s outdoor terrace, which leads to a floating pool on the lake. Hop on one of the hotel’s water limousines for a private tour of the lake while sipping on a glass of champagne.

You can also stay at Villa Sola Cabiati, a 16th-century villa located a few minutes from the main hotel. Its six suites—which house up to 12 guests—are lavishly decorated with antique furniture and Renaissance paintings, and come with a heated outdoor pool and a private Italian garden.

All 131 rooms of this resort and spa at Lake Placid boast spectacular views of Mirror Lake and the Adirondack Mountains. The cozy rooms are decorated with rustic elegant wooden furniture, and some even have fireplaces and hot tubs.

Check out the full-service spa, indoor, and outdoor pools, and two on-site restaurants too.

The fun never stops at Coco Key Resort and Waterpark in Orlando, Florida. The whole family will enjoy the dozens of outdoor water slides, heated pools, kid-friendly splash pads, and a poolside tiki bar, just steps away from your hotel room. You can also refuel at one of the resort’s restaurants and visit the state-of-the-art indoor arcade.

Spanning over 600 acres in Wisconsin Dells, Wilderness Resort is America’s largest waterpark resort. There are four indoor and four outdoor waterparks with something for everyone—kids' pools, thrilling rides, a swim-up bar, poolside cabanas, and loads more.

Choose from a variety of lodging options, including hotel rooms, villas, condominiums, and lakeside cabins. The four-bedroom River Ridge Cabin is great for big groups—it features a full kitchen, a large outdoor deck with a gas grill, and even easy access to the Wisconsin River.

Take your summer vacation at Jeju Island up a notch by spending the night at Shinhwa Jeju Shinhwa World Hotels & Resorts, part of the larger fully-integrated Jeju Shinhwa Resort. Your stay includes tickets to Shinhwa Waterpark, Jeju’s largest waterpark, where you can enjoy tons of water slides and relaxing spas.

End your day by admiring the Jeju sunset at the hotel’s year-round heated Sky Pool, with unlimited cocktails and special DJ performances.

This clifftop retreat is located in the village of Imerovigli in Santorini, Greece. Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection features 21 suites perched on the famous Caldera, offering stunning views of the Aegean Sea. The suites have a modern and minimalist aesthetic, with whitewashed exteriors that are typical of Santorini.

Head to the hotel’s infinity pool or the 363 Champagne Lounge for the best views of the Aegean sunset.

Enjoy views of the Indian Ocean from 492 feet above at Bulgari Resort in Bali, Indonesia. The resort has a traditional Balinese look and feel—with its thatched-roof villas, local hand-cut volcanic stone walls, and Balinese antiques dotting the compound—and a unique Italian flair.

Ride the resort’s inclined elevator from the top of the cliff down to a stretch of private beach, where you can sunbathe, stroll by the shore, or have lunch at La Spiaggia.

Nestled in the heart of Positano, Le Sirenuse Hotel is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century villa perched on cliffs overlooking the Amalfi Coast and the Mediterranean Sea. At Le Sirenuse, no two rooms are alike. Each of its 58 rooms is individually furnished with hand-made tiled floors, antique furniture, and fine fabrics.

That’s not all—enjoy complimentary activities like wine tastings, pilates sessions, cocktail-mixing lessons, and even daily boat excursions to the coast during the summer months.

Ever wanted to stay on a houseboat? You can at WelcomHeritage Gurkha Houseboats, which is moored at the edge of Nigeen Lake in Srinagar and gives you breathtaking views of the Himalayan range from the private balconies. Designed in traditional Kashmiri style, the houseboats are decorated with intricate wood carvings and hand-woven carpets.

While you’re there, go on a Shikara ride around the Dal Lake for scenic views of the lake against the picturesque mountain range and a stop at a traditional floating market.