These were followed by the overwater bungalows at Hotel Bali Hai Moorea, and later, Hotel Bora Bora started building overwater bungalows based on the Bali Hai Boys' design.
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Overwater bungalow and jetty at sunset, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
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It's what you picture when you dream of an overwater villa.
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There are actually plenty of overwater bungalows available on Airbnb right now.
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Palafitos opened last month, and boasts Mexico's very first overwater bungalow accommodations.
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Book St. George's Caye Resort overwater bungalows starting at $315 per nightSt.
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The revolution in transpacific flying then came in the mid-1980s when the Federal Aviation Administration granted twin-engine aircraft the ability to fly overwater routes through a program called Extended Twin-engine Overwater Performance Standards or ETOPS.
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There, the InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa offers overwater bungalows inspired by Tahitian designs.
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The resort's newest addition — also part of Disney Vacation Club — are overwater bungalows.
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But all those fancy overwater bungalows are filled with tourists, not local people.
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All 15 villa residences are overwater, and only one is a two-bedroom.
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I knew "an overwater villa in the Maldives" would be nothing short of impressive, but I wasn't prepared for how spacious and clean our room was; if you close your eyes and picture an overwater bungalow, you'd see our room.
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But staying overwater isn't just the preserve of the super-rich and minor celebrities.
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Ahead, you'll find 13 overwater bungalows listed on Airbnb that range in price and location.
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To access the restaurant, you cross an overwater bridge about 200 feet into the sea.
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Beach villas are also generally cheaper and bigger than overwater villas, for a better value.
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Not to worry, we also rounded up our favorite affordable overwater bungalows around the world.
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A high concentration of overwater bungalows can be found in Asia, most famously, in the Maldives.
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French Polynesia's stunning overwater bungalows are celebrating a milestone birthday this year — turning the big 5-0!
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Here are the best overwater bungalows around the world for 2020:South PacificThe Caribbean and Central AmericaAsia
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Junior overwater suites are a spacious 700 square feet, with a covered gazebo as well as sunbeds.
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But it was the overwater restaurant next to the hotel, The Raft, that really blew me away.
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Overwater bungalows here feel light a downright bargain compared to similar accommodations in other parts of the world.
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For cheaper alternatives, look to other Asian regions with overwater bungalows that include Malaysia, the Philippines, and more.
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Pros: You'll enjoy the classic overwater bungalow experience at this Maldivian stunner for less than many other counterparts.
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All 15 villa residences at Kudadoo are overwater — and, as I quickly found out, they&aposre also huge.
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My 144-square-foot overwater infinity pool was among the largest en suite private pools I've swum in.
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Whether you're looking for luxurious overwater bungalows, whale watching, or epic snorkeling, paradise is only a few clicks away.
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"Lake Pontchartrain Causeway" is a large (65 x 50 in.) landscape of the long, long overwater bridge in Louisiana.
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The property has a spa, impeccable scuba options, and an overwater room category billed as Fiji's only floating accommodation.
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Some overwater holiday homes boast all the appeal of life on water with none of the strain on your wallet.
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Overwater bungalows are among the most desired accommodations in the world, regularly earning a spot on many travelers' bucket lists.
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South Pacific destinations known for dreamy overwater bungalows include the likes of Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, and other far-flung islands.
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"Often, the sexier rewards are flying to the Maldives in first class and staying in an overwater bungalow," said Rossman.
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Your overwater cabin comes fully-equipped with a fridge/freezer, gas oven, air conditioning, and is plumbed with hot running water.
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Watersport lovers will be spoiled for choice in this overwater villa, which offers whale watching, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and an aquabike.
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The intimate resort offers only overwater fales, with six indoor-outdoor accommodations boasting spectacular views of the beaches, lagoon, and ocean.
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Cons: While some options represent the highest-end overwater experience, others in this region might be more rustic and less luxurious.
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Pros: Excellent value with access to stunning Mayan ruins and a jungle feel unlikely to be found in other overwater villas.
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Guests can take their dinners on the private decks of extremely budget-friendly overwater bungalows, which start around $200 per night.
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Plus, most other overwater bungalows aren't all-inclusive and cost the same price before adding hefty food, drink, and activity charges.
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If you need any proof that the Maldives are basically heaven on Earth, stay at one of Soneva Jani's 24 overwater villas.
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Where it is viable, however, developers are working on it: There are even more overwater bungalow projects planned in the coming years.
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Next year, they'll also offer a welcome alternative to the island's ubiquitous overwater bungalow resorts: a tented villa amid their fragrant Eden.
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On January 31 2020, Coco Beach Club will open, featuring the Bahamas' first overwater cabanas (each with its own slide into the ocean).
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Pros: This is an excellent value for an overwater accommodation with private porches, hammocks, and full board all included in the affordable price.
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We'd do this differently next time: Splurge and book one of the studio, villas, or if we win the lottery, the overwater bungalow.
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INSIDER worked with Airbnb to find some of the most stunning overwater properties on the rental platform that came in below $500 a night.
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However, you can't come to the Maldives without staying in an overwater room, so again, I'd suggest staying in both for the different experiences.
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Book Koro Sun Resort overwater bungalows starting at $420 per nightFiji's Koro Sun Resort sprawls over 160 acres on the island of Vanua Levu.
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Here, you can book an overwater bungalow from about $1,100 per person per night, but the all-inclusive pricing model offers significant cash value.
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Book El Nido Lagen's overwater bungalows starting at $541 per nightLagen Island is serenely located between a lush forest and a crystalline, shallow lagoon.
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Book El Dorado Maroma starting at $549 per nightThere are perhaps two words that automatically set the tone for luxury and romance: overwater bungalows.
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Unlike most overwater bungalow resorts, the price here also includes meals and activities, and the resort is much easier to reach than the Maldives.
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All the best reality shows have featured at least one episode where the cast members stay in an overwater bungalow while on a luxurious vacation.
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After initial resistance by Tahitian authorities, in 1967 they allowed the first three overwater bungalows to be built at the Bali Hai Hotel on Raiatea.
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Daybeds can cost between $299 to $569, while the overwater cabanas that will debut in December will go for up to $1,599 in peak season.
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Opening date: November 2016Nightly rates: ~ $3,139 - $21,868Soneva Jani is an intimate Maldives resort with just 24 overwater villas, several of which come with water slides.
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It's a few minutes' walk from the Transportation and Ticket Center, and on the beach next to the overwater bungalows, and you'll get unrivaled fireworks viewing.
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They're now some of the island's most sought-after vacation accommodations, but Tahiti's overwater bungalows were first dreamt up by three friends from Newport Beach, California.
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Conrad MaldivesIf you're looking for a "cheaper" option in the Maldives, the Conrad requires 95,000 points per night for an overwater villa with a plunge pool.
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We woke up refreshed and smelling of sweet coconut oil, and were taken to the spa's overwater lounge where ginger tea and cookies were waiting for us.
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The entry-level options are so-called Overwater Suites with living rooms, large bathtubs, and private decks with shaded sitting areas and direct access to the lagoon.
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It had a two-level spa, an overwater infinity pool, a restaurant, a bar, a gym, a recreation area, and both a wine and a cheese cellar.
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Even if you or I did overwater a single fern to death — and maybe we did — that doesn't mean we're not cut out for caregiving in general.
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Drop in price: 43%Median airfare: $891Tahiti is the epitome of exotic tropical escapes, with its palm tree-fringed beaches, crystal-clear waters, and picturesque overwater bungalows.
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Now, at El Dorado Maroma's new Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, you can stay right above the water — without the forever-long flight to Fiji or another far-flung destination.
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In a video Anstead posted to Instagram, El Moussa walks down the boardwalk away from an overwater bungalow while sporting sunglasses, a gray wrap dress and flip flops.
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These luxury villas are free-standing units inspired by the romantic overwater bungalows you'd find in Fiji or Bora Bora but with a big dose of Disney magic.
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You'll recognize its bright turquoise water, white-sand beaches, overwater bungalows, and the shape of the dormant volcano that lies at its center from many an exotic postcard.
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Book Las Lagunas overwater bungalows starting at $315 per nightLas Lagunas is located in the heart of the Mayan world, near the ancient ruins of Tikal, Uaxactún and Yaxhá.
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The FAA said U.S. operators would be prohibited from flying in an overwater area of Iran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman until further notice.
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Redemption ideasWhether it's an overwater villa in French Polynesia or a Candlewood Suites in the suburbs, there's a wide range of ways to get maximum value out off IHG points.
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Pros: This is the most value-priced property on our list, for overwater bungalows with glass floor panels to gaze right into the sea at a shockingly low starting point.
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Overwater accommodations sit on stilts above the tropical waters, each with an expansive balcony with loungers, a bathroom with an oversized tub, and a shower that opens to the sea.
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But if you can't resist the allure of waking up to turquoise waters directly under your glass-bottom floors, the overwater bungalows make a strong case for a serious splurge.
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Even staying in the overwater bungalows of a four-star resort (with five-star prices), I found myself drawn to the tree-covered mountains that rose rapidly from the sea.
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Many overwater bungalows can see nightly rates that easily cost thousands of dollars, but there are some more affordable options available with rates beginning as low as the $200s per night.
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Book Sandals South Coast overwater bungalows starting at $1,100 per nightWe're including Sandals' South Coast Jamaica property on our list, even though its price point is an outlier, for good reason.
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Delta Airlines is already on its third generation internet provider and long-haul overwater flights are starting to incorporate new Ku/Ka satellite tech so that service is quicker and more reliable.
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In New Jersey, we need more tunnels; more bridges, too, though I don't know where we'd put the bridges, with the ones we have already occupying the best spots for overwater crossings.
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Book InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa's overwater bungalows starting at $491 per nightLess famous than its splashier and more built-up island counterpart of Bora Bora, Moorea is an equally stunning Tahitian destination.
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While it was not always a region known for overwater bungalow offerings, Central America and the Caribbean now offer plenty of options, ranging from sky-high price points to budget-friendly options.
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Now the luxurious island accommodations are coming to the western hemisphere: Two all-inclusive resorts — one in Jamaica and the other in Mexico — have announced they are opening overwater bungalows later this year.
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Nightly rates for one-room overwater villas in August can start as low as $570 and go up to $830, and range between $2,200 and max out at around $2,800 during high season.
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Book Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort's overwater bungalows starting at $488 per nightEven by Tahitian standards, this resort's remote location might be as close as you ever get to living that Robinson Crusoe life.
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Totally unspoiled with screensaver views in every direction, Tikehau Island places you away from the over-saturated crowds of (big-spending) honeymooners on Bora Bora while still indulging you in overwater accommodation luxury.
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Jani's 24 jaw-dropping overwater villas, located along a boardwalk reaching out into the ocean, include features like roof decks for star gazing, private infinity pools, gyms, steam rooms and saunas, and retractable roofs.
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It's also worth noting that Mexico offers overwater bungalows too — but Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma and Rosewood Mayakoba's entry-level price points for these accommodations exceeded our qualifications for this budget-friendlier list.
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Book Azul Paradise Resort overwater bungalows starting at $210 per nightThis eco-lodge is located in Panama's Bocas del Toro area, where white sand and turquoise water make the views and the atmosphere idyllic.
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Book Pangkor Laut Resort's overwater bungalows starting at $481 per nightPangkor Laut Resort is located on a privately owned island situated three miles off the West Coast of Malaysia along the Straits of Malacca.
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Book Adaaran Club Rannalhi overwater bungalows starting at $503 per nightAdaaran Club Rannalhi is located at the tip of the South Male atoll in the Maldives, with easy access to the capital city of Male.
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Travel insiders have been talking up the country as the next hot Central American destination for a few years, extolling the virtues of its lush jungles, Mayan temples and pyramids, snorkeling-friendly reefs and overwater bungalows.
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Nightly rates for one-room overwater villas can start as low as $570 and go up to $8003 during low and shoulder seasons, and range between $2,200 and max out at around $2,800 during high season.
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With relaxed rules for twin-engine aircraft flying over water, Boeing and Airbus both developed widebody, twin-engine aircraft including the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 designed to operate overwater routes more efficiently than larger aircraft.
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The South Pacific region is probably what most people conjure up when dreaming of an overwater bungalow landscape: crystalline waters surrounding islands ringed by lagoons, Polynesian decor and cultural inspiration, all overlaying that jaw-dropping landscape.
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The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday issued an emergency order prohibiting U.S. operators from flying in an overwater area of Iran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman due to heightened tensions.
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"Over the last three years, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report said.
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The low-cost airline last week announced it had finally received the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate its Boeing 737 jets on the long overwater routes, where planes will be far from diversion airports.
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We'd do this differently next time: Experience the Sunset Water Villa to see how the two top water villas compare, and split our trip more evenly between an overwater villa and a beach villa for a better value.
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Read more: A picturesque town in Sicily is selling off homes for $1 to anyone willing to renovate them Some overwater holiday homes boast all the appeal of life on water with none of the strain on your wallet.
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday issued an emergency order prohibiting U.S. operators from flying in an overwater area of Tehran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman due to heightened tensions.
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"The [People's Liberation Army] has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the Department of Defense explained in its annual report to Congress.
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"Think: starting in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora, heading to Tokyo for the best sushi restaurants, going to the markets in Bangkok, then a tiger camp in India, exploring Paris, heli-skiing in Iceland then going home," Jacobson says.
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WASHINGTON, June 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday issued an emergency order prohibiting U.S. operators from flying in an overwater area of Tehran-controlled airspace over the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman due to heightened tensions.
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We combed through offerings to find incredible, affordable overwater bungalows in the South Pacific, the Caribbean and Central America, and Asia based on our own travels, as well as past guest ratings and feedback, with all the desirable amenities you'll want.
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Planning a stay at an overwater bungalow in such a dream-like environment is a bucket-list essential for many, but the accompanying price tag can be a daunting obstacle, even for a once-in-a-lifetime event like a honeymoon.
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In 1985, the FAA softened its restrictions on the overwater routes twin-engine jets, allowing the 767 to operate routes with up to 120 minutes of single-engine flying time away from the nearest airport, opening up many new routes opportunities.
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That's why, as part of our annual World's Best Awards, we bring you not merely Tahitian overwater bungalows and a lineup of dreamy faraway destinations but also lists like this one, which highlights the most beloved places to go within your own country.
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Though overwater bungalows in top tropical destinations like Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Panama are tried-and-true favorites among reality stars, staying in one isn't necessarily out of reach for those of us who don't have TV networks comping our travel expenses.
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"Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against US and allied targets," the report said, using an acronym for the People's Liberation Army.
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"Over the last three years, the PLA has rapidly expanded its overwater bomber operating areas, gaining experience in critical maritime regions and likely training for strikes against U.S. and allied targets," the report said, using an acronym for China's People's Liberation Army.
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Book Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa overwater bungalows starting at $379 per nightLocated in the culturally rich but much lesser-traveled South Pacific destination of Samoa, Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa is located on Upolu's southern coast where you'll experience incredible sunrises and sunsets.
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Book Conrad Maldives Rangali Island overwater villas starting at $570 per nightThe Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, part of Hilton Hotels, is unique from many other resorts in the area because it's located on two islands instead of one, resulting in many room options, privacy, and amenities.
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With 25,25 of those points, you can book an overwater villa at the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island that can easily go for more than $24,225 per night—and you&aposll still have 2000,53 points to spare, enough to book another night at a mid-range Hilton property.
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The five-star overwater cottages of Mandina Lodge in the Makasutu Cultural Forest near Banjul were shuttered until the end of October, and the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project, a conservation initiative deep in the national park, wasn't taking guests as it does for most of the year.
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Read more:Peek Inside One Of Only 100 Private Villas On Celebrity-Studded Mustique IslandHere's where 9 celebrities are actually spending their vacations15 overwater villas you can rent for under $500 a night, ranked by priceThis lavish Barbados mansion where Prince Harry, Rihanna, and Tom Cruise have stayed is on sale for $40 million.
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The "Islands of Tahiti," as French Polynesia is often short-handed, usually bring to mind the Society Islands, an archipelago which includes Tahiti itself as well as Bora Bora, an island that's become so associated with honeymooning couples canoodling in overwater bungalows that I knew it was immediately off this solo traveler's list.
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Be ready for either a major splurge on a luxury overwater bungalow (I stayed in one on Moorea), or a minor one at an Airbnb or "pension," (small, family-run accommodations like the one I stayed in on Rangiroa), which have the added benefit of letting you get to know local people.
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The tropical group of islands about an hour-and-half flight from Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean have deserted, white-sand beaches, crystal-clear shallow waters and, what makes it popular for affluent travelers: expensive, over-the-top five-star resorts where you often get your own overwater bungalow (with private pool and butler) for total seclusion.
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On Ambergris Caye, Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton (from around $144 a night), Hilton Worldwide's first hotel in Belize, offers a mini-town of sorts, complete with 205 British Colonial cottages and villas, a beach club with overwater cabanas, a full slate of restaurants and operators for just about every adventure imaginable, from scuba diving to cave tubing.
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