If coronavirus lockdown has you dreaming outside the box of your tiny apartment, consider adding the Maldives to your future travel list. The biggest overwater villas in the world will open their doors next week, and at a whopping 584 sq meters, these gorgeous hideaways from Soneva Fushi are more than eight times larger than the average apartment size in Brooklyn and 12 times bigger than a standard London flat, a perfect solution for social distancing. 

SFR 1BR Water Retreat Exterior 2 by Sandro Bruecklmeier.jpg
The exterior of the water bungalow © Sandro Bruecklmeier

Best of all, each luxury villa comes with a retractable roof so you can stargaze from bed and a 19m-long slide that curves into the ocean from the upper floor. Glass panels in the floor complement the rooms’ colour palette of light blue, green and beige. Catamaran nets perched above the waves, a sunken ocean-side seating area, a private infinity pool and a huge pool deck with comfy daybeds are tempting ways to spend an entire day – or week. Villas have a choice of sunrise or sunset views, and of course each comes with a butler.

SFR 1BR Water Retreat Living Room.jpg
The living room of the Water Retreat © Sandro Bruecklmeier

The Maldives, an idyllic archipelago in the Indian Ocean, reopened to international visitors in mid-July, with few requirements for travellers despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Visitors do not need a certificate or a negative COVID-19 test for entry, and quarantine is not mandatory, but accommodation must be booked in advance at a government-registered property and travelers must spend their entire time in the country in one establishment.

SFR 1BR Water Retreat Aerial Slide by Sandro Bruecklmeier.jpg
The Water Retreat's slide goes straight into the water © Sandro Bruecklmeier

The eight new villas, called Water Retreats, are opening on September 25, with prices starting at US$2626 for one bedroom and US$5232 for two bedrooms.

You might also like: 

Idyllic Maldives set to reopen to international travelers
Why overwater villas are the ultimate luxury escape
Set up a remote office in paradise with this Maldives workcation package

Explore related stories

Sandals South Coast

Luxury

5 of the best Caribbean overwater bungalows for 2022: closer to home so you can relax longer

Feb 24, 2022 • 5 min read