Stéphane Durand
Our selection: 7 waterfront hotels, around the world
Some hotels stand out for their originality and their ability to offer visitors an unforgettable experience. Among these gems of hospitality, hotels on the water occupy a special place. From the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to the Gambia River and its houses on stilts, Plume Travels invites you to discover these floating havens of peace that combine comfort, privacy and respect for the environment. An exclusive journey between luxury and nature.
The Manta Resort, Tanzania
Renowned for its vast wilderness and safaris in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania also boasts sublime beaches in the east of the African continent. If you prefer sea to land, head for Pemba, one of the three islands of the Zanzibar archipelago. The Manta Resort invites you to stay in a daydream. Its Underwater Room, a small floating villa delicately set on the Indian Ocean, is made up of three floors. While the night section immerses you in the ocean to sleep under the sea, the morning wake-up call is made on the villa's roof, to enjoy sunbathing in total reconnection with nature.
From €1,100 per night.
PembaIsland, Tanzania
Photos DR
Bawah Reserve, Indonesia
Could Bawah Reserve be the lost paradise you've been longing for? One thing's for sure: it looks like it, as evidenced by the thirty-six cabanas scattered across a private island in the heart of the Anambas archipelago. Among them are the Overwater Bungalows, 105m2 houses on stilts with a large air-conditioned bedroom, a terrace and a ladder leading to your dream destination: a lagoon with crystal-clear water. We don't know what's more pleasant, admiring the multicolored fish as you swim, or getting a massage in your lodge while listening to the breeze caressing the shore... We'll let you decide!
From 2650€ per night.
Pulau Bawah, Anambas Archipelago, Indonesia
Bawah Reserve
Mandina River Lodge, Gambia
The Gambia River flows through this small West African country, set in the Senegal River. And although it has coastlines overlooking the Atlantic, we prefer to leave the ocean behind and spend a few nights on the river, perched on large huts on stilts, not far from Brikama, the country's second-largest town. Here, the "digital detox" is total: no Wi-Fi or telephone network. Only the sound of birds can be heard, as Mandina River Lodge nestles in a small bird paradise in the middle of Makasutu National Park. The mahogany cabins are fully equipped to make your stay comfortable and unforgettable, with a king-size bed and mosquito net on top. Our favorite part of the day? A morning shower in the open air overlooking the mangroves: a truly special experience.
From €175 per night.
Kubuneh, Gambia.
Photos DR
Punta Caracol, Panama
Accessible in less than an hour by plane from Panama City, Punta Caracol's nine Acqua Lodges offer unparalleled panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. Stretching for almost 1 kilometer along coral reefs, the dwellings are built using traditional archipelago methods, notably with palm-leaf roofs. The bungalows, painted green and yellow, pay homage to the colors of the famous Bocas del Toro islands. And there's no question here of harming biodiversity: solar panels on the roof of each unit provide all the electricity needed, while wastewater is treated by a biodigester to preserve the surrounding nature.
From €230 per night.
Isla Colon, Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Hotel Palafitte, Switzerland
Welcome to Europe's only 5-star rooms on stilts. The Hôtel Palafitte houses twenty-four pavilions built on Lake Neuchâtel, with breathtaking views of the Alps. Each has a surface area of 58m2 and a terrace with direct access to the lake via a small ladder. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters, which reach 23°C in summer. For a moment of complete relaxation, the hotel offers a spa service directly in your pavilion, so you can enjoy a sublime ritual grande évasion. The program includes a thirty-minute body scrub followed by a relaxing one-hour massage. Or how to float in a bubble of happiness...
From €580 per night.
2, route des Gouttes-d'Or, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
Photos DR
Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea, French Polynesia
Covering an area larger than Europe, the 118 islands of French Polynesia are divided into five archipelagos: the Tuamotus, the Gambiers, the Marquesas, the Australs and the Society Islands. Among the latter are Moorea and its little paradise called Sofitel Kia Ora. With a surface area of 42m2 each, the superior bungalows on stilts offer incomparable comfort, with the sensation of living on the turquoise waters of paradise that once inspired Paul Gauguin. A blue dream that can be admired from a glass panel placed on the floor of the bungalow, allowing you to keep an eye on the seabed at all times. It goes without saying that the outside terrace has direct access to the protected lagoon, on which all motorboat activities are strictly limited.
From 800€ per night.
Moorea, French Polynesia.
Photos DR
Cayo Espanto, Belize
Located in Central America and sharing borders with Mexico and Guatemala, Belize boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines in the Caribbean Sea. And to take things even further, Cayo Espanto lets you rent a private island five kilometers off the coast of San Pedro, on which seven villas are nestled. Our favorite? Casa Brisa, a 110m2 paradise with turquoise walls that blend perfectly with the sea just a few centimetres away. And if you mysteriously don't want to get your feet wet, mattresses are available on your own private pontoon. In other words, the life of a star!
From €2,200 per night.
Cayo Espanto, San Pedro, Belize
Photos DR
