The unique experience of vacationing above the waves in a luxury overwater villa no longer requires a trip halfway around the world to Tahiti or the Maldives. The overwater villas at the Sandals Royal Caribbean resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica are the first of their kind in the Caribbean islands.

The Villas Are Accessible Only by Boat

Overwater villa guests are greeted by their personal butler upon arrival at the resort, which sits on Mahee Bay less than 10 minutes by car from the Montego Bay airport. After a brief private check-in, guests are escorted aboard an electric-powered Duffy boat for the short cruise to the villa dock.

Access to the villas is by boat only: each overwater accommodation is attached to a lollypop-shaped boardwalk extending west from the resort’s private island, Sandals Cay. Your butler can ensure the boat will be waiting for you whenever you need to get back and forth, but the service is generally prompt even if you are on the dock unannounced.

5 Villas and 12 Bungalows Rise Above the Waves

The five overwater villas at Sandals Royal Caribbean opened in December 2016 and often experience high occupancy, being sold out more than a year in advance. However, Sandals is also constructing an additional 12 bungalows at the resort and plans to build more overwater villas at three other Sandals resorts in Jamaica (including Sandals Whitehouse/South Coast and Sandals Royal Plantation) and at Sandals Grande St. Lucian in St. Lucia.

Glass Bottom Bedroom

The Sandals overwater villas provide approximately 2,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space, including a combined bedroom and living room, a spacious master bath, a small kitchen area, and expansive outdoor decks that are screened for privacy and face the Caribbean. The overwater bungalows are smaller and typically have combined bed and bath amenities in a single shared area. While all overwater villas face the ocean, some bungalows may have views looking back toward the land.

King-sized teak beds, adorned with luxurious Egyptian linens, are positioned to face oversized sliding doors that can be opened wide, creating a virtual air wall, allowing ocean breezes and sunlight to pour into the bedroom. At the foot of the bed is a glass floor providing views of the sand and sea life beneath the villa, which stands on sturdy, hurricane-proof footings elevated above the gentle waves. A pair of cozy armchairs offers a relaxing nook to enjoy reading or napping.

Aquatic Immersion, Inside and Out

The villa bathrooms are almost as spacious as the bedrooms, designed for both comfort and convenience. Couples — and the 227-room Royal Caribbean is couples-only — will appreciate a soothing bath drawn nightly by their butler in a deep soaking tub, while separate his-and-hers vanities allow for easy morning routines or preparations for a night out. Luxurious Molton Brown bath amenities accompany a rainfall shower in a generously sized tiled stall that connects directly to the outdoor dual shower space.

A separate water closet includes a toilet and bidet, while the walk-in closet provides ample room for clothing and shoes: your butler can even unpack for you and press your garments upon arrival.

A Heck of a Deck!

You can close those large bedroom doors at night to keep mosquitoes out; however, aside from sleeping, you will likely spend most of your time in your overwater villa on the tiered deck, which is filled with relaxation areas. Cushioned chairs surround a stone table crowned with a playful tic-tac-toe board, while a suspended couch adorned with pillows invites you for an afternoon nap in the shade. For sunbathing, the best spot is on a rope hammock gently swaying above the water.

Showers for two provide an intimate setting for romance or a refreshing cooldown from the warm Jamaican sun. Couples can enjoy the infinity-edge plunge pool overlooking the ocean together.

If you prefer, take advantage of the 24/7 butler-delivered room service and savor breakfast outdoors each morning under the sun.

A Great Relaxation Spot

The water-filled lounge chairs on the villa’s lower deck are perfect for those seeking a sense of seclusion and the joy of being one with the sea. This location is ideal for tanning, reading, or enjoying a fruity cocktail.

However, be cautious about excessive sun exposure combined with rum: it could be easy to misstep off the villa decks, which lack any railing. The water beneath the villas is calm but shallow, which you’ll confirm when you take the stairs from the lower deck right down into the waves for a leisurely walk on the sandbar or to swim and snorkel off Sandals Cay (which also features the resort’s clothing-optional beach — you’ve been warned!).

Butlers and the Best Amenities

The butler service at Sandals is a collaborative effort, providing a valued enhancement to an overwater villa stay. Given the relative isolation of the villas from the rest of the resort, guests often find themselves highly reliant on their butlers for various needs, including morning coffee, afternoon cocktails, room service, dining reservations, and arranging activities both on and off the resort grounds.

The staff is friendly, professional, and eager to assist; moreover, at the end of your stay, you’ll be pleased to know that your butlers (along with spa therapists) may accept gratuities — an exception to Sandals’ general “no tipping” policy.

From Dawn to Dusk, a Memorable Experience

Waking up in the morning to gaze over your toes at the Caribbean is a remarkable experience, and the Sandals overwater villas are at their finest in the early hours as the tide comes in. The afternoon low tide reveals a rocky sandbar, which, while less visually appealing, serves as the perfect vantage for enjoying the spectacular sunsets to the west.

There are numerous fun activities at the Sandals Royal Caribbean — including Red Lane spa treatments, sailing around the bay on a Hobie catamaran, and dining at the reservations-only Le Jardinier French restaurant — but you may find it tempting to spend most of your time luxuriating in and around your villa. Your butler can deliver drinks at your request, and the villa is well-stocked with premium liquor, notably the 12-year-old Appleton’s rum, for when you wish to mix your own cocktails. The room service menu is extensive, and with your own pool and snorkel gear at your disposal, the ocean is just below your feet.

In summary, the Sandals overwater villas are designed for privacy and romance — offering an all-inclusive luxury experience that is unparalleled in Jamaica, rivaling the kind of honeymoon, destination wedding, or special-occasion trip that was once only a dream in the Caribbean. Although the price reflects this luxury, a stay is undoubtedly worthwhile, even if just for a couple of nights as part of a longer visit to the Royal Caribbean — it’s an investment in memories that you will cherish for years to come.