French Polynesia is celebrating the 50-year anniversary of its beloved overwater bungalows, traditional grass huts suspended over the ocean on stilts, which have become synonymous with luxurious tropical vacations.
This picturesque style of accommodation was invented by a team of Americans who opened several hotels in French Polynesia in the 1960s. They developed the overwater bungalow concept for their hotel on the island of Raiatea to give guests easier access to the beautiful lagoon in an area that lacked beaches. The idea was soon adopted by neighbouring islands and today, overwater bungalows are found in destinations across the globe, from the Maldives to Malaysia.
