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9 Top Affordable Overwater Bungalows Around the World

By U.S. News & World Report

Map out your escape to paradise without paying a high price tag.

It’s hard to imagine any trip more romantic or exciting than vacationing in your own overwater bungalow. With your own private abode, crystal-clear waters and glorious sunsets outside your stilted accommodations and customized services and experiences, you’re bound to have the trip of a lifetime. But while overwater bungalows offer a one-of-a-kind dreamy hideaway, they are notoriously expensive. Not only does the utter seclusion cost a pretty penny, overwater bungalows are also offered by some of the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in the world. So, if you’re considering an overwater getaway and you’re on a strict budget, don’t despair. Instead, retreat to these beautiful and budget-friendly bungalows across the globe.

Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa

Siumu, Samoa

Coconuts Beach Club offers picturesque overwater bungalows in culturally rich Samoa, along with beachfront suites and villas. The overwater bungalows boast astounding views of the beach, lagoon and ocean, along with postcard-worthy sunsets. Couples can lounge on plush furniture as they take in their tropical surroundings and fresh ocean air. Each bungalow features a king-size bed, soaring ceilings and expansive decks perfect for lounging. Nightly rates start at $689.

Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu

Port Vila, Vanuatu

The Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, a member of the IHG portfolio, offers an overwater experience well-suited for budget-conscious travelers. While the property offers rooms of varying sizes, the hotel is best known for its gorgeous overwater villas that provide a truly unique and enchanting atmosphere. The villas themselves are located on the resort’s private island, and they each overlook the lagoon’s tropical waters. Guests will find a king-size bed, television, complimentary Wi-Fi and many other creature comforts. Nightly rates start at $325.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora sits in a vast tropical grove renowned for its coconut palms, surrounding turquoise waters and breathtaking views. Not only does the property offer multibedroom estates, but it also boasts 100 different one- and two-bedroom overwater bungalow suites. Each bungalow sprawls across 1,100 square feet and includes a living area, a king-size bed, a large soaking tub, a television and glass flooring that offers a glimpse of the sea creatures below. Plus, you can bask in luxury on a budget. Nightly rates start at $1,100, but thanks to a promotion you can enjoy a complimentary fourth night, along with free breakfast, with three paid consecutive nights.

Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel

Guatemala

Las Lagunas Boutique Hotel offers lakeside overwater bungalows surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings and Mayan ruins. This eco-friendly luxury hotel offers 19 spacious bungalow suites. Each suite is appointed with its own private deck and Jacuzzi, along with upscale amenities. Even better, thanks to its pristine location, during the day, you can tour the surrounding areas teeming with ocelots, jaguars and monkeys, among other fascinating wildlife. At night, you can retreat to your bungalow for complete privacy and seclusion. Nightly rates start at $340.

Reethi Beach Resort

Baa Atoll, Fonimagoodhoo Island, Maldives

Reethi Beach Resort offers one of the most cost-effective overwater bungalow options in the Maldives. While the bungalows sit just above the crystal-clear waters, they are actually split into two residences in a single building. Just a 35-minute plane ride from Male’, Reethi Beach Resort offers privacy, watersports and diving forays. Each bungalow is appointed with a king-size bed, a sitting area, a separate tub and shower, air conditioning and entertainment options. Overwater bungalows with upscale amenities start at $250 per night.

Royal Huahine

Huahine, French Polynesia

The Royal Huahine offers one of the most beautiful settings in all of French Polynesia. The property boasts 18 garden bungalows, 11 beach bungalows and 11 overwater bungalows with prime locations facing west for spectacular sunsets. Each overwater bungalow is outfitted with a large king-size bed, a television, air conditioning and sweeping vistas of the beauty outdoors. Nightly rates for overwater lodging start at $300 for two.

CoCo View Resort

Roatan, Honduras

Roatan’s CoCo View Resort offers 16 rooms that sit over the water that are shared across five different buildings. The overwater bungalows themselves are actually duplexes, offering plenty of privacy and beautiful views of the ocean below. CoCo View Resort especially appeals to divers, with packages including a variety of diving privileges that are only slightly more expensive than the room itself. Nightly rates for overwater bungalows start at around $400 and also include three meals daily, a welcome cocktail and airport transfers.

InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa

Moorea, French Polynesia

This InterContinental outpost boasts a stunning location and authentic and immersive experiences in French Polynesia. Each overwater bungalow offers plenty of privacy, with most accommodations perched just off a small island in the adjacent lagoon. Plus, each bungalow includes a king-size bed, an oceanfront porch, a sitting area and a luxurious bathroom. Nightly rates start at $499.

Pangkor Laut Resort

Perak, Malaysia

The Pangkor Laut Resort sits on its own private island and boasts around 140 rooms, including 12 overwater villas and bungalows. Each seaside villa sits on stilts above the strikingly clear waters below. Enjoy an expansive deck with loungers, a cozy king-size bed, an oversized soaking tub and stellar sea views. While reaching Pangkor Laur Resort’s isolated location will come attached with a steep price tag, once you arrive, you can enjoy bucket-list accommodations for a reasonable amount. Nightly rates start at $375.

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9 Top Affordable Overwater Bungalows Around the World originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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