Text & Photography / Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network; Partial information provided by MOOK Editorial Team

Summer has arrived, and you’re yearning for a cool breeze from the sea, the refreshing mist in the air—not too hot, not too dry, just perfectly comfortable. Why not spend a night at a waterfront lodging? Craving solitude? Head to the Lake Palace in Udaipur, India, accessible only by boat, where the Lake Palace Hotel whisks you away from the hustle and bustle. For couples, the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort & Spa in the Maldives promises paradise. Traveling with family? Enjoy a worry-free summer water adventure at Club Med on Ishigaki Island. Or, for a group getaway, experience the flavors of the sea and the aesthetic lifestyle of waterfront living in Thai overwater bungalows. With the right accommodation, any of these options offers the perfect blend of leisure and tranquility.

1. Backpacker Favorite – The Royal Summer Palace Only Accessible by Boat: Udaipur’s Lake Palace Hotel

This white marble palace floating on Jagniwas Island in Lake Pichola was once the summer residence of the Maharajas of Udaipur, commissioned by Maharana Jagat Singh II and completed in 1754. It gained fame in 1983 when it was chosen as a filming location for the James Bond movie *Octopussy*. Even when the lake dries up, visitors must take a small boat to reach the Lake Palace Hotel. Upon arrival, accompanied by traditional Rajasthani music, you step onto a flower-strewn terrace, experiencing royal hospitality firsthand.

The Lake Palace Hotel has 83 rooms overlooking the lake or lotus ponds, decorated with vibrant miniatures, intricate wood carvings, and stained glass. Suites vary in theme—some feature glass art mosaics, others depict murals of the blue god Krishna, and some are adorned with opulent carvings from frames to doorways. Among its dining options, Jharokha stands out, set in a 17th-century marble hall with dozens of windows offering lake views. During the monsoon season when the lake is full, dining here feels like floating on water.

Udaipur Lake Palace Hotel    

Phone: +91-294-252-8800

Website: www.tajhotels.com

2. Romantic Getaway – Heaven on Earth: Maldives’ Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort & Spa

The Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort & Spa features 48 villas, including Oceanview Villas, Beachfront Villas, Deluxe Oceanview Villas, Deluxe Beachfront Villas, and Vabbinfaru Villas. Regardless of the type, each spacious room boasts an elegant four-poster canopy bed, classic ceiling fans, and teak furnishings. Step outside to find yourself immersed in the serene sea, with swaying palm trees and soft sands beneath your feet. The Maldives’ resort islands are all “one island, one hotel,” ensuring privacy and luxury at their peak.

Here, the smallest villas span 36 pyeong, while the largest offer double that space. Guests staying in Deluxe Oceanview Villas, Deluxe Beachfront Villas, or Vabbinfaru Villas can enjoy private outdoor massage pools, with the latter even providing a direct path to luxury and exclusivity—an exclusive pavilion extending from the room to the seaside, perfect for savoring the beauty of sunrise or sunset.

Perfect for couples, this is a haven for romance, with endless footprints left on the sandy shores. The color of the Maldivian sea remains a mystery—time and distance often blur whether it’s blue or green. What’s certain is that standing by the crystal-clear shoreline, you can watch schools of fish swim by. Of course, in this diving paradise, exploring the underwater world reveals even more vibrant marine life. The resort also offers a variety of water activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling, and sailing.

Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru Resort & Spa

Transportation: Approximately 17 km from Malé Airport; 20-minute seaplane ride to the resort

Phone: +960-664-3147

Website: www.banyantree.com/en/maldives_vabbinfaru

3. Family Fun – Japan’s Best Snorkeling Resort: Ishigaki Island Club Med

Located in Japan’s Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa, Ishigaki Island is accessible via direct charter flights from Taiwan, with just a 45-minute flight to the 2009 Michelin Green Guide three-star-rated Ishigaki Island Club Med.