So, what’s a Bungalow?

The origin of the bungalow has its roots in the Indian province of Bengal. There, the common native dwelling and the geographic area both had the same root word, bangla or bangala. Eighteenth century huts of one story with thatched roofs were adapted by the British, who used them as houses for colonial administrators in summer retreats in the Himalayas and in compounds outside Indian cities. Also taking inspiration from the army tent, the English cottage, and sources as exotic as the Persian verandah, early bungalow designers clustered dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms around central living rooms and, thereby, created the essential floor plan of the bungalow, leaving only a few refinements to be worked out by later designers.

 The Polynesian Bungalow

Most dictionaries are explicit: a bungalow is a one- or one-and- a-half story dwelling. Good enough.  A bungalow provides privacy and independence (really adds to the romantic "mood"). To their builders and owners, bungalows meant living close to nature, but also with true style.

Unlike any other hotel room you've stayed in before, these traditional thatched-roof bungalows are perched above the turquoise lagoon waters. In many of the rooms, tropical fish swim below as you look through the glass floor or coffee table. With all the amenities of a first-class hotel room, here on your private balcony surrounded only by water and sky, you can enjoy both breakfast (often delivered by canoe) and the sunset (seemingly delivered by the heavens).
Excerpts taken from American Bungalow Style, an informative book by Robert Winter.

 

Cruises | Vacations | Honeymoon & Anniversary |
the Islands | Newsletter | Specials | Reservations