A hotel in Greece has dreamy Maldives-style overwater bungalows for a fraction of the price

Stella Island Resort in Crete is an adults-only hotel with overwater bungalows.Stella Island Resort

• Stella Island Resort in Crete, Greece has overwater bungalows that look like they could be in the Maldives.
• The villas have private decks with hammocks over the water, and some have jacuzzis, too.
• The resort, which opened in 2017, is over a huge pool rather than the sea, but has been designed to recreate the ocean look.
• A stay at Stella Resort is far cheaper than a stay in a Maldives villa, though, with one night in an overwater villa costing $233 rather than around $2,500, the price at One&Only Reethi Rah.

Stella Island Resort is an adults-only hotel with 225 rooms located on the Greek island of Crete.

A Grand Overwater Bungalow at Stella Island Resort.      Stella Island Resort

It has overwater bungalows that look like they could be in the Maldives, complete with private decks, hammocks, and jacuzzis.

The Grand Bungalows have hammocks over the water.      Stella Island Resort

The bungalows aren't actually over the sea, though, but rather a huge pool.

You can sunbathe on a floating raft at Stella Island Resort.      Stella Island Resort

The luxurious five-star resort also has a lounge area in the middle of the water for when you want to be surrounded by water but stay dry.

Stella Island Resort has a lounge area in the pool.      Stella Island Resort

The Grand overwater bungalows are secluded, and the standard ones (below) are divided by screens for privacy.

Overwater Bungalows at Stella Island Resort.      Stella Island Resort

The decor is modern and natural in style, with large windows for admiring the water views.

Inside an Overwater Bungalow at Stella Island Resort.      Stavros Habakis, Stella Island Resort

Much like the famous decking of many Maldives resorts, there's a walkway over the water through the middle of Stella Island.

The Overwater Bungalows have a walkway between them.      Stavros Habakis, Stella Island Resort

The resort also has what it calls swim-up rooms, with prices starting from $175 per night for half board for two people, while the overwater bungalows start from $233.

Swim-up rooms at Stella Island Resort.      Stella Island Resort

Considering a water villa in the Maldives can cost around $2,500 a night (the price at One&Only Reethi Rah), Stella Island is a lot cheaper.

Stella Island Resort is close to the ocean.      Stella Island Resort

Source: One&Only

Sure, you'd actually be in an enclosed pool rather than the Indian Ocean ...

Stella Island Resort from above.      Stella Island Resort

... but your Instagram followers don't need to know.

Lounge by sunset at Stella Island Resort.      Stella Island Resort