The Maldives’ best overwater vllas

(CNN) — Glass-bottomed bathrooms, roof-deck water slides and stairs leading directly into the ocean. What could be dreamier? For travelers yearning for a tropical escape, overwater villas are the epitome of vacation goals.

While Tahiti may have started the overwater trend in the 1960s, the Maldives has undoubtedly perfected it.

This year marks 50 years of tourism for the idyllic Indian Ocean nation, and today, there are over 150 resorts welcoming guests with a cold towel and a coconut, or other signature treats. Best of all, these resorts are committed to sustainability, featuring everything from water desalination plants to reef restoration projects.

Ready to book that trip? Here are 12 of the best overwater villas in the Maldives. (Starting rates are in US dollars per night.)

Kudadoo Maldives

One of the smallest and most sustainable resorts in the Maldives, Kudadoo has just 15 overwater residences powered entirely by solar panels.

Designed by Japanese architect Yuji Yamazaki, it has a modern ryokan aesthetic, most notably in its onsen-inspired bathing area.

Covered in latticework wood patterns, the materials used come from sustainably managed forests in New Zealand, Canada and Indonesia.

Each residence has a plunge pool, a glass-bottomed deck section for peeping at parrot fish and a private butler to get you anything you want, at any time — all included.

Soneva Jani

Thanks to social media, aerial views of Soneva Jani’s winding jetty and private water slides have become synonymous with the Maldives.

But Soneva has also become synonymous with sustainability.

Its never ending initiatives, including upcycling just about everything with its Waste to Wealth program, Eco Centre, carbon-neutral status, beef-free menu, plastic-free policy and sprawling organic on-site garden make it a world leader in sustainable luxury.

Its 51 Water Retreats range from a one-bedroom with no slide (due to low tide) to a four-bedroom palace…