Forget breakfast in bed, floating food is the latest luxury trend to have taken over our travel bucket lists. It’s making a splash on Instagram; travellers naval deep and bikini clad posing beside their floating breakfast tray in a hotel pool. This is the new ultimate in swim-up dining and we have the lowdown on where exactly you should be diving, and tucking in, writes Kate Gibbs.
Samsara, Ubud, Bali
Breakfast isn’t Instagrammable any more unless it’s served in your own private pool, quite literally. In four- and five-starred resorts overlooking the valleys of Ubud’s green jungle and terraced rice fields, couples are waking to the sound of their own doorbells with the arrival of large breakfast trays with an unusual twist. Waiters carry the impressive arrangements of tropical fruit, eggs, chicken porridge and fresh smoothies to the private pool, where they are placed on top of the water. At Samsara, the stunning breakfasts arrive in a wicker boat. samsaraubud.com
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Kamandalu, Ubud, Bali
It’s breakfast (or brunch) with a water view like few others. At Kamandalu Ubud, the dress code for the ultimate romantic breakfast is swimwear. The breakfast itself is a simple Continental affair – think eggs, bacon, fresh fruit – but the remarkable terraced landscape view from the pool is anything but ordinary. kamandaluresort.com
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Cabina Bali, Denpasar, Bali
If the idea of bikinis and big meals doesn’t leave you sucking in your stomach and running for a modesty towel, Cabina Bali, a bar, restaurant and pool in Denpasar, is the place for you. Elaborate (and delicious) meals arrive poolside, and then on the actual pool. The food here spans crispy fried chicken with a fluffy waffle and avocado, to chia pudding, classic avocado on toast and a paleo bowl involving bacon, potato, kale, chorizo and egg. There’s also a seafood basket, floating, that includes tiger prawns grilled with Balinese BBQ sauce, a squid skewer and a live lobster. He doesn’t swim up to the table, but arrives deep fried or steamed. cabinabali.com
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Villa Zolitude, Phuket, Thailand
This rainforest retreat with panoramic views of Chalong Bay has 30 private pool villas set on the hillside. They’ve invested in a big way in floating trays, from which lunch is served. Typically a breakfast treat, in-pool dining grows up with the resort’s extensive floating food offering. Waiters carefully balance pink fruit smoothies and prawn-studded Thai noodles on to the precarious trays, while diners wade and get their Instagram shots ready. instagram.com/villazolitude/
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Banyan Tree Koh Samui, Thailand
Luxe Banyan Tree Koh Samui and its sister properties in Bintan and Bali do elaborate breakfasts served in private resort pools with ocean backdrops. Every villa has a private pool in Samui, so it’s easy to escape and unwind. Breakfast in the pool overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand means even the hustle of the buffet breakfast can be avoided. banyantree.com/en/thailand/samui
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Ayana Resort and Spa, Jimbaran, Bali
Champagne, smoked salmon bagels, young coconut filled with exotic fruit, crab cakes and tarragon hollandaise; you wouldn’t want to swim up to this beautiful lunch too vigorously, or enter the plunge pool with a splash. Ayana was one of the first resorts to offer the floating meal to its hotel guests, and 10 years later the unique experience is still popular. ayana.com/bali/ayana-resort-and-spa/eat-and-drink/venues/floating-brunch
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W Bali, Seminyak, Bali
Nothing will compel you to pop open the bubbles like a Champagne breakfast served on a bright floating tray at W Bali. The lavish floating breakfast is in keeping with the hotel’s party spirit, bringing the cheer out even in the morning hours. There are waffles, eggs any way, chocolate doughnuts and an assortment of sweet things. And there’s Champagne. marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/dpswh-w-bali-seminyak/
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Amphawa Floating Market, Bangkok
The food is floating, and so is virtually everything else. Thailand is known for its floating markets and this authentic destination about 90km southwest from Bangkok has little wooden houses lined up along the canal, and boats stocked with sweets, fruit and snacks. Make a morning trip to avoid the crowds, and have at your fingertips a floating meal of a different kind.
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