Data Sources & Methodology
Transparency matters. Here's exactly how we build and maintain our resort database.
Resort Data
- Public rating signals: Historical aggregate ratings and review counts originate from public map/business profiles. They are not OverwaterGuide reviews and should be checked for freshness.
- Location: Coordinates and regional labels originate from public map/business data and are corrected during source review.
- Photos: Listing imagery was collected from public resort and business profiles. OverwaterGuide does not claim ownership; rights holders can request correction or removal.
- Budget bands: Lower-cost, Mid-range, Premium and High-end are broad comparisons derived from stored estimates—not live rates or quotes.
- Features: Category labels come from the directory's resort research and are intended as shortlist aids, not guarantees for every room or rate plan.
- Accommodation types: Room names and highlights come from the directory's resort research. A green badge marks listings that have also received a recent official-property cross-check.
Verification Process
Not every resort that claims “overwater” actually has overwater accommodation. We review the catalog property by property. A green badge means current official resort material explicitly supports an overwater accommodation category. Listings without that additional badge retain their researched directory information, which travelers should confirm before booking. The review process uses:
- Current official resort and accommodation pages as the primary source
- Explicit room-category language such as overwater villa, water villa, palafito, or chalet on water
- Booking platforms and specialist directories only as secondary cross-checks
- A recorded review date and source URL for green-badge listings
The directory focuses on overwater and on-water accommodation rather than ordinary beachfront or “water-view” rooms. Borderline classifications are reviewed individually.
Ranking Methodology
Our default sort (“Top Rated”) uses a Bayesian weighted average that balances rating quality with review quantity:
where C = 20 (minimum reviews threshold), m = 4.2 (global mean)
This means a resort with 4.9★ and 2,000 reviews will rank higher than one with 5.0★ and only 10 reviews. This is a more stable public-rating signal than a naive average, but it is not an editorial score or a substitute for current guest research.
Update Frequency
Resort data is refreshed periodically. Ratings, review counts, and pricing may be slightly behind real-time data. Always confirm material details with the resort or booking provider before making travel plans.
Limitations
- Budget bands are approximate and do not reflect current availability
- Some newer resorts may not yet be in our database
- Displayed ratings and review counts are historical public aggregates; OverwaterGuide does not publish invented guest quotations
- Room names, facilities and availability should be confirmed before booking
- We focus on permanent overwater structures — floating hotels and temporary installations are generally excluded