Overwater villa vs beach villa — which did you prefer and why?

Having stayed in both across 8 different resorts, here's the breakdown: Overwater villas win on: the wake-up view (ocean in every direction), the glass floor panels, the direct-to-ocean ladders for morning swims, and the sunset deck experience. Beach villas win on: more space (usually larger outdoor area), direct beach access, better for families with kids, feeling more 'grounded' on the island, and they're typically 20-30% cheaper. Our recommendation: if it's your first Maldives trip, do overwater — it's the iconic experience and you'll regret not trying it. If you've done overwater before, beach villas with private pools are actually the more comfortable, practical choice. The real premium play: a sunset-facing overwater villa — sunrise-facing ones can be disappointingly shaded by afternoon.