Seven years ago, when Sandals CEO Adam Stewart honeymooned in the Maldives, he spent an awful lot of time studying the infrastructure of the over-the-water villa in which he stayed.

“He was taking photographs of everything — from every angle,” his wife, Jill Stewart, says with a laugh.

Truth is, the astute young businessman wanted to bring the romantic concept, common in remote South Pacific outposts like Bora Bora, Fiji and Tahiti, to his resorts in the Caribbean.

Stewart’s vision has finally been realized.

In December, Sandals unveiled its first batch of five all-inclusive over-the-water villas — with 12 slightly smaller bungalows opening in March — in Montego Bay, Jamaica, making it one of the first resorts in the Caribbean to feature the exclusive accommodations.

The string of heart-shaped luxury villas is a five-minute boat ride from the main resort, and is situated in a peaceful lagoon where iridescent turquoise waters lap the structures’ steel support columns (no fragile wooden stilts here). A stylish wooden boardwalk attaches the complex to the tiny island of Sandals Cay, which residents of the main hotel can also visit. Sandals Cay has been upgraded with a redesigned pool and two new restaurants: the Jerk Shack, offering authentic local Jamaican cuisine,
and the more upscale Royal Thai.

The glass panels in the villas’ floors illuminate at night and show sea life swimming underneath — talk about a showstopper. In general, though, little can beat a 1,600-square-foot private villa that drops down to the water via wooden steps. Each has been individually designed to harmonize with the environment. Our villa had an earth theme — think artistically shaped boulders strategically placed near a two-person infinity pool reached through French doors. Plus, the teak, king-size bed has top-of-the-range Egyptian linens and plush pillows that make for a deep sleep.

Beautiful as the interior is, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible on the deck. Each boasts not only the small infinity pool, but two outdoor showers, an oversized over-the-water hammock, chic white sun loungers and an uber-comfy circular swing chair perfect for afternoon naps in the shade. The villas also have 24/7 room service and the ministrations of two dedicated butlers. They’ll even pack and unpack your suitcases or draw you a bath complete with petals and champagne.

Sandals Royal Caribbean is situated a convenient 10-minutes’ drive from Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport, but aircraft noise does occasionally interrupt the peace of what is otherwise a tranquil experience.

The highlight of our stay was an intimate, low-lit dinner on our terrace, where we were served by Sheldon, who was trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers. The in-room dinner menu offerings include wild mushroom ragout in puff pastry, pan-seared scallops and Chateaubriand, and desserts such as white chocolate and coconut quenelle. It’s all washed down with limitless drinks from the Robert Mondavi vineyard.

Other top brands stocked in your personal bar include Appleton Rum, Hendrick’s gin and Grey Goose vodka.

While there’s little incentive to visit the main resort (where some of the furnishings seem a little tired), go for a treatment or two at the swanky Red Lane Spa. Try the heavenly 60-minute deep-tissue massage ($145), which can break up a day of snorkeling off your deck.

The north coast of Jamaica has plenty of attractions. Try tour company Island Routes, an affiliate of Sandals, for a visit to the nearby, expansive Green Grotto Caves, home to nine of Jamaica’s 21 species of bat, and the so-called “Luminous Lagoon,” where millions of microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates spectacularly light up when you swim in the water. You’ll actually be glad you left the resort.

Most of the over-the-water accommodations are already sold out through mid-2018, but if you want the luxe experience close to home — and are able to shell out the money — book a spot now.

The villas start at $1,435 per person per night (based on double occupancy). The smaller 1,200-square-foot bungalows will begin at $1,100 per person; Sandals.com.