Others are privately owned beach villas such as Kilifi Maghreb.

The island's 7 beach villas feature private infinity plunge pools, except for the over-water villa.

Despite development of beach villas and hotels, all blessedly on a small scale, Coloane still has a bucolic air.

I check into one of the beach villas, a high-ceilinged wooden house right on the beach.

Waves damaged the 16 beach villas at the luxury Blue Water hotel, owned by Jetwing Hotels, but they are once again open.

The resort will also include a golf course, 300 beach villas and offshore turbines and desalination plants, ensuring it is entirely powered by renewable energy sources.

The lagoon villas have direct access to the water; the beach villas have a private sweep of sandy beach.

Residence types range from one-story, penthouses and one- and two-story beach villas, which average about 4,000 square feet each.

There are 23 luxurious beach villas furnished in tasteful cream and wood, each featuring a four-poster bed, outside bathroom and spacious lounge.

Rates start at $129 a night for a harborside double room and $199 for a one-bedroom beach villa, through Sept. 30.