Skip to Content
Lola about

About the Author

Lola Martinez, CTA, Sustainable Tourism Cert.

I’m Lola—founder and editor-in-chief of Dream Bungalows, a site dedicated to helping travelers choose the world’s most extraordinary over-water escapes.

Over the last decade I’ve personally inspected more than 70 over-water resorts in eight countries, logging 200+ nights everywhere from Bora Bora’s outer motus to Cambodia’s mangrove-lined islands.

I hold a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) credential, a Sustainable Tourism certificate from Cornell’s e-Cornell program, and I’m an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers.

My advice has been quoted by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and Forbes’ Verified reviews, and I consult with resort developers on guest-experience design and reef-friendly operations. In 2024 the Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation named me a “Friend of the Maldives” for my research on lagoon conservation and responsible villa engineering.

Lola about

Why You Can Trust Dream Bungalows

Up-to-date guidance: Rates and policies are verified quarterly, and my destination checklists are refreshed whenever airlines or visa rules change.

First-hand experience: Every review is based on a full stay—no lobby tours, no stock photos.

Data-driven ratings: I log water-clarity readings, measure glass-floor panels, and track seasonal price swings so you can compare suites objectively.

Editorial independence: Resorts don’t pay for placement. If a stay is comped, the review header says so—plain and simple.

Lola about

What You’ll Find Here

  • Curated Bungalow Shortlists – only properties that meet strict design, reef-health, and service benchmarks.
  • Practical How-Tos – from choosing the right pontoon wing to packing reef-safe sunscreen.
  • Photo & Video Walk-Throughs – 4-K interior tours, drone lagoon shots, and side-by-side suite comparisons.
  • Romance & Family Itineraries – because honeymoons and multigenerational trips have very different needs.

When I’m not writing or diving with a GoPro to film coral growth under villa stilts, you’ll find my husband, Sean, and me sampling third-wave coffee in whatever island capital we’re currently researching.

We believe great travel journalism marries love, curiosity, and rigorous fact-checking—and we pour all three into every guide you read here.

Ready to find your dream bungalow?
Subscribe to our “Lagoon Letter” for fresh resort openings, deal alerts, and sustainability news—no spam, ever.

Cheers to love, travel, and the magic of overwater bungalows!

With love,
Lola 💕