What are floating breakfasts, and why have they become so popular?

By Lilit Marcus, CNN

If you follow luxury resorts or travel influencers on Instagram, odds are good that you’ve seen at least one “floating breakfast.”

In case you’re not familiar with them, here’s what to know: they’re your typical upscale hotel room service breakfast — think toast, fruit, coffee and the like — served in a pool or hot tub instead of in bed. Usually, they’re placed on large platters or colorful baskets, then accessorized with bright tropical flowers to make them even more photogenic.

These breakfasts are particularly popular in Asia and the Pacific, especially at warm-weather private villa resorts in places like Thailand, Fiji and the Maldives.

Nearly everyone agrees that the trend began in Bali, although no specific resort seems to get the credit for coming up with the idea first.

While these breakfasts have become more common…