St. Regis Bora Bora Review

Bora Bora — an island within the South Pacific identified for its turquoise water, luxurious accommodations and spectacular Mount Otemanu — is a dream trip vacation spot for a lot of.

As a result of I’ve visited French Polynesia a number of instances earlier than, I’ve already skilled many issues vacationers may search out on their first and even second go to — actions reminiscent of swimming with manta rays and sharks, sundown cruises and watercrafting across the island. However as an alternative, on this journey, once I wasn’t working remotely, I targeted fully on relaxation and leisure.

On a earlier journey, I had already pushed a water scooter previous The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. From that have and footage on-line, I knew the resort’s property featured a outstanding view of Mount Otemanu. 

I used to be already mentally ready to have a view of Mount Otemanu all through my journey. Nonetheless, I am unable to overstate how wonderful it was to see the mountain day by day. This starkly contrasts the Conrad Bora Bora Nui, which solely has views of Mount Otemanu from just a few choose villas and the resort’s spa. 

My one remorse with my room is that I did not splurge on a villa with a Mount Otemanu view, which might have considerably enhanced my expertise.

Along with that includes beautiful views, the resort grounds featured lush, tropical landscaping and a motorcycle path good for making your approach across the resort. All rooms include two bikes — every along with your villa quantity. In fact, when you choose to not bike, you possibly can at all times name the butler service and prepare a experience.  

My favourite areas of the property and the place I spent most of my time had been:

• The Lagoonarium. Good for snorkeling with all kinds of tropical fish.

• The Iridium Spa. It features a peaceable seaside on a non-public island you possibly can go to even when you don’t get therapy.

• The principle seaside. It options cabanas, chairs with umbrellas and a hammock within the water that’s good for lounging and taking Insta-worthy images.

I have been lucky to remain in a number of overwater villas all through French Polynesia and the Maldives. Nonetheless, I used to be totally shocked by the scale of my villa at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. 

I stayed in an Overwater Deluxe Villa. Although it is one of many smaller villas on the resort, it measures a powerful 1,549 sq. toes and features a lounge, bed room, out of doors terrace with a lounge space, and a big rest room with a jetted bathtub. 

One thing I particularly cherished concerning the villa is that every room incorporates a gap within the flooring with a transparent glass masking so you possibly can see the water beneath. Being in such a big villa, you possibly can generally neglect that you simply’re standing above the ocean — so having the ability to see the water beneath every room was a pleasant reminder.

The mattress was very comfy; there was loads of scorching water and the Wi-Fi labored and not using a hitch for Zoom conferences and streaming motion pictures. I additionally appreciated that the out of doors terrace had chairs you could possibly sunbathe in and a lined space to benefit from the view within the shade.

All friends at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort are assigned a butler, who you possibly can attain all through your keep by dialing “9” (both from the cellphone in your room or telephones all through the property). 

With this service, you possibly can name your butler every morning they usually’ll arrive about 20 minutes later along with your favourite espresso prepared so that you can take pleasure in in your room or in your terrace. I am unable to stress sufficient how a lot I cherished getting morning iced espresso delivered. As an avid espresso drinker, it was one of many highlights of my day.

Except for morning espresso, your butler can help you in making dinner reservations, reserving actions, and attending to minor requests, reminiscent of finding a alternative bike if one other visitor by chance takes yours. 

Our butler went out of her approach to assist when wanted. As an illustration, I could not get a dinner reservation earlier than 8 p.m. one night time once I tried to e book straight with the restaurant. So I requested my butler for help, and he or she known as the restaurant straight and confirmed a reservation on the requested time.

Talking of meals, I loved each dish — particularly the breakfast buffet, the cheeseburger and fries and the set menu on the weekly Polynesian dinner (which comes with conventional dancing and music). My two favourite spots had been Far Niente, an informal Italian restaurant with scrumptious pizza, and 727 Bar, which seems straight at Mount Otemanu and options complimentary champagne sabering most nights at sundown. 

A considerate contact is that every one eating places on the property embody costs in Central Pacific francs, the native forex, and an approximation of the associated fee in U.S. {dollars}, so that you need not do the mathematics earlier than ordering a dish or drink.

I stayed at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort in December 2022, on the top of French Polynesia’s wet season, which usually goes from November by April. My first go to to French Polynesia was in January 2019, and through a five-night keep, it solely rained for about quarter-hour whole. So I used to be hopeful that this journey could be comparable and that I would be capable of take pleasure in nice climate for almost all of my keep.

Sadly, the climate was not as cooperative on this journey. It rained virtually day by day, and whereas there have been no less than just a few hours of sunshine most days, there have been two days it rained so arduous I did not depart the villa. 

You probably have the pliability on your journey’s timing, I like to recommend reserving throughout the dry season from Could by October. 

One thing else to think about when timing your go to is when you’ll be there throughout a brand new moon. As a result of Bora Bora has minimal mild air pollution, it is an important location for stargazing, which is even higher when you go to throughout a brand new moon.

From the beautiful views of Mount Otemanu and the strikingly giant villa to the customized butler service and scrumptious meals, I very a lot loved my keep on the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. If I am fortunate sufficient to go to once more, I am going to e book throughout the dry season and pay a bit further to safe a villa with a view of Mount Otemanu.

(Prime photograph courtesy of Josh Garber)