Review: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
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Located in the heart of the South Pacific, St. Regis Bora Bora Resort offers a unique experience of luxury and tranquility. With its 90 lavish villas, overwater, beachfront, or with ocean views. This resort is a true sanctuary, where every detail is designed to immerse guests in a soothing atmosphere. Between the turquoise waters of the lagoon, the white sandy beaches, and the breathtaking view of Mount Otemanu, the St. Regis Bora Bora is an invitation to relax and escape in an exceptional natural setting.
Booking
For this 5-night reservation, we used a total of 446,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. We took advantage of the fifth night free when booking with Marriott Bonvoy points, which comes to 89,200 points per night (add XPF 2,000 tax or CAD 25). Please note that this rate is for a 1-bedroom ocean-view villa with garden facing the reef.
In cash, this stay would have cost us XPF 2,046,978 or CAD 25,734.
Arrival
Location
To get to Bora Bora, you can either fly from Papeete (PPT) or take a ferry. We decided to fly, as it was quicker and we wanted to maximize our time at the hotel. There are two airlines: Air Tahiti and Air Moana, which operate several flights a day between the two islands. The flight lasts 50 minutes and offers magnificent views of the ocean and the various Polynesian islands. We chose to fly with Air Moana, which is a new airline on the market, offering more competitive prices than Air Tahiti. A round-trip flight costs around $500.
Approximately 3 weeks before our arrival, the hotel contacted us to ask about our flight details in order to organize our transfer from Motu Mute (BOB) airport to the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. The transfer is by shared boat and comes at an extra cost (XPF 16,600 return per person or CAD 210). The crossing takes around twenty minutes.
Check-In and Lobby
As soon as we arrived at Bora Bora airport, we were greeted by the hotel team, who presented us with a flower necklace, refreshing towels and bottles of Evian water. We identified our luggage so that it could be taken care of by the hotel.
Upon our arrival on the island, we were escorted to the reception for check-in, which was completed relatively quickly. However, we noticed that other guests received a slightly warmer welcome, greeted by a local singer accompanied by a ukulele. Afterward, we met our butler. Before escorting us to our overwater villa (to our great surprise, we received an upgrade thanks to our Titanium status), we were invited on a tour of the resort to familiarize ourselves with the facilities. While the instinct is often to head straight to the room, we appreciated this tour as it helped us quickly get our bearings for the rest of our stay. The hotel is quite expansive, but it’s very easy to get around on foot, by golf cart (on request), or by bike (each villa is equipped with numbered bikes).
Bedroom
During our stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora, we had the chance to experience two types of villas, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience.
For three nights, we stayed in a Deluxe Villa on stilts, where the elegance of wood and authentic design create a warm, refined atmosphere. From our terrace, we could admire the crystal-clear lagoon, and beneath our villa, stingrays glided peacefully by, adding a touch of magic to every moment.
For our last two nights, we were upgraded to a magnificent Villa Royale with pool, a true private sanctuary with vast spaces and a pool offering spectacular views over the lagoon.
All villas feature a glass floor, allowing guests to observe marine life directly from the comfort of their living room. Although the rooms have not been recently renovated, they remain ultra-premium, impeccably maintained, and offer exceptional comfort.
Every evening, the turndown service came to prepare our bed for the night, placing a small gift on the pillow, a delicate touch that made the experience even more special.
Restaurant
Breakfast
Breakfast is served daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Te Pahu in buffet style. An à la carte menu offers additional options such as eggs, toast, and porridge. Each morning, the staff presents the juice of the day and takes drink orders (the best iced coconut milk mocha I’ve ever had!). Breakfast costs XPF 5,500 or CAD 70 per person. We chose breakfast as a welcome gift with our status.
We were surprised at first by the size of the circular buffet, which may seem small compared to what you’d find at other St Regis hotels or the Conrad Bora Bora, which we also visited. The buffet focuses more on quality than quantity. However, the essentials are there, and the pastries are succulent. We didn’t feel that anything was missing.
Restaurants
The hotel has 4 restaurants and 2 bars. When we first met our butler, he informed us that he had made reservations for us at various restaurants. He had mainly booked the restaurants for us according to the theme nights that take place on different days of the week (Burger Monday, Polynesian Show, Indian Night, Sushi Night and Moana Night).
We chose to attend the burger night at Aparima Bar as well as the Polynesian evening (CAD 111). I highly recommend the latter. This event features a 40-minute Polynesian dance and music performance, with dinner served exclusively as a buffet. The show is enjoyable for both kids and adults, and the dancers invite the audience to participate. It’s a wonderful evening that offers a great opportunity to connect with Tahitian culture.
We tested all of the resort’s restaurants:
- Le Farniente is an Italian restaurant.
- Le Bamboo serves Asian cuisine.
- Le Lagoon is a gourmet restaurant run by chef Nathan Barone. It offers a blend of French, Polynesian and Asian cuisine, all in a refined setting overlooking the famous Mount Otemanu. To give you an idea, the 4-course menu costs CAD 270.
- The 727 Bar, named after the height of Mount Otemanu, which it faces, is located on the terrace of the Lagoon. It’s the perfect spot to admire the stunning sunset while sipping a cocktail before heading to dinner at the Lagoon. Note that both 727 and the Lagoon are closed on Wednesdays.
In keeping with tradition, the champagne sabering ceremony takes place at 5.30pm at the Aparima Bar. However, it doesn’t take place every day.
Other Services
Lagoonarium
The lagoonarium is a private lagoon surrounding the Spa. It is freely accessible at all times. The lagoonarium is home to over 120 species of tropical fish, including Moana, the Napoleon fish mascot. Marine biologists offer a wide range of activities:
- Discover the Lagoonarium with a biologist every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Coral cutting activity every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Fish conservation workshop every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 AM to 11 AM, where you can participate in identifying species among the young post-larval fish recently introduced into the lagoon.
We took part in a 30-minute discovery activity with a biologist, who gave us information on the species present in the lagoon, which was very informative and fascinating.
In my opinion, the lagoonarium is one of the hotel’s highlights, and we spent practically every afternoon here.
Pools
The St. Regis Bora Bora features two superb swimming pools, each with its own unique ambiance to satisfy every desire for relaxation.
The main pool is a true tropical oasis, surrounded by palm trees and comfortable deckchairs. It’s the perfect place to soak up the Polynesian sun with the whole family, with attentive service offering fresh cocktails and snacks all day long.
The adults-only pool is a haven of tranquility, designed for those seeking a more intimate experience. Tucked away, this pool offers a quieter atmosphere, ideal for relaxation.
Spa
The spa offers a range of treatments inspired by Polynesian traditions, using local ingredients such as coconut, monoi and Tahitian vanilla. We opted for a Polynesian massage with warm oils, and the experience was simply divine.
One of the highlights of the spa is its idyllic setting, featuring a beach and a relaxing atmosphere. The beach offers a stunning view of the crystal-clear waters of the lagoonarium and faces Mount Otemanu.
The wellness area also includes a jacuzzi and steam room, available for self-service.
Service, like that of the St. Regis, is impeccable. Every detail is designed to offer an exclusive, personalized experience. Whether it’s the warm welcome, the glass of champagne after the treatment or the soothing music, everything contributes to total relaxation.
Gym
The 24-hour gym is perfectly equipped to keep you active at any time of day, with a soothing view over the tropical gardens.
Overall Impression
The St. Regis Bora Bora offers a unique experience in an exceptional setting. Between the spacious villas on stilts, the magnificent pools and the soothing spa, every moment spent here is a true pleasure.
Despite rooms that haven’t been renovated recently, comfort and attention to detail remain the order of the day. Service is impeccable, and the setting, with its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu, makes for an unforgettable stay.
A special mention goes to the lagoonarium, a true gem where you can observe an incredible diversity of tropical fish in a pristine natural setting. An ideal place to disconnect and enjoy the magic of Bora Bora.
Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
The best way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays at over 8,000 hotels worldwide is to hold the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card (and/or Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express®* Card). You can also earn American Express Membership Rewards points and transfer them to Marriott Bonvoy.
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- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600Plus $100 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
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