After commencing our “ pre-honeymoon ” in Bora Bora with five nights at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui , we then proceeded to the renowned St. Regis Bora Bora for our next stay.
The St. Regis Bora Bora is nestled in one of the most serene enclaves of the island, with stunning views of Mount Otemanu and a pristine crystal-clear lagoon.
Compared to the intimate charm and relatively compact size of the Conrad, the St. Regis Bora Bora is known for its sprawling estate, and I was looking forward to seeing how it stacked up.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Booking
I booked this two-night escapade for a total of 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, along with an additional 44,400 XPF ($400 USD, $530 CAD) cash supplement per night for a Beachside Villa. This room type stands one tier above the base-level Reef Villa.
These days, the prices at the property have seen an increase, and now reach a maximum of 150,000 points per night.
For a base-level villa, cash rates tend to fall in the range of 280,000–400,000 XPF ($2,530–3,620 USD, $3,400–4,800 CAD), while overwater villas can climb to 800,000 XPF ($7,240 USD, $9,800 CAD).
We value Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents per point (CAD), and despite the price increase, there’s still a strong argument for value to be found from redeeming points.
In this regard, Marriott Bonvoy’s Fifth Night Free benefit is indeed even more enticing, as you’ll only need to pay for four nights with points. Based on my personal experience, I can confidently assert that a five-night stay would certainly be worthwhile.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Aerial view
However, it’s worth noting that securing availability for base-level rooms can be challenging. Therefore, be prepared to allocate 44,000 XPF ($400 USD, $530 CAD) or even more for the nightly supplement when opting for higher-level rooms.
Nevertheless, this approach would guarantee you a superior room category without relying on the prospect of an upgrade. If you decide to pursue an upgrade, it’s certainly beneficial to have Marriott Bonvoy elite status , as it enhances the likelihood of an upgrade upon check-in.
Additionally, property management proactively communicates with you before your arrival, letting you know of any paid upgrade alternatives at your disposal.
If booking a paid rate, keep in mind that the St. Regis Bora Bora participates in Marriott STARS , Marriott’s preferred partner program for luxury hotels.
By booking your stay through an authorized travel advisor, you’ll pay the same as the best-available flexible rate, but you’ll enjoy a suite of perks, including complimentary breakfast for two, a $100 (USD) property credit, and more.
Book with Prince of Travel and Marriott STARS
Book a hotel stay with Prince of Travel through Marriott STARS and enjoy exclusive additional benefits at no cost to you, including:
Daily breakfast for two guests
Room upgrade, subject to availability at check-in
$100 (USD) property credit
In-person welcome and personalized welcome amenity and note
Third, Fourth, or Fifth Night Free at select properties
Book St. Regis Bora Bora
St. Regis Bora Bora – Location
Situated on the eastern side of Bora Bora, the St. Regis Bora Bora is nestled on one of the islets facing inland towards the main island, with exceptional views of Mount Otemanu – arguably the best of any resort in Bora Bora.
More Bora Bora Hotels
Review: Conrad Bora Bora Nui
In order to access the island of Bora Bora, you’ll first need to fly to Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia.
From there, you have two options to continue. Firstly, you can take a domestic flight with either Air Tahiti or Air Moana to Motu Mute Airport (BOB) in Bora Bora, which is the most convenient and efficient way to reach the island.
Alternatively, for a more scenic experience, there’s a ferry service available a few times a week – although it’s slower and not significantly cheaper compared to flying.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Aerial view
The island of Bora Bora is a part of Tahiti’s Leeward Islands, located on the western side of French Polynesia. The central island features the remnants of an extinct volcano with two imposing peaks, Mount Pahia and the iconic Mount Otemanu, and is encompassed by a magnificent lagoon, a barrier reef, and numerous islets.
It’s worth noting that the St. Regis Bora Bora is located relatively close to Bora Bora’s main airport, which makes for a convenient journey to the resort, but you may also occasionally hear airplanes passing overhead.
Lastly, the resort operates a port on the eastern side of the main island of Bora Bora, in addition to a bus service that can take you to the main town of Vaitape, situated on the western side.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Check-in
As the St. Regis is located on a secluded coral islet, it’s only accessible by boat, which adds to its sense of exclusivity and privacy.
While most guests will be coming and going by way of the airport, our arrival to the resort took on a slightly unconventional character, as we had recently checked out from the Conrad Bora Bora Nui . We first headed to the town of Vaitape, and then took a 15-minute taxi ride to the St. Regis’s base on the eastern side of the island.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Base on Bora Bora island
As a result, in a rather distinctive twist, we found ourselves sharing a boat with a group of resort staff members who were also travelling from the main island. The boat, though modest in size, embraced a no-frills aesthetic and an open-air design, with bench seating for both us and the staff.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Boat transfer
Given the relatively short duration of the journey, such straightforward arrangements proved to be more than adequate. I’d note that there wasn’t a formal welcome committee to greet us, though this was somewhat understandable given the unique circumstances of our arrival.
From the moment we set foot on the arrival dock, we were treated to breathtaking vistas of Mount Otemanu standing majestically in the distance. The sight of this iconic natural wonder served as a magnificent backdrop to our arrival experience, setting the stage for the two days that awaited us.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Welcome sign
St. Regis Bora Bora – Mount Otemanu view
The resort uses locally sourced materials such as coconut wood, palm trees, and pandanus leaves, which are reminiscent of traditional Polynesian fishing huts.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Covered walkway
We eventually made our way to the main check-in area. A staircase ascends to the lobby, where the check-in desk and several seating areas are thoughtfully placed throughout.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Lobby lounge
St. Regis Bora Bora – Lobby lounge
St. Regis Bora Bora – Check-in desks
Unfortunately, our check-in experience at the St. Regis Bora Bora lacked the personalized and attentive touch that one might expect at a luxury resort of this calibre. We simply checked in at the counter without being invited to sit down, unlike at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui where we’d previously stayed.
Nevertheless, a small gesture of hospitality was extended to us upon our arrival: refreshing mango juice and water as welcome drinks.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Welcome drinks
Following our check-in, we were promptly introduced to our butler, who invited us on a buggy tour of the resort. Although the offer was tempting, we decided to proceed directly to our accommodations, as we were eager to settle in and begin our St. Regis Bora Bora experience.
For this particular trip, we had deliberately opted for a Beachside Villa, as we were seeking out a new experience following our previous stays in overwater villas during trips to the Maldives. Once we completed our check-in, we were escorted directly to our Beachside Villa.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa
The Beachside Villas at the St. Regis Bora Bora are an impressive size of 1,808 square feet. In fact, these villas rank among the largest in the entire South Pacific.
You’ll find these room types located on the northeastern side of the resort, near the main building and opposite from the Garden Villas. What’s more, they’re exclusive in number, with only five available.
The layout of the villa follows a traditional room design, featuring distinct areas that include a separate living area, bedroom, and bathroom. Upon entering the villa, a welcoming hallway leads directly to the spacious living area, and adjacent to it, the bedroom awaits.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa foyer
Both the living area and the bedroom lead out to an inviting outdoor courtyard, which then extends to a private pool and an expansive beachfront area.
The villa’s décor reflects a Polynesian theme and a bungalow-inspired design, featuring elements and motifs that evoke the tropical ambiance of Bora Bora. The Beachside Villa incorporates natural and simple materials throughout, including pandanus along the ceilings and hardwood flooring, as well as rugs, draperies, and upholstery that add to the overall comfort and aesthetic.
The bedroom features a king bed with pink coral touches, which serves as the central focal point of the room. The two doors behind the bed lead to the bathroom.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa bedroom
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa bed
The living room, situated at the end of the foyer, is well appointed with a full-sized sofa, dining table, and seating for two. A desk is also present, although it notably lacks a chair.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa living room
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa living room
Additionally, a flat-screen TV stands atop an entertainment console, which is tucked into the corner of the living room.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa flat-screen TV & living room
In the bedroom and living room, expansive floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provide direct access to and stunning views of the lagoon and beachfront
In our villa, as part of the resort’s initiative to minimize single-use plastic, we were provided with a Natura Ora water dispenser, allowing us to conveniently access both cold and hot water.
The resort is currently conducting a trial by installing automatic water dispensers in every room, and fortunately, our room was equipped with one. This amenity was an absolute godsend, as it eliminated the need to repeatedly request bottled water and provided us with unlimited access to water.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa Natura Ora water dispenser
Heading into the bathroom, you’re greeted by double granite finished vanities and an oversized sunken bathtub, which is accompanied by an adjacent rain shower. Located on one side of the bathroom is a toilet.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa bathroom
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa bathtub
However, the bathroom layout presents a puzzling issue: there’s a raised platform that’s open-air to the rest of the bathroom, resulting in a rather chilly experience when showering.
This is a pretty noteworthy design flaw that needs immediate attention to address the lack of practicality. As the hotel plans for the next round of renovations, I’d say that it’s essential to prioritize resolving this issue to ensure a more functional and comfortable bathroom space.
Lastly, there’s a large walk-in closet adjacent to the bathroom.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa walk-in closet
There’s also an outdoor shower available, which is accessible via a glass sliding door in the bathroom. The door is somewhat hidden, though, and we didn’t find it until later in the evening on the night of our arrival.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa outdoor shower
Stepping through the sliding doors of the villas, you’re transported to the true highlight of the Beachside Villas: your own private tropical outdoor space, with ample yard space.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa outdoor space
A pair of comfortable recliners look out over the views of the lagoon and of Mount Otemanu. Fronting the recliners is your own private plunge pool.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa recliners
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa plunge pool
To the left of the outdoor deck is a small table with seating for four.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa outdoor seating
Continuing along the beachfront, there’s direct access to the sandy shores of Bora Bora, with additional seating options, such as chairs and a hammock, thoughtfully placed for relaxation.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa outdoor seating
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa hammock
One of the standout features of the villa was the abundance of personal space available to us. From the expansive outdoor deck to the private pool and beachfront, we had ample room to unwind and bask in our surroundings.
Throughout the resort, several areas offered iconic views of Mount Otemanu. Fortunately, our villa was positioned to provide us with sweeping views of the mountain, particularly during the sunset hours. The beauty of the scenery added an extra layer of magic to our stay.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa view
While we found many aspects of the villa to be exceptional, I’d note that the blue chair covers appeared somewhat cheap, detracting slightly from the overall aesthetic.
Overall, I found that the villa wasn’t the most modern or lavish by any means; however, it was well maintained and in good condition. It’s worth noting that some previous reviews I’ve read of the St. Regis Bora Bora had mentioned poor conditions in the rooms, but during my stay, I didn’t encounter any issues of that nature.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a generous welcome amenity consisting of Champagne and a box of chocolates. We took pleasure in savouring the Champagne on the beach during the sunset of our first day.
Of course, a highlight of a St. Regis stay is the signature butler service, with the option to have coffee, tea, or hot chocolate delivered directly to our villa – a level of personalized service that’s always deeply appreciated.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa coffee
Furthermore, each night, a turndown service was provided, accompanied by a thoughtful gesture such as a postcard or body oil.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Beachside Villa turndown gifts
St. Regis Bora Bora – Two Bedroom Reef Villa
During our stay, I also had a chance to tour one of the east-facing villas in the reef area at the St. Regis Bora Bora.
St. Regis Bora Bora – Two Bedroom Reef Villa entrance
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