Luxury Hotels: Staying at The St Regis Bora Bora (new)
When you think of Bora Bora, you think of the landscapes, the turquoise lagoon, and fabulous bungalows resting on fantastic waters that are automatically drawn inside our minds. What leads me to write about this, because if it is indisputable that the landscapes in Bora Bora are amazing, what has also made this place famous, is undoubtedly its beautiful resorts, here is our luxury travel blog at the St Regis Bora Bora.
We have been in other types of accommodation in Polynesia, quiet, simple, hotels of the highest level, but without a doubt, the St Regis Bora Bora marked us positively. When I wrote this article for the first time I have stayed once at that hotel, and when you visit a hotel once and you find it wonderful maybe for the second time it will be just average, but I have to say that we found it even better on our second visit.
This resort represents that luxury that I call quiet and discreet. Without ornate decorations, well-crafted and balanced, and exceptional service makes it a perfect resort for your special occasion.
During lockdowns, the hotel has been partially renewed, and the result is absolutely perfect.
Where is located and How to get to the St Regis Bora Bora
The St Regis Bora Bora, like many of the best hotels on this island, is located in the ring that surrounds the main island with the volcano. It is located in one of the corners of the island, where the lagoon is more or less deep and has electric and intense turquoise colors.
It has excellent ventilation, the spot is not very windy but perfectly ventilated for having few mosquitoes. And it is perfectly located in front of Mount Otemanu, as you can see in the photos below.
When you arrive at the airport, you will easily find the hotel staff who will be waiting for you to give you the traditional flower necklace and start treating you like royalty. They will give you a bottle of water to quench your thirst, and they will tell you to go to the boat because they will take care of your bags.
If it happens to you like us, you probably have the boat to yourself. And all a lot of staff just for you, you will feel like a real VIP.
When we arrived on September 2021 they provided us with masks, and gel, in a beautiful pack.
What does the St Regis offer and what makes it special?
I think one of the best things about luxury hotels and especially at the St Regis bora bora is without a doubt the service, which is undoubtedly exceptional. Everyone knows your name, and they make sure everything works properly if it doesn’t from the beginning.
Each Bungalow is assigned a Buttler Service, which is typical of the St Regis chain. This person will be at your disposal to help you have an excellent stay, you will be able to see with him: your excursion reservations, restaurant reservations, available activities, the morning newspaper, and even the accompanying coffee.
To move around the resort, which is quite large, you will have free bicycles at your disposal. Now, with the issue of Covid, bicycles are identified with room numbers so that you are the only one who uses them, and nobody is going to take them as happened sometimes before.
Riding with the bike
Overwaters
You will have two pools to enjoy if you are one of those who like to spend time in the pool, and if you no longer have one in your bungalow.
The St Regis Bora Bora has very well-kept and quite spacious facilities, with many activities. Something that I personally liked a lot, was the huge lagoonarium in which you can quietly snorkel, explore, and meet a variety of island species in total safety.
In this place, you will know what exactly luxury hospitality means, not a fancy room and gold decorations, but a wonderful and relevant experience that you will remember forever.
The Rooms …. better saying: the Villas!!
There are 10 different types of rooms at the St Regis Bora Bora. But what to call them rooms? All without exception are Villas, there are no rooms in a building as is the case at the Conrad.
There are Villas on the Beach, of two types:
Reef Villa, or reef side, overlooking the island of Tahaa. They do not have a beach to bathe on that side. View only.
Beach Villas because they have a private beach that overlooks the lagoon. We were at the Beach Villa, and we were fascinated. All these villas have a private pool and are very intimate.
Then there are the Overwaters that have a good surface as well. They are spacious and have glass on the floor in the living room and in the bathroom (tiny but it does its light effect). There are several categories of Overwaters, some have pools, and up to two rooms. Not all of them have a view of the Otemanu and the bigger they are and the more the view is exceptional because obviously the more expensive it will be.
We stayed at the same beach villa, but the villa was renewed and we loved it. The terrace was more spacious, decluttered with a wide and clear view of the lagoon with light that you can also enjoy from the living room or your bed.
View from the living room
View from the bed
As I said before, the lagoon of St Regis is more or less deep and in general the water around the overwater will be about 2 or 3 meters. With lots of fish, and even leopard stripes, which I saw frequently swimming under the bungalows. So you need to know how to swim if you want to bathe from your bungalow.
For VIPs and very special events, and if you have an unlimited budget, you can think of the Villa Royal Estate of the St Regis Bora Bora. A 1200m2 villa with 3 bedrooms, a huge pool, and an absolutely private beach.
All Bungalows have a Bose sound surrounding system, which allows you to connect your phone and play music to your liking while you enjoy the facilities.
The Gastronomic Offer – St Regis Bora Bora Restaurants
There are 5 restaurants available to guests staying at the St Regis Bora Bora. They all offer the possibility of eating outdoors, and only the Lagoon and Bam Boo allow you to eat in an indoor room with air conditioning.
The Lagoon Restaurant is perfect for dinner, even to arrive at sunset and having a drink while admiring the sunset because it is perfectly located in front of the Otemanu.
The buffet breakfast, which is very good, is served in the Te Pahu restaurant. You have at your disposal to serve yourself: salads, fruits, cereals, various seafood, and cold dishes. The selection is wide and of very good quality. And then you can order a la carte (included) specific dishes: omelets, scrambled eggs, pancakes, gaufres …
During the pandemic period, the buffet was closed and breakfast was served at your table which is very nice. You order like a traditional restaurant and you don’t have to move. You can order all you want and you can eat. And the food is always very good.
The Bar Aparima is an informal restaurant where you will eat very delicious while you are enjoying the beach, or where you can have a drink during the night. Sometimes there is live music.
The Japanese restaurant BamBoo is really stunning. The food is fresh, tasty, and very very good. They take advantage of the local tuna for enhancing a lot of dishes. You’ll not be disappointed.
Activities
With a vast and sprawling property, one of the things you’ll do each day is riding a bike around the resort. You will need a bike to move indoors, and you will enjoy every second. When you don’t want to break a sweat on your bike, ask your butler to fix you a golf cart that will pick you up at the door of your bungalow.
You can enjoy various activities available for free at The St Regis Bora Bora:
- Paddle in the Lagoon
- Snorkeling in the interior Lagoonarium which is gigantic and beautiful
- Kayak in the Lagoon
- Tennis
- Get active in the gym with a great view over the lagonarium
- There is a room where you can play billiards, sit for a while to read, or borrow a book to take to your bungalow
In paid activities, you have: the spa treatments, yoga classes, jet ski … whatever you want, ask your butler.
During our last visit, there was still a weekend lockdown, so you had to stay in the hotel, but they organized a lot of activities for free. We also had (we don’t know if it was also for the lockdowns) a free entry to the spa, you just had to reserve.
We also took a Polynesian massage for two, I have no words for describing it. The price is very interesting for 90 min. the oils used are just delicious. After the massage, you can enjoy the view with a hot drink or a glass of champagne.
To book at this hotel you can go through a local agency that will suit you because it will integrate the transfer to and from the airport. Or you can book it directly on the page of the Marriot group of which this hotel is part.