French Polynesia Trip Report Index
Tahiti and Bora Bora – Flights & Airfares
Hilton Frankfurt Airport
Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt Airport (Terminal 1, Departure Area B)
InterContinental Resort Tahiti
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (site inspection)
InterContinental Resort and Spa Moorea
Pic: Overwater Villas Branch at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (Sep 2012)
First, the bad news. St. Regis Bora Bora is technically a SPG Category 7 hotel. Category 7 hotels normally charge 30K or 35K Starpoints for a free night…except if the property doesn’t offer ‘standard rooms’ which is the case for St. Regis Bora Bora. Result: a ridiculous 120K to 140K Starpoints requirement for a free night, one of the worst value Starpoint awards out there. Paid rates for entry level Overwater Villas start around €800 a night. You might be able to score these ‘low’ rates using the SPG355N rate (fifth night free, double points) or SPG50 reward (50% Off Regular Rack Rates – subject to availability).
Pic: Mount Otemanu view from St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (Sep 2012)
With such high rates, St. Regis Bora Bora Resort was off my list. Instead, I stayed 4 nights at a fabulous Sapphire Overwater Villa at InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa for just €140 a night! Still, I couldn’t resist the St. Regis as it was listed #1 for Bora Bora on Tripadvisor (Sep 2012, it’s ranked #2 after the Four Seasons Dec 2012) After contacting St. Regis Bora Bora, their Sales & Marketing department invited me for a site inspection. As each property is isolated on it’s own private motu, St. Regis Bora Bora arranged a boat to pick me up at the InterContinental.
Pic: Yacht at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort Pier, Motu Ome (Sep 2012)
The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort features 90 luxury over-water and beach villas, some with terrace Whirlpools or private swimming pools. I made a scan of the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort Map to give you a better idea of the layout.
4 Pool Beach Villas (1,636 sq. ft)
8 Over-water Villas (1,550 sq. ft.)
24 Superior Overwater Villas (1,550 sq. ft.)
32 Deluxe Overwater Villas (1,550 sq. ft.)
8 Premier Overwater Villas (1,905 sq. ft.)
6 Private Oceanfront Pool Villas (2,700 sq. ft.)
2 Royal 2-bedroom Oceanfront Pool Villas (3,455 sq. ft.)
5 Royal 2-bedroom Overwater Pool Villas (3,455 sq. ft.)
1 Royal Estate (13,000 sq. ft. = 1200 m2)
Pic: Royal Overwater Pool Villa at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (Sep 2012)
Pic: Premier Overwater Villa at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (Sep 2012)
Pic: Bedroom Deluxe Overwater Villa 221 at St. Regis Bora Bora (Sep 2012)
I only spent a few hours on the property, so I can’t review it in detail. I used one of the onsite bicycles to discover the extensive resort and its facilities. I noticed they were building a complete new SPA and some of the villas were being renovated. I had the feeling the overwater villas were build closer to each other compared to the InterContinental. I personally prefer the layout and location of IC Bora Bora as it has a more spacious feel and perfect view on Mount Otemanu.
Pic: Living Room Deluxe Overwater Villa 221 at St. Regis Bora Bora (Sep 2012)
Pic: Bathroom Deluxe Overwater Villa 221 at St. Regis Bora Bora (Sep 2012)
Pic: Terrace view Deluxe Overwater Villa 221 at St. Regis Bora Bora (Sep 2012)
Pic: Couples Retreat Mount Otemanu View at St. Regis Bora Bora (Sep 2012)
Pic: Main Pool at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (Sep 2012)
Pic: Lunch at Te Pahu Restaurant St. Regis Bora Bora Resort (Sep 2012)
Pic: Te Pahu Beach Side Restaurant Lunch at St. Regis Bora Bora (Sep 2012)
