Luxury Travel

Review: Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

January 4, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters at all times function a resort or flight overview.

I just lately loved an unimaginable vacation in French Polynesia (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora). Read my journey studies right here:

Today: Review of Four Seasons Bora Bora

Wrapped by majestic views, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is surrounded by sand-fringed islets on an outer coral reef that enclose a turquoise lagoon. The resort gives 115 spacious hideaways with 100 overwater bungalows and seven huge beachfront villa estates, all overlooking the lagoon’s crystal clear waters and a few with spectacular views of Mount Otemanu, French Polynesia’s sacred mountain. Inspired by native structure, all visitor lodging provide a restful, ethereal atmosphere; full with conventional teak wooden furnishings, excessive ceilings and thatched roofs made out of pandanus leaves. Distinctive touches embrace the perfume of vanilla and the feel of black pearls within the spa, alfresco eating overlooking Bora-Bora’s famed lagoon, and signature Four Seasons service at each flip. IMHO, Four Seasons Bora Bora is the most effective luxurious resort in Bora Bora.

Four Seasons Bora Bora options in my high 10 lists of the finest luxurious inns in French Polynesia and the finest resorts in Bora Bora.

Have you ever stayed at Four Seasons Bora Bora? If so, what was your expertise? Leave a remark.

In this overview (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

Four Seasons Bora Bora is positioned on the long-lasting and world-famous island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. One of 9 islands throughout the Society Islands, Bora Bora was shaped over seven million years in the past by a volcano. Like a lot of the islands in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is surrounded by a hoop of coral reef, also called an atoll, which is comprised of a number of islets or motus, considered one of them being house to the Four Seasons Resort. The coral reef surrounds a ridiculously clear lagoon (typically dubbed essentially the most stunning lagoon on the earth), which makes for some memorable snorkeling and scuba diving with tropical-colored fish, reef sharks and large manta rays. The tallest level on Bora Bora and one of many world’s most iconic landscapes is the breathtaking Mount Otemanu, which rises 2,835 toes excessive (727 meters) above sea degree.

The Four Seasons expertise begins upon arrival on the Bora Bora Airport, the place company are greeted with a tiare flower lei, chilly bottled water and a relaxing oshiburi towel. Staff handles the baggage, which is positioned instantly within the villas on the resort, whereas company are escorted onto one of many property’s custom-crafted Andreyale Bateux Taxis (taxi boats). Named Heinoanoa, Lean, Poeiti and Vaihani, these yachts have been impressed by the commuter boats of New York City of the Twenties, used to move Wall Street executives from their properties in Long Island to the Manhattan Financial District. They function woodwork and decking of darkish mahogany and teak, with crème coloured seating and accents of stainless-steel. Guests sit aboard these magnificent vessels, taking within the sights of the island, on a shocking 15-minute cruise to the resort, the place upon arrival, they’re taken on to their room.

Opened in September 2008, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora was designed by Paris primarily based architects Didier Lefort and Pierre-Jean Picart, with San Francisco primarily based BAMO as the inside designers. Taking cues from its gorgeous surrounding, the native tradition and pure sources, the property’s gorgeous design fuses traditional Polynesian structure with refined class that’s Four Seasons. The orientation of the buildings and framing of home windows emphasize the killer views, whereas easy shapes and soothing inside colours permit the visible focus to stay on the good turquoise of the encircling lagoon. Design inspiration is drawn from parts particular to Bora Bora, together with native instruments, small utilitarian furnishings, and adornment together with feather, bone, carving, and tattoos. These touches of tradition add “ornament” to a really serene design. All in all, the resort feels luxurious, timeless and stylish.

Four Seasons Bora Bora contains a whole of 108 one and two-bedroom overwater villas, 27 of them fitted with a non-public plunge pool. Refurbished in 2019, the decor of the overwater bungalows displays a up to date Polynesian really feel, full with new furnishings, fixtures, lighting and know-how. During my vacation, I stayed in a one bed room lagoon view overwater villa. The inside of the bungalow was cut up between three rooms: the bed room (with a kingsize mattress outfitted with a fluffy quilt and down pillows), the lavatory (with double vainness, walk-in bathe and a deep soaking bathtub in entrance of a big image window), and a spacious front room (with a settee mattress, a big desk, and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV); all three rooms may very well be opened to or closed off from each other with sliding pocket doorways. Large glass doorways gave option to a large out of doors deck, with a eating space, two loungers, and a stepladder to get within the water.

Besides overwater villas, the Four Seasons Bora Bora additionally options a few beachfront villas, that are a lot bigger than their overwater counterparts however function comparable design and facilities. Nestled alongside the pristine shores of Bora Bora’s enchanting turquoise lagoon, these beachfront villa estates are common for household gatherings, prolonged stays or group getaways. There are one-, two-, and three-bedroom choices, all of which have infinity-edge swimming pools, enclosed gardens and panoramic views of Mount Otemanu. The seaside villas provide the perfect in house (spanning from one-third to over a full acre) and privateness (with direct entry to a non-public patch of sand that can’t be accessed by different company). Exclusive providers embrace private pre-arrival planning, round-trip personal airport transfers, day by day breakfast, a private Villa Host, personal seaside setup and extra.

Four Seasons Bora Bora is a sprawling property, however the resort nonetheless feels fairly walkable (24/7 buggy service is offered as nicely). Most of the resort’s amenities – eating places, pool, seaside, and youngsters’ membership – are centrally positioned at quick distance from the overwater jetties. One of the resort’s important attracts – in addition to its overwater villas and unimaginable views – is its dreamy seaside, the place most company spend their day lounging on a sunbed beneath an umbrella. Featuring comfortable white sand and calm turquoise waters, the seaside enjoys an unimaginable view of Mount Otemanu (probably the most effective view from all of the Bora Bora resorts I’ve stayed at). The seaside additionally boasts a terrific viewsof the sundown (opposite to the St Regis and InterContinental subsequent door, the place the sundown view is blocked by the mountains). Just behind the seaside is a gigantic lagoon-style swimming pool, surrounded by palm bushes, cushioned loungers, and shaded cabanas. Next to the seaside is an open-air water sports activities middle, the place company can check out kayaks, paddleboards, and water bicycles. For a charge, company can even hire jet skis on an hourly foundation.

Four Seasons Bora Bora has 4 on-site eating places, which serve glorious meals starting from classical French dishes to progressive Asian delicacies:
- Arii Moana is the resort’s signature restaurant, providing a casually elegant eating expertise with classics from the Mediterranean area that pay tribute to the resort’s stylish and vigorous waterside setting.
- Located on the sandy shore of the lagoon, subsequent to the pool and seaside, is Faré Hoa Beach Bar & Grill, an open-air restaurant with toes-in-the-sand appeal. Featuring a contemporary grill idea, Faré Hoa serves recent native fish, a positive collection of steaks, and an array of starters and facet dishes. On chosen evenings, themed dinners are additionally organized right here.
- Breakfast is served with a recent sea breeze at Terre Nui, an open-air restaurant which is ready within the resort’s lush backyard. Breakfast is comprised of a (moderately restricted) buffet complemented by a variety of à la carte dishes.
- Vaimiti serves eclectic Asian delicacies and sundown cocktails. Housed in an overwater construction, it’s the resort’s most idyllic eating venue, having fun with killer views of Bora Bora’s iconic Mount Otemanu and the sundown.

Situated on the best level of the resort’s motu, the Te Mahana (the solar) Spa at Four Seasons Bora Bora captures the power of the Tahitian spirit with a novel sense of simplicity and luxurious. Treatments are rooted in historical custom, supposed to refresh and rejuvenate. With its hovering 72 ft (22 m) ceiling, the cathedral-like spa gives a therapeutic haven with depth of view in all instructions, surrounded by native bushes and the perfume of the kahaia blossom. Raised walkways, suspended above a plantation of pandanus bushes, result in seven air-conditioned remedy rooms, whereas the spacious overwater Fare Miti Spa Suite, with glass flooring suspended above the lagoon’s pristine waters, is the final word personal expertise for {couples}. Guests can even benefit from the pure therapeutic power of Bora Bora’s local weather in considered one of two open-air remedy pavilions, nestled deep throughout the tropical grove. The spa additionally options two decks with a Jacuzzi, one going through the Pacific Ocean and one overlooking the gardens.

Nestled throughout the grounds of Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is an internal lagoon teeming with unique marine life. The Vaitea Lagoon Sanctuary is house to greater than 100 colourful species, together with octopus, eagle ray, lizardfish, Picasso trumpet fish, soldier fish, fireplace fish, unicorn fish, noticed puffer fish, parrotfish, peacock damselfish, clownfish and butterfly fish. Led by the resort’s marine biologist, the Lagoon Sanctuary gives actions for company of all ages, together with coral grafting discovery, discussions on Polynesian ecology, fish and octopus feeding and extra. Guided snorkeling excursions of the lagoon are provided to company and the lagoon is at all times open for company to discover on their very own. More than only a spectacular snorkeling location, the sanctuary can be a analysis facility and a spot the place the marine setting not solely thrives however grows, furthering the fragile and wondrous ecosystem.

Set over the water alongside the resort’s internal turquoise lagoon is a giant boutique, which is centrally positioned between the foyer, eating places and spa. Called MoeMoea (which means “dream” in Polynesian), the store sells the most effective of resort put on, informal and lively attire, equipment, ladies’s luxe attire, swimwear and extra. The retailer options well-known manufacturers comparable to Camilla, Missoni, Onia, Solid & Striped, Vilebrequin and Zimmermann, whereas additionally showcasing boutique manufacturers comparable to Adriana Iglesias, Benson and Swims, B+S Caftans, March 11 and Su Paris. Created with the intent of holding an indoor/out of doors really feel in keeping with the resort as an entire, MoeMoea additionally options distinctive parts, comparable to the flexibility to swim as much as the boutique instantly from the lagoon, utilizing stairs that lead from the water to the shop. The property options two different outlets as nicely: Tahia, a pearl boutique, and Manua, a store promoting domestically made crafts like Bora Bora’s hand-painted pareos.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is devoted to conserving power and valuable pure sources, in addition to working to raised the area people, all whereas persistently delivering a unprecedented and pampering visitor expertise. From the usage of environmentally pleasant provides and gear, to the discount of waste and use of latest power alternate options to nature clean-ups, the property is on the forefront of inexperienced and neighborhood initiatives. Here are among the initiatives underway on the resort:
- Water-efficient landscaping consists of the usage of greywater and rainwater harvesting for irrigation.
- Linens and towels are changed each third day, except in any other case requested.
- Single-use plastic water bottles, meals & beverage containers, and lotion, shampoo & conditioner bottles are eradicated.
- Linen, furnishings and gear is donated to the area people via Anau Primary School and Association Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora, a non-profit devoted to the economical, social and environmental improvement of the island-state.
- Excess edible meals is donated to these in want via the native charity Caddie du coeur.
- Solar panels are put in on every bungalow’s thatched roof, offering a pure and sustainable energy supply for heating water and electrical energy.
- Bath facilities are offered by Panpuri, a 100% pure and natural wellness life-style model from Thailand.

The property is managed by Four Seasons, most likely the most effective identified luxurious resort model on the earth. The Toronto-based firm has reworked the hospitality trade in a story of continuous innovation, exceptional enlargement and a single-minded dedication to the best of requirements. Four Seasons was based in 1960 by the younger architect Isadore Sharp, however the actual breakthrough of the model got here within the seventies with the opening of the Four Seasons London. Although the corporate went public in 1986, the Sharp household – together with a bunch of like-minded traders comparable to Bill Gates and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal – took the corporate personal once more in 2007 to guard the integrity of the model nicely into the longer term. Four Seasons at the moment manages greater than 120 inns and resorts worldwide. The firm additionally gives personal jet journey onboard its personal Airbus A321 (with Business Class format), and can quickly launch personal ultra-luxe yacht itineraries.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Some overwater bungalows on the Four Seasons Bora Bora lack privateness, even if they’re spaced far aside. For instance, the out of doors decks of the seaside view bungalows face the seaside (the place most company are chilling throughout the day) and should have much less privateness because of this. Some of the lagoon view villas of the resort’s one jetty look straight on the overwater bungalow of the resort’s different jetty, though there’s an enormous distance between the 2 jetties so it’s probably not an issue (besides maybe for {couples} in quest of full privateness). Occasionally, kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders and swimmers may also move in entrance of the villas.

Out of all of the lodging on the Four Seasons Bora Bora, the overwater villas with mountain view are finest. Situated on the far finish of every jetty, these villas get pleasure from essentially the most privateness and the most effective views of Mount Otemanu. The solely draw back to those villas is that company are just a little additional away from the property’s amenities, just like the eating places, seaside, and pool, and can both should stroll fairly a bit or depend on the resort’s 24/7 buggy service, which frequently entails a 15 min wait (bikes aren’t offered because the resort’s jetties are too slender for bikes and buggies to move on the similar time).

The Four Seasons Bora Bora is among the world’s most well-known and wanted luxurious resorts, providing its company a plethora of wonderful facilities. So, it shouldn’t come as a shock that all the pieces on the resort is very costly: entry charges in excessive season are above $1500 USD per evening; a cheese burger is $37 USD, a cocktail is $28, and a three-course dinner is often a minimum of $100 USD per individual (excluding drinks). But though the Four Seasons Bora Bora is much from cheap, IMHO, it’s value each penny because you’re staying at a wonderful resort in one of many world’s most iconic locations.

Food on the Four Seasons Bora Bora is superb, with the three on-site dinner venues serving a wide range of Asian, French and worldwide delicacies. I totally loved every meal I had on the resort though I did miss some Tahitian native delicacies (other than the weekly Polynesian buffets). Also, whereas all eating places are glorious, none actually excels and the property lacks an distinctive restaurant befitting its fabulous popularity. I’d like to see the resort collab with a Michelin star chef within the close to future to open a brand new venue (or rework considered one of its currents eating places), which might assist the Four Seasons Bora Bora to profile itself as a culinary vacation spot (a bit just like what the St Regis Bora Bora is doing with its Lagoon by Jean-George Restaurant, which is managed by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten).

Breakfast on the resort is comprised of a buffet, complemented with à la carte dishes. IMHO, the buffet is moderately restricted and a bit underwhelming for an ultra-luxe resort of this class (particularly when in comparison with the lavish breakfast buffets provided at another Four Seasons resorts, such because the Four Seasons properties in Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles).

The Four Seasons Bora Bora is positioned on an infinite beachfront property, that includes the most effective and softest white sand seaside in Bora Bora. About half of that’s house to the resort’s public areas, together with the principle seaside membership in addition to the idyllic seashores lining the lagoonarium. The property’s different half additionally contains a chic white-sand seaside, however that seaside just isn’t accessible to most company as it’s stored utterly personal and for the unique use of the company that booked one of many resort’s beachfront villa sanctuaries. Of course, when you find yourself booked into considered one of these villas, you’ll respect the serenity of your personal seaside, however it additionally signifies that lengthy, stress-free seaside walks on the property aren’t an possibility for different company.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 9/10
Food: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Value for cash: 8/10
Overall expertise: distinctive 9,2/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Save cash: get complimentary VIP perks when reserving the Four Seasons Bora Bora by way of Virtuoso (e.g. improve, day by day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit score).

Save cash: learn right here my ideas for getting the most effective deal at a luxurious resort like Four Seasons Bora Bora (and/or obtain many free perks).

Room tip: because the seaside view villas could have much less privateness, I like to recommend to e book a minimum of a lagoon view villa. The finest bungalows are the mountain view villas which face Mount Otemanu instantly.

Read my ideas for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

French Polynesia is finest visited between June and September when the local weather is at its driest and the climate is balmy (however windy). However, that is excessive season, so will probably be busy and the resort charges are skyrocketing. The months on both facet of this era (May & October) are often known as the shoulder season and provide comfy climate too, however with decrease costs and fewer wind. Although French Polynesia may be visited year-round, the months of November to April convey extra humidity and cloudy days, with tropical showers passing at better frequency than different instances of the 12 months. However, they’re typically interspersed with durations of sunshine. This is a moist time of 12 months, although, which may be uncomfortable and I like to recommend selecting a resort with A/C if visiting throughout these months. The islands not often undergo from tropical storms besides throughout years when El Niño impacts ocean currents.

HOW TO GET THERE

The solely option to get to Bora Bora is by way of Tahiti’s worldwide airport in Papeete (except you journey by cruise or personal jet). Papeete is an 8-hour flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco, a 22-hour flight from Paris, and a 5-hour flight from Auckland or Honolulu. Once at Papeete worldwide airport, there are often scheduled 50-minute flights to Bora Bora’s small Motu Mute Airport. For the ultimate leg of the journey, the resort arranges a switch from Motu Mute airport to the Four Seasons’ important dock for a scenic 15 minute switch by boat.

PHOTOS

Below is a collection of my images of the Four Seasons Bora Bora Resort. To view extra images (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.