Hotel Review: St. Regis Bora Bora – the most luxurious Resort in Bora Bora
Bora Bora is THE dream destination in the South Pacific and a popular place for newlyweds to experience an unforgettable honeymoon. Choosing the right resort in Bora Bora is essential to ensure that your vacation is as unforgettable as you want it to be.
The St. Regis is the epitome of luxury and paradise. In this hotel review of the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, I’ll tell you whether this luxury hotel is worth the price and if it’s the right choice for you.
My Hotel Review of the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
Location & How to get there
Where exactly is the resort located?
Bora Bora is an archipelago with the iconic Mount Otemanu on the main island. This is surrounded by small islands – called motus. The St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel is located on a private island (motu) overlooking Mount Otemanu.
How do you get to the St. Regis Bora Bora?
After landing in Papeete – the capital of Tahiti – on the main island of French Polynesia, you will take a small plane to Bora Bora. Prepare yourself for a fantastic view during the landing approach, which you should ideally take in sitting on the left-hand side, as this gives you the best view of the atoll. Normally there is free choice of seats on the plane. The airport is also located on a motu, so a ten-minute transfer by boat through the lagoon to the St. Regis Bora Bora resort awaits you.
The concept of the St. Regis Bora Bora
If you have any ideas about paradise, they will certainly be surpassed as soon as you set eyes on Bora Bora for the first time. It’s like a magical entry into another world to escape from everyday life. Just like you’ve probably seen on postcards, Bora Bora is home to this dreamy white beach, deep blue water and green palm trees.
The St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel offers a unique view of the iconic Mount Otemanu with its striking shape from almost every corner of the resort. The resort has plenty of space and you will always discover new, beautiful retreats, even during longer stays. Even if the resort is fully booked, you will experience the feeling of being on a desert island.
During your stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel, you should definitely book activities to experience more of Bora Bora, such as a boat tour to the best snorkeling spots in the lagoon.
The villas at the St. Regis Bora Bora
We spent our stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel in a Deluxe Over Water Villa. I hope I can give you a little impression of it in this review.
The water villas at the St. Regis are the largest in the South Pacific. The view over the lagoon is simply fantastic. Almost all villas also offer a view of Mount Otemanu.
From the corridor, you enter the living area. This is equipped with many large windows so that you can always enjoy a wonderful view of the blue water. There is even a glass floor under the sofa table to catch a glimpse of the underwater world.
From here you can access the private terrace with sun loungers & covered seating area. And of course you have access to the lagoon from the terrace to snorkel or jump straight into the warm water in the morning. You are sure to come across one of the many turtles that live here. The bedroom is also very spacious. Behind it is a large bathroom with a bathtub, rain shower, two washbasins and a closet.
All villas have their own bicycles to get around the resort. Each villa also comes with a butler service, who will look after you from check-in to departure. You can contact him at any time for any concerns, requests, reservations etc. and he is available by phone around the clock.
Beach and pools at the St. Regis Bora Bora
Lagoon Beach
The entire resort is surrounded by a lagoon and there are two beaches. Lagoon Beach is located by the main pool, right next to the pool bar and a restaurant. Comfortable sun loungers, cabanas and hammocks in the water await you here. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and snorkeling equipment can be rented here free of charge and used in the lagoon. However, Lagoon Beach is not suitable for snorkeling, but for swimming, as there is only fine, white sand and no coral. You should definitely visit this spot at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort:
The Lagoonarium
It is a man-made lagoon in the middle of the resort. There is a connection to the main lagoon, but don’t worry – sharks and rays don’t come in. The Lagoonarium allows you to snorkel safely without currents and is therefore ideal for beginners. You dive into the home of numerous tropical colorful fish species and of course corals. And you will even meet a giant Napoleon wrasse called Moana, who is the star of the Lagoonarium and is not afraid of humans.
Marine biologists who work here look after the animals’ wellbeing and research their behavior. As a hotel guest, you can participate in activities such as coral cutting and help to expand the coral reef. We have attached several small pieces of coral to a special structure, which we hope will grow quickly. Guests who take part will be kept up to date on the growth by e-mail until the corals are large enough to be attached to the reef.
Oasis Pool
There are several adults-only pools near the main pool. These are small pools with cabanas, which offer plenty of privacy and tranquillity and are exclusively for adults.
The Iridium Spa at the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
The huge spa area of the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is located on a small island in the Lagoonarium. There is a wide range of different treatments, massages etc. on offer. There is even a beauty salon. The Iridium Spa offers separate areas for men and women with Jacuzzi, sauna & steam bath.
To relax after our arrival, we enjoyed a couple’s massage, which I highly recommend. After the massage, you can relax on the heavenly beach of the Lagoonarium. The beach is also accessible at any time without a massage. It is my favorite spot at the St. Regis Bora Bora, because from here you have a fantastic view of Mount Otemanu with the turquoise Lagoonarium in the foreground. Early in the morning, when you’re all alone here, you really feel like you’re in paradise.
My Review of the Restaurants at St. Regis Bora Bora
The resort offers a large selection of restaurants with different concepts, so you will find plenty of variety for dinner. Even after a longer stay, you won’t feel like you’ve tried everything. Bora Bora is not necessarily known for good restaurants, but the St. Regis Bora Bora clearly stands out in comparison with other resorts we have already visited on Bora Bora.
Te Pahu Restaurant & Aparima Bar
Te Pahu is the main restaurant in the resort. It offers a varied breakfast buffet with an extra a la carte menu. During your breakfast you can also enjoy a unique view over the Main Beach and the lagoon – the perfect start to the day.
The cuisine at Te Pahu is international. Once a week there is a Polynesian evening with dinner & show. From Te Pahu you can go directly to the Aparima Bar – ideal for snacks, cocktails on the beach or a casual dinner.
Lagoon Restaurant & 727 Bar
Both are located above the water, which alone is an incredible experience. You should definitely visit the 727 Bar at sunset and enjoy one of the delicious & unique cocktails. You can watch the colors of the sky and water transform into beautiful hues. Because of this breathtaking spectacle, the 727 Bar is a popular spot in the evening and you should therefore be there at least 30 minutes before sunset to secure one of the coveted seats.
Here’s an extra tip from me: once during your stay, you should then have dinner at the Lagoon overwater restaurant – for me the best restaurant in the resort, although it is also very expensive, but you won’t regret it. It’s ideal for a special occasion, with fine dining and aromatic creations that focus on regional ingredients.
Résumé of my Review of the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort
There is no question that the St. Regis Bora Bora Hotel offers absolute luxury and exclusivity. The dreamlike paradisiacal ambience alone will transport you to another world. Combined with the fantastic villas in a prime location, the exceptional service and the focus on the “desert island feeling”, the St. Regis Bora Bora is the ideal place for couples who want to treat themselves to some time out together and, of course, for a picture-perfect honeymoon.
I hope my hotel review has given you a little impression of Bora Bora and the St. Regis Resort and has made you curious and excited to explore this wonderful place on earth for yourself.
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We had a sponsored stay at the St. Regis Bora Bora, which does not affect my opinion or review of the resort.
