Discover Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Bora Bora’s Dreamscape
Bora Bora is the glossy “brochure” view that made French Polynesia (also marketed as “The Islands of Tahiti”) famous among luxury travelers. Turquoise lagoons set under azure skies with the lurid craggy peak of Otemanu serving as a dramatic focal point have been drawing travelers for decades.
The Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora, occupies a prime position on the motu or atoll surrounding the lagoon. With picture-perfect views of the mountain, it’s also convenient to the island’s only-accessible-by-boat airport and the main village, Vaitape.
Upon arrival from the airport in the vintage-inspired private boat launch equipped with iced water and cold, scented towels, guests are guided almost effortlessly to their accommodations, either overwater or beach front.
Luxurious Bungalows
Guests can walk to their bungalows or request transfers in golf carts (some of them are quite far!). The drivers are quite chatty, and many of them sing. Some even keep a ukulele stowed onboard, and it wasn’t uncommon to see pairs of them driving around the resort strumming and singing.
Once inside the bungalows, they’re a picture of resort chic, with neutral coloring and warm woods. Many of the overwater bungalows have spectacular views of the lagoon and Mount Otemanu. Swimmers can take a dip in the lagoon directly from a lower dock on their bungalow lanai, complete with a ladder and outdoor freshwater shower.
Plush Amenities
The overwater bungalow suites clock in at just over a thousand square feet, and the beds are the Four Seasons standard. In addition to bathroom slippers, Four Seasons presents each guest with a pair of bamboo-lined sandals as a gift to take home. The suites are well-stocked with bath amenities, and shower amenities are presented in eco-friendly refillable glass containers (easy to tote from the massive rainfall showers to the arena-sized soaking pools with windows that open fully to the lagoon view).
Suites are also outfitted with Nespresso machines, minibars, plug converters (French Polynesia follows France’s electric outlets and currents) and free detergent to use in the self-laundry facilities dotted around the resort. At turndown in the evenings, room attendants leave snacks like dried coconut and house made guava jerky.
Built for Weddings
The resort has a purpose-built wedding chapel on the edge of the lagoonarium, with views of the mountain. It’s a smaller facility, so guests bringing larger wedding parties can choose from another venue if they need.
Eco-friendly Activities
Through a partnership with WiseOceans, guests can participate in coral grafting activities with a marine biologist right in the resort’s lagoonarium. Guests will learn about coral reefs and how vital they are to the health of the world’s oceans (and that of the planet writ large), and snorkel out to a coral nursery to graft their own coral (labeled with their name) onto the coral bed.
The lagoonarium is fed directly from the lagoon without barriers, so the marine life swimming through is all entirely natural. The coral beds also require a steady flow of fresh water for oxygenation.
Resort Shopping
The resort’s remote location on the motu means it’s harder to pop into town for essentials, but there are plenty of options on site. The resort has a well-stocked general store with beach apparel and other sundries, plus fragrances from the Bora Bora outpost of the Mexican perfumer Coqui Coqui. There’s also a branch of the Tahia Pearls retailer from Tahiti and another shop selling Polynesian fine art, with particularly exquisite wood carvings.
Pool of Tranquility
The main resort complex has a popular infinity-edge pool and beach front with plenty of shaded loungers. Cabanas are available for rental for a nominal fee, and the beach fare (hut) is well-stocked with sunscreen and other beach essentials. Fare Hoa and its adjoining bar are open during the day for lunchtime bites, snacks, and sips.
Overwater Bungalows Abound
Most of the accommodations at the resort are overwater bungalows, off two main pontoons. One closer to the main resort facilities for easy access; the other closer to the spa and lagoonarium and situated for more seclusion and better views of the mountain and sunset.
Larger parties may appreciate the sprawling beach villas, which have up to three bedrooms.
Spa Zen
The spa is nestled between the ocean side of the motu (with crashing surf contrasting with the more tranquil waters of the lagoon) and the lagoonarium. One spa fare is over the lagoon, so guests on massage tables have a view of fish lazily paddling through a window cut in the floor below!
Resort Dining
Vaimiti (pictured) is open for dinner, offering Asian cuisine and overwater views. Arii Moana, across the foot path, offers a garden setting with ocean views and French Mediterranean cuisine. Fare Hoa, which is also open for lunch, transforms into a seafood temple in the evenings.
Mornings are taken near the resort pool with the comprehensive buffet at Tere Nui, where guests can enjoy local specialities like poisson cru (raw fish with coconut milk, lime, and vegetables) vanilla cake made with vanilla from the neighboring island of Taha’a or a rotating daily smoothie in addition to the full breakfast spread. Instead of orange juice, try a freshly cut young coconut served icy cold with a straw.
Lurid Sunsets
Bora Bora sunsets are known for beaming dusky golden beams through the valleys on the main island before settling into brilliant the horizon leaving brilliant hues to paint the darkening sky. Most of the resort’s evening dining spots take full advantage of this coveted vantage point.
On some nights, there are even fireworks displays (the resort offers them as an enhancement to private celebrations) and patrons dining at Fare Hoa have a front row view to the festivities.
Fond Farewells
When it’s time to depart, resort staff coordinate boat transfers to the airport down to the minute, with a fond farewell on the dock after guest luggage has been loaded. While it’s difficult to leave such a gorgeous resort set in one of the world’s most fantastical destinations, it’s comforting to know that the resort will be there, waiting for a future visit.
Instagrammable Moment
Views of Mt. Otemanu or the lagoon are sure to generate engagement.
The Math
I’ve seen rates from around $1,100 US per night. The resort fee is an additional 10% of the room rate and includes round-trip shared airport transfers by boat, non-motorized water sports, pay-per-view movies, select group tennis and yoga classes, pool cabanas, and self-service laundry facilities. Taxes and service charges are an additional 26% of the room rate.
Loyalty
Four Seasons doesn’t have a loyalty program, but that doesn’t prevent brand fans from coming back again and again.
Good To Know
All room rates include breakfast.
Half board packages, which include nightly dinner, are a good value for guests who plan to dine on-property each evening.
Spa facilities are open to all resort guests regardless of whether they have booked a treatment. The relaxation rooms and showers are a good place to refresh before heading to the airport after check-out.
The Four Seasons app is indispensable while on-property. Guests can chat with guest service agents to fulfill virtually any request, from dining and spa reservations to requesting a cart pickup from a guest bungalow (the average wait is about 15 minutes).