Arrival/Check-In: The welcome at The St. Regis Bora Bora begins the moment you step into the airport terminal. A resort representative met us immediately, offered a cold towel and escorted us to the St. Regis launch. Luggage was taken care of by the team, so we simply enjoyed the 20-minute boat ride. During the trip, the attendant completed our check-in and briefed us on the resort. At the dock, our butler Carmen and Richie, a new butler-in-training, greeted us with cold tea and towels.
Carmen and Richie drove us around the property in a club car before bringing us to our overwater villa. Guest pickup for restaurants and activities is available on request; allow a bit of flexibility in timing during busy hours. Our butler also assisted with unpacking and laundered a few items at our request.
Guest Quarters: The villas are spacious, tastefully furnished and designed to showcase lagoon living. Our villa featured a king-size canopy bed with a built-in headboard and integrated nightstands, ideal reading lights and warm cherry-wood floors. Bright red and orange geometric rugs added color, and an overstuffed chair with a reading lamp created a cozy corner. The room also offered an overhead fan and a 42-inch flat-screen TV.
The bathroom was expansive, with a sunken tub and a separate shower in an open arrangement. A long double-sink vanity provided plenty of counter space and amenities, with thoughtful touches such as jars of cotton swabs and cotton balls. The toilet sat in its own enclosed space.
The living area centered on a glass coffee table set above a large plate-glass floor panel that looks down into the lagoon, where fish and marine life are often visible. A large modular sofa in green continued the lively palette. The room included a small desk area, another 42-inch television, a comfortable armchair and a round dining table with chairs. Double doors opened to the deck, which featured a covered gazebo with a teak table and two chairs plus two sturdy teak sun loungers with cushions. The villas are so inviting, you may find it hard to leave.
Services and Amenities: Service at The St. Regis is consistently attentive and responsive. The main dining venue, Te Pahu, provides a daily buffet breakfast with hot dishes served by staff, and it also offers lunch and dinner options. For lighter fare, the Aparima Bar serves simpler selections.
The signature restaurant, Lagoon by Jean-Georges, delivers an exceptional dining experience. Request a table near one of the glass sections in the floor to watch the protected lagoon below, where the resort cares for injured sharks before returning them to the wild. The menu is refined; we enjoyed diver scallops, red snapper and a French-style chocolate cake. Arrive early to enjoy a pre-dinner drink at the bar and take in the lagoon views while the attentive bar staff serves you. The on-site sommelier, trained in Burgundy, offers helpful wine pairings. Other notable dining options include Sushi Take, which offers fresh sushi and sashimi.
Activities range from relaxing on the beach to complimentary non-motorized water sports such as kayaks, paddle boards and snorkel sets (note: flippers are not included). Two Hobie Cat sailboats are available, while jet skis and motorized excursions carry additional fees. I took a half-day deep-sea fishing trip on the boat Luna on our final morning. Guests widely used the complimentary equipment without issues. Beach bikes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are useful for short trips to the spa, restaurants or to explore the island.
At the Miri Miri Spa by Clarins we enjoyed a 50-minute Polynesian couples massage that included a volcanic mud foot treatment and a choice of scented oils, a relaxing and expertly delivered experience.
The Experience: The resort delivers a genuine “wow” factor. A couple of small enhancements — complimentary in-room WiFi and snorkel flippers — would make the stay even more seamless, but even without them this property is a must-visit for anyone seeking a luxurious Bora Bora escape.
GT CHECKLIST
- Doorman/valet
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Separate tub and shower
- Large vanity
- High-quality towels
- Powerful, unattached hair dryer
- High-quality bed linens
- Large, flat-screen television
- Large desk with convenient outlets
- Large, complimentary laptop safe
- Complimentary in-room WiFi
- Complimentary bottled water
- Stocked minibar
- Ample lighting
- In-room coffeemaker
- Iron and ironing board
- On-site restaurant and bar
- 24-hour room service
- State-of-the-art fitness center
The St. Regis Bora Bora
Motu Ome’e Bp 506
Bora Bora 98730
French Polynesia
tel 689 60 78 88
stregisborabora.com