Overview: 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora

January 4, 2023

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Wednesday newsletters at all times characteristic a lodge or flight assessment.

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

Immediately: Overview of 4 Seasons Bora Bora

Wrapped by majestic views, 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora is surrounded by sand-fringed islets on an outer coral reef that enclose a turquoise lagoon. The resort presents 115 spacious hideaways with 100 overwater bungalows and seven monumental 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. Impressed by native structure, all visitor lodging supply a restful, ethereal atmosphere; full with conventional teak wooden furnishings, excessive ceilings and thatched roofs produced from pandanus leaves. Distinctive touches embody the perfume of vanilla and the feel of black pearls within the spa, alfresco eating overlooking Bora-Bora’s famed lagoon, and signature 4 Seasons service at each flip. IMHO, 4 Seasons Bora Bora is the perfect luxurious resort in Bora Bora.

4 Seasons Bora Bora options in my prime 10 lists of the greatest luxurious lodges in French Polynesia and the greatest resorts in Bora Bora.

Have you ever ever stayed at 4 Seasons Bora Bora? If that’s the case, what was your expertise? Go away a remark.

On this assessment (extra information and images under my YouTube video):

PROS & THINGS I LIKE

4 Seasons Bora Bora is positioned on the enduring and world-famous island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. One in all 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 dwelling to the 4 Seasons Resort. The coral reef surrounds a ridiculously clear lagoon (typically dubbed probably the most lovely 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 ft excessive (727 meters) above sea stage.

The 4 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 calming oshiburi towel. Workers handles the bags, 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 had been impressed by the commuter boats of New York Metropolis of the Twenties, used to move Wall Avenue executives from their houses in Lengthy Island to the Manhattan Monetary District. They characteristic woodwork and decking of darkish mahogany and teak, with crème coloured seating and accents of chrome steel. Friends sit aboard these magnificent vessels, taking within the sights of the island, on a surprising 15-minute cruise to the resort, the place upon arrival, they’re taken on to their room.

Opened in September 2008, 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora was designed by Paris based mostly architects Didier Lefort and Pierre-Jean Picart, with San Francisco based mostly BAMO as the inside designers. Taking cues from its gorgeous surrounding, the native tradition and pure assets, the property’s gorgeous design fuses traditional Polynesian structure with subtle magnificence that’s 4 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 “decoration” to a really serene design. All in all, the resort feels luxurious, timeless and fashionable.

4 Seasons Bora Bora encompasses a complete of 108 one and two-bedroom overwater villas, 27 of them fitted with a personal plunge pool. Refurbished in 2019, the decor of the overwater bungalows displays a recent Polynesian really feel, full with new furnishings, fixtures, lighting and expertise. Throughout 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 cover and down pillows), the lavatory (with double self-importance, walk-in bathe and a deep soaking bathtub in entrance of a giant image window), and a spacious lounge (with a settee mattress, a big desk, and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV); all three rooms might be opened to or closed off from each other with sliding pocket doorways. Giant glass doorways gave approach to a large out of doors deck, with a eating space, two loungers, and a stepladder to get within the water.

Apart from overwater villas, the 4 Seasons Bora Bora additionally options a few beachfront villas, that are a lot bigger than their overwater counterparts however characteristic comparable design and facilities. Nestled alongside the pristine shores of Bora Bora’s enchanting turquoise lagoon, these beachfront villa estates are widespread 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 seashore villas supply the perfect in area (spanning from one-third to over a full acre) and privateness (with direct entry to a personal patch of sand that can’t be accessed by different company). Unique companies embody private pre-arrival planning, round-trip non-public airport transfers, every day breakfast, a private Villa Host, non-public seashore setup and extra.

4 Seasons Bora Bora is a sprawling property, however the resort nonetheless feels fairly walkable (24/7 buggy service is offered as properly). A lot of the lodge’s services – eating places, pool, seashore, and youngsters’ membership – are centrally positioned at quick distance from the overwater jetties. One of many resort’s major attracts – moreover its overwater villas and unimaginable views – is its dreamy seashore, the place most company spend their day lounging on a sunbed beneath an umbrella. That includes smooth white sand and calm turquoise waters, the seashore enjoys an unimaginable view of Mount Otemanu (probably the perfect view from all of the Bora Bora resorts I’ve stayed at). The seashore 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). Simply behind the seashore is a gigantic lagoon-style swimming pool, surrounded by palm bushes, cushioned loungers, and shaded cabanas. Subsequent to the seashore is an open-air water sports activities middle, the place company can check out kayaks, paddleboards, and water bicycles. For a payment, company also can lease jet skis on an hourly foundation.

4 Seasons Bora Bora has 4 on-site eating places, which serve glorious meals starting from classical French dishes to modern 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 energetic waterside setting.
- Positioned on the sandy shore of the lagoon, subsequent to the pool and seashore, is Faré Hoa Seashore Bar & Grill, an open-air restaurant with toes-in-the-sand appeal. That includes a contemporary grill idea, Faré Hoa serves recent native fish, a tremendous collection of steaks, and an array of starters and aspect 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 about within the resort’s lush backyard. Breakfast is comprised of a (fairly 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.

Located on the very best level of the resort’s motu, the Te Mahana (the solar) Spa at 4 Seasons Bora Bora captures the power of the Tahitian spirit with a singular sense of simplicity and luxurious. Remedies are rooted in historical custom, supposed to refresh and rejuvenate. With its hovering 72 ft (22 m) ceiling, the cathedral-like spa offers 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 non-public expertise for {couples}. Friends also can 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 4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora is an interior lagoon teeming with unique marine life. The Vaitea Lagoon Sanctuary is dwelling to greater than 100 colourful species, together with octopus, eagle ray, lizardfish, Picasso trumpet fish, soldier fish, hearth fish, unicorn fish, noticed puffer fish, parrotfish, peacock damselfish, clownfish and butterfly fish. Led by the resort’s marine biologist, the Lagoon Sanctuary presents 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 supplied to company and the lagoon is at all times open for company to discover on their very own. Greater than only a spectacular snorkeling location, the sanctuary can also be a analysis facility and a spot the place the marine atmosphere not solely thrives however grows, furthering the fragile and wondrous ecosystem.

Set over the water alongside the resort’s interior turquoise lagoon is a massive boutique, which is centrally positioned between the foyer, eating places and spa. Known as MoeMoea (that means “dream” in Polynesian), the store sells the perfect of resort put on, informal and energetic attire, equipment, girls’s luxe attire, swimwear and extra. The shop options well-known manufacturers akin to Camilla, Missoni, Onia, Strong & Striped, Vilebrequin and Zimmermann, whereas additionally showcasing boutique manufacturers akin to Adriana Iglesias, Benson and Swims, B+S Caftans, March 11 and Su Paris. Created with the intent of conserving an indoor/out of doors really feel consistent with the resort as an entire, MoeMoea additionally options distinctive parts, akin 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 retailers as properly: Tahia, a pearl boutique, and Manua, a store promoting domestically made crafts like Bora Bora’s hand-painted pareos.

4 Seasons Resort Bora Bora is devoted to conserving power and valuable pure assets, in addition to working to raised the area people, all whereas constantly delivering a unprecedented and pampering visitor expertise. From the usage of environmentally pleasant provides and tools, to the discount of waste and use of recent power alternate options to nature clean-ups, the property is on the forefront of inexperienced and neighborhood initiatives. Listed here are a few of the initiatives underway on the resort:
- Water-efficient landscaping contains the usage of greywater and rainwater harvesting for irrigation.
- Linens and towels are changed each third day, until in any other case requested.
- Single-use plastic water bottles, meals & beverage containers, and lotion, shampoo & conditioner bottles are eradicated.
- Linen, furnishings and tools is donated to the area people by means of Anau Main Faculty and Affiliation Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora, a non-profit devoted to the economical, social and environmental growth of the island-state.
- Extra edible meals is donated to these in want by means of the native charity Caddie du coeur.
- Photo voltaic panels are put in on every bungalow’s thatched roof, offering a pure and sustainable energy supply for heating water and electrical energy.
- Tub facilities are offered by Panpuri, a 100% pure and natural wellness way of life model from Thailand.

The property is managed by 4 Seasons, in all probability the perfect recognized luxurious lodge model on the earth. The Toronto-based firm has reworked the hospitality trade in a story of continuous innovation, exceptional growth and a single-minded dedication to the very best of requirements. 4 Seasons was based in 1960 by the younger architect Isadore Sharp, however the true breakthrough of the model got here within the seventies with the opening of the 4 Seasons London. Though the corporate went public in 1986, the Sharp household – together with a gaggle of like-minded buyers akin to Invoice Gates and Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal – took the corporate non-public once more in 2007 to guard the integrity of the model properly into the long run. 4 Seasons at present manages greater than 120 lodges and resorts worldwide. The corporate additionally presents non-public jet journey onboard its personal Airbus A321 (with Enterprise Class structure), and can quickly launch non-public ultra-luxe yacht itineraries.

CONS & THINGS TO KNOW

Some overwater bungalows on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora lack privateness, even supposing they’re spaced far aside. For instance, the out of doors decks of the seashore view bungalows face the seashore (the place most company are chilling throughout the day) and should have much less privateness for that reason. Among 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). Often, kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders and swimmers may also move in entrance of the villas.

Out of all of the lodging on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, the overwater villas with mountain view are greatest. Located on the far finish of every jetty, these villas take pleasure in probably the most privateness and the perfect views of Mount Otemanu. The one draw back to those villas is that company are a little bit additional away from the property’s services, just like the eating places, seashore, 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 are usually not offered because the resort’s jetties are too slender for bikes and buggies to move on the similar time).

The 4 Seasons Bora Bora is without doubt one of 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 every little thing 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 at least $100 USD per individual (excluding drinks). However though the 4 Seasons Bora Bora is much from cheap, IMHO, it’s price each penny because you’re staying at a wonderful resort in one of many world’s most iconic locations.

Meals on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora is superb, with the three on-site dinner venues serving quite a lot of Asian, French and worldwide delicacies. I completely loved every meal I had on the resort though I did miss some Tahitian native delicacies (aside from the weekly Polynesian buffets). Additionally, whereas all eating places are glorious, none actually excels and the property lacks an distinctive restaurant befitting its fabulous popularity. I might like to see the resort collab with a Michelin star chef within the close to future to open a brand new venue (or remodel considered one of its currents eating places), which might assist the 4 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 fairly restricted and a bit underwhelming for an ultra-luxe lodge of this class (particularly when in comparison with the lavish breakfast buffets supplied at another 4 Seasons resorts, such because the 4 Seasons properties in Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles).

The 4 Seasons Bora Bora is positioned on an infinite beachfront property, that includes the perfect and softest white sand seashore in Bora Bora. About half of that’s dwelling to the resort’s public areas, together with the principle seashore membership in addition to the idyllic seashores lining the lagoonarium. The property’s different half additionally encompasses a elegant white-sand seashore, however that seashore is just not accessible to most company as it’s stored utterly non-public and for the unique use of the company that booked one of many resort’s beachfront villa sanctuaries. In fact, if you end up booked into considered one of these villas, you’ll recognize the serenity of your non-public seashore, nevertheless it additionally signifies that lengthy, stress-free seashore walks on the property are usually not an possibility for different company.

MY VERDICT

Location: 10/10
Design: 10/10
Pool: 10/10
Rooms: 9/10
Meals: 8/10
Breakfast: 8/10
Spa: 8/10
Service: 9/10
Worth for cash: 8/10
General expertise: distinctive 9,2/10

TIPS FOR FUTURE GUESTS & SAVE MONEY

Get monetary savings: get complimentary VIP perks when reserving the 4 Seasons Bora Bora through Virtuoso (e.g. improve, every day breakfast, early check-in, late check-out, and $100 USD resort credit score).

Get monetary savings: learn right here my suggestions for getting the perfect deal at a luxurious lodge like 4 Seasons Bora Bora (and/or obtain many free perks).

Room tip: because the seashore view villas could have much less privateness, I like to recommend to e book at the least a lagoon view villa. The very best bungalows are the mountain view villas which face Mount Otemanu instantly.

Learn my suggestions for making ready your journey in time.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

French Polynesia is greatest visited between June and September when the local weather is at its driest and the climate is balmy (however windy). Nonetheless, that is excessive season, so will probably be busy and the lodge charges are skyrocketing. The months on both aspect of this era (Might & October) are generally known as the shoulder season and supply snug climate too, however with decrease costs and fewer wind. Though French Polynesia could be visited year-round, the months of November to April convey extra humidity and cloudy days, with tropical showers passing at larger frequency than different occasions of the yr. Nonetheless, they’re typically interspersed with durations of sunshine. This can be a humid time of yr, although, which could be uncomfortable and I like to recommend selecting a lodge with A/C if visiting throughout these months. The islands hardly ever endure from tropical storms besides throughout years when El Niño impacts ocean currents.

HOW TO GET THERE

The one approach to get to Bora Bora is through Tahiti’s worldwide airport in Papeete (until you journey by cruise or non-public 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. As soon as at Papeete worldwide airport, there are usually 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 4 Seasons’ major dock for a scenic 15 minute switch by boat.

PHOTOS

Beneath is a collection of my images of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora Resort. To view extra images (together with breakfast and dinner), click on right here.