Nestled on a beautiful motu in the South Pacific is the Four Seasons Bora Bora. If you’re looking for an absolute paradise, look no further. This is the resort to visit and is the ultimate choice for romance and relaxation.
Getting There
Getting there isn’t exactly the easiest thing, but it’s well worth the journey. Assuming you are flying from the United States, you will likely make a connection in Dallas or in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles flights go directly to PPT (Tahiti, the main island) whereas the Dallas flights will have a layover in Honolulu, Hawaii before you hop on another plane to Tahiti. This could be a good option for those who have some extra time and want to visit Hawaii first, as the layovers are often quite long and will give you a day on Oahu.
Once you get to Tahiti, you will need to take another flight (about 45 minutes) to Bora Bora. This will run approximately $430 USD roundtrip.
The Bora Bora airport is located on its own motu and you’ll need to take a speedboat to get the resort. The ride takes approximately 30 minutes and was just lovely– it was an experience in itself.
First Impressions
Bora Bora wasn’t my first stop on my French Polynesia trip– Moorea was. As wonderful as Moorea was, I knew Bora Bora was going to be even better. Before arriving in FP, I was a bit worried that perhaps it was overhyped. I’ve seen and done a lot, and occasionally I am underwhelmed when I visit a particular destination. But Bora Bora definitely lived up to all the hype. I fell in love as soon as I saw it from the airplane window.
The water is the most gorgeous color I’ve ever seen, even more vibrant than in Thailand’s Phi Phi islands. From the moment I stepped onto the speedboat, arrived at the Four Seasons, and was escorted to our bungalow, I was blown away.
The Room
Any room you stay in here will make your jaw hit the floor the moment you walk in. Even the “smallest” rooms are quite large and decorated beautifully. A smaller overwater bungalow is usually the least expensive available room, and if you’re here on a romantic trip, I highly recommend just staying in one of these (for the ultimate luxurious experience, you can stay in an oversized bungalow with your own plunge pool). You will NOT be disappointed.
The beach suites are larger and more ideal for larger parties, and would probably be better suited if you’re traveling with your family and you don’t want to worry about small children falling in the lagoon. I did notice a lot of families at this resort, in addition to couples, of course.
The Food
I often don’t like ordering room service while on trips because I like to get out of the room. But when you have a room that’s so incredibly amazing, you’ll want to spend a lot of your time there. The room service menu is extensive and portions are generous. My husband and I ordered the chicken tenders a couple times for lunch and it was a huge meal that we were able to share. And they were delicious
They have buffets and depending on when you go, you might have the opportunity to enjoy a themed meal. I was there on Thanksgiving day and they actually had a Thanksgiving buffet, which consisted of some of the holiday’s favorites (with a French Polynesian flair, of course).
For breakfast, I ate at the buffet each morning. The breakfast buffet has a wide range of choices and some options vary from day to day. You have a great view of the beach and the water from the dining area.
For an upscale, sit-down dinner, I visited the Arii Moana, where I had some delicious spiny lobster.
Free Activities
In addition to the tours that the resort provides, such as jet ski tours, the resort also offers a wide range of free activities.
My favorite was standup paddleboarding. I’ve wanted to try this for such a long time and it’s amazingly easy and so much fun. I did try it in Moorea, but it was so windy and there was way too much coral reef– NOT something you want to fall on.
You can paddleboard near the bungalows for a picturesque view of the mountain, or you can make your way over to the resort’s calm lagoon. This is also where you’ll do your snorkeling.
Speaking of snorkeling, the Four Seasons also provides free snorkeling equipment (you’ll have some in your room, but you can also borrow some from the activities desk) so there is no need to bring your own. Additionally, they provide life jackets in all rooms. The water around the bungalow area can be quite deep, so use one.
You can also visit the main island of Bora Bora through the daily complimentary ferry that the resort offers. I didn’t do this because I had already spent a few days on Moorea and was going to Tahiti next, so all I wanted to do was relax at the resort. But if Bora Bora is the only island you’re visiting, you should definitely go to the main island for one afternoon. Book an ATV tour, go shopping for black pearls, and have some lunch at a local eatery. This can also be a great way to spend the day if the weather isn’t cooperating.
The Beach Area
There were several beach areas for guests around the property, but my favorite was one of the tranquil beach areas near the lagoon. It was so peaceful and secluded over there.
The Pool
I’d say the pool was the one area that got a bit packed during my stay, so if you plan to go there, find a spot early on. It’s an amazing infinity pool with a view of the beach area, mountains, and overwater bungalows. It’s the perfect, refreshing place to cool off on a sunny day.
Overall Thoughts
The property itself was mind blowing; not just the natural beauty surrounding the resort, but the grounds were so nicely kept and stunning. Joe said this resort “exceeded his expectations tremendously” and I have to agree. The service and hospitality was top-notch. I had high hopes for this place and it surely did not disappoint.
All photos in this post were taken by Joe Butch.
Essential Travel Information
Getting to Bora Bora: I’m not gonna sugarcoat it: getting to Bora Bora is a pain. You’ve gotta take a flight to Tahiti (which is going to be far, unless you’re coming from Hawaii). From there, you have to take another flight (about 1-2 hours) to Bora Bora. Finally, from that point, you take a boat. It’s totally worth the journey, though.
The boat ride you’d arrange with your resort. But to book your flights to Tahiti and Bora Bora, you can use CheapOAir to find the best available option.
Hotel information: Learn more about the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora and book your stay. This might just be my favorite resort, ever. You won’t be disappointed!
Beautiful photos. We stayed at FS Bora Bora two years ago, and I cannot wait to return. I particularly enjoyed the native Tahitians who we met both working at the resort and when we went to the main island. Such beautiful people in a beautiful setting. Thanks for sharing.
This is at the top of my bucket list.
It’s decided. This is where I’m going for my honeymoon!