As we neared the tip of our journey to Bora Bora, we spent three evenings on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora to wrap up our time on this island paradise.

This property is broadly considered the top of excellence on the island and tends to be a magnet for honeymooners.

Certainly, given the 4 Seasons’s international status for high quality and repair, I held lofty expectations heading into our keep – and it was to my nice shock that the resort fell wanting these expectations by fairly a distance.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Reserving

In case you’re considering a keep on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, be ready to pay fairly a hefty worth. The going price for the standard room falls between 250,705–368,990 XPF ($2,500–3,500 USD, $3,300–4,600 CAD) per evening, with some leeway on both aspect.

For this journey, I stayed for 3 nights at a beneficial trade price. Nonetheless, our keep was positively on the dearer aspect even with an trade price; certainly, this was arguably probably the most money per evening I’d shelled out for a resort keep to date alongside my travels.

4 Seasons doesn’t have a standard loyalty program with factors and elite standing; nevertheless, there’s nonetheless a approach to get added worth to your keep by reserving by 4 Seasons Most popular Associate.

This unique program gives complimentary breakfast for 2 and a $100 (USD) property credit score, amongst different advantages, at no extra value.

Moreover, you’ll be able to mix the Most popular Associate advantages with all obtainable charges, together with pay as you go, promotional, versatile, and totally refundable charges.

In case you’re planning a keep on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora, it’s positively price your whereas to e book by 4 Seasons Most popular Associate and benefit from these unique perks.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Location

Bora Bora is an alluring cluster of islets, nestled throughout the mesmerizing Leeward Islands of French Polynesia. Fashioned across the remnants of an extinct volcano at its core, it’s a magical place, located smack in the course of the South Pacific Ocean.

Characterised by a surprising central lagoon encircled by numerous islets, Bora Bora steals the highlight as probably the most coveted vacation spot throughout the Tahitian islands.

To get to Bora Bora, you first take a global flight to Papeete (PPT), the capital of French Polynesia and residential to the only worldwide airport serving the area.

From Tahiti, the journey continues with a brief 45-minute scenic flight to Bora Bora with the inter-island provider, Air Tahiti or Air Moana, transporting you to the awe-inspiring island of Bora Bora.

The 4 Seasons Bora Bora is tucked away on the northeastern aspect of the island, perched proper on the outer coral reef.. It’s nestled on a slender strip of land, providing a main location; the St. Regis Bora Bora is only a stone’s throw away, located on a linked islet.

Conveniently, the resort is a mere 10-minute boat experience away from the airport. Moreover, the resort gives a every day shuttle service to Bora Bora’s foremost city of Vaitape for its friends’ comfort.

For these searching for a extra personalised expertise, the choice to rent a assured personal boat for transport across the island is on the market at a further payment.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Verify-in

Relying on the variety of passengers travelling to or from the airport at a given time, the 4 Seasons employs numerous boats for transportation. Throughout our go to, we have been supplied with a non-public boat for our arrival, and a shared boat for our return journey.

On the outbound journey on the personal boat, the workers took care of our baggage, making certain that it was promptly delivered to our bungalow on the resort.

Stepping onto the boat, we discovered ourselves immersed in darkish mahogany and teak woodwork, which created a nice setting that’d function our backdrop for the following quarter-hour.

On a destructive word, nevertheless, as we stepped off the boat, we couldn’t ignore the truth that the check-in expertise left one thing to be desired.

Regrettably, there was no arrival committee ready to greet us as we pulled as much as the dock, and we ended up having to attend for a substantial period of time earlier than lastly attending to verify in on the counter.

Moreover, it didn’t seem to be there was a devoted butler or workforce member checking in with us; as an alternative, we have been merely left to our personal gadgets to line up on the check-in desk.

Even the Conrad Bora Bora Nui had a devoted workers member welcoming every visitor, so this check-in expertise on the 4 Seasons – which prides itself upon a extremely personalised visitor expertise – felt distinctly weak compared.

However, we have been prolonged with a heat gesture within the type of a welcome drink, and a educated workers member confirmed our keep in a One-Bed room Mountain-View Overwater Bungalow.

Among the many resort’s base-level lodging, this bungalow reigns supreme, with uninterrupted views of Bora Bora’s signature mountain, Mount Otemanu. Simply remember the fact that these views additionally include a better price ticket in comparison with the lower-tier bungalows. 

As soon as we accomplished the check-in formalities, we have been handled to a buggy tour that acquainted us with the resort’s structure earlier than taking us to our residence for the following three nights.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – One-Bed room Mountain-View Overwater Bungalow Suite

To get to the overwater bungalows, you’ll head alongside a pontoon that stretches over a waterborne utopia, reaching into the clear-blue waters with Mount Otemanu towering forward.

There are three base-level overwater bungalow varieties on the resort: Seashore View, Lagoon View, and Mountain View. Because the names indicate, whereas the layouts might share some similarities, it’s the views that set them aside.

Among the many decisions, the Mountain-View Overwater Bungalows reign surpeme, offering an unparalleled perspective that faces Bora Bora’s distinctive peak.

As we arrived at our bungalow, I used to be impressed by the fashionable look of our teak wooden oasis, enhanced by the whimsical thatched roof that was intricately woven with pandanus leaves.

These one-bedroom suites boast a powerful expanse of 1,080 sq. ft. The inside design serves as a superb show of the interaction between fashionable design and Polynesian cultural essence, combining modern furnishings with native art work and handicrafts as accent items.

Certainly, among the many suites we’ve skilled throughout three Bora Bora resorts to date, I’d say these bungalows on the 4 Seasons have been definitely a standout.

A spacious front room welcomes you with a snug seating association that includes a love seat, an armchair, and some ottomans.

So as to add to our arrival, a welcome amenity awaited on the espresso desk of Champagne, pastries, and a welcome word.

Transferring onward from right here, the flat-screen TV is mounted on an ocean-themed accent wall, elegantly positioned on the right-hand aspect.

To the appropriate of the doorway, a cupboard performs host to a thoughtfully stocked minibar and Nespresso machine, in addition to a kettle. The minibar objects on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora are all complimentary, which is at all times wholeheartedly appreciated.

Transitioning into the toilet space, you’re greeted by a walk-in bathe with a rain bathe head and handheld wand to the appropriate, enclosed behind glass doorways.

Adjoining to the bathe, the bathroom is housed behind its personal compartment.

There’s a double self-importance on reverse sides of the walk-through lavatory, tastefully adorned with LED mild surrounding the sides of the mirror.

A novelty of this lavatory is the small glass window on the ground that provides a glimpse into the underwater sea.

In the meantime, the actual gem is the expansive soaker bathtub for 2, permitting you to soak in utter leisure whereas overlooking the breathtaking surroundings.

Transferring from the toilet to the bed room, you’ll discover ample private area, with the mattress positioned within the centre of the room. Beautiful lofted ceilings add to the sensation of spaciousness.

The king mattress proved to be an oasis of consolation, each for sleeping and for spending greater than our fair proportion of time lounging and gazing exterior on the gorgeous lagoons and mountain peaks in entrance of us.

Within the bed room, a comfortable studying nook adorns the right-hand wall, and there’s an abundance of closet area.

And but, the paradise continues exterior, the place there are two lounge chairs completely positioned to soak within the mesmerizing views.

On the opposite aspect of the deck, a quaint eating space resides, providing an intimate setting for meals accompanied by the mild lapping of the lagoon waters.

It ought to be famous that the extra unique villa varieties on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora supply personal plunge swimming pools and different additional perks, whereas these base-level bungalows lack such a function.

Nonetheless, reasonably amusingly, the bathtub in these will be reworked right into a makeshift personal pool by merely filling it up with water and opening up the partitions between the toilet and the outside deck.

Alternatively, the balconies is probably not probably the most personal. You possibly can simply see over to the villas in entrance of you, and likewise, you will be seen from the balconies behind you.

However, we have been fairly charmed by our Mountain View Overwater Bungalow, which provided a fascinating atmosphere that mixed 4 Seasons’s signature luxurious model with Polynesian little touches all through.

I’d say that our suite was one of the best and most memorable a part of our keep, which is each a praise to it and an indicator that the remainder of the expertise maybe didn’t fairly stay as much as the lofty expectations it had set. 

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Resort Format

The 4 Seasons Bora Bora is sort of expansive, that includes 108 bungalows and 7 villas unfold over distinct sections throughout a uniquely formed islet.

As you discover, you’ll come throughout a sequence of boardwalks resulting in the overwater villas, the primary pool, the eating space, and the inland lagoon, in addition to the spa and health centre services.

Notably, there are two pontoons extending over the ocean in “Y” formations, which home the resort’s overwater bungalows.

On the coronary heart of the resort, you’ll discover a gorgeous seashore, tennis courts, the arrival pavilion, and numerous water sports activities actions.

On the left aspect of this central space, you’ll uncover all of the resort’s eating places, the primary seashore, pool, and children’ membership – all only a brief distance from the overwater jetties.

In the meantime, the spa and health services are positioned in the direction of the northern a part of the resort, away from the lagoon.

The grounds of the resort are meticulously maintained. Some might draw comparisons to the close by St. Regis; in my view, the grounds on the 4 Seasons falls barely wanting the distinctive visible attraction of its neighbour, however are stunning nonetheless.

One ingredient price mentioning is the comparatively slim boardwalk that results in the suites and villas in comparison with different Bora Bora resorts.

This restricted area signifies that bicycles aren’t accommodated, leaving friends with the choices of strolling or requesting a buggy, which could contain a ready time.

Even the buggies occupy your complete width of the boardwalk, requiring friends to step apart to permit for his or her passage.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Breakfast

To kickstart our mornings, we headed over to Tere Nui, the 4 Seasons Bora Bora’s open-air restaurant. That is the resort’s sole breakfast possibility, and serves a mix of buffet choices and a spread of à la carte dishes from 7:30–10am every day.

Nestled amidst verdant gardens, we have been handled us to jaw-dropping morning views of the lagoon, seashore, and Mount Otemanu. With that mentioned, the buffet unfold left one thing to be desired, with a reasonably restricted choice.

Whereas there have been sufficient decisions to appease our starvation, I used to be anticipating a bit extra contemplating the calibre of the resort. Then once more, this appears to be a typical remark throughout Bora Bora resorts as an entire.

The buffet included a spread of scorching Western favourites, comparable to bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and pancakes.

The chilly buffet choice on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora was rather more considerable, providing freshly baked items, an açai station, a yogurt and granola station, a salad bar, and some native favourites.

Among the many highlights of the breakfast have been the smoked fish choice and numerous pastries.

Total, the breakfast unfold at Tere Nui was passable, with its fair proportion of highlights, however there’s additionally loads of room for enchancment by way of the range.

However, the attractive setting, mixed with the scrumptious smoked fish choice and pastries, nonetheless made for a nice begin to our days.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Eating

The 4 Seasons Bora Bora has pretty restricted eating choices, with solely two devoted eating places for dinner and an all-day eating venue.

We ate at Arii Moana one night, which is the designated formal eating possibility and signature restaurant on-site. Opposite to its formal label, the setting has a relaxed ambiance, and serves Mediterranean delicacies and some French-inspired dishes that target native components.

The restaurant had a nice ambiance to take pleasure in a meal; nevertheless, it falls a bit brief by way of menu selection, and the general eating expertise didn’t depart us with a long-lasting impression.

Moreover, considered one of our dietary preferences was inadvertently ignored, regardless of being talked about twice: as soon as throughout check-in at first of our keep, and one other time when putting our orders at first of the meal.

(We weren’t charged for the merchandise in the long run because of the error on the restaurant’s half, which was an appreciated gesture of service restoration.)

On one other evening, we headed to Vaimiti, the Asian fusion restaurant. This spot has a main location proper above the water with gorgeous views of Mount Otemanu. As soon as once more, the restaurant has an open-air setup, with a relaxed ambiance and Polynesian-inspired décor.

Regrettably, the meals high quality was simply mediocre right here as properly, which was disappointing contemplating the resort’s general well-regarded stature.

Positioned on the sandy shore of the lagoon, subsequent to the pool and seashore, is Faré Hoa Seashore Bar & Grill, which is the resort’s all-day eating venue with a contemporary grill idea. Right here, recent native fish, steaks, and starters and aspect dishes are the main target.

Lastly, Tere Nui, the place breakfast is served, sometimes hosts themed dinners like Polynesian dinners and reveals.

All issues thought-about, I discovered that the 4 Seasons Bora Bora falls brief by way of a memorable eating expertise, comparable to what we had on the extremely spectacular Lagoon by Jean-Georges on the St. Regis Bora Bora.

On the plus aspect, we opted for room service on one night, and have been glad with the flavourful mixture of massaman curry and udon noodles.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Swimming pools & Seashore

Positioned on the outermost fringe of the property, the pool and foremost seashore space are strategically positioned away from the primary hub of the resort, permitting for an added sense of tranquility.

The infinity pool is complemented by a neighbouring heat whirlpool, each surrounded by swaying palm timber and views immediately overlooking the seashore and lagoon.

Scattered throughout the pool space, generously sized cabanas add an elevated contact, and are adorned with curtains.

These cabanas are wonderful and function excellent sanctuaries for a complete day of blissful leisure. Personally, I discovered them to be a spotlight of my time right here, as they supplied me with a quiet place away from the solar’s robust rays, and allowed me to easily unwind and savour the fantastic thing about the environment.

What’s extra, there’s no extra payment required to safe these cabanas; it’s merely first come, first served.

As a nice shock, they didn’t appear to be too hotly contested, both. On the day of our departure, we granted ourselves an efficient late check-out by taking over residence at one of many cabanas.

Stepping onto the sandy seashore, there’s additionally a beneficiant collection of seashore chairs obtainable for unwinding and absorbing the solar. And as a bonus, there’s a quaint little motu, a reef islet with vegetation, adjoining to the seashore.

The Faré Hoa Seashore Bar & Grill is conveniently close by, which is very useful for those who occur to get hungry after an extended day of lounging and swimming. Moreover, on-site water sports activities leases permit you to interact in numerous actions proper from the seashore.

One noteworthy facet of the resort’s pool choices is the considerate provision of complimentary water and sunscreen on the pool and seashore space. 

Nonetheless, I assumed that it was a slight disadvantage that the 4 Seasons Bora Bora solely had one foremost pool. Introducing an adults-only pool would definitely improve the resort’s choices, particularly contemplating that it’s a notable function at its close by rival, the St. Regis.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Spa

Perched atop the best level of the resort is the Te Mahana Spa, which embodies the essence of Tahitian attraction. This distinctive spa facility stands out as one of many resort’s highlights.

The spa contains two distinct heated leisure swimming pools accessible to all friends, no matter whether or not or not they’ve booked a spa therapy.

Certainly one of these swimming pools gives a wide ranging vista of Mount Otemanu, whereas the opposite gazes out over the huge expanse of the ocean. Each areas are geared up with recliners, and are great locations to spend a while.

Other than the 2 gorgeous leisure swimming pools, there are seven air-conditioned therapy rooms, which you’ll entry by strolling alongside elevated walkways that grasp above a lush plantation of pandanus timber.

Moreover, a pair’s suite and two open-air therapy pavilions are nestled harmoniously throughout the depths of the tropical grove.

Adjoining to the spa, you’ll discover a well-equipped health facility, with a wide selection of apparatus starting from treadmills and ellipticals, to weight machines and free weights.

Ground-to-ceiling home windows supply nice lighting, and usually present a stunning area for sneaking in a exercise whereas on trip.

There have been additionally some mild snacks and refreshments obtainable.

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Actions

As a part of the 4 Seasons Bora Bora’s leisure choices, friends are supplied with complimentary use of non-motorized water sports activities gear.

We took benefit of this and loved a enjoyable kayak experience at some point out on the crystal-clear lagoon. Stand-up paddleboards are additionally obtainable for rental.

As well as, there’s a collection of motorized watersports actions that come at a value. You possibly can select from a menu and pay for the precise expertise you’re occupied with.

In case you’re occupied with exploring past the resort, you’ll be able to head over to the Concierge desk. Workers right here might help you organize for actions with exterior suppliers in Bora Bora, comparable to snorkelling excursions, fishing excursions, and sightseeing journeys.

As an added comfort, the 4 Seasons Bora Bora supplies a every day boat shuttle to the primary island. The boat experience to Vaitape, which is the primary city, takes about half-hour, and departs as soon as a day and returns at 3:30pm.

In case you plan to benefit from this service, remember the fact that there’s a round-trip per-person shuttle payment of 4,000 XPF ($35 USD, $45 CAD).

4 Seasons Bora Bora – Service

The 4 Seasons model is understood for its distinctive service and visitor expertise, which is why the reasonably poor service we obtained on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora stood out so sorely.  

Throughout check-in, workers inquired about any dietary restrictions we’d have. We made it clear that mushrooms have been a no-go for us; nevertheless, after we ordered room service, the dish we selected didn’t specify the presence of mushrooms, but it arrived with mushrooms regardless.

Later, at dinner, we particularly requested a dish with out mushrooms, reiterating our dietary preferences. Surprisingly, even after mentioning it for the third time, the dish nonetheless arrived with mushrooms. It was disheartening to come across a scarcity of consideration to element in such a fundamental facet of our order.

By way of service restoration, the server promptly apologized and tried to have the chef remake the dish, however sadly, the kitchen was already closed.

Nonetheless, we appreciated their responsiveness and willingness to deal with the difficulty. As a gesture of goodwill, the cost for the dish was faraway from our invoice, assuaging a few of our disappointment.

In relation to the opposite eating venues, whereas the service at Vaimiti was frustratingly gradual, we have been no less than lucky sufficient to have a improbable expertise at Faré Hoa Seashore Bar & Grill.

We ordered from the seashore grill whereas enjoyable in our cabana on the ultimate day, and we have been greeted with delightfully heat smiles and attentive service from the workers right here, who went above and past to make sure that we felt welcomed and brought care of.

Except for the eating expertise, we encountered a couple of different inconveniences throughout our keep, such because the minibar not being refilled proactively – which considerably defeats the aim of getting a complimentary minibar within the first place.

And talking to some different friends, we found that we sadly weren’t alone in having arrived on the 4 Seasons Bora Bora hoping for a transformative expertise, solely to finish up feeling fairly upset. 

Conclusion

Whereas our keep had its constructive notes, our general expertise left us with the impression that the 4 Seasons Bora Bora is considerably coasting on the status of the 4 Seasons model. 

One spotlight was the unimaginable overwater bungalow, which was tastefully embellished with an ideal mix of recent aptitude and regional influences. Be aware that base-level suites at this resort don’t supply a non-public plunge pool, however you will get fairly shut by filling the bath and opening up the partitions to the majestic Mount Otemanu views.

Alas, there have been some notable areas that fell brief, particularly contemplating the value level. The check-in course of could possibly be made extra personalised, the eating services left a lot to be desired, and the absence of bicycles to get across the property was additionally disappointing.

What actually stunned us, nevertheless, was the letdown in service, which could be very surprising for a famend service-forward model just like the 4 Seasons. Certainly, talking to some different friends who shared our considerations, there’s an general sense that the resort could also be leaning too closely on its status nowadays with out essentially residing as much as it.

In case you’re contemplating Bora Bora properties, I’d must suggest the close by St. Regis Bora Bora over the 4 Seasons, and the latter positively has some catching as much as do if it needs to stay aggressive within the space.

It’d be disappointing to see such a famend property persevering with to relaxation on its laurels, and I hope to see the 4 Seasons Bora Bora stepping up its recreation sooner or later to ship on the excessive expectations related to its identify and worth.