St Regis Bora Bora Review: An Idyllic Escape
Image Credit: GREGOIRE LE BACON/ Tahiti Tourism
Bora Bora is a dream destination for many travelers and for good reasons. It’s a place where you can enjoy some of nature's most picturesque landscapes, the unique Tahitian culture, and a few of the world’s most iconic resorts.
One of these resorts is the St Regis Bora Bora, where I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I got engaged here, so this destination holds a special place in my heart. We have returned to Bora Bora many times, and it never ceases to take my breath away.
In this review, we’ll give you an overview of the resort, amenities, service, and rooms, and compare it to other luxury accommodation options in Bora Bora.
Arriving at St Regis Bora Bora
Getting to Bora Bora is an adventure in itself. You have to land in Tahiti first, then take a short flight to Bora Bora’s airport, which is located on a small island called Motu Mute. From the airport, you’ll take a ferry or boat transfer to your resort. St Regis is located on another island called Motu Ome’e, which lies on the outer lagoon looking inwards to the main island of Bora Bora. There are several resorts on different islands in the lagoon, and each one has its own boat service.
I arrived at St Regis Bora Bora by boat from Four Seasons Bora Bora. Another beautiful luxury resort close to St Regis. I had stayed there for a week before moving to St Regis for a change of scenery and atmosphere. The boat ride was smooth and scenic, and I enjoyed the views of the turquoise lagoon and the majestic Mount Otemanu, the iconic peak that dominates the island.
As soon as I arrived at St Regis, I was greeted by friendly staff who welcomed me with a refreshing drink and a chilled towel. They also gave me a flower lei and a shell necklace as a sign of hospitality. They checked me in quickly and efficiently and then took me on a tour of the resort in a golf buggy while they set up my room. I felt as though I’d stepped into a parallel universe. The resort is a dream, with lush gardens, a private interior lagoon, and French Polynesian inspired design.
Checking in to the Villa
The resort offers a variety of accommodation options, from spacious beachfront villas to luxurious overwater bungalows. Each one features a blend of traditional Polynesian elements and contemporary flair, with high ceilings, dark wood floors, and plush furnishings that contrast with the turquoise waters and white sands.
We had a beachfront villa, which was spacious, luxurious, and secluded. It had a private pool, a gazebo, and direct access to the beach. I could see the Four Seasons Bora Bora in the distance, another beautiful resort on the same motu. My villa had a king-size bed, a living room, a dining area, a kitchenette, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with a bathtub and a rain shower.
Image Credit: GREGOIRE LE BACON/ Tahiti Tourism
Service
One of the things that made my stay at St Regis so enjoyable was the service. The staff were friendly, attentive, and professional, and they made me feel like royalty. They greeted me with “Ia Orana” (hello) every time they saw me, and waved at me from afar. They also anticipated my needs and preferences and went above and beyond to make me happy.
One of the best examples of this was my personal butler service. Every villa at St Regis comes with its own butler who takes care of everything from arranging activities to delivering coffee every morning. My butler was terrific, and he helped my partner plan an amazing surprise proposal, which was one of the most romantic moments of my life.
Enjoying the Facilities and Activities
The resort also boasts some of the best facilities and amenities on the island, such as a private lagoonarium where you can snorkel with colorful fish and coral, day spa island where you can relax in a cabana surrounded by nature or book spa treatments like massages and mud wraps.
There’s also a large, air- conditioned fitness center where you can work out with a view of the lagoon, and a tennis court where you can play with the backdrop of Mount Otemanu.
You can also enjoy some of the finest dining experiences in Bora Bora, especially at The Lagoon by Jean-Georges, the resort’s exclusive signature restaurant.
It was hands down one of the best restaurants on the island, with a French and Asian-infused menu that used the freshest ingredients from the islands. The restaurant had a glass floor that allowed me to see the resident pet sharks chasing tuna below my feet.
The food was outstanding, and I had a degustation inspired by a mix of local cuisine and French fare. One of my favorite things about this degustation was that at the end they gave me a gift with some of Jean-Georges’ recipe cards from meals cooked that night. It was such a thoughtful gesture that I really appreciated.
There were also plenty of activities to choose from, both on and off the resort. Personally, during my stay at St Regis, I decided to soak up the tranquility and filled my days with beachside swims, lazing in hammocks reading books, and getting massages. However, we’ve been to Bora Bora a number of times, and highly recommend swimming with the sharks, or taking a private tour with Simon to swim with Manta Rays. For more excursion recommendations read our favorite things to do in Bora Bora.
The Perfect Place for an Engagement or Wedding
Sure I might be slightly biased because I got engaged here, but St Regis Bora Bora is not only a great place for an engagement, but also for a wedding. The resort has full-time wedding planners and a wedding center on-site, and they can help you arrange everything from the ceremony to the reception. You can choose from different venues, such as the spa island, the beach, or a chapel.
But if you want to have the ultimate privacy and luxury, you can opt for The Royal Estate, which is the largest villa in the South Pacific and has welcomed many celebrities and distinguished guests. This 13,000-square-foot private motu, sheltered on three sides by coral walls, the view opens up to a private beach facing Bora Bora’s sparkling lagoon. Inside the villa, is three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a dining room, a living room, and a central courtyard filled with sun loungers, a large pool, a whirlpool, and a spa.
The Royal Estate is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding or elopement. It’s an incomparable villa, with tropical charm, and world-class service that includes a dedicated on-call butler.
How Does It Compare to Other 5-star Resorts on Bora Bora?
St Regis Bora Bora is one of the most high-end resorts on the island, but it’s not the only one. There are several other 5-star resorts that offer different features and prices. Depending on your budget and preferences, you might want to consider some of the resorts.
One of them is the famous Conrad Bora Bora Nui, which is located on another island called Motu To’opua. This resort was seen on an episode of The Kardashians, most overwater villas have private plunge pools or spacious deck areas that provide direct access to the lagoon. The resort also has a spa, a fitness center, a tennis court, and five restaurants and bars. One of the highlights of this resort is the underwater life. There is thriving coral out from the beach, and lots of marine life. Many of the other resorts have man-made natural lagoons, whereas Conrad Bora Bora has better off-shore snorkeling for ocean lovers. For more information read our detailed review of our stay at Conrad Hilton.
We think it’s one of the best value luxury resorts in Bora Bora.
Another option is The Westin Bora Bora (renovated recently originally Le Meridien Bora Bora) , which is located close to St Regis. This resort is also very elegant and sophisticated, with overwater villas that have glass panels on the floor that allow you to admire the marine life below. The resort also has a pool, a spa, a fitness center, a tennis court, and three restaurants and bars. One of the unique features of this resort is its turtle sanctuary, where you can see endangered sea turtles being cared for by marine biologists.
These two resorts are slightly cheaper than St Regis Bora Bora and Four Seasons, but they still offer the same level of amenities and luxury.
St Regis Vs Four Seasons which is better?
The St. Regis has larger overwater villas, better views of Mount Otemanu at sunrise, closer proximity to the main island of Bora Bora, beach villas with private gardens, a private lagoonarium, and a 24-hour butler service.
The Four Seasons has better views of the sunset over the water, complimentary boat transfers to and from the main island, beachfront villas with private pools, an inner lagoon sanctuary, and a sunset bar. Depending on your preferences and budget, you might find one resort more appealing than the other. We recommend Four Seasons for a high-end family trip, and St Regis for a romantic couples escape.
However, you can’t go wrong with either one, as they both offer an unforgettable experience in paradise. For more information on Four Seasons, and its price point and inclusions read our detailed Four Seasons Bora Bora article.
Our Final Recommendation
St Regis Bora Bora is also the epitome of a secluded tropical paradise. It’s a place where you can enjoy biking past palm-fringed beaches and the smell of fresh flowers, combined with the luxury of some of the best facilities in Bora Bora. It’s an idyllic setting, where you can create memories that will last a lifetime, whether it’s for an engagement, a wedding, or any romantic occasion.
We recommend you book a stay here if you're looking to impress someone special.