Staying in Paradise at the St. Regis Bora Bora (Hotel Review)
Staying at one of the most iconic properties in Bora Bora was a dream come true. This paradise property exceeded all of our expectations, and we couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous views. The prestigious St. Regis is only accessible by boat or helicopter, and is the largest resort in French Polynesia, spanning across three islands.
WATCH OUR HOTEL VIDEO TOUR BELOW
The St. Regis reallyyyyy knows how to take care of their guests. They sent a private boat to pick us from the mainland and take us to paradise. On the dock, we were greeted with floral leis and refreshing drinks by our personal butler, Akane.
St. Regis is the only hotel in all of Bora Bora that provides guests with their very own butler. Akane was there to ensure our every need and want was met- she was our lifeline! We weren’t even sure exactly what we would need her for, but soon realised how essential it is to have butler service. Need to make a dinner reservation? Call butler Akane. Need a flower crown- butler Akane will have it delivered to your doorstep. Don’t feel like taking the bike to breakfast? Akane will pick you up. Need a fresh cappuccino delivered to you in bed- Akane is on it!
We constantly relied on her to not only help with our photoshoots, but also with our life in general. Neither one of us are experts at ironing clothing, and as we were constantly changing between shoots, Akane was there to help our clothes look fresh and presentable. She truly took our experience at the luxurious St.Regis to the next level.
OVERWATER VILLAS AT THE ST. REGIS BORA BORA
After taking us on a tour of the property, Akane took us to our villa. We stayed at their overwater villa, with a direct view of Mount Otemanu. The St. Regis offers various room types, from beachfront villas to overwater villas with pools. While we love the novelty of staying in an overwater villa, personally we prefer staying in a beachfront villa as we like to run around on the sand straight into the water. Once again, this is just a personal preference, and if you haven’t stayed in an overwater villa yet, definitely splurge for it!
Our villa had a spacious living room, bedroom, and bathroom, which had stunning views of the mountain. There was a deck that connected both the living room and bedroom, and you already know that Kaan started every morning by jumping off the dock into the ocean!
The best way to get around the property was by using the bikes provided by the resort. They each came with a basket in front, so you can put all your beach (or camera) stuff into their and be off on your way.
The resort has two main swimming pools, one long stretch of beach, and a spa. Over on the spa side, you can snorkel in the massive lagoonarium after your massage. The lagoonarium had all these colourful fishes, including 2 of the elusive Napolean fishes (if you’ve watched Blue Planet, these are the fish which can change sex). Kaan spent hours and hours snorkeling around in here, while I relaxed on the loungers on the small beach in front of the spa.
There are five restaurants on site, including the only Michelin star restaurant in Bora Bora: the Lagoon Restaurant by Jean Georges Michelin, which specializes in French-Asian fusion cuisine. Te Pahu is an open-air restaurant that specializes in international food and was where we had our breakfast each morning. Due to Covid, there was no breakfast buffet, but we were given an extensive menu where we could order as much as we could eat from. When I say we were obsessed with the sashimi, I mean it. We ordered at least 5 plates EACH, every morning. The servers kept laughing with us every time we ordered more. It was the best thing I’ve ever eaten, and I would easily fly the 16 hours to Bora Bora just to have that fresh sashimi again.
If you’re feeling Asian cuisine, there is Bam Boo restaurant, and if you’re in the mood for Italian, head over to the Far Niente restaurant. Obviously, you won’t be starved at all at the St. Regis Bora Bora, as they have an incredible food scene.
Maybe relaxing full-time isn’t your jam- you like to have adventure on your vacations. In that case, there are plenty of activities to do. The resort offers jetski and helicopter tours, wind sailing and paddle boarding, in addition to world-class snorkeling and diving. They also have a complimentary boat shuttle to the mainland, where you can do some intense hikes, atv adventures, or enjoy the local food stalls. Trust us, there are so many things to do besides just laying on the deck of your beautiful villa!
IS THE ST.REGIS BORA BORA WORTH IT?
Absolutely! Yes, it is incredibly expensive. But then again you are in the most romantic (and priciest!) place in the world. This is THE place to spend years saving up for, and it is worth every penny. From the stunning views of Mount Otemanu, to the azure lagoon right outside of your overwater villas, to the five-star service, you will feel like you are in paradise. Prepare for the most relaxing and jaw-dropping experience of your life!
COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AT THE ST. REGIS BORA BORA
The COVID protocols in place kept us feeling safe and comfortable during our stay. Wearing masks around the resort was mandatory, and social distancing measures were enforced. Furthermore, housekeeping would only enter rooms when guests were out. This prevented any close contact in an enclosed space.
As an additional safety measure, breakfast was a la carte, with guests still being able to order all-they-can-eat.
