Four Seasons Bora Bora - Luxury The Heart Of French Polynesia
Written by Compass + Twine
Have you ever arrived somewhere and wondered how it could actually be real? That is how we felt when we arrived at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, and honestly for the entirety of our time there. Everywhere we turned, it looked and felt like a postcard or a scene from a movie. Scenes so absurdly beautiful, we had to pinch ourselves to remember we weren’t in a dream.
Admittedly, this is not an easy place to get to so plan your arrival accordingly. We’d anticipated a bit of long-haul flight discomfort and had already made appointments at Te Mahana Spa. The scent of tiare, a lightly sweet and gloriously fragrant Tahitian gardenia, filled the room and we were able to choose an oil of the same scent for our massages. There are two hot tubs and lounge decks, which hotel guests can use even without spa appointments. One faces the sea and the other, Mount Otemanu, an extinct volcano giving big Moana vibes. You can soak in the hot tubs or unwind in the relaxation room before your treatment and either option is sure to help melt the jet lag right off.
If you’ve had enough lounging, make use of the complimentary paddleboards and kayak and explore the lagoon, chock full of vibrantly colored fish zipping around. There’s a marine biologist on site should you have any questions and the staff can also arrange an exciting snorkeling and swimming with sharks safari which you MUST do.
Once you’ve arrived at the Four Seasons Bora Bora you truly need not leave. There are four restaurants on site serving such an excellent variety of cuisines, you won’t grow tired of dining there. Breakfasts at Tere Nui were fresh and delicious, with just cracked coconuts chilled on ice, an impressive buffet as well as a menu full of decedent options like eggs Benedict of French toast. Come midday, a lunch of Moorea shrimps, sweet potato fries and fresh coconut cocktails at Faré Hoa Beach Bar and Grill was a delightful reprieve from the midday sun. What is better than enjoying a meal while your toes are in the sand!? You can expect Mediterranean classics and Italian fare at Arii Moana and electric Asian cuisine at Vaimiti, along with insane sunsets so be sure to arrive in time and snag a westward facing seat on the patio.
There are 108 overwater bungalows at the Four Seasons Bora Bora, 27 of which have their own private plunge pools. The one bedroom lagoon view bungalow was breathtaking. Every detail was well thought out and functional while still being just over the top enough that it felt truly luxurious. Doors opened up over the soaking tub, allowing you to soak in the views while you bathed and the sundeck, with loungers and a table and chairs, was the perfect place to hang during the afternoon. We loved diving right into the sea from our deck and you will to. It is truly paradise.