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| view from the beach at FS Bora Bora — (c) 2015 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved |
Where to stay in Bora Bora? I've enjoyed two different visits to this idyllic atoll with its incredible blue-green water, and while there's a resort for most every budget, here are my impressions of the three resorts I visited during my December trip to Bora Bora.
Four Seasons Bora Bora is by far the resort I am most frequently asked about, so I was glad to be able to spend a day last December. Only 5 years old, the resort is beautiful and will only become more impressive as the extensive landscaping matures. FS Bora Bora has a warm, informal elegance with a contemporary Polynesian feel.
There are 100 overwater bungalows and 7 beach bungalows. The OWB we were shown was spacious with separate bedroom and living room. Rooms are decorated using natural light woods on the walls, darker wood floors, and bamboo ceilings. Connecting bungalows are available for families.
But the best part was the beach — large and uncrowded — and you can swim and snorkel in the various inlets and the coral garden. We spent the afternoon between the beach and the spa — heaven!
Other features are an impressive spa, complimentary laundry facilities, free programs for children and teens, and a wonderful Relaxation Room that guests can use if their bungalow is not ready in the early morning when their flight arrives.
Book through a Four Seasons Preferred Partner to get even more value for the same price!
InterContinental Thalasso is a five star "trendy" option on Bora Bora (with a bar designed by Philippe Starke). Public buildings are constructed with coral rock, providing a sense of place, and natural woods are used extensively in the interiors. The spacious guest rooms have a contemporary feel with a cool color scheme using quiet, subtle shades of blue and grey. The best part of the design: your bed directly faces a floor-to-ceiling glass window with a dramatic view of Bora Bora's incredible lagoon. Book an Otemanu Diamond room for the most breathtaking views when you wake up each morning.
Why consider IC Thalasso? The top reason is the spa! The Thalasso Spa uses sea water for treatments, and if you book a treatment, you get the use of the innovative spa facilities for the entire day. (Or you can buy a day pass, but a treatment is just slightly more).
The food is wonderful (we enjoyed our lunch), and prebook one of the 14 tables at Corail, Thalasso's new signature restaurant with Michelin-starred chef.
InterContinental Moana is a good choice for price conscious honeymooners on a four star budget. IC Moana is an intimate four star resort with a family ambiance and a traditional Polynesian feel, more relaxed and "comfortable" than Thalasso's "trendy" styling. It is located on Bora Bora's central motu, great if you'd like to explore the island and eat dinner at Bloody Mary's or the exquisite La Villa Mahana.
Just 50 overwater bungalows and 12 beach bungalows, each is 36 square meters in size. Rooms are very pleasant with rattan walls and bamboo ceiling beams. Bathrooms have an open-air shower that may appeal to some! A sliding door can close between the living room and dining room, and the sofabed can accommodate one child in an OWB or two children in the beach bungalows.
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