St. Regis Bora Bora Bora Review: Views and Bikes, as well as Butlers

Bora Bora is an island in South Pacific that is known for its turquoise waters, luxury hotels and majestic Mount Otemanu. It’s a popular vacation spot.

Since I have been to French Polynesia many times, I know what travelers want. Activities like swimming with sharks and manta rays, sunset cruises, and watercrafting around the islands. Instead, this trip I was purely focused on relaxation and rest when I wasn’t working remotely.

A previous trip had taken me past The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort on a water scooter. I was able to see the prominent view of Mount Otemanu from my previous experience as well as photos online.

I had mentally prepared for a view of Mount Otemanu all throughout my trip. It was amazing to be able to see the mountain every single day. This contrasts starkly with the Conrad Bora Bora Nui which has only views of Mount Otemanu viewed from a select few villas and the resort’s spa.

My only regret about my room is not having a Villa with a Mount Otemanu View.

The resort grounds boast stunning views and lush tropical landscaping. There is also a bike path that allows you to navigate the resort. Each room comes with two bikes, each one with your villa number. You can also call the butler to arrange a ride if you don’t want to bike.

These were my favorite parts of the property, and where I spent most time:

• The Lagoonarium. The Lagoonarium is ideal for snorkeling with many tropical fish.

• The Iridium Spa. The Iridium Spa has a tranquil beach on a private, isolated island that you can use even when you’re not receiving treatment.

• The main beach. The main beach has cabanas, chairs and umbrellas as well as a hammock that can be used to relax and take Insta-worthy photos.

I have had the pleasure of staying in many overwater villas throughout French Polynesia, Maldives and other parts of the world. But, I was shocked at the size of my villa at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort.

I stayed in the Overwater Deluxe Villa. Although it is one of the smaller villas in the resort, it measures 1,549 square feet. It has a living area, bedroom, outdoor terrace with lounge area and a large bathroom with jetted tub.

The villa’s unique feature that allows you to see the ocean below the floor is something I loved. It can be easy to forget you are in a large villa. Being able see the water below each room was a wonderful reminder.

The bed was extremely comfortable. There was hot water, plenty of hot water, and Wi-Fi that worked flawlessly for streaming movies and Zoom meetings. The outdoor terrace offered chairs for sunbathing and shade.

Every guest at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort is assigned a butler. You can reach him throughout your stay by dialing 9 (either from your room or any other phone on the property).

You can call your butler every morning to have your favorite coffee delivered to your home or terrace. They’ll arrive approximately 20 minutes later. It was a pleasure to have my morning iced coffee delivered. It was a highlight of my day as a coffee lover.

Your butler will assist you with making reservations for dinner, booking activities and minor requests such as finding a replacement bicycle if yours is stolen by another guest.

Our butler was always willing to assist us. When I tried to make a reservation directly with the restaurant, I was unable to get a reservation for dinner before 8 p.m. My butler helped me to get a reservation and called the restaurant to confirm it.

Food was my favorite part of the trip. I loved the breakfast buffet, the cheeseburger, fries, and the set menu for the weekly Polynesian meal (which includes traditional dancing and music). Far Niente, an Italian casual restaurant, was my favorite spot. 727 Bar overlooks Mount Otemanu, and offers complimentary champagne sabering every night at sunset.

The property’s restaurants include the prices in Central Pacific Francs and an approximate cost in U.S. Dollars. This is a thoughtful addition that you can use to order a meal or drink.

The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort was my first stop in French Polynesia’s rainy seasons, which usually runs from November to April. It rained only 15 minutes during my first trip to French Polynesia in January 2019. So I was optimistic that my next trip would be similar, and that I would enjoy the best weather for the majority.

The weather wasn’t as kind on this trip. It rained almost every day. While there was some sunshine on most days, it rained so much that I couldn’t leave the villa for two days.

If you are flexible about your trip’s timing, I recommend booking in the dry season between May and October.

Another thing to think about when planning your visit is whether you will be there during the new moon. Bora Bora Bora is a great spot for stargazing because it has very little light pollution.

The stunning views from Mount Otemanu, the large villa and the personal butler service were all reasons I enjoyed my time at St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. If I have the opportunity to return, I will book in the dry season and pay an extra amount to get a villa with a view over Mount Otemanu.

(Top Photo courtesy Josh Garber)