Bora Bora accommodation will perhaps constitute the largest chunk of your budget, so it’s a big question for anyone coming to stay in the beautiful islands. Let’s see what an ‘insider’ can do to help.
Bora Bora accommodation offers everything from quaint family-run ‘pensions de famille’ (guesthouses) right through to some of the world’s best hotels.
When staying in Bora Bora, make your assessment on the basis of knowing that there are two very distinct areas where you can stay:
1. On the motus – the small but very beautiful islets along the reef that protects the main island, or,
2. On the main island itself with its own very beautiful corners.
Staying on the Motus
If you wish to stay completely isolated from the rush & bustle of everyday life, be totally & utterly pampered & have everything at the click of a finger, then perhaps the motus (islets) are for you. There’s a price to pay, though for such luxury.
Its 5 star ALL the way – you’ll be eating & drinking at the ‘top end’ throughout your visit, you’ll pay each time you wish to visit the main island, and excursions you book through the hotel will be subject to commissions applied by the hotel for their services in assisting you & so on. If money is not an issue, then this is the place for you.
If you decide to stay on the Motus at some of the world’s best hotels, start by comparing the hotels concerned via their excellent official websites. The hotels to consider are, in no particular order – The Four Seasons Resort, The St Regis Bora Bora Resort, Le Meridien Bora Bora, the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, the Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa (on an island, not motu) & the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort. These fine hotels will be covered in separate reports on this site.
There are a number of other options on the motus many of them on the same stretch of sand as the first four mentioned hotels above or on smaller, more intimate, independent motus. These, too are covered elsewhere on this site.
STAYING ON THE MAIN ISLAND OF BORA BORA
If, however, you would like to be able to participate in the day-to-day life of locals, dine out at the Bora Bora restaurants the locals frequent, deal direct with tour operators & avoid any potentially hidden commissions or attend shows or whatever that may be taking place on the main island or in Vaitape, Bora Bora’s main town. You should consider staying on the main island, and the Bora Bora bars are excellent.
There is actually a smorgasbord of choice for travelers, especially in the beautiful Matira Beach area, including the very up-market Intercontinental Bora Bora Moana Beach Resort & the Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island, all with over-water bungalows.
A shot overlooking the Intercontinental Moana Beach with the Sofitel Private Island in the background:
The Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora offers over-water bungalows, lagoon-side bungalows along a white sandy beach as well as excellent hillside accommodation offering tremendous views out over Bora Bora’s stunning lagoon & across to Tahaa & Raiatea.
The main island also offers a large range of smaller boutique hotels & some wonderful “pensions de famille” (guesthouses). Amongst others, visit the reviews of the following establishments here at:
Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort
We have traveled much of the world for work & for pleasure, stayed in some great & some not-so-great establishments of all kinds & we have experience in operating hotels with liquor, accommodation, food & gaming facilities.
The approach here is to offer informed advice without fear or favor; gratuitous praise has no place here. We will give you an unbiased, up-to-date & accurate appraisal of the accommodation options available in Bora Bora.
The integrity of our reports is everything; we’ll let you be the judge.